Sennheiser HD 660 S2 headphones are a sound upgrade to a modern classic
Date:
Thu, 09 Feb 2023 11:05:32 +0000
Description:
Updated high-end open-back flagship headphones feature boosted low-end and improved frequency response.
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Sennheisers HD 660 headphones have become something of a weapon of choice for audiophiles with their superb soundstage and excellent dynamic delivery. But critical listeners have nit-picked their low-end performance, something Sennheiser has acted on with a newly-unveiled updated version of these modern classics, called the Sennheiser HD 660 S2.
We first took a look at the original Sennheiser HD650 all the way back in 2008, and were blown away by theirnatural tonalityand comfort. A tweaked version, the Sennheiser HD 660 S, featuring more prominent treble and redesigned casing would be introduced almost decade later in 2017.
This latest iteration looks much the same as the HD 660 S, maintaining theacoustic metal mesh grillesdesign, save for a classy new bronze accent on theSennheiser logo thats positioned on each side of the cans.
As before, the newHD 660 S2 have been designed in Germany and built in Ireland, and feature what appears to be a similar setup of 42mm dynamic drivers coupled with a 38mm diaphragm.
However,Sennheiser says the new voicing comes from refined voice coil thats lighter and allows for improved transducer airflow, enabling the resonant frequency to drop from 110Hz (HD 660S) down to an impressively low 70Hz.
Leaving no doubt as to this being a set of cans aimed squarely at
audiophiles, the new version feature a300 ohmimpedance rating, meaning theyll need more drive from a hi-fi device than the previous 660 S, which had a
lower 150 ohm rating.
As these are open-backheadphones more geared towards savoring sound at home rather than cranking tunes on the go, theyll freely leak anything you play through them. This also in turn means they wont block out noise, so youll
want to use them in a quiet listening setting to fully appreciate them but
we fully expect the sound to be worth it. Don't be surprised at all to see these show up in our list of the best over-ear headphones , based on Sennheiser's history.
Available for pre-order globally from February 7, with a499 / 599 price tag,the HD 660 S2 come with a protective storage pouch, as well as a 1.8
meter cable with a 6.3mm unbalanced stereo plug, a 1.8m cable with a balanced 4.4mm plug, plus a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter. (Image credit: Sennheiser) Analysis: Will these new Sennheisers pass the test with audios toughest
crowd?
It makes a refreshing change to see the launch of a set of headphones that
are focused entirely on sound quality, rather than the latest flashy wireless standards and features.
While both previous iterations of theHD 660 are regarded as modern classics amongst Hi-Fi heads, the need for a tweaked version of what many feel was aural perfection shows what a discerning bunch audiophiles are.
Many critical listeners demand a neutral sound from high-end cans, and the somewhat tame bass performance oftheHD 660 S2s predecessors was a common gripe.
The added lower frequencies will please those who want the full range of available detail when savoring their sounds, but the changes to the tuning could in turn alienate those that have come to love the more mid-focused sounds of earlier editions of these beloved headphones.
TheHD 660 S2's upgrades look like sensible ones, butSennheiser nevertheless has a big task on its hands as it tries to satisfying the fussiest
demographic of music lovers.
We cant wait to see if the new Sennheiser's do indeed improve upon a classic design and head to the top of our best over-ear headphones list. Watch this space
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/sennheiser-hd-660-s2-headphones-are-a-sound-upg rade-to-a-modern-classic
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