Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Sennheiser HD 660S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 660S2: 61% of 231 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 571 for the Sony WH-1000XM6.

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

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 →

Sony WH-1000XM6

35%of 571 owners recommend

35% recommend · 25% neutral · 40% don't

Owners praise

Noise cancellation is best-in-class, with many owners calling it the strongest ANC they've used and effective even in subways, offices, and on flights
Sound quality is excellent once tuned with the 10-band EQ, with owners praising wider soundstage, deeper bass, and clearer detail versus the XM4/XM5
Build feels sturdier than the XM5 thanks to the new metal hinge, and many long-term owners report years of daily use with zero cracks or breaks

Owners complain about

Hinges and headband can crack or snap outright, sometimes within months, and owners report Sony denying warranty repair or charging for it
The plastic housing feels cheap for a $400-450 price point, undermining the premium feel owners expect at that cost
Out-of-the-box sound is muddy, bass-heavy, or dull and needs manual EQ adjustment to sound good

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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

Get the Sony WH-1000XM6 if

✓Commuters and travelers who want class-leading ANC for trains, planes, and noisy offices
✓Listeners willing to tweak the 10-band EQ, since many say default tuning is flat until adjusted
✓Careful owners who store them in the case and avoid rough daily abuse
✓Apple and Android users who want reliable multi-device switching, calls, and cinema/movie modes

Skip it if

Gym-goers and heavy sweaters, since owners report sweat damage, coating peel, and mic failures with no IP rating
Buyers wanting rock-solid build quality, given recurring reports of hinge and headband cracks over time

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

What Sony WH-1000XM6 owners say

“I then connected them to my android phone and everything was much crisper and detailed because it used LDAC. I then also played around with the equalizer and now they sound much better.”
— Alanwake28 on Reddit

“Using XM3 daily since before covid, only headphone I own and do everything you say we shouldn't. Through pouring rain, snowstorms, at the gym, at my factory, stuffed into bags.”
— electro_lytes on Reddit

“The issue I have with the Sony XM6 headphones is that they tend to cause my ears to become warm and sweaty, especially during extended use. This discomfort can be quite distracting”
— No-Seaworthiness7880 on Reddit

Sennheiser HD 660S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: frequently asked questions

Is the Sennheiser HD 660S2 or the Sony WH-1000XM6 better?

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 660S2: 61% of 231 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 571 for the Sony WH-1000XM6.

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.

Who should get the Sony WH-1000XM6?

Owners point the Sony WH-1000XM6 at commuters and travelers who want class-leading ANC for trains, planes, and noisy offices, and listeners willing to tweak the 10-band EQ, since many say default tuning is flat until adjusted.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Sennheiser HD 660S2 is dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation. For the Sony WH-1000XM6, it's hinges and headband can crack or snap outright, sometimes within months, and owners report Sony denying warranty repair or charging for it.