Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?
Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...
Apr 23, 2024
The only thing similar (but not identical) about these two headphones is the overall signature, or in a way, their tonal balance. However the HD6XX is just more refined in every way, I know Sennheiser didn't intend it to be a direct replacement to the HD600, but it sure sounds like one! The most immediate impression when I compared the two headphones is the obviously larger soundstage (or headstage if you will) on the HD6XX, in both width and depth. Instrument separation is better in the sense that there is more air around each instrument, the airiness presentation reminded me of my HD800 and I took it off just to make sure I didn't grab the wrong headphone by accident!
Something else I did not expect was when I first put on the HD6XX, it sounded like it had less bass. But I realized it's due to the much darker background on the HD6XX which puts more emphasis on dynamics and resolution. While the dynamics on the HD600 is flatter making everything sound louder and closer together. With the HD600, you're sitting in the front row, while the HD6XX you're sitting in the sweet spot.
The bass on the HD6XX is obviously smoother but still has better definition and texture. The high notes were a bit peaky when I first got the headphone, but after some burn in they now sound smooth yet full of timbre that makes instruments come alive. Voices are great, the black background really brings out even more texture in the voices (especially female voices on a good tube amp).
Comfort wise, I find the HD600 better, the pads are softer and moulds perfectly to my skull. But that's probably because it's been moulding around my skull for the past 3 years :) Build wise, I do like the gloss finish on the HD600 more than the matte finish on the HD6XX, it makes it look a bit cheap TBH. Also the 1/4 adapter is better on the HD600, the one on the HD6XX looks like it might snap off with a bit of force. The cable is a bit thicker and sturdier on the HD6XX.
My partnering gear is a Metrum Octave DAC with Audiophilleo2 PurePower and a fully upgraded Woo Audio WA6SE. The HD6XX seemed to scale even better as compared to my HD600. On my Lampi, the difference was bigger (but I didn't listen to it for long as it doesn't belong to my headphone rig). I also tried running these two headphones side-by-side on more budget conscious rigs - ODAC+O2 and Aune, and in both setups they sounded more similar than different, and... I actually prefer the HD600 on my entry rig but on my high-end rig the HD6XX is the more involving headphone.
I didn't think anything could top my trusty HD600 for an euphonic sound, until I listened to the HD6XX. The HD6XX is a phenomenal headphone, it sounds great on anything but on an equally good setup it will outshine anything! That is the factual karmic truth.
My previous experience with the 650 was feeling that it was too dark. But that was some time ago, before the Massdrop build, which I believe has cleaned up a few things that I didn't like, because the community helped define the build in favour of better clarity and a nice bass that does not muddy or overwhelm the other voices. I went with Beyerdynamics to get things that were missing with the HD600's, still loving the 600's for that flatness that could be beauty-ed up with a good tube amp.
Now I will have to re-visit the Massdrop version, this HD6XX...might just pick it up after all.
Nice job, my brother!
And the 1/4" too... Same cheapo feeling thing stuffed in with the 4XX and my M1060. I'd still prefer the Audeze and Grado route of a 1/4" cable with a little 6" long 1/4" to 3.5mm cable to go the other way. They're incredibly open cans, all three of them, yet they end in a little 3.5mm plug. Even my legitimately portable HD25-1 II has a really solid screw on 1/4" adapter. I'd take that over the adapters these things come with.
But those being my only complaints is great. They are fantastic, and the 6XX advantage on your better gear has me interested in better gear again... unfortunately.
Don't have experience with McIntosh amplifiers for headphones. But their high-end stuff are some of the best I've heard on high-end speakers and they're my favorite pairing with a Focal Utopia (speaker). Their lower-end stuff aren't as good as a PrimaLuna Premium or Richter Mystique, but still costing a lot more.
But I just SO genuinely appreciated "an euphonic" more than I can put into words right now! Thank you for taking the time and care to use proper grammar and spelling etc. so as not to distract from what is all excellently-conveyed and valuable firsthand experience. Thanks for such a thorough and informational review 👌🏼👍🏼
Of course, this is an opinion based on secondhand information regarding the 58X, so you may completely disagree if you get the opportunity to hear both.
But the original 580 is still a very solid offering, so I'm not trying to turn you away from it. I’m not saying the 58X is a bad choice either. There's always something “better” so it’s cost benefit evaluation on your end at this point. What’s up to the level you want at a price you’re happy with?
The 6XX is killer, and I do recommend it, but I understand the hesitation. You may be able to find a hifi shop somewhere with a HD600 or HD650 to demo given the longevity and prevalence of both of them, but I don’t know the availability of that option. Ultimately, I think everything you’ve mentioned has potential as a good option.
Of course, you can stay put. The 598 isn't really a slouch. No reason to pick something up if you’re not getting something you really want out of it while you’re at it (which is my reason for disappointment with the HE4XX).