Sennheiser HD 600
The other half of the reference pair — a hair brighter and more forward than the 650. The studio-neutral standard.
Our take
The HD 600 is the reference a lot of engineers reach for first: even, honest mids and a slightly more forward, brighter balance than the 650. Same easy-to-place tuning, small deliberate differences — the graph tells you which sibling you are.
Measured on a Head Acoustics HMS II.3 artificial head — raw response, left/right averaged, normalized to 0 dB at 1 kHz. From the Sonic Temple Archive(2008–2014, one unit per model). Honest limits: seating variance runs ±0.4 dB in the mids to ±3.9 dB above 12 kHz, and open headphones read bass-light on this fixture — don’t read fine treble detail as settled. How we measure →
Common questions
Straight answers — the same ones our measurements support.
HD 600 vs HD 650?
Close cousins. The 600 is a touch brighter and more forward; the 650 is warmer with a gentler top. Neither is “better” — pick the balance you prefer.
Does the HD 600 need an amp?
Benefits from one, does not demand it. 300 Ω wants voltage; a good dongle or any real headphone output is enough for honest levels.
Is the HD 600 good for mixing?
Yes — it is a longtime neutral studio reference for tonal balance. Check the very top end on a second source.
If you like the HD 600
Close on the graph, or a deliberate step in one direction.