Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone

Comments about Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone:

Extremely comfortable...can be worn for hours on end without fatigue or discomfort. My video editors remarked that they hear sounds from the source footage they never knew were recorded. Only drawback, maybe too much bass emphasis.

Comments about Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone:

I bought these headphones as an upgrade from my Sennheiser HD570, and the sound is much better. They are plugged directly into the audio out of my computer, for music/movies/gaming. I was afraid the high impedance of the HD600 would demand a headphone amplifier, but they work ok without one.

Unfortunately the pressure on my ears & head is much higher than the HD570 so I can't say they are as comfortable. Hopefully over time the spring tension will relax and provide better comfort.

Comments about Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone:

I am a lifelong audiophile, but, due to a few life changes, find myself living a condo where I'm aware of how often my neighbots vacuum or do laundry. The big sound system was sold more than a year ago, but I still needed to scratch that itch of listening to fabulous music presented as pristinely as possible and at appropriate volumes. Headphones seemed the only way to go.Given current economics, I'm very value oriented. When the price of the HD600s, a pair of cans that have earned many glowing reviews, dropped below $300, I pulled the trigger. To extract audio from computer files and drive the headphones, I chose the E-MU 0404. I don't have any immediate need to do recording, but may in the future since I now have the capability.I am thoroughly pleased with these headphones. The adjective "balanced" is used in many other reviews of these 'phones, and it's very appropriate. There is no area of frequency response that seems exaggerated or lacking. Violins sound like violins. Kick drums sound like kick drums. Dynamics are rendered very well. A plucked guitar string has an almost visceral attack. I particularly enjoy orchestral crecendos with no compression and each instrument still having its own voice.These cans are also very light and comfortable, suitable for hours of continuous listening.The only comprimise I'm making over the big system is the visceral impact of low bass. Just no way to get that punch with headphones.One possible con for these 'phones is that they are an open design with no reduction of outside sounds. Your office mate should develop a teste in your music.

Comments about Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone:

Sound is neutral and very clear.

Much wider sound stage than other (cheap) headphones I've owned.

Not too hard to drive; bass is lacking from iPod output, but my Creative X-Fi Elite Pro does a fine job. They have a 300 ohm impedance which means they need high amounts of voltage with low amounts of current.

These are open back headphones which means sound easily leaks IN and OUT. You can be bothered by ambient noise and others will likely hear what you're listening to if within the same room.

Construction is semi-modular; you can replace ear pads, cabling, etc. by buying parts through Sennheiser USA (very low cost).

Comments about Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone:

As a long-time owner and lover of Grados (most recently the SR-225s for about 2 years), I was skeptical that these would impress me. I was wrong. I haven't touched the Grados since I got these. The balance is incredible. No, they don't have the almost magical guitar sounds as the Grados, but everything else is improved. Bass goes much deeper and has more punch, vocals sound amazing, and brass instruments?! Wow. They are also about 100x more comfortable than any other headphones I've used(including the Grados, BeyerDynamic DT-225 and Sony MD-7506)- perfect fit.

A few things to be aware of: these are 300ohm headphones, so you will need a serious source to drive them properly. An iPod won't cut it here. They also leak a lot of sound (more even than the grados) and let sound in. These are decidedly home or studio 'phones.

Comments about Sennheiser HD 600 Circumaural Open-Back Professional Monitor Headphone:

Before the HD 600 I was used to use an AKG K240, wich is not a great headphone, but is at least a regular one. After listening to the HD 600 I thought that the AKG was something like a consumer headphone.
Maybe it's not the "best sounding" headphone, but it is so precise that a good recording sounds good, and a bad recording sounds bad.
It does not make anything better than it is.
If you are looking for a headphone for professional use (audio engeneering) I recommend it very much. If you listen to good recordings I recommend it very much. But... If you have chosen to listen to low quality mp3 audio I don'n recommend, because I think you're going to be disappointed.