Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 660S2: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 650: 75% of 316 owners recommend it, vs 61% of 231 for the Sennheiser HD 660S2.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Sennheiser HD 650

75%of 316 owners recommend

75% recommend · 11% neutral · 14% don't

Owners praise

Natural, balanced tonality that just "sounds right"
Lush, lifelike midrange and vocals
Non-fatiguing for hours of relaxed listening

Owners complain about

Rolled-off, light sub-bass that often needs EQ

Full owner report →

Sennheiser HD 660S2

61%of 231 owners recommend

61% recommend · 20% neutral · 19% don't

Owners praise

Lush, natural mids and vocals with classic Sennheiser timbre
Deeper, richer bass with much better sub-bass extension than the older 6x0
Excellent imaging and soundstage for gaming and movies

Owners complain about

Dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation
Loses the forward midrange magic of the cheaper 600/650

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Sennheiser HD 650 if

✓Listeners wanting warm, non-fatiguing sound for long sessions
✓Vocal, acoustic, jazz, and classical lovers
✓Home producers wanting a mixing reference
✓Buyers wanting durable cans that last decades with an amp

Skip it if

Bassheads wanting deep sub-bass extension
Those needing a wide soundstage and precise imaging

Get the Sennheiser HD 660S2 if

✓HD6x0 owners wanting more bass extension and treble sparkle
✓All-day listeners who want a warm, fatigue-free sound
✓Gaming, movie, and music all-rounder seekers
✓Metal, rock, and EDM fans wanting fuller low end

Skip it if

Those wanting a wide, expansive soundstage over intimate presentation
Purists chasing the classic 600/650 midrange, which feels recessed

What Sennheiser HD 650 owners say

“What an incredible difference they make to everything I had before! You can listen to a track and hear subtle details that you did not even know they existed. Wow!”
— @marco83 on YouTube

“HD650 with a bum driver, but I was able to solider the voice coil back on, so they work normally again. I had a pair 15 years ago and always regreted selling them.”
— kindofbluetrains on Reddit

“I find the HiFiMan Sundara & the Fiio FT1 Pro both more useful for mixing - the Sennheisers have a much more condensed/flat sound with less bass extension than either of those”
— @reallyoldcob on YouTube

What Sennheiser HD 660S2 owners say

“I've had it for 5 years now and I still consider it the best of the 600 series”
— @o.f.ftrack3444 on YouTube

“They are my go-to primary headphones.”
— @scottlowell493 on YouTube

“At $250-$350 I would consider giving these a go at $600 they are a pass.”
— @mindhead1 on YouTube

Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 660S2: frequently asked questions

Is the Sennheiser HD 650 or the Sennheiser HD 660S2 better?

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 650: 75% of 316 owners recommend it, vs 61% of 231 for the Sennheiser HD 660S2.

Who should get the Sennheiser HD 650?

Owners point the Sennheiser HD 650 at listeners wanting warm, non-fatiguing sound for long sessions, and vocal, acoustic, jazz, and classical lovers.

Who should get the Sennheiser HD 660S2?

Owners point the Sennheiser HD 660S2 at hD6x0 owners wanting more bass extension and treble sparkle, and all-day listeners who want a warm, fatigue-free sound.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Sennheiser HD 650 is rolled-off, light sub-bass that often needs EQ. For the Sennheiser HD 660S2, it's dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation.