Massdrop + Sennheiser HD6XX Video Review

Yep, it's a review of the well known and approaching-ancient Massdrop + Sennheiser HD6XX headphone. Why review this one? Well, a large number of people have heard this headphone so it makes a great reference point to establish communication between you and me about sound descriptions.
HD6XX Written Review (It's Old!): forum.hifiguides.com/t/sennhe...
Channel Intro: https: // • Channel Introduction
My Hearing Quirks: • WaveTheory's Hearing Q...
Review Library: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[@TimpTim]

So now I finally know WHY it sounds better with a tube amp....Thank you! Though I don't own one, I have heard my friend's. My keyword for the 6xx would be "natural," as in timbre. Wish you well with this venture.

[@maciejgeming8555]

The most accurate, informative, and truthful review of the 6XX I've ever heard. I discovered the real quality o these headphones just some time ago on my Lehmannaudio Linear (version with upgraded analog board) amp when I highered the gain into +10 db level. It opened up exectly the way You discribedand and started to be a completly different headphone. The famous "sennheiser veil" has dissapeard completly, bass become tighter and the highs started to be more present. I also think that they are underpriced actually. For me they are unbeatable with high quality recordings of electric blues like for exemple BB King Live in Japan (1971), especially with the first japanese edition CD from 1992. Thanks very much for the video.

[@johnboilard8324]

2024 and still love mine. There’s just something about the tone.

[@jlemaster1157]

Has it really only been 2 years? You’ve become my go-to for detailed reviews man. This was a good start. Very good explanation of why impedance is important and what amps need to do to deal with it

[@fahryst]

I don't always like, comment and subscribe, but when I do, here you go. You captured me with your scientific explanation. I was too in between with 6xx and 58x and decided to get 58x. I always regretted because of the reviews but maybe it was right. Maybe later in my journey as you said, I will mature enough to appreciate it and get one.

[@eloquenthillbilly]

Constructive criticism/algo engagement: There is a high pitched whine in the right channel starting around @0:53. I just put my right pad on my temple, my left ear did enjoy this review though :) Love your written reviews BTW, your review of the Jot2 convinced me to place an order with Schiit. Hopefully this channel takes off! You and the Aussies (Passion for Sound and Currawong) are who I use to pester my IRL friends with about audio enthusiast stuff.

[@wavetheorysound]

This was an early video and I agree there were some audio issues. I think those have been sorted on newer stuff. Thanks for the kind words!

[@RdandTrk1]

You said something that resonated with me quite a bit. You said it took you quite a while to understand what was special about the 6XX. I have to echo this. I had mine for the better part of a year before I got it. For the first hundred or so hours listening to these headphones, I thought they were very boring. For reference I was comparing them against the M50X and K371, using an Asgard 3 in high gain with a Modius. I think I kept looking for more bass and being disappointed. It finally clicked with me one day. I realized the bass is there and it's very good and very smooth, it's just subtle in its delivery. It's rolled off, but that doesn't mean there isn't any. This headphone also has the tendency to make all music sound good, even poorly recorded music. That being said, I hope to get a Valhalla 2 soon, so it will be cool to see what it sounds like with that. Thanks for the review.

[@JTB--]

The 6XX, 600 and 800s sound really good on the LYR 3 Tube amp coming from the Bifrost 2

[@808lilmac]

Hey dude I love your reviews on hfgf, are you shooting on a DSLR camera? An iphone one? In any case check the white balance setting and adjust that one manually for your room, your videos will look nicer, cheers mate

[@808lilmac]

Also if you have or can get an ath-r70x I would really like to see a review for that one, as you already did their senn and beyer competitors

[@hoowiegalooie]

Great video. I learned a lot. It's one year on I just got the Sennheiser 6xx. Nest step is the amp and dac. Could you please recommend your preferred choices for tube amp and dac - not inexpensive but not too expensive, either.Thank you.

[@apoorvasharma7]

I have got both the Hd 650 and 660s, got them 3 months apart and running them off the ifi zen dac v2. I am glad I saw your review to help me understand the 6x0 line better. Would you review the 660s next….please? Also, the 660s has been getting a lot of step-motherly treatment from the audio community (read : reddit) and it might be because it is still relatively new and expensive.

[@wavetheorysound]

I reviewed the 660s in written form before doing this YT thing: www.head-fi.org/showcase/sennheiser-hd-660-s.22727/reviews#review-26325. Not quite sure what you mean by 'step-motherly' haha.

[@kyneticfx]

are you saying my Magni Heretic won't power these the way the need to be?

[@TheJockNerd]

What do you think of the SU-8 DAC? Is there something else around the same price range that would be better?

[@wavetheorysound]

It's much better from balanced out than SE out. The SE out introduces some shout in the mids, particularly with 6xx. In late 2021 I think you'd be better off considering the Modius, J2, or Allo Revolution.

[@lx6381]

bro ur recording on my right ear i notice a constant "beep" or weird noise (don't know how to explain it)... how is nobody noticing it??

[@hoowiegalooie]

You had mentioned that some solid state headphone amps could do as good or almost as good a job as the tube amps. I was contemplating the ifi Zen signature before viewing this video. What say you?

[@wavetheorysound]

I think you really need to get into Lake People G111mk2 or Cayin IHA-6 to start to hear this. Strong performers are also hybrids that have tube preamp sections with solid state amp sections like Schiit Lyr+ and Monolith Liquid Platinum.

[@TheMaurob1979]

just sold the 6xx for a pair of hifiman he 400 se... and im not regreting the choice..just for the hifiman soundstage was worth .. for me is a better can

[@RenRenification]

Can you give examples of solid state amps that do pair well with the hd600 series?

[@wavetheorysound]

In the budget-ish realm I think the Schiit Asgard 3 is the best starting point. Lake People G111 and Vioelectric HPA-V200 (or anything from their V2?? series).

[@RenRenification]

@@wavetheorysound thanks.

[@ptclee9142]

@@wavetheorysound HD6XX mates well with G111 although not as good as a tube amp

[@6643bear]

Hi, great interesting video, I have had these for someone, but recently fitted the Custom Cans bass mod, which inproves the bass at the bottom end. When you bught yours it did came with a 3m cable it's now with 1.8m cable terminated with 3.5mm jack plug, also yours came with a good quality hinged box, but now a plain buff box. It's was manufactured in Ireland but mine was made in Romania , I just checked the Drop web site it's stating it's made in Ireland , I don't know if that is a not been updated , what I do know the handbook stated it came with 3m cable , buts 1.8m so the info not been updated, Regards mark

[@wavetheorysound]

I don't think the stock cable was 3m long, no. 1.8m sounds more correct. I've long since replaced it with a couple aftermarket options and it's buried in a bin somewhere.

[@6643bear]

@@wavetheorysound hi thevstick cable was 3m when I bought mine it had 1.8m but the little handbook stated that it’s 3m . Regards mark

[@6643bear]

Hi , thanks for the reply it was sometime back see older recites on here , also the user manual when I got mine still had it stated . Thanks mark

[@lupoal4113]

Little Dot MK2 with 6SN7 at the output... upgrade the cable, the standard one is horrible, use a 7N one... change the pads when start loosing their thickness... use a good DAC

[@drj1781]

I'm thinking of getting the Little Dot MK2 ; how good are the stock tubes to use with these headphones?

[@lapinbeau]

"They must have lost weight, since they dropped the 'mass' and just call themselves DROP" Oh trust me, there's still a lot of WAIT involved! ;) That said, this is an interesting and informative review. Very different from the typical "layman" videos I usually see. That said, I don't believe I could reasonably afford a tube amp right now. Might you have an opinion on the Sound Blaster G6 sound card + DAC/AMP? I have one, and I have some 6xx headphones currently on the way, and I'm just wondering if they'll do an adequate job of driving these cans. Is the difference in quality from the G6 to a tube amp worth such a price?