The HD 660S Headphones from Sennheiser are without question one of the most influential, praised, and recommended headphones out there, all thanks to their combination of top-of-the-line, reference-grade audio quality, and a surprisingly affordable price tag. Now with the second generation of these pristine open-back headphones, which Sennheiser likes to call the HD 660S2, Sennheiser brought in some key differences, which makes this headphone stand out in comparison. What are these changes, and more importantly, which one should you go for? Is Sennheiser reshaping the world of audiophile headphones?
In short – “The Sennheiser HD 660S2 presents a noteworthy improvement from its forerunner, the HD 660S, by delivering increased audio information, improved tuning, and a contemporary soundstage.”
Sennheiser HD 660S2 vs HD 660S
Sennheiser HD 660S2 vs HD 660S – Audiophile Headphones Re-Imagined will pit two Sennheiser Headphones against each other to identify which one is better for audiophiles all around. With differences in specs, build, and varied sound quality, here’s a detailed comparison between the HD 660S2 and the HD 660S from Sennheiser.
| Specification | Sennheiser HD 660S2 | Sennheiser HD 660S |
| Driver | Open-back, Dynamic | Open-back, Dynamic |
| Impedance | 300 ohms | 150 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 8 Hz – 41.5 kHz | 9 Hz – 41.5 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/SPL | 104 dB/SPL |
Appearance
Although in terms of visuals, the differences aren’t practically that drastic, with a few nit bits you’d notice upon closer inspection. One of these changes is the HD 660S2 coming with cables that are significantly shorter, giving the headphones a bit more portability. And for cosmetics, you will easily notice that the HD660S2 comes with a text that comes with a bronze finish, while the HD 660S comes with a more stern silver-steel text engraved on the headphones. The bronze in this case might be an indication of the differences in the bass in both headphones, we’ll come to that in a bit.
Features
For the fit, both headphones provide the same, classic lightweight profile that comes accompanied by earbuds crafted out of velour, greatly diminishing the clamping pressure from the plastic frame.
Now as you’d expect, the HD 660S2 does house a few upgrades over its predecessor. Now, in the words of Sennheiser, the AirFlow around the transducer has been tampered with which now results in sensitivity on a broader scale. The change in the overall impedance is also noticeable, since the HD 660S2 clocks in at 300ohms, while the HD660S houses 150ohms. But apart from that, the most significant upgrade is on the audio tuning, where the trebles are more amplified, alongside a much appreciate extension on the mid and sub-bass.
This results in subtle improvement over the already impressive soundstage of Sennheiser where you can better sense the overall proximity and distance. The HD 660S2 also makes audio imaging faster and more fluid while following the same formula that made Sennheiser a big hit among audiophiles all around the world.
With the new addition to Sennheiser’s ever-extending arsenal of headphones, the HD 660S2 seems like an upgrade people who use the HD 660S never thought they would feel the need to have. HD 660S2 does a lot more than just offer a reference-grade headphone packed with more audio information while maintaining the signature clarity, it also provides an overall better tuning that’s more in line with the modern soundstage. In essence, the Sennheiser HD 660S2 does more than justice to its predecessor, the HD 660S. The upgrade follows the already impressive formula with enough welcome differences that’d make anyone who used a Sennheiser before come forth and take it for themselves.
Final Verdict
To conclude, the Sennheiser HD 660S2 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the HD 660S, particularly in terms of audio tuning, faster and more fluid imaging, and a broader sensitivity scale. With its upgrades and welcome differences, the HD 660S2 does more than justice to the already impressive formula of the HD 660S, making it a more attractive option for audiophiles.
