Audio-Technica HD620S
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The HD620S is a closed-back headphone that attempts to bring the signature spaciousness and midrange of the Sennheiser HD600 series to an isolating form factor. Users are generally impressed by its exceptional passive noise isolation and its ability to sound more 'open' and 'airy' than typical closed-back designs. While many praise its clarity and durability for both professional and casual use, some find the sound signature polarizing, describing it as 'boxy' or 'lifeless' without equalization. Comfort is generally rated highly, though a strong initial clamp force is a common complaint.
Pros
- Exceptional passive noise isolation, outperforming many common closed-back competitors.
- Spacious and 'airy' soundstage that feels unusually open for a closed-back headphone.
- Strong durability and reliability, even in demanding professional environments.
- Excellent clarity and vocal production, particularly for fans of the HD600 series midrange.
- Highly comfortable for long sessions once the initial clamp force is managed.
Cons
- High initial clamp force out of the box.
- Sound can be perceived as 'boxy' or 'constricted' for acoustic instruments and vocals.
- Out-of-the-box tuning may feel 'shrill' or 'bass-light' to some listeners.
- Mixed reports on driver performance, with at least one mention of rattling at high volumes.
Caveats
- Opinions on tonality are mixed; while some call it an 'underdog,' others found it 'boring' and returned it.
- Performance is frequently reported to improve significantly with the use of Parametric EQ (PEQ).
- The leatherette pads provide great isolation but may cause mild heat buildup over time.
Best for
- Users in noisy environments who need high passive isolation without active noise cancellation.
- Fans of the Sennheiser sound signature looking for a closed-back alternative.
- Electronic music listeners who appreciate tight bass and clarity.
- Location audio mixers or professionals needing durable gear.
Avoid if
- You are sensitive to high clamp force or 'boxy' acoustic timbres.
- You prefer a warm, bass-heavy sound signature without needing to use EQ.
- You primarily listen to acoustic music where 'air' and natural decay are priorities.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age of 179 days), though this is generally acceptable for stable hardware like headphones. Data is primarily sourced from r/headphones.
Sentiment
24 positive (67%) · 5 mixed (14%) · 7 negative (19%)
Trust + time weighted score: +52% · raw score 47%
What redditors said (10 of 36)
That said, the driver is pulled way back from the ears, and the pad material and big over-ear enclosure does an EXCEPTIONAL job of blocking external noise. (Far exceeding my MDR-7506, ATH-M50x, and DT-770)
Anyhow, the HD620s is a glorious headphone and it's an absolute underdog that doesn't get the respect it deserves.
They are comfortable, I would rate them 9 out of 10. (I rank DT-770 10/10 thanks to the velour pads and round cups which allow rotation of the headband.)
The HD620s is quite all right, probably the best I’ve had for just isolation, but not the same.
The 620S bring the sound signature of the lineup into a Closed-back form factor with excellent passive isolation. It’s incredible how open and spacious these headphones feel while isolating you from the outside world. ... I absolutely recommend these.
Agreed. The isolation is godly and I love them for that, but I ultimately let the 620S go because they actually sounded lesser to me than other headphones. I usually just perceive other headphones as different, but 620S made me feel a bit of disappointment even with EQ.
I have a pair of hd620s that I’ve used for thousands of hours of work as a location audio mixer and I can attest to their durability and reliability. I’ve been in torrential rain, scorching heat, humidity, and I generally abuse them. The cups are rusty and dinged up but they still work and sound amazing.
So, a bought an MV1 new from Amazon and an HD 620S B-Stock from Thomann, tried the test at respectively 60 and 80 volume from Windows with a 1.5 volts dongle (so not a huge power delivery) and both headphones exhibit a sound that it's like a rattle (on both driver) that at higher frequencies becomes an impulse.
for using around my house, this thing does really well, good connection and sound of HD620s.
620s - not so spicy in trebles, more „airy”, generally more balanced and refined sound than 770 for casual listening - definitely 620s
Compare
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