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SENNHEISER HD600 Corded Headphonesby Sennheiser
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Features
- Adjustable headband
- Large earpads with Circumaural design
- Open air design
- Neodymium ferrous magnets
- Wafer-thin duofoil diaphragms
Amazon.com Review
Sennheiser seals its reputation as the classiest name in headphones with the stunning HD600 Avantgarde Dynamic Hi-Fi/Professional Stereo Headphones, a stylish and high-tech headphone that's exquisitely pleasing to listen to and nearly as pleasing to wear. A near-perfect mating of art and science, the HD600 uses an open, over-ear design to eliminate unwanted resonances and optimally position its large, dynamic drivers just outside your ears--so they work more like miniature speakers than traditional in-ear or against-ear drivers.Granted, all this comes at a pretty hefty price for a headphone. But the lightweight HD600 represents one hefty value. It so far outshines other headphones in sound quality, build quality, and comfort that despite its price it's still a strong value.
Of course, with a headphone like this and a name like Sennheiser, it's the sound you're really after. With stand-alone loudspeakers, the goal is generally to provide balanced sound across as much of the audible sound spectrum as possible (roughly 20 to 20,000 Hz). High-frequency reproduction is easier than low, simply because low-frequency reproduction requires a speaker to move so much air. Speakers capable of rendering deep bass usually use large speaker cones--8 inches or more in diameter--to help move the necessary volume of air.
Headphones, of course, are restricted in the sizes of the drivers they can use. Being so much closer to your ears, the amount of air they need to move to convey bass frequencies is much smaller, but still a challenge for what are basically tiny speaker cones. And anyone who's listened to a lot of headphones can tell you, there's almost always a tradeoff in what a headphone driver is capable of. Some produce balanced overall sound with little in the way of bass; others aim for bass at the expense of natural-sounding midrange and coloration-free treble.
The Sennheiser HD600, we're here to tell you, manages--through its extremely high-grade parts and exquisite engineering--to bring home truly full-range sound with remarkable timbral balance. Rich, deep, effortless bass grounds the listening experience while the headphone's airy midrange and treble help render everything from acoustic bass to soprano saxophone and electric guitars with a haunting degree of realism.
The HD600 doesn't offer the lush midrange favored by tube-amplifier enthusiasts--tube fans may find the headphone somewhat bright and maybe even strident in tone. But the rest of us will revel in the expanse of crystalline detail and snare-snappy dynamics.
The exceptionally natural quality of the HD600's overall sound bears reiteration, since so many headphones with "fat" or even "slamming" bass response deliver the low-end goods with a degree of emphasis that, while pleasing to bass aficionados, grossly distorts the frequency balance, limiting the range of music and recordings that will sound good on those headphones.
How does Sennheiser do it? Through computer-optimized magnets--critical to driver operation--that minimize harmonic and intermodulation distortion, granting the HD600 its uncanny clarity and spaciousness. Furthermore, the headphone's advanced diaphragm design eliminates standing waves in the diaphragm material, preventing unwanted emphasis at otherwise resonant frequencies.
As good as this headphone is, however, we don't recommend it to those seeking a stellar headphone for portable use. While this unit is capable of amazing sound, its best performance requires more amplifier power than most portable devices can muster. The HD600 owes its strength in part to its large drivers, which just can't be moved as easily as those in smaller headphones.
Furthermore, the HD600's open-ear design means that sounds pass easily into and out of these headphones, which would in all likelihood prove irritating to you and to those around you in libraries, on buses, and even at the office. These are only our suggestions, however; the fact is your MP3s will probably never sound better than when you're playing them over this headset.
We'll just leave you with one last suggestion, then: if you're after the best-sounding, most comfortable audiophile headphones you can buy at anything resembling a real-world price, look no further than Sennheiser's HD600. --Michael Mikesell
What's in the Box
HD600 headphone, adaptor to 0.25 inch (6.3 millimeter) stereo jack plug.
Reviews
Best. Headphones. Ever.They may be expensive for headphones, but you get what you pay for. Music and games sound amazing in these, and they are extremely comfortable. Sometimes I forget I'm wearing them at all. Also, the cables are very strong, and have withstood multiple pulls and snags on the cords without incurring damage. These headphones will be the last pair you ever buy.
Sennheiser = Pure Audio BlissI originally was educated about the audio beauty of Sennheiser headphones over 5 years ago, having only experienced the most basic of Sony headphones that you would get at a local electronics store. I was under the assumption that headphones are headphones, what could possibly be different about a pair with a name I had never heard of versus a pair made by an electronic giant like Sony? As I slipped the Sennheisers on my ears, I never looked back.
Ignorance was NOT bliss in this case.
Soon after I got to experience what music is supposed to sound like, I quickly purchased a pair of Sennheiser headphones of my own and have enjoyed them ever since. From their cool, velvety feel to the crispness of audio clarity, I challenge anyone to find a headphone manufacturer that exceed Sennheiser.
My Sennheisers have given me hours upon hours of sonic joy and I guarantee you will not be disappointed if you give them a chance. Are Sennheiser headphones more expensive? Are Mercedes more expensive? I am sure if you ask a Mercedes owner to give up their keys for a Ford they would laugh at your just as quickly as I would if someone wanted to replace my Sennheiser headphones with a Sony pair from Best Buy.
You will NOT be disappointed.
***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION
Worth every pennyGot these headphones 4 years ago for $200, and have since used them constantly. Not only are they built to last, but if something does break, you can replace it. For example, my devil-cat bit through the cord a few weeks ago, so I ordered a replacement cord(Silver Dragon) that can be installed by anyone in a few minutes. Needless to say, the sound is incredible, and the pads are so soft that I can wear them for hours at a time. There are many replacement accessories for audiophiles, so the sky's the limit. The marble-swirl finish on the outside is also a nice touch. If you wear headphones a lot, you really owe it to yourself to get the best!
