Superlux HD660

[clausdk]

Seeing how succesfull the 681 is on this forum, it wonders me, that I apparantly are the only one who got the "other" model, the one that looks like the DT770..

I have switched the pads for some philips pads I had lying, I also tried them with beyer pleather pads and velour pads..

But the philips is just so comfortable and good sounding that I choose them

I have dampned them with some off the stuff you use for cleaning akvariums, it is called fitervat or perlon in my language..
IT has tighten up the bass a bit and brougth out details and added to the isolation, which is very nice..

I was going to recable them, but realized that I have used to much of the cable I got from Mike this week..

But will do later on, having to much fun modding..

Will add some weigth next..

How they sound ??

They are apr. 15 € more expensiv than the 681, but you get something for your money and I am not kidding.!

Compared to the 681, they are more neutral to my ears, better balanced.

The bass is firm strong, but not as much bass as the 681.

The Highs did plauge me for some time, but it went away after 100 Hours or so, now it is gooood..

So do not let the higher price scare you off. ;D ;D

If you need a closed phone this is a strong contender..

[clausdk]

Dampning of 660

First you insert a screwdriver here



Then the drivers pop out and it looks like this



Insert dampning material, the stuff you use in an aquarium, synth "cottonwool" do not pres it down, let it be a bit bigger than the cup.




Use this point to place the disks with the drivers and lochring with the foam..



It just makes everything better, I like this phone very much

[MaN227]

time to revisit this posting. Any new thoughts/feelings on these cans as some time has passed? in what sound sig sorta way has it changed the can? deeper lows and a bit rolled off highs? the LOOK is quite nice to me, I like that it appears metal that holds the cups, ear pieces , whatever the term is.
These have the coiled cord ? I think I seen it in some photo somewhere. if it does indeed have coiled cord how to you like it. personally I like the idea, much easier to manage. Like corded phones , some of us remember those hehe

one final thing I wonder about from anyone that may know. does it affect sound pressure levels? filling and dampening and the like. My mind goes to speaker enclosures and measured air space for air movement. I have wondered this every time I see folks modding cans in such a way. Or is it simply that most closed cans aren't sealed that well and enough air does move out?

Silly questions maybe, just trying to understand things better. I have read so many good things on this forum, its filling with a wonderful cast of characters.

What I appreciate the most of all about the folks here is although I don't know jack sh!t I am never made to feel small and stupid, THAT is GOLDEN and the very reason why I clicked that yellow PayPal button up there on the left <<<<<<<^^^^ * hint hint ;D

EVEN when I voice my opinion and it does not fall in line, STS [so to speak] with others. Thanks for having me and my quirks and sometimes often times, different ways of looking at things. It makes me think about how many different ways there are to look at the same thing. trippy actually.

I gather a different perspective by Listening to what others have to say, which is a good thing, so I hope others can "walk a mile in my moccasins" and maybe see things from a different perspective as well . you don't have to agree with someone to appreciate their thinking as an individual. I suppose it could seem odd to some, but I have lived my life by trying to "walk a mile in anthers moccasins" regardless of the situation, I suppose that is why I am such a compassionate person as I find it easy as pie to do.

no Idea why I am saying all this oh well I'm human after all I suppose ;D

Peace

@pf

[clausdk]

Mar 19, 2010 22:55:15 GMT MaN227 said:

time to revisit this posting. Any new thoughts/feelings on these cans as some time has passed? in what sound sig sorta way has it changed the can? deeper lows and a bit rolled off highs? the LOOK is quite nice to me, I like that it appears metal that holds the cups, ear pieces , whatever the term is.
These have the coiled cord ? I think I seen it in some photo somewhere. if it does indeed have coiled cord how to you like it. personally I like the idea, much easier to manage. Like corded phones , some of us remember those hehe

I have had them for several months when I posted the first post so that still goes, maybe I like them a bit more now

the pivot part is plastic, but the actual headband is metal..

They look like a set of DT770 pro, here is a picture with homemade padding in leather..


Their weak point is the earpads, but they are the same size as Beyers so no problem getting better ones, mine are from Philips HP1000, the best pads ever made..

I hate the coiled wire, so when I do get some cables it will be changed..

They do need a good spanking before they sound good, 50 hours pink noise will do..

[clausdk]

The padding does make the phones a bit more silent, not much maybe 3 dB or so.
The filter wool is not that compact it just looks wild, because it expands a bit..

I think that the padding, takes the echos away, from the otherwise naked walls in the headphones and makes more of the sound come from the driver and not the back walls, like hanging carpets on your walls, with big speakers, makes the room more silent..

[MaN227]

interesting stuff mate hope your 681 bands are going well too

[clausdk]

Now with Kimber cable and Litzbraid (never again, the cable is very stiff and it was quite tough to braid)..
It is my first braid and the way I feel now also my last..




I am done modding this phone, I think ;D ;D

[Spirit]

Mar 28, 2010 1:50:28 GMT @clausdk said:

I am done modding this phone, I think ;D ;D

There's nothing left to change! ;D

[clausdk]

Mar 28, 2010 1:52:32 GMT Spirit said:

Mar 28, 2010 1:50:28 GMT @clausdk said:

I am done modding this phone, I think ;D ;D

There's nothing left to change! ;D

Why do say does things ??
I feel such pressure ;D ;D

I did the most extreme mod today

Everything I have done up till now has been trimming and making the cups more dead and better sounding and I do think it has been a succes..

So what to do now ??

I have thougth about bulding in a c-moy, but I do feel I have hit this drivers potential, so what the use for that ??
I found my old "closed c-JAY" project and have swapped drivers so that the drivers from the JAYS are sitting in the 660 headphone, as it is a much better driver, much more sharp and fast and I do not use my c-JAYS anyway ;D ;D

I still need to trim the dampning and maybe some other foam in front of the driver, but the potential has risen, it is like driving a very nice car at the freeway, doing 60, it is nice comfortable ride, but you have the feeling of so much more is possible..

I just need a bit more bass, the bassslam/punch/force what ever you call it is great, but it needs a bit in quantity..

I am not sure these drivers are bedded in, so they will maybe change a bit after some days, so I will wait to do anything, for a couple of days

So my last mod has made them not superlux HD660.. ;D

Strange world we live in

[MaN227]

back again, and this time I've done a bit more listening, as i had to confirm what I THought I heard first time round. what is that ? well its that the 660 had the best vocals so far out of ANY superlux can i have. that included the 660, unmodded and modded 681's and the 668B.
for me favs for vocal and acoustic is 660 clear fav, 668B, then modded 681 and obviously the worst is the unmodded 681.

the funny thing I notice if you give any can enough time on your head they start to sound well..... good. I suspect its simply your brain adjusting to what its being fed.

far far less, again i don't know the terms. but far less grain, noise and sibilant vocals with the 660. thats what i hear.

the totally subwoofer deep of the modded 681 is fantastic in the bass department, but does not compare in vocals to the 660. whoever don't agree that is fine.

I used tom petty you don't know how it feels as when the backing singers join is where I can really here what cans are clearer than others. and Norah Jones track from latest album, light as a feather. and of all things Yello - expert which in its own exposes poor vocal performance.

with that all being said . I listened to every can I have the the senn hd650 had the smoothest sounding mids with the least sibilance and harshness. not sure if they have a bit of a bump in the higher bass region that sorta smooths out the roughness mids can have or what. the k701's would fall behind the 660 imo.

still, I am MOST curious what the 668B will sound like with the 681 mods, with a lighter filter as it simply does not need to be pushed down so far.

if this 660 had the bass power and impact of the 681's they would be a fantastic can imho. besting the the modded 681.

I feel both the 660 and the 668B would best the 681(modded) IF they could benefit from similar mods of the 681. My gut feeling tells me since the build is pretty much the same with the 681 and the 668B that the 668B would be even better than people seem to find the 681, in all areas. the 660 seems to be less that someone could do being closed. closed is closed. although I do wonder if you were to drill a small hole about 1/16 inch in the center of the bottom half of cup[6 o'clock] and another one at upper front, at 10 and 2 o'clock respectively for left anf right. [ to be clear the upper hole to be at about the spot where the top front of your ear is]if that would boost the bass up. don't ask me why but, that is what I wonder and not brave enough to try it myself lol

why do I think all of this? well that's simple the difference is AMAZING between the sound of a modded and unmodded 681, its like an altered beast.... so there u have it.

again mind you I'm just your average Joe or Chaz as it were

[clausdk]

Yes the 660 are amazing, they do not have the bass of the 681, but to me that is a good thing..

I think that the bass is tighter and more realistic..

Now my friend you do have some modding to do, the leathermod is by far the best..

If you want some bass, try exchanging the foam with one of those "washfoams" for whiping of stool from a babys behind, when a diaper is changed.
I think you will be pleasently surpriced..

[earfonia]

Apr 1, 2010 12:59:02 GMT @clausdk said:

Yes the 660 are amazing, they do not have the bass of the 681, but to me that is a good thing..

I think that the bass is tighter and more realistic..

Now my friend you do have some modding to do, the leathermod is by far the best..

If you want some bass, try exchanging the foam with one of those "washfoams" for whiping of stool from a babys behind, when a diaper is changed.
I think you will be pleasently surpriced..

Nice mod, thank you for the post!

I'm getting an HD660 soon, and interested with your mod. Do you mind to post a picture of the washfoams you mentioned?

Thanks!

[clausdk]

May 26, 2010 7:30:49 GMT earfonia said:

]

Nice mod, thank you for the post!

I'm getting an HD660 soon, and interested with your mod. Do you mind to post a picture of the washfoams you mentioned?

Thanks!

I will be making a complete makeover on Kolinds HD660, very shortly, so look out for that, there will be lots of pictures of the proces..
The washfoams are those that are sold in packages of 50 or so for 1£..

[earfonia]

Noted thanks! Will bookmark this thread and wait for your update

[clausdk]

Ups sorry I forgot the pictures but most of the things are here anyway..
The washfoam I am talking about is those that comes in packages with 50 pieces for 1$
Please look in here for pictures..

rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=review&thread=5179&page=8

[UzminiNu]

Got some HD660 equipped with the bayerdynamic dt770 velour ohrpolsters, now they are fabolous comfortable and sexy oldskool looking.Im not wondering why they are selling for 3 times more money as the hd681.Need some time to listen and yes i need a handfull of cotton for them too:D.

[clausdk]

Just wait till they are burned in, they need a good 100 hours to really bloom, the cotton is not cotton it is filterwool, used for cleaning aquariums, it is also used for stuffing teddybears..

[UzminiNu]

i have a teddy bear

nop the teddy bears inner qualitys were not suitable for the mod.i ebay then this filterwool.

after 30 hours of music with these cans unmodded im more positive as before.the sound is very bright with fine detail.the bass is getting better and rounder.the Bayerdynamic earpads are better then 240 series AKG's they get warm after long hours:/.And are itching my ears:/.I hate that:D.

Now im finally understand why these cost more than the hd681.

The detail of the vocals is very,very good. Unfortunate i dont have a reference headphone till now.Fact is...these are damn good earphones the best i heard till now.When we speak about the price class (Included the Bayer earpads) then I heard the Sennheiser HD555 and they are rubbish compared to these.

[MaN227]

I've just enjoyed Norah Jones' latest album. after all this time , I still hear and say the same thing. I have NO headphone that has better vocal then the HD660, it really is amazing how much better it is then the other superlux and frankly all other cans I have. the 660 vocal quality makes the modded 681 sound like your listening to vocal from behind 2 down comforters.

so glad I have these cans.

the bottom end is not so fat, its accurate is what it is, very good separation between bass drum and bass guitar. and it never sounds flabby or lose, ever. I find it amazing how a can like this can still be flying under radar. now I know why the fellow I sourced them from was not selling anymore of his stock , so as to keep them around the studio. that in and of itself should tell you something. but alas there is no pink pig in the sky with red glowing eyes. so I suppose those of us that have the HD660 can continue to enjoy them regardless.

[elysion]

I've ordered a pair of HD660's this weekend and I expect to receive them in a couple of days.

Thanks to the weak Euro, buying in Germany from Thomann is comparatively cheap for me now.

I have Beyer pads around and also Beyer head cushions.

It will be intesting to hear the Superlux 'phones with the highest impedance so far. From what I've heard, I guess that they are a nice addition to my (small) range of close-back 'phones.

[elysion]

My holidays have started quite interesting. My new HD-660's have arrived last Saturday.

I've tested them already with a few different pads and I've modded them already slightly.







What you see in the pictures above is a HD-660 with Beyer softskin pads, Beyer Pro series headband cushion, Beyer foam disks about the drivers (not visible in the pics above) and with the synthetic cotton wool ("filter wad") mods. That's the current condition of my HD-660's and IMO it's so far the best sounding combination. Beside the HD-660's is a piece of synthetic cotton wool.

I've started listening with them in the stock configuration. With the stock ear pads and headband cushion, the comfort isn't bad exactly. The feel of the pads and the headband cushions is just too artificial, that's the real problem. It feels comfortable, but it feels more synthetic than organic. Not really my cup of tea. A bit sweaty also.

The sound was much better than the feel of the pads. Absolutely gorgeous midrange. Treble was not very special, it was OK though. Bass was not very deep, it was also a bit lacking beside the dominant midrange.

I've tested them also with Beyer velours pads (those to be exactly: www.thomann.de/gb/beyerdynamic_dt990_ersatzohrpolster.htm). They have sounded absolutely awful IMO. Weak bass and the midrange sounded thin and anemic in comparison with the stock pads. The treble was ugly with painful spikes.

The Highs did plauge me for some time, but it went away after 100 Hours or so, now it is gooood..

Did you mean that spikes, Claus? I find them absolutely awful. Hopefully, the spikes will vanish after a couple of hundred hours.

I don't have the Philips pads you have, but I have tested also the Beyer "softskin" pads (probably their expression for "pleather"). I've read that you have also tried those pads. It suprises me a bit since I think that the softskin pads are a really good match with the HD-660's. They give better isolation and therefore also more bass. I really like the bass they have with the softskin pads, but IMO these pads show also improvements in the midrange (better definied, clearer, more pressure) and the treble (it's tamed, no HF spikes, much better to my ears).

The softskin pads are so far the best pleather pads I've seen. They feel almost as good as velours pads, are not as sweaty as the original pads and also better in that regard than all other pleather pads that I've used personally.

I've used exactly these Beyer softskin pads:
www.thomann.de/gb/beyerdynamic_dt770_ersatzohrpolster.htm

I'm almost sure that these pads are almost the same as this pads (sold with a different part number):
www.thomann.de/gb/beyerdynamic_ohrmuschelsatz.htm


If someone knows differences between the pads mentioned above, please tell us those differences.














Claus, after comparing the pads, I've done also your filter wad mod. With great results. The damping works great and that fishy cotton wool is superb stuff. I have a "Qualipet" story about 5 minutes away from my apartment. Cheap and effective.

The damping mod works great, overall it's an improvement. The sound signature without the damping is also very good, it's not bad. I've noticed that the 'phones are slightly less sensitive with the damping mod (IMO a good thing).

I love these HD-660's really, but I have one real problem: With some really bassy music, I have heard some vibration/resonance in the right earcup. Initially, I've thought it was something loose inside the earcup (a cable or other part). I've heard that vibration all pads, but it was most evident with the softskin pads that have the best bass. After some testing, I've found the problem. The right driver isn't perfectly secured in the driver capsule respectively the dispersion plate. Those two plastic parts have a plastic snap in connection and are glued together additionally with some kind of white casein glue. My problem is that I have some doubts that I can open the driver capsule / dispersion plate without damaging it. Some of the glue was also dropped accidentially on the fleece that covers most of the dispersion plate. Not really bad, but at that point, it's clearly visible that Superlux doesn't produce on the same high quality level that Beyer is known for. I can't complain for the price, but that problem makes the 'phones unsuitable for some music. I have the problem really only with one driver and I guess it's just my individual HD660's. Still a bit annoying since I have to find a solution for that manufacturing sloppiness.

Fortunately, almost any Rock music (including Metal) is no problem. The problem is easily detectable while listening to electronic music that has deep bass. The HD-660's are real Rock masters. It's simply wonderful to listen Rock with that great midrange.

Time for a comparison between the build quality of the HD-660's (with a lot of Beyer parts...) and the DT 770 Pro's:







































To keep it short: Build quality of the HD-660's is nowhere near the Beyer's. The HD-660's get only really useful with replacement ear pads and headband cushion. If you add that to the price, then the cost is still less than half as much as for Beyer like the DT770/990 Pro's, but IMO the Beyer's can still easily compete with the cheap Chinese DT-660's. You get great headphones out-of-the-box from Beyer. No modding needed and the build quality is what you'd expect from a German Tiger tank. The HD-660's, on the other hand, have their own charm though. The sound signature has absolutely no relation to the Beyer's. They share only the look. The parts of the HD-660's aren't exact copies of the Beyer's. They are close, but there are real differences. The fork that hold the earcups have not the same dimenensions for example. Ear pads and headband cushions of the Beyer's fit perfectly though.

I rate the HD-660's very high, but they are far from being perfect. It's a great addition to my headphone armory, of course.

Headphonia has published a review about the HD-330/440/660's a few months back:
www.headfonia.com/the-new-superluxes-are-good-the-hd330-hd440-and-the-hd660/

This makes me curious about the HD-330's. The HD-660's are very good value for the money, but they are closed-back 'phones and as such not optimal for very long listening. Ear fatigue can be a problem with the HD-660's after very long listening. I hope that the HD-330's don't have this problem and that the softskin pads have the same beneficial affects. I guess the HD-330's could be exactly my cup of tea (with some modding). Too bad that Thomann doesn't sells the HD-330's at the moment.

Another thing that is worth to mention is the Superlux packaging. Inside a normal cardboard, there's a plastic box. It's a very cheap plastic box, but it's quite suitable to protect the 'phones during transport. IMO it offers much better protection than the original Beyer bags (that are only an optional accessory with the Beyer Pro series!). It looks that Superlux is doing some things really cheaper and better than Beyer does.























The HD-660's are great 'phones, offer a very good VFM and it's fun to mod them. I must admit though, that my sympathy is still more with the Beyer's. I'm deeply impressed with the quality of the Beyer's and I liked the sound signature. Especially the DT990 Pro's (250 Ohm) are perfect for my taste. The success story with the HD-660's also wouldn't be possible in the same way without original Beyer parts.

So once in the direction of the Superlux HQ:

And ten times in direction of the Beyer HQ:


One of the next things is to get Beyer clear gel pads. I'll use them probably with the DT 770 Pro's, but maybe I'll give them also a try with the HD-660's. The problem with the right driver in my HD-660's is highly annoying and needs a solution. HD-330's are definitely on my wish list.

[elysion]

The testing with the HD-660's was done mostly with the Neco BOSSFET V2.1 and also with the Neco portable V2. The HD-660's match very well with both Neco's, but IMO the BOSSFET sounds warmer and this is a plus with the HD-660's.

I've tried also the PreSonus HP4 with them. Not bad.

It will be very interesting to hear how the HD-660's sound with the X-Can V2+V3. I'll find out soon...

[clausdk]

The resonans dissapeered with my "leathermod" it helped deadend the cups..

I have put in some other drivers in mine now (v-JAYS)..

But I will maybe return to the original ones again, if I get the time and urge to work on modding the further..

[elysion]

Jul 5, 2011 9:27:42 GMT @clausdk said:

The resonans dissapeered with my "leathermod" it helped deadend the cups..

I have put in some other drivers in mine now (v-JAYS)..

But I will maybe return to the original ones again, if I get the time and urge to work on modding the further..

I was thinking of getting something like the butyl rubber Mike uses. I guess some butyl rubber behind the dispersion plate / driver capsule could deaden the vibrations/resonans. To be honest, it would piss me off a bit to open the driver capsule. I'm almost sure that I would damage something.

My only problem now is that I have no butyl rubber or similar stuff. That's bat since I've searched yesterday in the nearby DIY store for this – and they have nothing similar...

Your filter wad mod helped also a bit. The problem was more noticeable before I did the mod. It's only the driver capsule/dispersion platte that vibrates, the earcups are already deadened.

Perhaps my DT 770 Pro's will also get some filter wad. It seems beneficial with the HD-660's and maybe also with other headphones. The HD25-1/II's could be also candidates for that, but they are already almost perfect.

It's a pity that the manufacturing is not slightly better. The driver's itself are very good and the midrange is just beautiful.

Do we have some members that had a chance to listen to the HD330's? If Thomann would sell them, I'd buy them instantly. A source for HD330's would be also helpful, but maybe a mail to Thomann support would also do the job by simply asking them to sell the HD330's too.

BTW: Your leather mod is also great, but I've decided for the original Beyer headband cushion. It's cheap with 7 Euros and it's a perfect drop-in replacement. Not as beautiful as the leather mod. But feel great and does the job, just like it does with my other Beyer's.

[elysion]

As a side note: The coiled cable of the HD-660's (and the HD-330's) is very short. It's a PERFECT length for mobile use with the Neco portable, but it's at least 50cm too short for normal use. It's not a real problem for me though.

The cable itself is strong and feels very good. Since the SQ is OK for me (beside the vibrations in the right driver capsule), I have no plans to replace it. If I'd replace it, I'd go probably for a original Beyer cable.