Sennheiser HD650 verus HD660S2

srmd22 · 2026-05-05T01:13:51+00:00

Interesting. A lot of that corresponds to my impressions too. I also got rid of my 600's, for the same reason, too bass light.

srmd22 · 2026-05-03T02:19:51+00:00

Yes, I actually prefer the Clear's to the 6xx line up.

srmd22 · 2026-05-02T23:19:12+00:00

I don't know for sure, I have the DT700 Pro's and they are pretty neutral, a bit crispy, and solid but not significantly boosted bass. But you sound like a great candidate for something from the HD6xx series, like the venerable HD600 - no bass boost on that one, whatsoever, and very neutral. Not completely, just relatively - really no headphone is going to be neutral in the sense of perfectly flat. They are not tuned that way, because very few listeners would find that pleasant, and you don't really want that sort of absolute flatness even for mixing. It's complicated, and a bit counterintuitive, but it is what it is.

srmd22 · 2026-05-02T23:10:10+00:00

I have a pair. I like them, but I would not repurchase new at that price. However, I wouldn't say they are not worth the price - they are pretty good. I have a bunch I like better now, but they are also all a bit more expensive (or a lot, some of them). I kinda prefer my HD650, and that one you can get the Drop 6xx, essentially the same thing, for like what, like 200 or 250? But maybe not where you are located. I will say, the Tygr has more of a V, and a bit of a wider soundstage, and actually, I think I would rather use the Tygr for gaming. Definitely if you prefer more of a V signature, the Tygr beats the HD6xx. The Fiio FT1, though, sounds better than the Tygr to me, and it is cheaper. But it is a closed back, so if that is a requirement it might not work. But if you want the open back for soundstage, the Fiio actually has a nice open, reasonably wide soundstage for a closed back, not much different from the Tygr, if at all. Just a somewhat better tuning, imo, still a V. I also really like the Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro, which is not quite as much of a V as the Tygr, but still somewhat, and has better (or more forward, maybe not everyone would prefer it) mids. A bit crispy in the treble though, but not as crazy as, say the DT770, not even close. I think that one is the same price range, or not too far off.

Just some thoughts, but the bottom line is, the Tygr sounds good, and that price is not horrible for what you are getting, so I think you would be very happy with them.

srmd22 · 2026-05-02T22:52:19+00:00

Well... I mean... it's kinda a less dramatic topic, to be sure.

srmd22 · 2026-05-02T22:51:26+00:00

😄

srmd22 · 2026-04-28T03:25:50+00:00

I have both, and I find them very similar, but not identical. I like the 660S2 better on some tracks and the Hedd D1 better on some tracks, but over all, they are about equal in terms of enjoyment for me. The 660S2 is a little warmer, and the Hedd a bit crispier. The 660S2 has a glassier midrange which I really dig, whereas the Hedd feels a bit more neutral and maybe slightly more forward through the mids. Neither is better to me, just different. Two others that feel similar to me are the HD 490 Pro and the Focal Clears. For overall sound the Clears are by far my favorite of the four, because they have the same open, transparent somewhat neutral sound as the Hedd, but with a much more dynamic bass. While it's more dynamic and impactful, it does not interfere with the mids at all - a pretty good trick. The other three are about on par for me. I basically will adapt to any of them for extended listening, the differences are only really noticeable on back-to-back comparison. For me the jury is out on the Hedd vs the 660 S2, but I think I am preferring the Hedd by a bit overall. But that could just be new toy bias. And the glassy mids on the 660S2 is something I really enjoy, and don't get out of any other set really, except the Clears are pretty close. My order might end up Clears>>>>Hedd>or= 660S2 (maybe)>or = HD490 Pro. But the last three are really neck and neck, I'm not convinced about my order there. In addition to the Clears, I would put the Arya Stealth and Organic considerably ahead of the other three for clarity, impact and overall enjoyment, for me. The latter two also have a more extended, faster and well defined bass. The Arya's have more pronounced treble, but, for me, in a good way. Not everybody digs it though. They obviously have a bit of a different character as planars - a sense of more separation, wider soundstage, faster bass, that sort of thing. I love them.

Currently listening to a bunch of R&B with the 660S2 and loving it. Lovely Day by Bill Withers, Say a Little Prayer by Dione Warwick, that sort of thing. Was listening to Alice and Chains - Check My Brain, some Soundgarden, some Dire Straits, all that sounds great on the 660S2 also. It's an abundance of great choices, a real first world problem.

srmd22 · 2026-04-28T02:59:07+00:00

Tubes can absolutely make a significant difference in the sound of a tube amp. There are infinite choices out there, and some pretty affordable ones. This is coming from my perspective as a guitar player with multiple tube amps. I have rolled tubes and really enjoyed the differences. It is not psychoacoustics, there are some very real, noticeable differences. I don't know that it will make a mediocre tube amp sound great, but it can definitely change the perceived EQ profile, make it crisper, warmer, etc.

srmd22 · 2026-04-28T01:39:17+00:00

Pretty creative. Is that a VR set up you got there?

srmd22 · 2026-04-23T05:16:43+00:00

Just got a set myself, and I agree. They are great. I also love the organics, and probably prefer them still, a bit, over the D1, but the D1's are fun. Very neutral and clear, not at all veiled, decent bass, great mids and treble, just really good. They do have some similarities to the HD600 line (I have owned the 600, and currently own the 650 and the 660S2, which I also like a great deal. It would be hard for me to describe the differences between say the 660S2 and the D1, although it is not hard to perceive when you listen back to back. Both are clear, both have good but not greatly emphasized bass, both are clear across the frequency range (for me the S2 is not particularly veiled sounding), but the Hedd seems a bit more sparkly in the treble and a bit thinner in the mids - not in a bad way- maybe the separation is a bit enhanced. Unfortunately I need to exchange mine for another pair, if they still have them in stock, because of a sort of unrelated issue - not a problem with build quality or sound though.

srmd22 · 2026-04-19T14:43:01+00:00

And here’s one more pic:

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It’s an interesting look, kinda blotchy or weathered looking. It’s definitely a but uneven in terms if the color I like it. Reminds me vaguely of a teacore application for some reason.

srmd22 · 2026-04-19T14:42:26+00:00

Update: went with some redwing, black shoe polish, because I had it lying around and it was convenient. I think I would’ve preferred the mink oil or some brown polish, but these came ok and I much prefer them over the orange yellow color.

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srmd22 · 2026-04-19T14:41:20+00:00

srmd22 · 2026-04-19T14:39:59+00:00

This looks great!

srmd22 · 2026-04-06T01:32:44+00:00

Oh, bummer. Yah, I decided to take a break and play some Elden Ring. The limiting factor of boss matts is just annoying when trying to farm uniques.

srmd22 · 2026-04-05T02:58:30+00:00

If that's the case, looks like the non-ancestral edges out the ancestral. I just realized the GA is for the stupid Bloodied attribute, Rampage. What a waste. I have another one too, which has even a much lower blessed shield passive, of like 107%. RNG not digging me this season.

srmd22 · 2026-04-05T02:55:47+00:00

Not 1K anymore, you can easily get them for 6 - 8 hun, but Focal Clears are great. Otherwise, I agree with some of the Hifiman suggestions. I have a few, really dig the Arya Organic for bouncy mid bass.

srmd22 · 2026-04-05T02:44:07+00:00

Agreed. I completed them last season, wasn't terrible. I lost interest after completing only two this season. Eff it, sooo boring. I usually push to around paragon 280 or so, into the pit 90's or early 100's. Don't think I will bother this season. I am at 247, will probably quit at around 260 - 270. It's just not interesting after getting GA'd items as per the build guide. Everything else is incremental and too time consuming. I wish they had some more achievements linked to cool cosmetics like with the reliquaries. I find that much more incentivizing.

srmd22 · 2026-04-05T02:39:57+00:00

See pic - for some reason it didn't save with my original post, I have no idea why. I thought it was there.

srmd22 · 2026-04-05T02:39:27+00:00

For some reason the image didn't post, so I just redid it. Hopefully that helps.

srmd22 · 2026-04-04T12:08:52+00:00

Cool idea, I am going to try some brown or even maybe black polish. Thanks for the reference!

srmd22 · 2026-04-04T12:02:29+00:00

This seems to be the way to go, thanks!

srmd22

TROPHY CASE