Sennheiser HD 600

From the day we first heard this headphone, we considered it amongst the world’s very best. It has now perhaps relinquished its lofty position to the Sennheiser HD650, AKG K701, and maybe even the beyerdynamic DT880 for some, but at around 15%-20% less than the 'flagship' HD650 for truly world-class audio performance, it remains a very awesome value-loaded reference headphone. This is probably a bit more headphone than you need if using it with portable Mp3 players or as a general-use headphone for the TV or radio; for those applications you may want to perhaps check out the nicely efficient, lower impedance HD595 model. And for listeners who are die-hard audiophiles and want a headphone for a superior 'reference-grade' high-end system, the upscale HD650 model provides some improvements in ways that can be important for ultra high-performance stereo equipment [read: my CD player costs >$2500...] However, if you’ve got very healthy pro-consumer grade audio sources or even a quality "entry level" audiophile rig, these superb headphones will deliver extremely satisfying musical reproduction featuring a truly expansive dynamic range extension, precise timbral/tonal detail resolution, and a deeply layered soundstage image, along with huge bang-for-the-buck value in spades. The HD600 overall sonic signature is an authoritative bass response balanced by focused mids and well-rendered but slightly 'laid-back' upper highs; It's perhaps not quite as buttery-sounding as the HD650 BUT with a bit more sonic punch compared to its upscale sophisticated big brother, this may be a marvelous headphone for energetic modern jazz and well-produced rock music. Naturally, at a very stiff 300-ohm impedance rating, a high-quality dedicated headphone amp is demanded for fully maximized audio performance and musical clarity from the HD600.

Following closely in the same ergonomic design as the now-discontinued HD580 model, the HD600 features the same comfortable velour ear cups and headband pad but now incorporates a carbon fiber headband and bails with sturdier metal mesh grilles. The result is less spurious mechanical vibration in the headphone giving a clearer & slightly more articulate sound. Drivers in these headphones are very finely matched at the Sennheiser factory to ensure reliably well-balanced audio imaging. A nice plus, the HD600 has a handy user-detachable HD600 headphone cable which is an approx 9.5ft long “Y-cord” configuration. It can be quite easily replaced by the owner with highly-upgraded Cardas Audio aftermarket headphone cord with excellent audio improvement results, especially on reference audiophile sources. A 2-yr manufacturer's product warranty remains standard with all Sennheiser headphones.