Sennheiser HD 600 Review: Rich Sound for Audiophiles

The Sennheiser HD 600 was purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

The Sennheiser HD 600 studio headphones are a rare find in the headphone market, despite what you might have seen elsewhere. It is aimed at professionals, musicians, and audiophiles, despite the negative reviews. This is because open-back headphones are more popular than fully enclosed ones. You'll be amazed at how detailed the HD 600 captures. Check out the results of our tests to find out how they performed.

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Setup and Design: Large and heavy, but with some traditional touches

Studio headphones are almost never seen in their best light. These headphones have been designed to be both professional and practical for decades. Many of the best-known products, such as the Sennheiser HD and Sony MDR lines, haven’t seen significant updates since the 2000s.

You'll notice the HD 600's transparent mesh exterior outside the large earcups. You can see the inside workings of the driver. The Sennheisers have open-back headphones, so this is not a pretty face. This is a way to let the audio and soundstage 'breathe'.

The HD 600 is similar to the pricier HD 650 in design, except for one key thing—the speckled blue/gray shell on the plastic parts. Sennheiser refers to it as "steelblue". This is not the most modern look for pro headphones. However, if you don't like blacks or solid grays then it might work well for you.

These oversized earcups measure approximately 4.5 inches at their largest point. They aren't particularly contemporary-looking. To give you more motion, they are tilted backwards. Silver branding appears on the Sennheiser logo at the top of each headband, while bright blue branding above each earcup is the "HD 600" branding. Each ear pad is just over half an inch thick, covered with black velvet and four tiny foam pillows are located along the inner side of the headband.

Because the wires are plugged in to the headphones on their own, wires will come out of both your ears. The majority of design details are common for the class. However, if you prefer something simpler and more utilitarian this may not be for you.

It's easy to set up. You can plug both cables into the earcups and the HD 600 into your sound source. You will need a headphone amplifier and a digital to-analog converter (DAC).

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Comfort: Warm and snug with a soft covering

Comfort is a key factor in choosing a pair studio headphones. Both sound quality and frequency response is important, but headphones that hurt your neck or head (or with more heavy models your neck) will not allow you to use them for long enough. Comfort is a top priority for the Sennheiser HD 600. They fit perfectly right out of the box. This is great for protecting your ears. However, it's not ideal if you have large heads. It is possible for them to loosen slightly over time. However, it is important to remember this.

These studio monitor headphones weigh in at just under half a pound. Sennheiser puts this at 0.57 pounds. The best thing about these headphones is the fact that the earcups are large, so the fit is tight and comfortable. This allows you to distribute the weight more evenly. The weight will not be an issue from fatigue standpoint.

The firmness of Sennheiser's foam used for earpad padding will also play a role. The velvety covering of the earpads is reminiscent Beyerdynamic's famous ear cup design. However, the inside foam seems dense and firm. It helps to keep the earbuds in place, but it also makes the foam too dense. We give the HD600s a passing grade on comfort, but we warn that prolonged use can cause discomfort.

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Quality of Construction: Solidly constructed, with a balance weight and strength

Studio headphones can be expensive so it is important to get the best quality. It's important to think about how many times you will be wearing these headphones during your sessions. If you have sessions that last for hours, it can put a lot of stress on the ears.

Sennheiser did a great job in this area, placing the focus on the important parts and keeping the aesthetics light to reduce weight. Where we see this the most is in the metal cage that covers the bulk of the earcup construction—a feature that's designed to take good care of the sensitive drivers inside. Although Sennheiser used plastic in the casing and headband to reduce weight, we are confident that the plastic will withstand abuse.

One problem with the headband's design is its thin adjustment arm made of metal and the wobbly-feeling metal earcups. To better suit different ear angles, most headphones' earcups rotate horizontally using a hinge that swivels. HD 600 headphones don't rotate completely, they just move on the track to adjust. It is an excellent solution to wearable comfort but makes the connection feel weak.

The wiring and components of the driver are next. We are confident these headphones will last many listening sessions, as they have a lot of protection. Sennheiser chose to use detachable cable on every earphone so that you don't have to change the whole headphone unit if it gets frayed. It feels very sturdy. The HD 600 is durable enough to last for many years.

Sound Quality - Industry-leading but extremely specific

High-end headphones such as the HD 600 can have a complex sound quality. This is due to many factors. Impedance is the most crucial factor. It is an indicator of how powerful headphones can be driven. The headphones have a staggering 300 ohms. This is more than the average consumer headphone that uses less than 50ohms. The headphones are capable of handling higher levels of amplification, however it is a dual-edged sword. High-impedance headphones require an amplifier, or at the very least, a device capable of generating a lot of power. You won't be able to get high volume or a wide dynamic range from your headphones if they are just plugged into your phone.

The HD 600 is meant to be professional studio reference monitors. This shouldn't surprise. This is because they are assumed to be plugged into an amplifier or other audio interface. It also means the frequency spectrum will not be as flat as a pair Beats headphones, which have a very accentuated bass. Or headsets that can boost the speaker voice, such as the Beats headphones.

The HD 600 covers frequencies between 12 and 39,000 Hz and does so very accurately and honestly. Producers love this because you can hear your mix on headphones. The human hearing range ranges from 20 to 20,000, so the headphones are not sufficient. Clearly, Sennheiser wanted comprehensive coverage.

These headphones sound great when used in the correct environment. The HD 600 will not sound good in an unamplified environment and is likely to be too difficult for the average user.

Pricing: An excellent balance between the expensive and affordable

Although the HD 600 monitor isn't Sennheiser’s most expensive reference model (see HD800), they are a good option for those who need a cheaper alternative. The Sennheiser price list is $399.95. However, most often you will find them for less than $300 on Amazon. The price is comparable to the other options, but a little more affordable than similar ones. This is an option to get more versatility if the price goes up. It's a good middle ground between professional open-back monitors that are extremely expensive and those at the lower end.

Competiton: Only a handful of brands should be considered

Sennheiser HD650:The HD650 increases the frequency range and offers slightly higher build quality. However, you will have to spend a little more.

Beyerdynamic DT990 With similar velvet cups, and the option for a comparable ohm rating you can achieve the HD 600's performance using the DT990. The DT990 is also a lot more affordable.

Sony MD-7506: These are closed-back headphones that are industry-standard. They are also much cheaper and have a higher ohm rating. They won't provide as much detail as the HD 600, provided you use a headphone amplifier.

Specifications

• HD 600 is the product name
• Product Brand Sennheiser
• UPC 6115104044654
• Prices from $399.95
• Weighing 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions of the product: 6.5x3.75x8 in.
• Colour Steel Blue
• Wired and wireless wiring
• Frequency Response 12-39000 HZ
• Impedance 300 Ohms
• 2-year warranty

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