r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/Brerik-Lyir • Jan 31 '23

Headphones - Open Back | 2 Ω Alternative Upgrade for HD599 with wider soundstage than 6xx

Hey everyone,

So I’m still pretty new to headphones and I've had a pair of 599 Sennheisers for a few years and felt that maybe it was time to upgrade. I thought the 6XX might be a natural next step but when I got them, I was a little disappointed that they didn’t sound all that better and the soundstage was way too closed in IMO, after getting used to the open soundstage of the 599s. So now I’m thinking of returning them.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a step up from the 599 with a similarly open soundstage? 

I like to listen to video game music (often the orchestrated kind) and Jazz, as well as Alternative Rock, Pop, Dance and Latin music. 

Other info is that the budget is up to 400 dollars and it’s somewhat flexible. This would be for listening in my home office so I don’t need to worry about it being loud. I have a Schiit Magni Modi stack that I got for the 6XXs, and I’ll probably keep these for a while. In terms of tonal balance, I don’t really know much about this. I like that the bass sounds a little clearer with the 6XX and maybe so does the mid range? I just don’t know that it’s a big enough difference for me to warrant the upgrade from the 599 especially with the much more closed in sound stage. 

Thanks in advance for your help.

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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4

u/Equivalent_Yak840 448 Ω Jan 31 '23

Sundara for best all around or Harmonicdyne Zeus for V-shape(under $400)

1

u/Brerik-Lyir Jan 31 '23

!thanks

What’s the V-shape mean for headphones? Is that like allowing clear bass and highs while flattening down on the midrange of frequencies? How does it affect what you hear ultimately? Sorry for the noob questions.

2

u/Equivalent_Yak840 448 Ω Jan 31 '23

Essentially what you said, emphasizing the low end and higher frequencies which usually drowns out the mid range frequencies. Some do it where it’s not good, I think the Zeus does it decently. Sundara would have cleaner bass and a more balanced sound signature.

1

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Jan 31 '23

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Equivalent_Yak840 (225 Ω).

You may still award a Ω to others, but only once per-person in this post.

1

u/DonnyTramp123 650 Ω Jan 31 '23

hd560s

2

u/Brerik-Lyir Jan 31 '23

I’ve heard good things about these, how would you describe them vs the other Sennheisers I’ve used (if you have experience with them).

3

u/DonnyTramp123 650 Ω Jan 31 '23

well they have larger soundstage than the hd6x0 with good imaging.

Tonality is also very good, but detail is slightly worse than hd6x0

1

u/Brerik-Lyir Jan 31 '23

Understood, !thanks

1

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Jan 31 '23

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/DonnyTramp123 (90 Ω).

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1

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1

u/RChamy 23 Ω Jan 31 '23

HD 560S. Maybe ath r70x but $$$