They’re all aiming for readability, however very similar to digital camera makers, every high-end headphone model places its personal taste on the expertise. Fans love Sennheiser’s HD 600 collection not just for their exceptional definition and dynamics, but additionally for the delicate manner during which they specific these revelations. Unlike some headphones that may sound extra “clinical” or sharp and chilly, there’s a smoother grain to the midrange and treble, whereas nonetheless permitting for full distillation of all frequencies. (The claimed whole frequency response is 10 Hz to 41.5 okayHz.)
The 660S2 construct on that sound with an additional drop of amber within the sound, for much more saturated coloring that’s most pronounced within the low finish. The bass often is the greatest motive to contemplate these over extra inexpensive fashions within the collection. Dropping the needle on hip-hop and digital tunes unleashes an added rush of foundational energy, and it may be numerous enjoyable to take heed to.
The essential groove in Biggie’s “Hypnotize” is a laser stick of thump with distinctive stability. It’s a funkier sound than the increase you’ll get from low cost bass bombers, nearly rewriting the general really feel with a jazzier taste. Similarly, Too Short’s “Money in the Ghetto” has a candy, push-button punch to the principle kick that’s expertly articulated. Those aren’t my ordinary go-to tracks for these sorts of headphones, however they helped to set the stage and sounded nice doing it.
The Chemical Brothers’ “Go” is an much more intriguing check, once more showcasing the 660S2’s bass expertise whereas additionally highlighting their lightning-fast transient response. The track’s kick drum is carved with a deep texture of echoed reverb that expands like a bubble on the middle picture. The glorious instrumental spacing enables you to roam freely via the dimensional soundstage, from the synth that sweeps via the stereo picture forward of the refrain to the build-up on the instrumental breakdown that seems like an imminent rocket launch.
Even the kick drum in Maxwell’s Silver Hammer has some further thump to it, offering a extra raucous, but nonetheless refined journey than you’ll get from others within the HD 600 collection or past. I choose the 6XX’s extra impartial take for such tracks, but it surely wasn’t a detriment to the expertise.
Elsewhere, you’re getting the identical sort of lyrical readability and refinement that first endeared me to the HD 6XX. Reverb tails echo into oblivion; piano tracks allow you to estimate each the room dimension and mic placement—the nerd in me was asking, “Was that an open-lid close-up of a grand summed down with the room mic?” (I believe it was). The distorted guitar in ELO’s is so textural and visceral, it provides me the chilly fibrous crunch of biting right into a popsicle.
Even podcasts are extra richly portrayed, letting you hear not solely how shut the voices are to the mic beat by beat, however deeper particulars like whether or not Sean Hayes had dairy forward of the Smartless Jon Favreau interview (he undoubtedly did).
It’s all, in a phrase, superb. But to my ears, the HD 660S2 aren’t a lot an enchancment over different headphones within the collection as a barely completely different take. Fabulous headphones all, I’m most considering the most effective worth. As I write this, you may get the unique 660S at $320, to not point out the shockingly inexpensive 6XX at $219. What’s extra, I discovered the 6XX to be the comfier of the 2 I’ve tried, which is a serious consideration for prolonged listening periods.
If you’re excited in regards to the further bass, the richer saturation, and even the tighter flex in your noggin, there’s audiophile surprise available within the HD 660S2. Whether that’s price the additional coin is as much as you and your pockets.
