HD 800 S Junior: Or The Headphone The HD 700 Should Have Been

At quick glance, the HD 660 S may look like a modified HD 650 with HD 700 drivers transplanted inside of it, but that is where the similarities end. The HD 660 S offers the low-level detail characteristics that make the HD 800 so highly coveted among TOTL- and kilobuck-seeking audiophiles but with the HD 600's naturalness. In other words, remove the treble peaks that plague the HD 700 and, to a lesser degree, the HD 800, and retain the resolution of the HD 800 and you have the HD 660 S. Sennheiser has been removing the HD 650 from their site, and that alone suggests they have deep confidence in this new mainstream audiophile flagship product. I concur without equivocation, as I can see the HD 660 S easily inheriting the HD 650's throne to become the new go-to headphone among the community at large. In addition, I could see many of those who were less than thrilled with the HD 800's clinical sound (slightly withdrawn upper midrange and slightly boosted mid treble) going in ravenous droves after the HD 660 S. I really had to grasp at straws to find something negative to comment about these, and the only thing I could state is perhaps the retro looks may seen worn out or uninspired, but I personally am fond of this more classic, understated Sennheiser look over the gaudy Cyberman-like, space-age vibe of the HD 800 and HD 700. This is your atypical all-arounder with heightened technical abilities. Fast or slow, brash Bon Jovi or binotonous Beethoven, Sennheiser nailed this release with world-class expertise. Arguably, you could not do any better $999 and below. Amped and unamped, the HD 660 S is a force to be reckoned with, well-deserving of and highly recommended for a spot in the headphone stables of audiophiles seasoned and budding.