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expired Posted by BeigeRoad455 • Nov 29, 2024
expired Posted by BeigeRoad455 • Nov 29, 2024

New Drop Customers: Massdrop X Sennheiser HD 6XX Open-Back Headphones (Midnight)

+ Free Shipping

$159

$219

27% off
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Deal Details
Drop has for New Drop Customers: Massdrop X Sennheiser HD 6XX Open-Back Headphones (Midnight Blue) on sale for $159 when you follow the deal instructions below. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member BeigeRoad455 for sharing this deal.

Deal Instructions:
  1. Go to MassdropX Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
  2. Click the "SIGN UP" button on the top right of the page. A new email address must be used for signup.
  3. Email with subject "Thanks for Joining Drop" typically arrives in up to 15 minutes (Check spam folder if it hasn't arrived in inbox after this time)
  4. You will receive a unique $10 off promo link (click through "Hello, Here's $10 on us" in email)
  5. Add headphones to cart
  6. $10 discount will be automatically applied in cart
  7. Final price should be $159 + Free Shipping
Features:
  • Transducer principle: Open, dynamic
  • Frequency response: 10 Hz – 41 kHz
  • THD: < 0.05%
  • Nominal impedance: 300 ohm
  • Cable length: 6' (1.8 m)
  • Connector: â…›'' (3.5 mm)
  • Weight without cable: 9.2 oz (260 g)
  • Includes ⅛–¼'' (3.5–6.35 mm) adapter

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
  • About this item:
    • Includes 2-Year Warranty
  • About this store:
    • Drop.com offers a 30-Day Return Policy
  • Additional Note:
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by BeigeRoad455
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Drop has for New Drop Customers: Massdrop X Sennheiser HD 6XX Open-Back Headphones (Midnight Blue) on sale for $159 when you follow the deal instructions below. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member BeigeRoad455 for sharing this deal.

Deal Instructions:
  1. Go to MassdropX Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
  2. Click the "SIGN UP" button on the top right of the page. A new email address must be used for signup.
  3. Email with subject "Thanks for Joining Drop" typically arrives in up to 15 minutes (Check spam folder if it hasn't arrived in inbox after this time)
  4. You will receive a unique $10 off promo link (click through "Hello, Here's $10 on us" in email)
  5. Add headphones to cart
  6. $10 discount will be automatically applied in cart
  7. Final price should be $159 + Free Shipping
Features:
  • Transducer principle: Open, dynamic
  • Frequency response: 10 Hz – 41 kHz
  • THD: < 0.05%
  • Nominal impedance: 300 ohm
  • Cable length: 6' (1.8 m)
  • Connector: â…›'' (3.5 mm)
  • Weight without cable: 9.2 oz (260 g)
  • Includes ⅛–¼'' (3.5–6.35 mm) adapter

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
  • About this item:
    • Includes 2-Year Warranty
  • About this store:
    • Drop.com offers a 30-Day Return Policy
  • Additional Note:
    • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by BeigeRoad455

Community Voting

Deal Score
+39
Good Deal
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Top Comments

A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.

With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.

The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.

The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.

While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.

30 Comments

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Original Poster
Pro
Nov 29, 2024
566 Posts
Joined Nov 2021
Nov 29, 2024
BeigeRoad455
Nov 29, 2024
Original Poster
Pro
566 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank BeigeRoad455

A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.

With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.

The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.

The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.

While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.
18
Nov 29, 2024
690 Posts
Joined Feb 2019
Nov 29, 2024
joebells
Nov 29, 2024
690 Posts
n
Quote from BeigeRoad455 :
A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.

With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.

The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.

The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.

While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.
Thank you very much. So these would not be better than my Tygr 300r it sounds like. I really like the Tygr, very clear sounding, but feel I want to get something a bit better, and with a smidge more bass. It's hard shopping for headphones haha
1
Nov 29, 2024
78 Posts
Joined Feb 2022
Nov 29, 2024
E-Zee
Nov 29, 2024
78 Posts
Quote from joebells :
n Thank you very much. So these would not be better than my Tygr 300r it sounds like. I really like the Tygr, very clear sounding, but feel I want to get something a bit better, and with a smidge more bass. It's hard shopping for headphones haha
I've been at this headphone game for quite a while, and everything the OP started is correct. The open back headphones he listed are all exceptional values, including the ones offered in this post. This is a great price for that item. The 400se of those others listed, I think is a standout and a favorite model as well.
There truly is no perfect headphone for every use case, and a good argument can be made for needing a good pair of open-back and a good pair of closed-back, depending upon the scenario. Both have strengths and situations where they are each the best suited. Since your pair are open, and you are looking for more bass, you really should consider adding a pair of closed-back. The meze-99 series under $200 (look on Drop website) has a very pleasing bass, without being muddy at all. Also very lightweight and comfortable.
1
Nov 29, 2024
94 Posts
Joined May 2020
Nov 29, 2024
FeistyBreakfast428
Nov 29, 2024
94 Posts
Crazy to think that I just bought new earpads and a headband pad for 1/3 the price of a new set.
Nov 29, 2024
177 Posts
Joined May 2015
Nov 29, 2024
Guesticles
Nov 29, 2024
177 Posts
Quote from BeigeRoad455 :
A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.

With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.

The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.

The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.

While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.
Just wanted to say thank you for the very well detailed but yet concise review.
1
Nov 29, 2024
6,150 Posts
Joined Oct 2010
Nov 29, 2024
IamPro
Nov 29, 2024
6,150 Posts
Quote from FeistyBreakfast428 :
Crazy to think that I just bought new earpads and a headband pad for 1/3 the price of a new set.
Yeah the pads are expensive as hell. 3rd party ones change the sound Frown

Ended up just switching to the Fidelio X2
1
Pro
Nov 29, 2024
1,118 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
Nov 29, 2024
jdsteel7
Pro
Nov 29, 2024
1,118 Posts
If you prefer closed backs, look into the Fiio FT1. Outstanding value audiophile quality for around $150
1

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Nov 29, 2024
2,717 Posts
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lilgrubbybaby
Nov 29, 2024
2,717 Posts
Quote from BeigeRoad455 :
A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.

With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.

The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.

The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.

While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.
thanks
2
Pro
Nov 29, 2024
328 Posts
Joined Jan 2014
Nov 29, 2024
RobertJason
Pro
Nov 29, 2024
328 Posts
These are amazing headphones. Highly recommended at this price point. If you need a headphone amp the "Monolith 133304 Liquid Spark" is $90 everywhere and top notch.
1
Nov 29, 2024
115 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
Nov 29, 2024
mako455
Nov 29, 2024
115 Posts
I have the drop HD5X I basically use for PC gaming driven by my AVR with a separate Samson mic. They're great but I always have the itch about just getting the 6x in the first place lol.
1
Nov 29, 2024
95 Posts
Joined Feb 2018
Nov 29, 2024
jason125
Nov 29, 2024
95 Posts
Looking for a monitor headset to pair with digital piano. Is this good?
1
Nov 29, 2024
8 Posts
Joined Nov 2024
Nov 29, 2024
MerryRose9728
Nov 29, 2024
8 Posts
Quote from BeigeRoad455 :
A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.
Nice post, good deal
1
Nov 29, 2024
95 Posts
Joined Feb 2011
Nov 29, 2024
fimbu1vetr
Nov 29, 2024
95 Posts
Quote from BeigeRoad455 :
A few basics to get out of the way first, since I know people wander onto these headphone deals not realizing these are audiophile cans for critical listening: these headphones are wired only (no bluetooth or wireless connections of any kind), have no form of active noise cancelling, have extremely poor sound isolation (you can hear whats going on around you, and everyone around you can hear what you're listening to), and are somewhat heavy and bulky. They are designed to be used at home with a dedicated audio setup.With a high impedance and only moderately high sensitivity, these headphones are fairly difficult to drive. I would only recommend purchasing these headphones if you already have a headphone amplifier, plan to purchase one, or have a significantly higher quality than usual integrated audio solution. A standard motherboards 3.5mm output or a low quality phone dongle will not be able to drive the hd6xx well at standard listening volumes. If you plan to use eq (equalization) at all this is even more relevant, as the necessary negative preamp to prevent clipping means these headphones will require even more power.The hd6xx (and the hd 650, which is functionally identical) are widely regarded as baseline audiophile headphones. They are near universally acclaimed for their sound and build quality in their price bracket. The hd6xx are renowned for having exceptionally balanced and detailed mids, and having an overall laid back sound signature that the vast majority of people find pleasant. That being said, the hd6xx has fairly deficient bass and a mildly restrained treble, so those who prefer a more v-shaped sound profile would likely be better served looking elsewhere. The hd6xx have a decent amount of distortion in the bass region at high volumes, so don't be too heavy handed raising the bass through eq. Their soundstage and imaging are also generally considered middling for open backed headphones, though still superior to the majority of closed back headphones. Ultimately, the hd6xx shine when used to listen to well mastered music. While they're certainly highly competent for other purposes, such as gaming, that's not where their main strengths lie. Likewise, if you listen to poorly mastered or compressed music, the hd6xx are rather revealing and you'll likely find those flaws magnified.The build quality of the hd6xx is very good, they have an excellent reputation for longevity. The cable included with the hd6xx is supposedly somewhat worse than the one included with the hd 650, but I haven't heard any major complaints regarding it. The hd6xx is made in Ireland, and I believe it uses the older slightly different plastic molding than that which is used in the current silent revision of the hd 650. Regardless, the pads, drivers, and entire driver/cup assembly are identical between the hd6xx and hd650, and measurements between the two headphones fall within expected unit to unit variation. Those with larger heads may find the clamping force to be somewhat high, this can easily be rectified by stretching out the headband.While the hd6xx are no longer the absolute undisputed value kings they used to be due to the advent of several competitive headphones both in a lower price bracket (sennheiser hd 599 se @ $80 on an exceptional sale, drop + hifiman he-x4 @ $79 on an exceptional sale, hifiman 400se @ $109, sennheiser hd 560s @ $130 on a good sale, etc.) and a higher price bracket (hifiman edition xs @ $269 on sale being the standout) in the past several years, they still remain a compelling value proposition.
I think the amp part really depends on how loud you're listening to music. From an app, I listen to music at ~63 db so I can easily drive the 6XX with any device I own without an amp- phone, laptop, even an old MP3 player (Cowon J3, at 19/40 volume). I did get an amp for the 6XX when I bought it but I never actually use it lols.
Also I bought a shorter cable (the included one is like 6 ft long) with remote and mic off Amazon and I use the 6XX as a portable headphone and the comfort is amazing for me. I don't think having a stack of amp/preamp/etc is really necessary for the 6XX.
Also I listen to music from Spotify and YouTube, etc. and I sure can't tell the difference between somewhat compressed music and lossless. I used to download 320kbps minimum and FLAC but honestly I could not tell the difference and I don't think most people can, unless the bitrate is super low. https://abx.digitalfeed.net/list.html - if anyone wants to test. For most people, I wouldn't worry about this.
I think the 6XX is freaking amazing and better than everything else I owned previously (albeit mostly IEMs, most expensive being the Shure 846s). Highly recommend at the price.
1
Nov 29, 2024
3,235 Posts
Joined Jan 2011
Nov 29, 2024
Wand
Nov 29, 2024
3,235 Posts
Can a macbook air drive these?
1

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Nov 29, 2024
77 Posts
Joined Jun 2023
Nov 29, 2024
Zukmeister
Nov 29, 2024
77 Posts
Is there a way to add microphone to these?
1

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