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My headphone journey started about 15 years ago with the HD598. The 599 is basically the same headphone just with a slight retuning that makes the bass better. The 598/599 have what I call a 'fun' tuning. They're tuned to make 'most' music pleasing to the human ear.
The HD 600 is a different animal and has a mostly neutral tuning. Maybe slightly mid forward. If you want to hear the music as it was recorded with the vocals as the standout the HD 600 is a great choice. The 600 is more resolving and less forgiving of bad recordings. It also 'needs' amplification to get the most out of them. If you like EDM or bass heavy modern pop or especially rap save your money. The whole 6xx series lacks sub bass. If you like vocal forward jazz or rock and want to hear it as it was recorded there are few headphones with better timbre. They'll work for classical but there are probably better choices.
The HD600 is a classic open back wired headphone best known for neutral, mid focused sound, natural timbre, and a more airy presentation than the HD650 or HD6XX. It handles vocals, jazz, rock, and classical especially well, with a bigger soundstage and strong detail for the price. The main caveats are its bass light tuning, limited forgiveness with poor recordings, and the need for a decent headphone amp to get the most out of its 300 ohm drivers. A solid fit if you want a reference style listen rather than heavy bass.
Owners with a proper headphone amp who want the most from a 300-ohm headphone, because amplification makes a big difference.
Desk listeners who want to hear room sounds while keeping music quality high, because the open-back design lets outside conversation and ambient noise through.
The HD 600 is the more neutral, airier option with a bigger soundstage, while the HD 650/6XX family is warmer and more bass-forward. That makes the HD 600 a stronger fit for listeners who want a more revealing presentation, especially for classical and vocal-focused music.
It can run from modest gear, but it benefits from amplification to get the most out of its 300-ohm drivers. A small DAC/amp may be optional for casual listening, while a better amp can make a noticeable difference in dynamics and overall sound.
Yes. The HD 600 is known for mostly neutral tuning with strong mids and natural timbre, making vocals, jazz, and rock stand out clearly. It is less forgiving of bad recordings and has limited sub-bass, so it is not the best pick for bass-heavy EDM, pop, or rap.
Yes, $265 is described as a good deal compared with recent pricing. Similar options mentioned include renewed units around $224.99 and Sennheiser-refurbished pairs around $229.95, while some buyers were happy paying $299.
Yes, but they leak sound and let in room noise because they are open-back. That makes them better for hearing your surroundings at a desk, but people nearby may hear what you are listening to.
These are like the OGs of modern audiophile headphones. I love HD6XX and their price (I bought 2 at 200 and 180), but I've always prefered HD600 over HD650 which the 6XX is based on. If you don't have a pair, get one at the price, you might not end up liking it but it will certainly worth a try.
These are more airy and have a bigger sound stage so would be more suitable for classical music.
I was happy when I got mine for $299, so this is a good price. A good amplifier makes a big difference. I use a dedicated headphone amp (Fosi ZH3) or the headphone output on my receiver (Yamaha RX-V4A). Both work well.
Top Comments
The HD 600 is a different animal and has a mostly neutral tuning. Maybe slightly mid forward. If you want to hear the music as it was recorded with the vocals as the standout the HD 600 is a great choice. The 600 is more resolving and less forgiving of bad recordings. It also 'needs' amplification to get the most out of them. If you like EDM or bass heavy modern pop or especially rap save your money. The whole 6xx series lacks sub bass. If you like vocal forward jazz or rock and want to hear it as it was recorded there are few headphones with better timbre. They'll work for classical but there are probably better choices.
Community Reviews
The HD600 is a classic open back wired headphone best known for neutral, mid focused sound, natural timbre, and a more airy presentation than the HD650 or HD6XX. It handles vocals, jazz, rock, and classical especially well, with a bigger soundstage and strong detail for the price. The main caveats are its bass light tuning, limited forgiveness with poor recordings, and the need for a decent headphone amp to get the most out of its 300 ohm drivers. A solid fit if you want a reference style listen rather than heavy bass.
Owners with a proper headphone amp who want the most from a 300-ohm headphone, because amplification makes a big difference.
Listeners who want neutral, mid-forward headphones for vocal jazz or rock, because they are more resolving and reveal recordings with strong timbre.
Desk listeners who want to hear room sounds while keeping music quality high, because the open-back design lets outside conversation and ambient noise through.
Classical listeners who want an airy presentation and a bigger soundstage, because these headphones suit orchestral music well.
Buyers expecting a plug-and-play headphone without extra amplification, because the 300-ohm drivers can benefit from a dedicated amp.
Bass-heavy EDM, modern pop, or rap listeners, because the tuning is bass-light and lacks sub-bass.
Listeners who prefer warm, forgiving headphones for rough recordings, because these are more resolving and less forgiving of bad masters.
People who need strong isolation for shared spaces, because the open-back design leaks sound and lets room noise in.
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These are more airy and have a bigger sound stage so would be more suitable for classical music.
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