Sennheiser HD 660S
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The Sennheiser HD 660S and its successor, the S2, are characterized by a rich, 'creamy' midrange and a non-fatiguing, laid-back sound signature. While many users praise their natural vocal intimacy and durable build, the series faces mixed reviews from those who find the sound 'muffled' or 'dark' compared to the legendary HD 600 or 650. The S2 model is generally noted for improved bass and detail retrieval, though it remains a polarizing choice within the audiophile community due to its specific tuning and higher price point.
Pros
- Rich and creamy midrange response
- Natural and intimate vocal presentation
- Non-fatiguing sound signature suitable for long sessions
- Durable, 'tank-like' build quality
- Improved bass and detail in the S2 version compared to the original
Cons
- Subjective 'muffled' or 'grainy' treble
- Original 660S can feel light on bass for some genres
- Polarizing tuning that some find less 'exciting' than competitors
- High price point, particularly for the S2 model
Caveats
- Opinions are frequently split between those who love the 'syrupy' warmth and those who prefer the clearer mids of the HD 600/6XX
- The soundstage is described as intimate, which may not suit those seeking an 'airy' or wide presentation
- Clamping force and headband comfort can vary based on individual head shape
Best for
- Vocal-heavy tracks and acoustic music
- Listeners sensitive to high-frequency fatigue
- Users wanting a reliable, long-term 'daily driver' for music and work
Avoid if
- You prefer a bright, analytical, or very airy sound signature
- You are looking for a budget-friendly entry into high-end audio
- You strictly prefer the specific timbre of the original HD 600 or 650
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from a solid pool of 107 mentions with a median age of approximately 194 days, reflecting a stable consensus on these headphones.
Sentiment
73 positive (68%) · 21 mixed (20%) · 13 negative (12%)
Trust + time weighted score: +57% · raw score 56%
What redditors said (10 of 107)
650 and 660S2 have a smaller soundstage than the 560S.
I have been eyeing the 660s2
660s2 is like a 6xx with more bass but worse mids, personally I liked it more than the 6xx
For example: I own the 660s2 and the DT-770 PRO. And IMO, the bass on the 770 pros is much better than the bass on the 660s2. This is coming from a bass guitar player and person who listens to R&B, Funk, Hip hop, jazz. The 660s2 are more detailed and better sound stage but they can't compete with the bass from the closed back 700's.
I had them with Sundara as my first proper headphones after years with 599, and while 660s2 were more comfy, over time I decided that I gravitate towards Hifiman's sound, so I doubled down on this and got myself Arya Organic.
S2 are only good value if they suit your listening/genre style. At $300 yes. Anything over $40ó,no.
The more refined alternative would now be the 660S2, although the 58X was about 3x cheaper than the 660S2.
Have to say that also consider my Porta Pros a solid pair, but i cant say that they are my best one. My HD 660S2 still have this title.
The 660S2 is NOT an upgrade to the HD600 series. They a smidge more bass but worse mids, you can get the same amount of bass increase with EQ and keep the amazing mids of the 600, for free.
I love the stock sound except for the vocals, specifically female vocals as they sound too flat, dark/muffled for my liking.
Compare
Sennheiser HD 660S vs Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKIISennheiser HD 660S vs Sennheiser HD 550Sennheiser HD 660S vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
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