Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Impressive wood ear cups and generally good build quality
- Bass is present, goes deep, and is punchy, contributing to the overall clarity of the sound
- Pads feel good and are comfortable, with upgraded ear pads compared to the M1060s
- Close to reference sound, offering neutral planar magnetic headphone experience
Product Considerations
- Heavier than the original M1060s, which may cause discomfort on the top of the head for some users
- Headband is considered flimsy and a potential weak point in the design
- Clamping force is found to be not strong enough by some reviewers
- A noticeable peak in the upper mid-range can make certain instruments and voices sound shouty or shrill
- Soundstage is not very wide
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the M1060, the M1060C's bass is a couple of decibels higher, mids on the M1060 are slightly better, and the M1060 has a wider soundstage
- Compared to the Sundara, the M1060C is warmer, bassier, and more mid-range focused
Takeaway: The M1060C is a closed-back headphone with wooden earcups and punchy bass. It could be a good option for those looking for a neutral and precise listening experience in a closed-back design.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
M1060C
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Style: Closed
- Transducer Type: Planar magnetic
- Magnetic Structure: Asymmetry Push-pull neodymium
- Magnet Type: High grade N50 neodymium
- Driver Size: 106mm
- Maximum Power Handling: 5 watts (for 200ms)
- Maximum SPL: >120dB
- Frequency Response: 10Hz ~ 50kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1% at 1mW; 1kHz
- Impedance: 18 ohms
- Efficiency: 90dB / 1mW
- Optimal Power Requirement: 1 watt
- Weight: 17.0 oz. (483 g)
Description
The Monolith™ M1060C planar headphones are the perfect way to experience your music collection. The M1060C features a completely redesigned and engineered planar driver, producing a detailed aural landscape in a closed back enclosure. Spectacular imaging, low distortion, and perfectly balanced sound make the Monolith M1060C a true audiophile listening experience.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Monolith products often emulate high-end designs and technologies from brands but at significantly lower price points.
- Monolith headphones tend to have a neutral frequency response, closely resembling studio target curves, which suits critical listening and allows for easy EQ customization to individual preferences.
Select products
Select product comparisons
M1060 Planar Headphones
- Positioning: A budget-friendly open-box planar headphone that offers an accessible entry point into planar magnetic sound.
- Description: Uses a planar magnetic driver to deliver clear mids and controlled bass, making it a solid choice for casual home or small-room listening. In comparison to the higher-end models in the lineup, it caters to buyers with modest budgets who require a simple, no-frills planar experience.
M1070C Over Ear Closed Back Planar Headphones
- Positioning: A cost-effective closed-back planar headphone built for everyday use with enhanced isolation and practicality.
- Description: Combines a refined closed-back acoustic chamber with planar magnetic drivers to offer precise imaging and controlled bass response in a sealed design. Relative to the more premium models, it gives users a balanced option for portable or in-office listening without demanding high-end amplification.
M1060C Over Ear Closed Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
- Positioning: A closed-back planar magnetic headphone designed to deliver a classic, neutral sound signature with improved driver technology.
- Description: Reproduces audio with detailed mids and dynamic bass response to suit discerning listeners in controlled environments. Compared to its siblings, it strikes a balance between affordability and refined tonal accuracy.
M1570C Over Ear Closed Back Planar Headphones
- Positioning: A premium closed-back planar headphone that elevates sonic performance through enhanced driver refinement and sophisticated design.
- Description: Features advanced driver tuning with balanced connectivity that improves imaging, clarity, and extended bass response for a more immersive listening experience.
AMT Headphone
- Positioning: A high-end AMT-driven headphone that integrates THX AAA technology for a distinct, audiophile-grade listening experience.
- Description: Uses unique AMT technology alongside dual high-performance DACs to provide exceptional clarity, expansive detail, and an immersive soundstage rarely seen in planar designs.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
805
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
10
Founding Year
2016
Our take on the brand
Monolith, a hifi audio brand, stands out for its exceptional transparency by publishing full CEA-2010 burst-test output tables and third-party measurement results directly on product pages, while offering broad THX certification across multiple categories at accessible prices. The brand provides engineering details rarely shared by manufacturers, including 48-bit DSP data paths with per-woofer customized limiter profiles, along with customer-friendly policies such as 5-year replacement warranties and 45-day money-back guarantees.
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Monolith
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What if you spend more?
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Bang & Olufsen
Beoplay HX
749
749
/
10
Reviews
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
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Product Strengths
- Exquisite build quality with premium materials, like anodized aluminum, memory foam, lambskin leather, and high-quality polymer
- Very comfortable, generously padded with memory foam wrapped in lambskin, and the headband distributes pressure evenly
- Long battery life, up to 35 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with ANC off
- Sound quality is rich, refined, spacious, balanced, and impressively detailed
- Good voice pickup and decent noise suppression in moderately noisy environments
- Connectivity options are available
Product Considerations
- Round ear pads may pull down on ear cartilage and rest on ear lobes
- The HX can only be laid down flat, they are not fully collapsible
- ANC is good, but not quite at the level of industry leaders
- Touch panel is awkward to use, and touches are often not registered properly
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sony 1000XM4/XM5 and Bose 700, ANC on the HX is not quite at the level of these industry leaders
- Vs the H95, the HX are more sensible, and noticeably cheaper
- Vs the Sony XM3, the HX looks far more refined
- Vs the Apple AirPods Max, the HX has up to 15 hours of additional battery life, and are also 100g lighter
- Vs the Bowers & Wilkins PX7, the HX brings a slightly higher level of refinement, showcasing detail and nuances that are missed
Takeaway: The Beoplay HX are beautifully made headphones that deliver excellent sound quality and are highly comfortable. If the user values aesthetics as much as audio and is willing to pay a premium for quality, then the HX is worth consideration.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
Product Page
Product Page
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Audio-Technica
ATH-WP900
699
699
/
8
Reviews
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
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Product Strengths
- Flame maple housings are crafted with precision and look premium, adding both durability and aesthetic value
- Delivers exceptional clarity with detailed highs and a balanced mid-range
- Lightweight and comfortable, making them easy to wear for extended periods
- Offers a fast, tight, clean, and well-separated sound signature with a colorful and multidimensional soundstage
- Easy to drive, making them suitable for use with various portable sources
Product Considerations
- Bass response may feel a little too neutral for some listeners who prefer more emphasis on the low end
- The low midrange is somewhat recessed, which might rob male vocalists of presence and richness
- The included soft case may not be sufficient for protecting the headphones
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Focal Stelia or Sennheiser HD800S, the ATH-WP900 excels in build quality and high-frequency clarity, but those alternatives might be better for bass enthusiasts
- The WP900 has a natural sense of detail and energy, similar to Grado mids, but unlike a Grado, it delivers a fun, thumping bass line
- Compared to the Sennheiser HD-660S or the Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro, those alternatives offer a bit more warmth and bass presence, albeit with different designs
Takeaway: The ATH-WP900 headphones are a great choice for audiophiles who value clarity and a unique aesthetic design. The build quality and easy portability make them a set of headphones that is fun to use.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Product Page
Product Page
Neumann
NDH 20
549
549
/
8
Reviews
Neumann pioneered studio recording technology by creating the first mass-produced condenser microphone in 1928 and introducing then-novel features like remotely switchable polar patterns. The company also manufactured the record-cutting lathes that defined vinyl mastering—a rare dual legacy. The brand offers faithful reissues of historic microphones built from original blueprints and studio monitors with phase linearization DSP, serving professional recording engineers and classical music producers who demand period-correct sonics and precise acoustic control.
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Product Strengths
- Comfortable for extended wear, with reviewers sometimes forgetting they are wearing headphones
- Sound reproduction is transparent and reliable, providing an accurate monitoring experience
- Good at isolation, making it easier to identify unwanted sounds in recordings
- Excellent build quality and handsome design using aluminum
- Midrange accuracy is a strong point, potentially comparable to the HD600
Product Considerations
- The bass can be a little bloated
- Some find the earpads stiff and uncomfortable initially
- Treble may be a bit too recessed
- Cable microphonics can be an issue
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Focal Allegias, the NDH 20 offers a more neutral tuning
- Compared to the Sennheiser HD 650, both models convey the midrange accuracy about the same, but the Sennheisers are lighter in the bass and a little brighter in the upper mid/treble area
Takeaway: The NDH 20 offers a combination of comfort, isolation, and accurate sound, making it a solid choice for studio use. It is a well-built and reliable tool for those needing a focused monitoring experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Neumann pioneered studio recording technology by creating the first mass-produced condenser microphone in 1928 and introducing then-novel features like remotely switchable polar patterns. The company also manufactured the record-cutting lathes that defined vinyl mastering—a rare dual legacy. The brand offers faithful reissues of historic microphones built from original blueprints and studio monitors with phase linearization DSP, serving professional recording engineers and classical music producers who demand period-correct sonics and precise acoustic control.
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Kennerton
Magni
835
835
/
8
Reviews
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Good build quality and finish, with attention to detail and craftsmanship.
- Natural, organic, and well-balanced sound, with good detail.
- Spacious soundstage for a closed-back headphone.
- Very easy to drive and efficient, suitable for portable sources.
- Very good mid-range, with up-front vocals.
Product Considerations
- Treble can be a bit recessed or rolled-off.
- Burn-in time may be required before the sound settles.
- Can be critical of poor recording quality.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Tone balance is as good as HiFiMan Aria, but more dynamic and better with female vocals.
- Wider soundstage than Focal Celesti.
- Audeze LCD2 is darker.
- More high mid than beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro.
Takeaway: The Magni headphones are well-built and comfortable, offering a natural and enjoyable sound, with a surprising soundstage for closed-back headphones. It is a great choice for someone who wants a well-rounded headphone without needing a powerful amplifier.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Kennerton is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered horn-loaded headphones with their Gjallarhorn GH50, which applies loudspeaker-style horn acoustics to a closed-back design for an unusually surround-like soundstage. The brand also develops in-house 80mm planar drivers and uses rare woods like ancient bog oak and stabilized Karelian birch as standard materials rather than limited editions.
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What competes at this price?
Monolith
M1070C
279
/
Released
2021
Monolith™ M1070C Over the Ear Closed Back Planar Headphones use a 106mm planar magnetic driver enclosed in a gorgeous, closed back housing. It features a plush, padded headband and earpads for comfortable listening over extended periods of time. With an extended soundstage, lush, rich sound, and excellent build quality, the Monolith M1070C brings a massive price‑to‑performance ratio to the headphones market.
Monolith, a hifi audio brand, stands out for its exceptional transparency by publishing full CEA-2010 burst-test output tables and third-party measurement results directly on product pages, while offering broad THX certification across multiple categories at accessible prices. The brand provides engineering details rarely shared by manufacturers, including 48-bit DSP data paths with per-woofer customized limiter profiles, along with customer-friendly policies such as 5-year replacement warranties and 45-day money-back guarantees.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Good sound with an excellent sounding frequency response
- Great sound and replaceable parts
- Splendid sonic experience with excellent clarity throughout the frequency range
- Neutral sound
Product Considerations
- The M1070C is heavy
- Bulky
- Inconsistent build quality
- The metal frame is not as strong as it ought to be
- The weight of the headphones will eventually get to you
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HIFIMAN Sundara: Sundara tends to be cheaper and sounds better
- Vs beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X: The beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X is better built with a more tolerable mass
Takeaway: The Monoprice Monolith M1070C headphones offer a good audio experience at a reasonable price. They are great for at-home listening when paired with the right system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Monolith, a hifi audio brand, stands out for its exceptional transparency by publishing full CEA-2010 burst-test output tables and third-party measurement results directly on product pages, while offering broad THX certification across multiple categories at accessible prices. The brand provides engineering details rarely shared by manufacturers, including 48-bit DSP data paths with per-woofer customized limiter profiles, along with customer-friendly policies such as 5-year replacement warranties and 45-day money-back guarantees.
Product Page
Product Page
Monolith
M1570C
499
/
Released
2021
Monolith™ M1570C Over the Ear Closed Back Planar Headphones use a 106mm planar magnetic driver enclosed in a gorgeous, closed back housing. It features a plush, padded headband and earpads for comfortable listening over extended periods of time. With an extended soundstage, lush, rich sound, and excellent build quality, the Monolith M1570C brings a massive price‑to‑performance ratio to the headphones market.
Monolith, a hifi audio brand, stands out for its exceptional transparency by publishing full CEA-2010 burst-test output tables and third-party measurement results directly on product pages, while offering broad THX certification across multiple categories at accessible prices. The brand provides engineering details rarely shared by manufacturers, including 48-bit DSP data paths with per-woofer customized limiter profiles, along with customer-friendly policies such as 5-year replacement warranties and 45-day money-back guarantees.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Sound quality is good with an expansive soundstage
- Features 106mm planar drivers that produce airy highs and tight, deep bass
- Comes with faux leather ear pads and a padded headband designed for extended listening sessions
- Delivers clean, rich sound with an immersive listening experience
Product Considerations
- Heavy, which can cause discomfort and neck fatigue after an hour or so
- The metal frame is weak and can be easily bent, breeding a lack of confidence in its longevity
- The test unit's left channel sporadically cuts out if the 1/4-inch jack moves, which could be a recurring issue
- While expansive for a closed back, the soundstage does not have the same openness that one would get from an open back pair
- The balanced cable is heavy, which seems unnecessary and possibly detrimental to functionality
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Monolith by Monoprice M1070C: The M1570C has slightly less bass and slightly more treble
- Vs HIFIMAN Sundara: The HIFIMAN Sundara sounds a bit better out of the box and requires less tweaking
Takeaway: The M1570C planar headphones offer good sound and are a relatively affordable way to enjoy balanced cables. The replaceable parts and solid warranty extends the life of the M1570C.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Monolith, a hifi audio brand, stands out for its exceptional transparency by publishing full CEA-2010 burst-test output tables and third-party measurement results directly on product pages, while offering broad THX certification across multiple categories at accessible prices. The brand provides engineering details rarely shared by manufacturers, including 48-bit DSP data paths with per-woofer customized limiter profiles, along with customer-friendly policies such as 5-year replacement warranties and 45-day money-back guarantees.
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FIIO
FT1
164
/
Released
2024
The FiiO FT1 offers North American walnut / beech wood ear shells with natural solid wood construction, effectively reducing cavity resonance and minimizing standing waves. Each wooden ear shell features unique grain patterns.
FiiO stands out for integrating unique features into portable audio devices, such as their BTR7 DAC/amplifier with its screen and wireless charging, and their KB3 mechanical keyboard with a built-in DAC/amp. The brand caters to audiophiles seeking personalization through products like their pioneering X7 music player with interchangeable amp modules and their compact R7 desktop system that combines streaming, DAC, and headphone amplification capabilities.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Shockingly good for the money, a very well-tuned headphone for the price category
- Good bass response that is fun, with lots of thumpiness and impact in the lower sub-bass regions, while maintaining a clean mid-bass region
- Trouble response is fairly target-adherent with a chill character and not overly fatiguing
- Comes with a banger accessories package providing two cables, a carry case, more than a lot of companies are coming out with
- Delivers impressive sound quality across the board, backed by excellent build quality and a generous set of accessories
Product Considerations
- The actual earpad area for the ear is not super great, and it will be felt a little bit on the ear, might be more on-ear than fully over-ear if you have really large ears
- Sound staging is one area that could improve the most, because there is almost none, can sound almost claustrophobic, because everything is happening right here all the time
- Mid-range is not all that exciting to listen to, vocals can be shouty or honk-type sound to certain vocalists
- Build quality feels good for $150, but it would not pass the sniff test for $500, definitely feels like it's a budget device
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The AKG K361 has advantages over the FiiO FT1, like sound staging
- The FT1’s level of midrange fidelity is impressive, rivaling the best mid-fi headphones such as the Sennheiser HD6XX and the Sundara
- It outshines most closed-back classics, including the Sony MDR-7506, AKG K361, and beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X
- The smaller FiiO FT1 was enjoyed even more than the FiiO FT5, since it strikes the right balance between fun, warmth, and technicality, handling tough tracks with much more ease than anticipated
Takeaway: The FiiO FT1 is a surprisingly good closed-back headphone for the money and offers a well-tuned sound signature with good bass response. This headphone is priced at $150 and is surprisingly nice with some great terminations.
Video review
Our take on the brand
FiiO stands out for integrating unique features into portable audio devices, such as their BTR7 DAC/amplifier with its screen and wireless charging, and their KB3 mechanical keyboard with a built-in DAC/amp. The brand caters to audiophiles seeking personalization through products like their pioneering X7 music player with interchangeable amp modules and their compact R7 desktop system that combines streaming, DAC, and headphone amplification capabilities.
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Edifier
WH950NB
179
/
Released
2023
The WH950NB headphones are equipped with intelligent, active noise cancellation algorithms that remove surrounding noise. There are two active noise cancellation mode selections that meet everyone's needs. Furthermore, users can choose between ambient sound or wind reduction in different scenarios to create their ideal environment.
Edifier, a hifi audio brand, horn-loaded ribbon tweeters to affordable active monitors through their Airpulse series. The brand achieved the first Hi-Res Audio certified true wireless earbuds with their NeoBuds Pro and in 2010 became China's first publicly listed audio speaker company.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- ANC does not compete with Sony or Bose, even in the same price category, let alone their higher-end stuff.
- The Sennheiser HD 450BT and the Urbanista Los Angeles offer better ANC or a unique solar charging design, respectively, for a small price increase.
- More comfortable than the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 and Apple AirPods Max thanks to plush padding.
- The Edifier WH950NB hybrid ANC is well implemented, making it a legitimate reason to consider, even outside of the big price savings, as the Stax SPIRIT S3 does not feature any noise cancellation.
Takeaway: The Edifier WH950NB is a comfortable and feature-rich headphone that offers good noise cancellation and balanced sound, making it a solid choice for commuters or anyone seeking an immersive listening experience. With its long battery life and customizable app, these headphones are a great value for the price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Edifier, a hifi audio brand, horn-loaded ribbon tweeters to affordable active monitors through their Airpulse series. The brand achieved the first Hi-Res Audio certified true wireless earbuds with their NeoBuds Pro and in 2010 became China's first publicly listed audio speaker company.
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Sennheiser
HD 620S
399
/
Released
2024
The closed-back HD 620S is for audio enthusiasts seeking a distraction-free listening experience without compromising on natural, airy and detailed sound. Featuring a remarkably open baffle and angled transducers, it replicates the spatial imaging of loudspeakers while keeping listening sessions secluded.
Sennheiser pioneered the world's first open-back headphones with the HD 414 in 1968, which became the bestselling full-size headphone of all time, and later developed the HD 25, evolving from 1980s broadcast use to become the industry standard in DJ booths worldwide. The brand is known for unique engineering approaches, such as integrating high-voltage amplifiers directly into earcups with Carrara marble chassis in the HE 1, developing proprietary ring-radiator transducers and absorber technology to eliminate resonances, and creating the long-running MD 421 microphone that has remained in production since 1960.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Comfortable, with deep and wide ear pads that fit most ears and are made of compliant pleather
- Easy to drive, performing well even with simple sources like Apple dongles
- Good build quality, utilizing metal in the adjustment mechanism and steel-reinforced earcups
- Decent passive noise isolation for a closed-back headphone, blocking out more noise than open-back models
- Relatively wide and natural soundstage for a closed-back headphone
Product Considerations
- Can get warm after extended use (3-4 hours)
- Bass response can be inconsistent depending on head shape and seal, especially for those wearing glasses
- Treble response can be inconsistent, sometimes sounding dark or bright depending on the track
- Some reviewers found the sound signature to be a bit boxy, stale, or not as rich as other Sennheiser models
- The stock cable is fairly basic and a balanced cable is an optional purchase
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The HD 620S has better bass extension and imaging than the HD 600, but the HD 600 is more comfortable for some due to lower clamp force
- The HD 620S is built more substantially with a stainless steel reinforced headband and chunky ear pads than the HD 560S, though visually similar
- The HD 620S has a better tuning out of the box than the beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X, where the beyerdynamic benefits more from EQ, and is more comfortable
- The HD 620S provides better passive noise isolation than the HIFIMAN Sundara (closed back)
- The beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X delivers more consistent sound between wears, whereas the HD 620S is negatively affected by wearing glasses
Takeaway: The Sennheiser HD 620S are comfortable and well-built closed-back headphones that offer a decent soundstage and are easy to drive, making them a good option for users needing isolation without sacrificing too much sound quality. The sound is generally enjoyable, especially for those who appreciate a balanced signature and Sennheiser's house sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sennheiser pioneered the world's first open-back headphones with the HD 414 in 1968, which became the bestselling full-size headphone of all time, and later developed the HD 25, evolving from 1980s broadcast use to become the industry standard in DJ booths worldwide. The brand is known for unique engineering approaches, such as integrating high-voltage amplifiers directly into earcups with Carrara marble chassis in the HE 1, developing proprietary ring-radiator transducers and absorber technology to eliminate resonances, and creating the long-running MD 421 microphone that has remained in production since 1960.
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