Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones

Audiophile

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fountainpenguy

Jul 18, 2017

I have Sennheiser HD 598 Cs headphones that I really like. Is it worth getting the HD 6xx as an upgrade or is the difference minor? I likely wouldn't be using a DAC/AMP for them (at least not in the beginning).

Jul 18, 2017

RiflemanFirst

685

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguyDefinitely a worthy upgrade as long as you understand the difference between closed and open back headphones. You will need a decent headphone amp to drive the HD 6XX to potential. The HD 598 Cs is much easier to drive and can be driven by almost anything with a headphone jack.

Jul 19, 2017

mathees

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguyBig upgrade, but you will need a DAC/Amp to really hear how much better these are.

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguy

Jul 19, 2017

RiflemanFirstCool, thanks for the input! I haven't tried open back headphones before but I've wanted to get a pair for awhile so I'll probably wind up pulling the trigger on these. I likely won't get a DAC/Amp straight away though so would they still work if they're plugged directly into my laptop? It's a macbook pro if that makes a difference at all. What amp do you recommend? I'd like to stay under $100 if possible.

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguy

Jul 19, 2017

matheesGotcha, thanks for the response. I don't have any plans to get a DAC/Amp soon but things can change in the 6 months before the headphones are shipped out haha Any recommendations on what to get?

Jul 19, 2017

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mathees

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguyI'd recommend the Schiit Modi 2 for a DAC and the Schiit Magni 2 for the Amp. These two pair really well together but are $250 combined. This is also a non-portable solution. But this combo will power any future headphones you will get.
I do not feel comfortable giving a cheaper recommendation as I haven't personally used another and I don't want to lead you down the wrong path. But the friendly folks at reddit.com/r/headphones will definitely be able to help you out!

Jul 19, 2017

RiflemanFirst

685

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguyThey will work plugged into your laptop, but might not be loud enough and possibly sound tinny. I personally wouldn't recommend a sub-$100 amp for the HD650/6XX. Generally speaking, amps in that price range don't output enough power in the 300 to 600 Ohm range to drive the HD650/6XX to their potential. I currently use a Schiit Modi Multibit DAC & Vali 2 amp with my HD650s (and all other headphones), but plan to upgrade the Vali 2 to a Jotunheim soon so I can run them on a balanced cable.

Jul 19, 2017

fountainpenguy

Jul 19, 2017

matheesThank you! I appreciate the info and the honesty. I'll look into those products.

Jul 19, 2017

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fountainpenguy

Jul 19, 2017

RiflemanFirstThank you! That's good to know, I'll save up a bit for better quality equipment. I'll look into your suggestions. I saved both of your comments to refer back to later.

Jul 19, 2017

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tessierpg

Jul 20, 2017

fountainpenguyApple products (iPad, iPhone and Macbooks) have very decent DACs, by the way. An amp would increase the quality and quantity of amplification, but your Mac will produce very decent sound for your HD6xx plugged directly in the output jack, in particular if you don't crank up the volume at high levels. That said, an external amp, even budget amp (like an schiit Magni, Objective O2, Audioquest Dragonfly Red or similar) will alwaysbe better, but if you are on a budget you may skip the external DAC and buy a simple headphone amp without DAC, as the DACs in Apple products from Wolfson or Cirrus Logic (now the same manufacturer) are of high quality enough for your HD6xx in my opinion.

Jul 20, 2017

Jimmybuckets

Jul 21, 2017

matheesI purchased an 02 from JDS labs, because of the fact it can run on batteries. While not something you may want to commute with, it is a portable that has the power to run just about anything. I bought the OL DAC because it had optical input so I could us Chrome cast Music. The basic idea is when I'm home I can use the Dac / Amp stack and when I'm on the move I can just leave the Dac behind. It has worked out well so far. I have no ideas how it sounds against the Schitt stack.

Jul 21, 2017

mathees

Jul 21, 2017

JimmybucketsGood to know, will look into it if I ever need a portable solution

Jul 21, 2017

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heavyarm1912

Jul 24, 2017

fountainpenguythere will be noticeable difference. however for the HD 6xx to shine you would need a dedicated Amp.

Jul 24, 2017

DottedStingray

Jul 24, 2017

fountainpenguyI won't echo what people have already said since there are many good suggestions already but I'll say an anecdote. I have the hd598 open backs and the hd650 with a schiit stack 2u for reference. Just out of curiosity I plugged the hd650s in to my google pixel to see how they compared unamped (or rather without dedicated amplification since all audio signals have to be amped) and they could get loud enough and sounded better than my 598s. Albeit, at 90% volume but it still sounded better. It is worth noting that an amp still takes it to another level but you could still do without one for bit and save your pennies for a really good amp.

Jul 24, 2017

krahl

Jul 24, 2017

fountainpenguyi use 598 c at the office then got hd650s (impatient for this drop) both with amp 650 need amp for sure but worth it. Similar sound between the two but 650s were worth the 400 $ no regrets for me even while owning 598s already

Jul 24, 2017

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