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Post by hermansheephouse on Sept 3, 2011 10:19:36 GMT
Hi guys - I am new on here so please excuse any ignorance . . I've a pair of HD 600's that I've had for about 10 years from new. In that time they've had a conservative 3-4 hours a day (my ears are just about still ok). I've just recently gone mad and upgraded my whole system to a Marantz SA8003 and an NJC Audio Monitor II and VDH Bay interconnects Anyway, I was wondering whether drivers do indeed wear out? The reason I am asking, is that having washed the pads on the Senns for the umpteenth time, and realising that slowly and surely the foam isn't returning to its original shape, I was looking around at replacement pads and was appalled at how much they cost . . .so I thought rather than spend the best part of 50 quid, why not just save and get a brand new pair of phones . . maybe a different make. Is it really worth spending that much money on replacement ear pads for them if the drivers are possibly on their way out anyway? Do headphones indeed wear out? They are sounding pretty darn good with the new set up though . . . Hope this all makes sense . . . any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated. Cheers Phil
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Sept 3, 2011 10:47:42 GMT
I don't think the drivers wear out, but I'm not sure. But, I have to say, £50.00 for replacement pads, what a bloody rip-off! I'm sure they weren't that expensive the last time I looked.
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Sept 3, 2011 12:48:59 GMT
If you enjoy your HD600 I would buy the ear-pads, you will be hard pressed to find a better can for 50. However, I would suggest you buy a 2nd headphone to get a different perspective. How much would you want to spend?
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 3, 2011 14:33:09 GMT
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 3, 2011 14:34:10 GMT
BTW: Maybe a good idea to use the search function before posting.
@ the admins: Perhaps a good idea to add the posts of this thread (without my posts) to the older thread and then deleting this thread.
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Post by hermansheephouse on Sept 3, 2011 15:06:43 GMT
Many apologies - I should have done a better search! Budget (if I do jump) would be about £150. Sorry again Phil
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 3, 2011 15:12:19 GMT
Many apologies - I should have done a better search! Budget (if I do jump) would be about £150. Sorry again Phil Absolutely NO problem, Phil. Last but not least: Welcome on the RG forum. I hope you keep posting...
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Post by hermansheephouse on Sept 3, 2011 15:31:54 GMT
Thanks - I'll do my best! P
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Z
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Post by Z on Sept 3, 2011 18:46:43 GMT
i should mention that the guy from livewires thinks you should store you headphones with moisture absorbing descant.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 3, 2011 19:16:48 GMT
I used my first pair of HD-600 for about 6 hours per day over a 5 year period and, in my opinion, the bass disappeared to almost nothing so I DO believe that headphones can wear out... I had a very HOT head back then and the pads and headband were sometimes soaking wet when I took the 'phones off my head so this "moisture" may have contributed to things.
I have a very cool head these days and if my head "does" get hot then I don't wear headphones. The HD-600 should last for many many years though so I would go ahead and buy a new pair of pads (and, yes, I agree.... they are a ridiculous price!)
Mike.
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Z
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Post by Z on Sept 3, 2011 19:39:50 GMT
I used my first pair of HD-600 for about 6 hours per day over a 5 year period and, in my opinion, the bass disappeared to almost nothing so I DO believe that headphones can wear out... I had a very HOT head back then and the pads and headband were sometimes soaking wet when I took the 'phones off my head so this "moisture" may have contributed to things. I have a very cool head these days and if my head "does" get hot then I don't wear headphones. The HD-600 should last for many many years though so I would go ahead and buy a new pair of pads (and, yes, I agree.... they are a ridiculous price!) Mike. storing them in a box with desiccant may prevent such problems.
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 3, 2011 19:42:58 GMT
I used my first pair of HD-600 for about 6 hours per day over a 5 year period and, in my opinion, the bass disappeared to almost nothing so I DO believe that headphones can wear out... I had a very HOT head back then and the pads and headband were sometimes soaking wet when I took the 'phones off my head so this "moisture" may have contributed to things. I have a very cool head these days and if my head "does" get hot then I don't wear headphones. The HD-600 should last for many many years though so I would go ahead and buy a new pair of pads (and, yes, I agree.... they are a ridiculous price!) Mike. My HD580 Precision's are also very old. I've bought them in 1998 IIRC. They have been used very often and over a long time. They still work flawless, but I'm sure the age had a (minor) influence on SQ. They have the old driver variant. My HD650's have the newer drivers. A few months ago, the HD580's have got new pads. What a difference! They sound much better now than they did with the old pads, which have been washed quite often. I still think there is a minor difference between the brand new HD580's and the current condition. Overall, I can confirm the conclusion of the older "wear out thread": Dynamic headphones usually last VERY long.
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Post by pcourtney1 on Sept 3, 2011 21:00:20 GMT
oh I hope not, my AKG's are over 30 years old now and still sound pretty amazing to me !
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Post by pandapops on Sept 3, 2011 23:35:34 GMT
Yes, with Senn 580/600 every bit seems to wear out: Sound matures and then over many. many hours eventually becomes less detailed and powerful, it really shows when compared to a new pair, I'd be amazed if this hasn't happened to yours. Headband and earpiece foam becomes flat. Might be worth experimenting with zero cost DIY solutions to this just to check if it makes a difference, if so then commit the 50 quid. Cable socket on earpiece becomes unreliable.
The problem for Senn fanboys is what next? HD650s are for many not a one phone for all occasions item and HD800 are a massive stepup in price, so its either another set of 600s or a change of brand, and good luck finding a dealer that has a good range of other brands for audition. There are more good 'phones available than ever before and so few shops providing the service for people not buying big tellys.
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 4, 2011 4:35:05 GMT
Yes, with Senn 580/600 every bit seems to wear out: Sound matures and then over many. many hours eventually becomes less detailed and powerful, it really shows when compared to a new pair, I'd be amazed if this hasn't happened to yours. Headband and earpiece foam becomes flat. Might be worth experimenting with zero cost DIY solutions to this just to check if it makes a difference, if so then commit the 50 quid. Cable socket on earpiece becomes unreliable. The problem for Senn fanboys is what next? HD650s are for many not a one phone for all occasions item and HD800 are a massive stepup in price, so its either another set of 600s or a change of brand, and good luck finding a dealer that has a good range of other brands for audition. There are more good 'phones available than ever before and so few shops providing the service for people not buying big tellys. I had a similar problem. The HD650's and the K702's didn't satisfy me always. I ended up with the DT 990 Pro's. So far, I'm very happy with them.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Sept 4, 2011 6:29:31 GMT
Oh, yes, things do get worn out. Even the bloody transistor can "wear out" thru thermal aging. If everything does not wear out or get "better", we will have no more jobs.
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Post by hermansheephouse on Sept 4, 2011 8:38:59 GMT
Many thanks for all the great replies! Yeah, I am kind of wondering whether they have finally gone a bit. Certain recordings can coax excellent bass out of them, but others are a bit flat . . and its not the amp/ic, as the amp on the Marantz is actually pretty decent, and I get the almost the same bass response (though obviously not as pronounced). My biggest bugbear though is the cost of Sennheiser spares - outrageously expensive IMO. I'd only had them two years when I dropped them and got the usual cable microphonics problem and had to get a 650 cable . . and I must admit now, paying the best part of 50 pounds for a pair of earpads does make me rather balk a bit. Never mind the £12-15 for the headband pad (it's getting a bit niffy, even though it's been washed!) I'm actually thinking I might go closed back phones like the Shure SRH 840's as I sit right next to my comp and the fan noise really intrudes. Anyway . . enough of my wittering . ..on another note would anyone be interested in a review of the NJC Monitor II hp amp? It really is rather good. Phil
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Sept 4, 2011 11:47:43 GMT
Many thanks for all the great replies! Yeah, I am kind of wondering whether they have finally gone a bit. Certain recordings can coax excellent bass out of them, but others are a bit flat . . and its not the amp/ic, as the amp on the Marantz is actually pretty decent, and I get the almost the same bass response (though obviously not as pronounced). My biggest bugbear though is the cost of Sennheiser spares - outrageously expensive IMO. I'd only had them two years when I dropped them and got the usual cable microphonics problem and had to get a 650 cable . . and I must admit now, paying the best part of 50 pounds for a pair of earpads does make me rather balk a bit. Never mind the £12-15 for the headband pad (it's getting a bit niffy, even though it's been washed!) I'm actually thinking I might go closed back phones like the Shure SRH 840's as I sit right next to my comp and the fan noise really intrudes. Anyway . . enough of my wittering . ..on another note would anyone be interested in a review of the NJC Monitor II hp amp? It really is rather good. Phil Yeah, 50£ for a pair of new earpads is plain rip-off. That's why I did not change the pads of my HD580's earlier. The difference between the old and the new pads was very obvious though, almost like having a new pair of HD580's. You can also use the headband cushion of the HD650's with the HD600's and HD580's. I did exactly that with the HD580's. The headband cushion of the HD650's is slightly cheaper (at least from thomann.de) and it is more comfortable than the headband cushion of the HD580/600's. You can also use the headband cushions of the Beyer DT770/880/990 Pro series (only the "Pro's" work!), which are even cheaper and work also with the HD580/600/650's, although it would alter the look of the 'phones. I've bought also DT250 pads a few months ago. My hope was to use them also with the Senn's, but I don't think (now) that this is the way to go. The shape and pad system is too different and would certainly change the sound signature. I like the Beyer 'phones also because their spare parts are available for moderate prices. Beyer makes also the better pads overall.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2011 11:59:01 GMT
Anyway . . enough of my wittering . ..on another note would anyone be interested in a review of the NJC Monitor II hp amp? It really is rather good. Phil Absolutely Phil . . . a hand-built British class A . . . start a new thread in the Headphone amp section and lets hear what you think, Jeff
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Sept 5, 2011 6:40:02 GMT
Don't forget not original substitute hedbands or cups from ebay as well.
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Z
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Post by Z on Sept 5, 2011 23:06:03 GMT
Yes, with Senn 580/600 every bit seems to wear out: Sound matures and then over many. many hours eventually becomes less detailed and powerful, it really shows when compared to a new pair, I'd be amazed if this hasn't happened to yours. Headband and earpiece foam becomes flat. Might be worth experimenting with zero cost DIY solutions to this just to check if it makes a difference, if so then commit the 50 quid. Cable socket on earpiece becomes unreliable. The problem for Senn fanboys is what next? HD650s are for many not a one phone for all occasions item and HD800 are a massive stepup in price, so its either another set of 600s or a change of brand, and good luck finding a dealer that has a good range of other brands for audition. There are more good 'phones available than ever before and so few shops providing the service for people not buying big tellys. what i've read of the beyer dt150 says it may be a do all phone.
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Post by mrpharmacist on Nov 22, 2012 20:52:44 GMT
Left channel on my HD600s gave out at the weekend. Ordered the HD650 cables which are much more substantial. Not too shabby for 12.50 delivered next day. Will see the sound difference (if any) this weekend, but am hoping for a little more body to the 600s. www.custom-cable.co.uk/sennheiser-hd650-replacement-lead-3m.html**Definitely more body straight out of the "box". Or is that slightly...thicker? Top end has opened up giving a snappier feel. Greater seperation overall which is the best thing. I listen to mostly low-fi stuff so this is good, and looking at the HD600 cables they look very flimsy by contrast now.
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