Prime Day Sennheiser deal: Strive these open-back cans

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I’ve lengthy been a fan of nice sound. However I hesitate to name myself an “audiophile” just because I’m not a rich man. And but even I can dabble in strong audio as a result of so many reasonably priced merchandise proceed to up the ante — together with my favourite private headphones. Behold the Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back cans. An audiophile of means would possibly scoff at spending solely a number of hundred bucks, however the joke’s on them. Due to Amazon, this Prime Day Sennheiser deal will get you these nice wired, open-back cans for a mere $375 (as of Wednesday night; the fluctuating worth went up about $14 as of Thursday morning).

That’s not nothing, clearly. However it’s much more reasonably priced than the $1,000 or extra that many audiophile cans command.

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Prime Day: Sennheiser Client Audio HD660S2 open-back headphones

Good sound

Sennheiser Client Audio HD660S2 Open-back Headphones

These wired audiophile stereo headphones provide deep sub bass, optimized encompass sound, transducer airflow, vented magnet system and voice coil.

Execs:

Nice sound
Huge sound stage
Snug match

Cons:

Considerably costly
Proprietary Sennheiser connectors (different cables will not work)

My headphones obsession has dovetailed properly with my pc setup’s improvement in recent times. My M4 Professional MacBook setup has seen many modifications. That features the current addition of an audio interface and condenser microphone, on prime of the beforehand added Edifier studio-monitor audio system.

After which I discovered deal on a calmly used Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back set. So I added them to my headphones steady, which additionally consists of Beats Studio Professional (closed again). I knew “open again” would possible imply a broader soundstage and the wired facet would possibly assure some old-school high quality, so I used to be excited.

Decoding impedance

I’d dragged my ft on establishing the audio interface and mic. However I actually needed to see if the audio interface would operate effectively as a headphone amp, so I obtained it going for the brand new (to me) headphones. You solely actually need one for high-impedance headphones, as a result of most small gadgets don’t carry sufficient voltage to headphone jacks to make them sound their greatest. My new-to-me Sennies charge at 300 Ohms (Ω) impedance, whereas my Beats Studio Professional cans go along with simply 38Ω.

Most shopper headphones, like these from Beats, provide low-to-medium impedence (16 – 100 Ohms Ω) for straightforward use with a wide range of gadgets. Excessive-impedance headphones are usually designed for skilled use or audiophile listening. They’ve distinct traits, like extra element within the sound and good compatibility with skilled gear. However to achieve their full potential, these headphones — like Beyerdynamic DT 990 Professional (250Ω) and my very own Sennheiser HD660S2 (300Ω) — profit from a separate headphone amplifier. You should purchase desktop variations (standalone or in audio interfaces) to suit into a pc setup or moveable variations.

Headphone amp joins the celebration

So I obtained myself an reasonably priced and moveable Fosi Audio DS2 microphone amp and DAC dongle to run between the Sennheisers and my iPhone, iPad Air or audio interface, which labored nice. Higher than nice, even. I’ve even gotten again into having listening classes only for the pure enjoyment of music. I pull out the Sennies after I actually need to hear as a lot element as doable in new tunes I’ve come throughout, often on Apple Music. Than can imply low-end bass maintain within the deepest piano notes, mid-range vocal harmonies or high-end shimmer of cymbals. I discover the extra subtly advanced the music, the extra I need to use these headphones.

Sadly, after some time the Fosi amp connection turned iffy. So I might need to spend money on one other one. However even that gentle problem is thrilling, as a result of possibly no matter I select will make these headphones even higher.