OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS!! - Sennheiser HD660S2 Review (and vs HD600)

[@tomdavis6371]

My opinion is that there isn't much not to like here with this newest of the 600 series, particularly if you're a bit older and don't hear the same as when you were a kid. I am 62. I own the HD600 and purchased the 660S2 recently as an open-box pair which is in brand new condition with full warranty when I substituted them for a pair of Audeze MM100 of which I got tired of waiting for. The MM100 has yet to be released and I paid in full back in late March or early April. I got them for the same price of $400. I appreciate the elevated top end of the S2 very much. I don't find it sibilant in the least. I also love the boosted kick in the bottom. While not a bass lovers dream headphone I'm not into scrambling my brain or rattling the bumper off of my car so I really enjoy what we have here. As for that midrange, it's still where this shines but I think this headphone is a bit wider sounding. I like that, and I can't tell you how many times I've found myself while listening to my 600's loudly exclaim "Wow" when catching something I'd never heard. My biggest takeaway is that this is a really FUN headphone to listen to. It largely eliminates that "Sennheiser veil". And on the build quality, this is a series of headphones which is legendary on multiple fronts. The build is lightweight and just lasts. It requires very few tools to work on it with and replacement parts are interchangeable, readily available and fairly inexpensive when compared to similar parts from other manufacturers. A $50 pair of replacement ear pads is surely easier to digest than having to pony up for many of the Focal pads! Team this headphone up to a good DAC/amplifier and rock on. It's a 300 ohm headphone so you're going to want some juice. I use a Burson on the Solid State and a Woo Audio on tubes and it's pretty sweet sounding. At the same time, I can power them sufficiently enough with my Fiio BTR7 connected to my laptop.

[@ixoye56]

A 600 with worn pads has lower bass and treble, so your comparison won't be accurate, but I'm convinced the S2 has better bass anyway, but the difference would have been less with new pads on your 600.

[@gdemirjian]

I met Axel Grell at CanJam NYC a few weeks ago and he confirmed that the 660S and S2 have the driver he designed for the HD700. However, he did not perform the tuning on these two. With a 5 min listen in a loud room I did notice the S2 to be slightly more energetic than my 660S. I also liked the overall more fun sound for music. For me, the 600 is better suited for work applications and both the 660S, and S2 are better for general music enjoyment/ Glad your back!!

[@Rockapotamus91]

Thanks for sharing

[@rags015]

You may have misheard him! Axel Grell has designed, engineered, and tuned the HD 580, HD 600, HD 650, HD 800, HD 700, HD 660s, HD 800s, and the HD 820!! He has also designed and tuned the HD 598 (both C and SE), HD 599, etc. It’s the HD 560s, HD 660s2, and the HD 620s that ‘Exploit’ his work without his approval. Cheers!

[@gdemirjian]

@@rags015 my bad. He had nothing to do with the 660S2. He did state that he designed the 700 driver and tuning. He said they used his 700 driver in the 660S but he did not participate in the final tuning of the headphone.

[@DaleMcGregor]

Love this candid review of the HD660S2. Well done. I'm "lucky" to have a 3,800-4,200 Hz partial impairment in my hearing due to having a Marshall Stack behind me during hyper dB arena-gigs in my youth, so the HD660S2's offer me OEM EQ adjustment that makes up for my aging hearing. I now mainly listen to acoustic instruments, recorded in real spaces accompanying liquid vocals - but will still harken back to musical rock from time to time (1970 - 2000ish). I avoid rap, hip-hop and EDM for the most part (sometimes something will catch my ear, but mostly "just no"). The HD660S2, in my experience, still offers that mid-range sweetness and accurate timbre that Sennheiser has been able to translate so well in its headphones, yet they are also capable of providing some excitement beyond what the HD600's can offer. I appreciate being able to discern a Bösendorfer from a Steinway from a Fazioli, while still having the option to bliss out to Boys of Summer or Roundabout and the memories of having these cranked while cruising the coastal highway to Whistler on a perfect summer evening.

[@ccdani2]

Great review ! I have had all hd 6x0 headphones from hd 580 , 58x to 660s and I kept the 660s ( the old version ) they are my favourite of the line , after watching your review I think I will definitely buy the new 660s2

[@c-samleystudios1573]

Did you ever get them? How do they compare to the original 660S?

[@ccdani2]

@@c-samleystudios1573 Hi , yes I did . The main differences between them are : - improved bass response, the mid bass extends much lower without bleeding into the mids . We finally have a 6XX headphones with good bass response. - mids are also improved on the new 660s2 compared to the original - improved imaging over the 660s - improved treble detail they have the best resolving treble out of all the 6xx series much better detail , extension and realism. I have sold my original 660s and kept the V2 , out of all the 6XX headphones that I had this one in my opinion is by far the best .

[@c-samleystudios1573]

@@ccdani2 I have heard mixed things about which one has more of the “Sennheiser Veil.” Are the S2s sparklier in the treble?

[@ccdani2]

@@c-samleystudios1573 The treble is more revealing but it's not shouty or fatiguing, the treble is very smooth and presented in a very natural way , there is a great sense of air and separation between the instruments a lot of detail and overall very natural presentation . I do not perceive any Sennheiser Vail on these headphones, the ones that had the most Vail were the hd650 people claim that they are the ones that scale the most with good amps like otl tubes and that's because of the Vail that is removed by using good tube amps . The 660s2 are technically the best in the series and present fast and detailed sound it's a modern take on the all time classics they retained all that's great about the hd600/650 and improved upon every area

[@Tesseract9630]

Only major thing wrong with the hd 660s2 is the price.

[@FabioKasper]

Patience, my friend. 😉

[@Rsalmond83]

And the box! Where’s the 4.4 balanced cable?

[@BrunoLiraArraisMaia]

​@@Rsalmond83it comes with one.

[@michaelsi6770]

it's on sale now, 476 on amazon US

[@hearmeout0909]

I bought these for $420 from Sennheiser site, it was on a sale

[@Larzes]

Sennheiser's new pads are a lot stiffer nowadays than 4 years ago. The new pad type also makes the headphones sound a little different. Worn pads also impact the sound quite a lot.

[@ChillToMusic87]

The new pads are also a little deeper. I personally prefer the new pads as they fit around my ears much better and create a better seal.

[@Tripokaridos22]

They have different foam also i have open up both of them on my headfi posts. Easy eay to recognise are the clear rings inside the new pads.

[@DeatheCore]

Great review! I demo'd the 660S2 as well and came to pretty much the same conclusions, especially regarding the increase in perceived energy in the 2 to 4khz region, leading to a little fatigue. Couldn't crank the volume as much as my 650 and 660S. The treble quality stood out to me positively, brilliance is the word I'd use to describe it. I do feel it's overpriced tho

[@PhillRS]

Don't they need a break in period?

[@argo117007]

​@@PhillRSthaga for your brain to adjust. Sennheiser has already tested the headphone before shipping

[@user-tq2ot5be2l]

i love this channel. the presentation is fantastic, as are the reviews.

[@ChillToMusic87]

I agree, Chocolate is a knowledgeable and accurate reviewer 👌🏼

[@howequalspeace]

I've been watching your reviews for years. You did a great job. Also an MFDOOM fan. Can't go wrong there. Thanks for this

[@chuckolatte600]

Much appreciated!

[@tnarch]

It is nice to hear that at last there is an obvious upgrade to HD600.

[@CaptnKrksNippls]

chuckolatte reviews are back the world is healing

[@gomincha7]

I would really appreciate a comparison with HD800S and Arya Stealth and yes I know they are at completely different price points. Thank you for your time.

[@KryssN1]

I got 660s and 660s2 to test them against my 650 with Ifi Zen Dac v2. I can confirm the upper mid range can a little bit, overpower/hype the vocals. Could not crank up the volume to hear vocals better due to that in some tracks. There is more detail in 660s2, I could pick some stuff from background sounds or background vocals that you did not notice on HD650. The HD660S have more detail too, but due to lowered bass they have bigger soundstage. Overall they are almost 1:1 in mids to HD650. Sometimes in vocals and guitar they sound little bit more tiny than HD650. Overall I think I prefer HD650 for music, pop, hip-hop, edm and rock. But due to gaming and me wanting all round headphones, I will keep the HD660S, as if you don’t have them side by side the 660S still sound very good for music 97% for mids and vocals to HD650. But 660s have better soundstage, imagining, detail, perfect suit for gaming.

[@miroslavpaulovic17]

thank you, i have ZEN DAC 3 and i plannig HD660S2, so this was helps me :) now is price for HD660S2 - 460 euros, which is much better than 600 euros.

[@Tripokaridos22]

I have all hd6 line 660s and s2 imaging and speed is way better than 600 and 650. But 600 and 650 are better on something else, 600 are the vocals kings and 650 the smooth warm sound kings.

[@6643bear]

Great and interesting video, I wonder what the hd660 s2 against us 6xx /hd650 with custom cabs bass mid compare . Regards mark

[@Blackwing2345635]

Well, I haven't tried them yet, but pricing... Literally twice the price of original HD 600! And 2-4kHz hump - i'm really sensitive to that region, before getting HD 600 i very often EQed it down, i believe HD 600 was the first headphones i was able to listen to even at insane loudness without my ears bleeding because of high mid/low treble. And I was never able to get with it

[@Clout_chasing_boy]

600 has more energy in the 2 to 4khz region. Is quite evident from graphs. I don't know what he is talking about

[@andreasschwarz4908]

Glad to see you're back Mr Latte 👍

[@ChillToMusic87]

I agree. Nice to see Chocolate reviewing again 👌🏼

[@catcrusher3033]

They should make a hd 600 classic with black silk and old drivers and granite look

[@fhf17]

I wasn’t a fan of the original HD660s and especially for the price, but I think a sennhieser headphone with adequate sub bass got me intrigued 🤔

[@bratosin1]

Hd660s goes low as 80 hz , the new s2 goes down to 55 hz , so not a real sub bass region but still a little better than hd660s (I own the hd660s from day one )

[@p57-elf]

They actually squeeze out a little more bass than my 800's although they have neither the resolution or the soundstage. And yes I did use both on Sennheisers own amp dac at around 2K..I wish these would have been available a year or two ago as I also bought pair of 650's for nostalgia and I love them but these sound so good and I mean really good!!

[@KryssN1]

Isn’t 660S as in S1 improvement on HD600, it has maybe less bass (but better quality) and more smooth treble (but with more detail retrieval)? The timbre vs HD600 and mids remained intact, the added soundstage, imaging and dynamic performance of the driver is the result of newer modern HD700 drivers being used. I pretty much consider HD660S better Hd600. Meanwhile HD660S2 felt like its separate model, more in line with HD58X or with Momentum 3 headphones. The HD660S still has vocals in more forward position. Meanwhile HD660S2 vocals are more inline with instruments. That’s my take on it. So ended up keeping that.

[@RavikantRai21490]

Let's have one video for 560S vs 660S2!

[@ChillToMusic87]

Why 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@RavikantRai21490]

@@ChillToMusic87what do you mean "Why"? Why have anything? Why even do a comparison between the damn Sundara and the 560S then? Why? (he's already done it in case you think I am suggesting this one).

[@travis9611]

Dude your review on the HD600 vs the HD650 is what made me decide to go with the HD600.. Which I got in March of 2023, so I've had them for just a little over a year now. I run them through an old Technics SU-Z25 with the bass dial rolled to +2 , the treb rolled to -1 and volume at about 11 'clock. I must say I love them very much, but I have noticed some clipping sometimes (always in the right) and I seem to think its just when the bass is too much to handle. I am a metalhead but also listen to synthwave stuff and they get used for gaming too. I am considering upgrading, I hope maybe some wisemen can advise me here. I do want something that can give me more bass power (handle it without crackling). No please don't recommend the Crusher Evo 2.. I have a pair already 🤠, those are nice for walking the rottweiler 😉

[@dennisvdmeer6780]

good review. there was no 4.4 balanced cable included?

[@EricPalonen]

Both 6.3 mm and 4.4 mm are included included

[@chuckolatte600]

Yeah my mistake. The 4.4mm cable was buried DEEP within the box haha

[@focus0000000]

where do they make these? romania or ireland?

[@DeatheCore]

Ireland

[@mistersurrealist]

The 600 series production line has been moved back to Ireland.

[@imabeliever85]

I have had a 600 for 10 years and they are my go to open back

[@WakeUpB2P]

How the timbre is on the S2 compared to the 600 ? Is it kinda same or not as good as the 600 ?

[@chuckolatte600]

S2 are definitely more energetic than the HD600. Not necessarily better or worse, just depends on what ur looking for

[@6643bear]

Hi great informative video,that it’s also interesting that my old hd575 which is few years old is very comfortable and the pads are over an 1” compared to 650 6xx and 660s only 3/4”, I replaced my 660s and 6xx with 33mm pads very comfortable. Also try improve the sound signature By the way in the Uk they are £359 at the moment . Regards mark

[@pappsa8]

I am big fun of the smirnoff vodka’s 🤘

[@newtondickson]

Good job! I currently own the HD600 and am considering either the HD660S2 or the HD800s. I suspect that would make an interesting comparison; I am particularly curious whether the 800s would be worth an extra thousand dollars.

[@chuckolatte600]

They're still too different to compare apples-to-apples. The 800s are much wider and have a more cavernous sound/feel. The 660S2 are still narrow and on the darker side. Both are great HPs and good at their own traits though!

[@elpayp1870]

Might break-in time resolve some of the issues?

[@Tesseract9630]

Can you also compare them for focal clear

[@vitalWord]

Thanks!

[@chrisbianchi8876]

You really should have replaced those ridiculously flat four-year-old worn pads on the 600 before making this comparison. That would have made a big difference.

[@stefanogalioni-kp3dg]

Absolutely agree. Cannot compare fully with such a difference in pads.

[@chrisasmith75]

Wouldn't mind seeing hd660s2 vs focal clear.

[@Marian1st.]

A comparison between these and GRADO RS1X would be great!

[@Harolddespui]

Yeah, we all know headphones with better technicalities/detail/soundstage than the HD600 but NOTHING beats the midrange of the HD600.

[@chuckolatte600]

A 600S2 would be AMAZING

[@Harolddespui]

@@chuckolatte600 My dreamheadphone is the HD600 sound with the soundstage of the X2HR.

[@Tripokaridos22]

@@Harolddespui Use Angled pads on HD600 and there u go ... Bigger soundstage

[@Harolddespui]

@@Tripokaridos22 As a matter of fact i tried the angled pads and adapters from Brainwavz on my HD600 but they totally screw up the sound, didn't like them at all. Also soundstage became a bit wider yes but less deep (front to back). So no succes.

[@Tripokaridos22]

@@Harolddespui Yeahp thats exactly what i got whith Brainwavz pads . But soundstage got bigger :)... Maybe you Should try Sundara or R70X ... Sundara con is the more metalic unnatrural sound compare to 600, and R70X loose the vocals and fullness of 600. U cant have it all my friend ... Just use different Headphone for different usage thats what i do.

[@fahryst]

man I missed your reviews. I should make a list of your review songs too

[@pappsa8]

In my opinion those need only a good otl or hybrid tube for eqing!

[@Marthos01]

I really like the Sundara compared to the HD600 ( I own both, what do you think about the HD660S2 compared to that preference? ) I use xDuoo MT602 w/ IFI signature V2 DAC as my daily driver. I also have a real tube amp from xDuoo TA26, which I use occasionally with the Sennheiser's but really my preference goes to hybrid tube amp. solid state is not my thing perhaps I'll buy a proper one some time to check again but I really like hybrid. (I use Peter's APO as well, Chrono's EQ) I'm psyched for your new vids keep it up. :D

[@chuckolatte600]

I think you'll also like them, but they'll be warmer than either of these two.

[@Marthos01]

@@chuckolatte600 Man, maybe. It's hard because I rather spend the money elsewhere. So it's on a slow burner for me. I used to want the HD660S and I got the Sundara instead. It was a great move for me, you were the one that convinced me. I also own two pair of HD560S that I use around the house, one is permanently in my bedroom so I can fall asleep to ASMR. They fit their purpose, easy to drive, low cost and good sound. I wouldn't say it's amazing sound however, Sundara is my baby. I used to only own HD650 and later HD600 and sadly the HD650 is dead after 10 years or so, it was the connection that is worn out, Sennheiser stopped making replacement parts to sell to consumers and that's that. HD660S2 is to me a natural path. I even have a real tube amp... It's not used daily for obvious reasons but I have a ache for it occasionally. The weird thing is that I'd probably rather spend money on a Hifiman Edition XS. What are your thoughts? :D

[@Marthos01]

ended up being them and they are my favorite pair now.@@chuckolatte600

[@x7nick7x48]

I understand from this video that hd 600 are better for hip hop and rap music because they're focused on mid range. Instead, also for those genres, are always better hd 600 or hd6xx or hd660s1? However nice review!

[@KryssN1]

The 660s2 are way better for hip-hop, due to bass and warmth. HD600 are better for rap due to mids focus. 660S2 mids timbre is on point, it’s just background sounds are somewhat more in front inline with vocals, unlike 600 and 650 where vocals are well in front of instruments. While also being more detailed

[@goobyssi]

weirdly what caught my attention in this video was Soonhari Yogurt flavor soju from Korea lol. I am going back to Korea for a month in two weeks and will try it too.

[@Marthos01]

You are awesome.

[@arthurhaywood2184]

The only thing I’m not buying is that Chuckolatte has pure thoughts!!!🤪

[@ozymandias7940]

At the beginning of the video, you said you ran the 600's on gain 2 @10 and the 660S2's on gain 1 @ 1030 and that you'd explain why later... But you didn't.

[@chuckolatte600]

Oh oops sorry lol. It's because the S2 are 150 ohms so they're easier to run

[@jeofthevirtuoussand]

Hd 600 for life

[@chuckolatte600]

yee

[@junzhang2087]

A break in HD600 still sounds good

[@tnarch]

nice watch!

[@pmdthewizard]

You should do more reviews more frequently, I really like watching your videos, great review btw though I can't afford and not interested in this one

[@conrow1157]

The 600 doesn’t have this muddy mid range like all the others…

[@Momentum_Mastery_vibes]

I am first to comment …thank you god…great review btw…

[@mingkee27]

There's NO possibility to play HD600 with smartphone due to too low sensitivity

[@dnd6379]

Do me a favor and get a pair of zmf fenestrated leather and suede pads if you wanna get more out of 650/600. Leather more focused, suede more diffused.

[@hukama6911]

Can I just say, your voice reminds me Dagoth Ur

[@chuckolatte600]

why thank you :)

[@greccoox]

this adapter is a joke with the consumer, just with this, you can see how bad they thought about the product, so expensive and they could even change for that screw adapter that is clean. The main thing is the headphone, ok, but small details show a lot for new products and copy and paste just to take money from people, big no.

[@f7p1764]

don't know maybe your hd600 is broken, cause that new hd660s2 sux a lot :( lack of mid punch energy, details are shit, highs are mushy. Don't like them.

[@chuckolatte600]

That's actually how I felt about the original HD660s lol. These fix that for me

[@gmlgml780]

Yeah. Pretty much unfair comparison regarding the price.

[@DroidLocks6971]

799.00 um m m m No

[@planewreck4214]

Sennheiser are really loosing it. They’re a big dinosaur company who can’t compete anymore in the market and it’s sad but not innovating does kill

[@Farpun]

HD560S, ie600

[@1013301]

Dude.... I love your reviews, but I hate that forced "DJ" voice that you use. It makes you sound like you love hearing the sound of your own voice, over the review itself. Some people just naturally have a deep and powerful voice (i.e. Barry White) and some people "try" to sound deep and powerful, and their voice just ends up doing a deep "vocal fry". That's fine if you are doing a commercial to sell used cars, but it makes a simple "review", sound disingenuous. I'm not trying to hate on you, but a review of a product is kind of a "nerdy" thing, and therefore should sound "nerdy". I don't mean "bland", but "natural and informed / experienced".

[@IlPorseo]

You finally cut your nails

[@migracing8232]

Back to this ancient man saying Gain 2 10 o'clock Or Gain 3 5pm Dude we're in 2023 we ain't in 1930s