Over the past two years, I have been relentlessly preoccupied with headphones and related hi-fi equipments. Started out with a sub $100 pair of headphoens imported from Japan (Audio-Technica ATH-A500), my inventory of gear has grown to include external DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters) and dedicated vacuum tube amplifiers. Even the cables used to interconnect the devices received special attention. I was on a desperate hunt to discover the "perfect" setup. As I have finally landed on an ultimate "musical link" based on a limited budget, my obsession with headphones has also come to an end... for now.

Throughout the time I spent on this journey, I have dipped into the products of numerous high-end headphones manufacturers, including Grado, AKG, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Westone (IEM), and Shure (IEM). Within these brands, Sennheiser's products intrigued me the most. Regrettably, I have not had the chance to test out any electrostatic headphones, such as the king of all headphones - Sennheiser Orpheus (HE90). Nonethless, I have had the opportunity to audition Sennheiser's high-end dynamic line-up: the HD580 (discontinued), HD595, HD600, and HD650. In this article, I will compare the four giants and at the end, crown one as the best dynamic reference headphones from Sennheiser. Let the showdown begin!


Testing Equipments:
EMU 0404 USB Audio/MIDI Interface
Hosa Pro Stereo Gold TS/RCA Interconnect
Little Dot MKIII Headphone Amplifier






Sennheiser HD580
MSR Price: $299 (discontinued)
Average Used Price: $160

Out of the four headphones, the aesthetic quality of the HD580 is the worst. Constructed mainly out of plastic, the HD580 boasts two large ear cups with ugly grey plastic grills. The included cable also looks rather flimsy. Fortunately, the poor look of the 'phones is compensated by its comfort. Similar to Sennheiser's top-line models, the HD580 features thick velour earpads for maximum comfort upon contact. Unlike most average over-the-ear headphones, which sport leatherette earpads, velour material significantly reduces sweating of the ears from prolonged usage.

Overall, the sound quality of the HD580 embodies the Sennheiser signature - large soundstage, laid-back, and bass-heavy. In the audiophile community, this quality has been characterized as the Sennheiser "veil." When auditioning the HD580, everything seems to carry a bass note while the presence of treble is blatantly evident, a bit harsh if you will. Although HD580's powerful bass exerts an authoritative presence in music and games with crisp punch and great decay, the overabundance of bass often muddles the frequency scale and creates a "veil" that seems to hold everything back. With the emphasis on low-notes and an overly bright treble, the HD580 seems to be missing something... ah, yes, the mids! As a result, the phones are not great at vocals. The sluggish, bass-bloated sound signature is disastrous at playing rock, but is terrific at classical, hip-hop, movies, and games.

Sennheiser HD595
MSR Price: $299
Average Used Price: $140

If the HD580 was a 250 lbs guy with a sharp punch, the HD595 would be a slim dude in his 20s. Comparing it to its competitors (HD580, 600, 650), the HD595 appears much more compact and light weight. Besides a high-quality leatherette headband, velour earpads, and metal side grills, the HD595 also features a thick single-sided cable. Thanks to Sennheiser, the HD595 package includes a very useful two-way headphone holder that can be clipped horizontally or vertically onto surface edge.



In terms of sound, the HD595 is Sennheiser's Grado-wannabe. Out of the entire high-end dynamic Sennheiser line, the sound of the 595 stands out as the most forward-leaning. Although still embodying the ultimate Sennheiser laid-back character, the sound situates in between, providing a faster signature with lighter impact. Comparing to the HD580, the treble is not as bright and the bass is not as deep and not as extended. However, the mid-range is much more evident with a lesser "veil" over everything. Comparing to the HD580, the HD595 is much more suitable for rock. Couple the 595's wide soundstage and accurate (surround) sound reproduction with a good 3D soundcard, and you'll get yourself a pair of top-notch gaming 'phones.

Some fans of the HD580 complains that the HD595 does not have enough bass. While it's true that the 595 has smaller low-range presence, the bass proves extremely competent when the headphones are properly amplified. Unlike the bass on the HD580 which tends to color all sources, the bass on the HD595 only comes out when the source (music etc.) calls for it. The low notes can even surprise some people when they come out from nowhere and suddenly tremble their world.

One might ask, "Can the HD595 replace those funky, vintage-looking Grados?" Unfortunately, although the 595 embodies a faster and cleaner sound signature, it is no Grado. For now, when both are properly amped, the HD595 exceeds the HD580 in sound accuracy and all-around reproduction.



Sennheiser HD600
MSR Price: $499
Average Used Price: $200



The HD600 and HD650 are in a different class than the other two. The packaging tells it all. Enclosed in a large hardcover box with foam cushions, the HD600 exerts a feel of luxury, the sense you would get from a collector's item. The body of the HD600 is constructed of carbon fibre (stylized in marble pattern), which according to Sennheiser reduces sound vibration and unnecessary feedbacks. In reality, unlike plastic, carbon fibre not only is light weight, but also highly durable. With the exception of a flimsy cable, the build quality and comfort level of the HD600 is top-notch.

So, how does it sound? Some, in the audiophile community, argue that the HD580 and the HD600 are nearly identical as they both utilize the same drivers. While there are no real ways to confirm this physically, my side-by-side auditioning of the two headphones reveals a clear distinction between the two models. In contrast with the HD580, the HD600 has a less bloated bass and sounds less colored. The HD580's recessed mids (especially the upper-mids) are much more apparent in the HD600. The treble also sounds less harsh, with a more crystal feel to it. Although both headphones embody a laid-back character, the HD600 carries a more forward signature. The sound is acceptable when playing rock, but truly shines at vocals, classical, and hip-hop. While the bass is not as prominent and as punchy as the 580, the 600's low-end nonetheless exerts an extremely powerful presence. Overall, the HD600 does everything pretty well. If the 600 truly utilizes the same drivers as its counterpart, then Sennheiser has done one hell of a job masking HD580's true potentials.



Sennheiser HD650
MSR Price: $599
Average Used Price: $280



For now, the HD650 sits as the king of Sennheiser's dynamic headphones lineup. In fact, the Sennheiser HD650 is noted as one of the best dynamic headphones in the world. The physical appearance (size, construction, material, and weight) is almost identical to that of the HD600. The only exception is the better cable, which looks much thicker and more durable.

This $600 beast is considered by Sennheiser as the successor to the HD600, meaning the sound signature of the 650 would not differ too much from its predecessor. However, while in many ways, this is the case, in some aspects, it is not. Unlike the HD600, the HD650 represents the pinnacle of "dark forces." The sound seems to be painted with a layer of dark paint, that of which being the bass. Although this tends to color the overall frequency scale a bit, the treble, the upper and lower mids, and the bass are all very well defined. The highs are never harsh, giving you that crystal feeling of details and timbre. Listening to the HD650 is like eating Haagen-Dazs ice cream - rich and smooth. While the creamy sound may not be the most accurate representation of your music, out of the four headphoens, it is definitely the most enjoyable to listen to.


Finale

So, there you have it. A general introduction to the four audiophile-class headphones from Sennheiser. So, which should be the next Sennheiser Idol? Let's see the category-winners below:

Neutrality:
HD600 > HD595 > HD650 > HD580

Treble:
HD650 > HD600 > HD580 > HD595

Mids:
HD650 > HD600 > HD595 > HD580

Bass:
HD650 > HD580 > HD600 > HD595

Soundstage:
HD650 > HD600 > HD580 > HD595

Build:
HD650 > HD595 > HD600 > HD580

All-Around:
HD600 > HD595 > HD650 > HD580


Putting prices aside, the HD650 stands out as the most competent headphones in the Sennheiser lineup. Whether it is the treble, mids, or bass, the 650 clearly knocks out all its competitors. However, when judging a pair of headphones, not only does the performance of each category of frequency response need to be taken into consideration, the overall mix of sound signature also needs to be evaluated. In the search for a Sennheiser Idol, neutrality - the most important element of a master-class reference headphones - weighs the most. With this in mind, the HD600 stands out as the best reference headphones in the crowd. Throughout the scale of frequency response, the HD600 closely follows the HD650 with slightly less details and extensions to both ends. Nonetheless, unlike that of the HD650, the bass of the HD600 does not overwhelm the entire sound signature. As such, the high-qualty, clean sound of the HD600 trumps all its competitors as the best reference model for serious audiophiles.

Compudio Gadget Reviews officially crowns the HD600 as the new Sennheiser Idol!

Reviewed by Cecil Lau. All Rights Reserved. Average Used Price intended for reference only.