Rating: 
Summary: listen here
Review: I'm a long time audiophile and simply put, these are the best headphones I've had the pleasure of experiencing... worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!
Review: Just recieved the Sennheiser HD-600 Headphones and I am amazed at the sound repoduction and overall quality of these great headphones. But I just learned that I can go one step further in my listening pleasure with Sennheiser. I just purchased their new upgrade!!!, the Sennheiser HD-650!!! using Cardas Headphone cables!. I can't wait to experience this winning combination. Go for the upgrade!, all the reviews about the shortcomings of the HD-600 have been taken into consideration by the Sennheiser Company and have been corrected with their new upgraded model HD-650!!!.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding, if pricey, headphones
Review: Most people have probably never thought of spending ... for a pair of headphones, but if you care about the music you listen to, this is actually quite a bargain. I considered both the Sennheiser HD600 and the nearly identical but less expensive HD580 headphones; I chose the HD580 which gives nearly all the quality at about half the price, but sadly those have been discontinued. Nevertheless, I do agree that the HD600 is probably the best dynamic headphones available today; listening to music, especially well-recorded acoustic music like jazz and classical is an experience you will never be able to approach using anything near the same amount of money, certainly not loudspeakers in this price range. Although there have been comments... that these headpones may be a touch bright, I feel that they are actually simply more accurate, without the boominess in the bass or extra "presence" in the midrange which are designed into many other headphones. Also, these are open-air headphones; the open-air design has the advantages of being more comfortable (your ears don't get hot) and offering a cleaner and, well, more OPEN sound. The disadvantage is that they provide next to no isolation from external noise, so forget about these if you want headphones for the commuter train. If you turn up the volume people in your immediate surroundings can hear the music, but unless you're listening to rock and roll at ear-bleeding volumes in bed while your significant other is trying to sleep, this shouldn't be a problem. All in all, a great investment in musical enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: Could this be a pair of electrostatics?
Review: One of the opuses in the stable of Senheisser's line of headphones was their Orpheus electrostatic headphones that came with an out-of-this-world partnering tube driven amplifier/energiser with an onboard D/A convertor. It came with a nice asking price as well and quantities were limited to say the least. The good news for those who crave the transparency and response of the forementioned electostats, you can. Well almost, with the new HD600s from Sennheiser which was introduced as an improved version of HD580s. Wrong, the HD600s are not just an improvement, they represent a massive leap over the HD580s. This is not to say the HD580s are bad. They're not. But compared to them, the HD600s outdo the former in every department. The upper frequencies have even more air and energy. Large scale orchestras are presented with greater delicacy and precision. Long term wear with the Senheissers are a pleasure. There's non of the usual hot ear syndrome and the headphones can be worn for extended periods of time. There is very little that that the HD600s will miss in the program material presented. If anything can be faulted about the HD600 is that it may actually reveal the inadequecies of the recorded material. Especially if it is a vintage or historical recording. The HD600 also requires a high quality headphone amp if you're to exploit it to the fullest. Better if you can obtain a dedicated headphone amplifier. If you're in the market for a pair of high quality dynamic headphones you can't really go wrong with the HD600s.
Rating:
Summary: Called "professional" for good reason
Review: One size rarely fits all, and these 'phones are no exception. They are a bit like a race horse - a bit picky about care and feeding, but with the right diet a superb performer.Compared to my old Grado SR60s, the HD600s need more power to play at a given sound pressure level. They are ruthlessly revealing - badly recorded tracks sound, well, badly recorded. Finally, the wisdom on the audio fanatic message boards is that they take time to break in, and I'm finding that they're sounding better and better with more hours on them. The flip side is that when you feed them good source material through a clean amplifier (as I write this I'm auditioning a Rega Ear), the HD600s cook. You can find yourself with tinnitus after a long session as the volume knob creeps up without the normal distortion cues to back off in the danger zone. Everyone's head and ears are different, obviously, but I found the ear cups the most comfortable I've worn. It's enlightening to hear the music without any room interaction - no bass reinforcement at your listening room's hot spots, but also no physical "slam" from your body's interaction with loudspeaker-driven signal. Overall, I'm impressed. Unfortunately, the price point seems to have crept up, so it's not a causual purchase, and then there are the ancillary commitments - don't expect these thoroghbreds to perform to their limits off a portable CD player or similar device. But if you're committed to high-end semi-private listening, this product joins a very short list of elite contenders for your consideration.
Rating:
Summary: The best is also a surprising value
Review: Plenty of superlatives have been heaped upon the HD-600s - and for good reason. They almost hint at perfection, and even while that outworldly ideal will always prove elusive, the HD-600s are an livable earth-bound solution. Their most remarkable sonic characteristics are balanced, natural tonality and the presence of remarkable detail and transparency. The sounds coming from these 'phones are of such natural rightness, you sometimes forget you are listening to a reproduced event. Of course, since the HD-600s are so transparent, you'll hear source tape flaws you never noticed before and these can ruin the magical illusion. But don't blame the Sennheisers for revealing the truth. Prior to owning the HD-600s, I used the fantastic HD-580s for about one year. One thing that surprises me (well, actually, it doesn't) is how quickly audiophiles pronounce the HD-600s leagues better than the HD-580s. I listened to each set profusely under careful conditions and came to the realization that the HD-580s offer about 95% of the performance of the HD-600s. The most notable difference is that the HD-600s remove a very thin veil of "sonic haze" from the music. But they both share the same character and personality and I would expect them to generate very similar test lab results. In my experience, many audiophiles will consider that extra 5% "a tremendous improvement". As to avoid being hypocritical, I did enjoy the HD-600s more and decided to keep them over the HD-580s, but take all superlatives and Grand Statements with a grain of salt, as you should in audiophiledom. If the HD-600s are priced out of your league, the discontinued and discounted HD-580s are a can't miss baragin. But even at [price], the HD-600s are a surprising value. A pedestrian pair of bookshelf loudspeakers will set you back [price] and they don't even come close to producing the heavenly sounds of the Sennheisers. And if you aren't a headphone person, time spent with these Sennheisers might change your mind. They did with me! I also connect my Sennheisers directly to my Panasonic portable on the go. Sure, an outboard amp would be nice, but who wants all that bulk and weight? Aside from more limited volume, most portables I've used are more than capable of driving the HD-600s with clarity, neutrality and practically no distortion. So don't worry about getting an amp right away...you might find the extra equipment unnecessary. The Sennheisers are my favorite piece of audio equipment. Their sonic performance and portability allow musical contentment late at night, at work, outside, wherever. They are the best [price] I've ever spent on audio.
Rating: 
Summary: be sure to get a high quality amplifier...
Review: Sennheiser HD600 is one of the best headphones in the market, which offers exceptional sound quality at a price much lower than one has to pay for comparably good speakers. They are often compared to Grado RS-1 or Sony MDR-F1. Although it is extremely hard to find a place where you can compare all three of these top-of-the-line models, those people who had this chance agree that the difference in sound quality is so subtle that it is a matter of personal taste which one to prefer. The sound quality of HD600 has been discussed in several reviews posted before mine. I can only add that the best way to hear the difference is to listen to the classical music or to jazz, where natural sound is paramount. Electronic music will sound good also in much cheaper headphones. There are several things which I learned from my experience that were not mentioned in reviews posted before mine: 1. Break-in period. As taken from the box, HD600 sounded not better than $7 headphones from a local drug store, and I was very close to returning them. However, I accidentally found on the web that headphones need a break-in period, i.e., they are supposed to play for about 24 hours before they can reach their full sound potential. The sound quality transformation after the break-in period was truly amazing, and the difference between HD600 and cheap headphones became striking! 2. With a 300 Ohms impedance, HD600 need quite some power. Neither portable CD players, nor computer sound cards can drive them - the volume is low, and the bass is gone completely. This was the only thing about HD600 that I got disappointed with - they can be used only with a dedicated high quality amplifier. It is possible that headphone jacks on DVD and CD players may also be not adequate. I ended up buying a Creek OBH-11 headphone amplifier in order to have something that can drive my HD600 and provides the sounds quality that I expected. 3. Many people say that HD600 is very comfortable. Frankly, I saw more comfortable headphones. It may be a matter of the head size (I am a big guy), but I would be happy if the pressure on my ears could be reduced. I am getting tired of wearing HD600 after about 40-50 minutes. But the sound IS great !!!
Rating:
Summary: It's all about the source:
Review: The HD600s are my fourth audiophile headphone. The previous cans were the HD265, the SR60, and the HD580. The sound from the HD580 and the HD600 are very close. The HD600, however, is a little more detailed and has a better sound stage than the HD580. The only problem with either the HD580 or the HD600 is the quality of the source. Most PCDPs (personal CD players) sound better with a more forgiving phone (e.g. Grado SR60). While a PCDPs can drive the HD580 and the HD600 they sound muddy compared to a good source. Just as you wouldn't expect to run $5000 speakers off a $100 boom-box, the HD600s are more at home with a good amp and a quality CD/DVD/LP player. I have yet to hear a speaker system come close to the HD600s mated with a good DVD player and a good headphone amp. If you aren't using quality sources, don't buy the HD600 (consider the cheaper HD580 {not HD590}). Plugging the HD600s into most inexpensive receivers will cause the background to be filled with sibilance. If you do buy the HD600s, I would seriously consider investing in a headphone amplifier. There are great headphone amps for less than [price], if you know where to look. Or, you can make one for [price].
Rating:
Summary: Pricey, well-made, not for everyone
Review: These are excellent audiophile headphones, no doubt about it. Their reproduction of sound is superior, and there is no attempt to render the sound excessively bass-y or to otherwise alter/distort whatever signal the source happens to deliver. This actually is a mixed blessing, since many contemporary listeners now seem to expect a exaggeratedly bass-heavy sound from their headphones. These are gorgeously made, high quality 'phones, but they are not for everyone. The potential drawbacks to using these headphones are several. First, the HD600 does such a fine job of amplifying input that it will render all the clearer any flaws in the audio system to which it is hooked up. Consequently, using these with a very cheap overall sound system can actually backfire. Second, the impedance associated with these 'phones is very high, so they will not produce much volume when used directly with a portable cd or md player. You NEED to use a headphone amplifier with any portable or other low-output device. Third, the design of these headphones is of the "open" variety. This helps in their superior sound reproduction, but it also means that if you are in a crowded room listening to music, everyone around you will know just what you are listening to and may not be as pleased with the experience as you are. If you need isolation, you are better off buying either "closed" headphones or else, even better, some first-rate (ear) canal phones such as the Etymotic ER-4's. Finally, as has already been pointed out, these headphones are quite luxuriant in their on-ear padding, but as a result they can become uncomfortably hot or itchy to wear. With those caveats in mind, these are still among the best stereo headphones currently made, and if you understand beforehand just what to expect with the HD600's, you will surely enjoy them.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Dynamic Headphone in the World
Review: This is the best dynamic headphone in the world, and is rivalved only by the Grado RS-1 headphone. Many studio engineers and audiophile's use these as their REFERENCE headphone...they are a steal for such a high quality headphone. The Grado RS-1 [costs more], and is definately less comfortable than the Sennheisers. These headphones have an extremely detailed, open, airy sound, that nears electrostatic sound. They are also unique in that they suit all types of music very well, they have great punch for rock music, but can perform clasical pieces with all the fullness and detail they were designed. It should be noted these headphone have an impedance of 300 ohms. Most headphone are 16-32 ohms. What this means is to get the full potential out of them you will need some type of amplifier. Headphone.com offers a couple inexpensive sollutions to this problem, as does audioadvisor.com. Althought they are not true audiophile components, they will greatly enhance your experience with these headphones. If you are planning on travelling with them, you can almost bet you won't be content with their sound when powered only by a portable CD player. I use a Audio Valve RKV Mark II Headphone Amplifier at home, and the headphone.com Airhead on the road. Buy these headphones if you are looking for true audiophile sound, or just the best dynamic headphone, but be aware of their limitations without am amplifier.
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