For those who’re in search of a mixing headphone, chances are high you have seen Sennheiser pop up in your search. The Sennheiser HD 600 is a traditional amongst introductory audiophiles, and the step up of the Sennheiser HD 650 has lengthy been praised as a superb reference headphone. What occurs when somebody new enters the ring? The Grell OAE2 is a brand new open-back headphone that’s stated to actually shake up the competitors. After reviewing Audio46, we needed to put it to the check towards the classics. How does the Grell OAE2 examine to the Sennheiser HD collection? Is one higher for mixing than the opposite? On this assessment, we discover all the main points and carefully examine the three aforementioned headphones aspect by aspect.
As at all times, we begin with the bodily construct of every of the headphones. The Sennheiser collection is fairly constant in construct high quality, and the bodily form doesn’t change a lot from one mannequin to the subsequent. The Sennheiser HD 600 and the HD 650 have the identical oval-shaped earcup, with velour earpads and removable cable. The clamping pressure is sort of tight on each of those headphones; the HD 600 is slightly smaller and feels a bit tighter in comparison with the HD 650, however each have the identical total really feel. It’s secure to put on in your head for lengthy listening classes, and the earpads are simply interchangeable to optimize consolation. You’ll be able to try some choices from Strauss & Wagner right here.
The Grell OAE2 is unquestionably a special look. For starters, the headphone takes on a spherical earcup form versus the oval of Sennheiser. The earpads are manufactured from the same comfortable velour materials, although it picks up mud and hair fairly simply. A bit of normal upkeep will hold them wanting like new. The OAE2 would not have a brilliant sturdy clamping pressure, nevertheless it does really feel secure on the top, so you’ll be able to put on it for hours with out concern. The headscarf presses evenly to the highest of your head, and the sliding adjustable sides make it straightforward to optimize your consolation. It’s a smoother building than the Sennheiser, the place the adjustable sides click on rigidly in place. The metallic end on the OAE2 is a step up from the plasticky really feel of the HD collection.
The cable is removable from every headphone. From Sennheiser to Grell, you’ll be able to substitute the cable must you discover you should substitute it. Nevertheless, Sennheiser and Grell face the identical concern of needing a type-specific cable for greatest compatibility. The proprietary 2-pin connection and recessed 2.5mm single-ended connection aren’t the only to search out, although you might even see that there are extra choices for Sennheiser replacements than the Grell. Strauss & Wagner has upgraded cables known as the Lucerne or the Olten, which supply good upgrades to balanced terminations for the Sennheiser headphones.
SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING
Let’s take a take heed to all three of those headphones. What are their sound profiles like? The Sennheiser soundstage is thought to be extensive and fairly flat, and that is precisely what you get out of the HD 600 and the HD 650. The soundstage stays very linear with restricted top, as an alternative specializing in horizontal house and a little bit of depth. The HD 600 actually lays the flattest of the three, with very restricted enlargement in another path. Compared to the HD 650, the HD 600 sounds extra sterile; you’ve a bit extra depth and colour within the HD 650 that’s arduous to copy within the HD 600. The HD 650 leans into neutrality by accentuating the stability of the signature. As an alternative of simply mendacity flat and impartial, you’ve a greater stability between horizontal house and depth, so the bass feels extra lush and full.
The Grell OAE2 is a bit completely different. Whereas it does have a really balanced sound, its spatial replica actually comes out essentially the most. The Sennheiser HD collection takes the sound and brings it proper in entrance of your face, however the Grell would not really feel the necessity to do this. As an alternative, it lets every little thing take a half-step backwards and provides frequencies room to breathe. The imaging is pretty correct and stays largely in direction of the middle, however the separation of devices makes every little thing simply recognizable.
All in all, you will get an excellently balanced and pure replica from every of those headphones. The treble is unquestionably brighter on the HD 600 and the Grell OAE2, with the Sennheiser HD 650 coming in with the strongest bass sound. When it comes to house, the Grell OAE2 impresses with its laid-back however nonetheless detailed sound signature, highlighting three-dimensional house versus simply linear.
BASS FREQUENCIES
The bass frequencies in all of those headphones aren’t terribly sturdy, however they do have their highlights. Sennheiser has at all times had a really tight bass with precision as a spotlight, and that is what you get out of the HD 600 and HD 650. The bass on the HD 600 undoubtedly takes a backseat and focuses on the element of the decrease vary devices somewhat than their depth. You type of lose the punch and thickness of the bass within the HD 600, however if you happen to wished to listen to that again, it’s possible you’ll discover it higher with the HD 650. The HD 650 nonetheless has a really tight and managed bass response, one that’s detailed and exact in placement. The bass has extra depth and heat than the HD 600, which makes it a nicer stability to the already brilliant signature that Sennheiser has.
Then again, the Grell OAE2 is available in with a really completely different bass response. It’s probably most much like the HD 600 in the way in which it takes a backseat within the signature, nevertheless it has the identical heat that the HD 650 does to make it slightly hotter and punchier. You’ll be able to hear how the element of the bass comes out, and you may simply distinguish the varied devices. Drum kits are given house to construct from the underside up, and bass guitars are nonetheless acknowledged by their tone and thickness. If you’d like a extra ahead bass response, it’s possible you’ll want the sound of the Sennheiser HD 650, however the Grell provides a pleasant basis with out being fully drowned out by the low finish.
MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES
The midrange is the place all three of those headphones actually excel. The midrange holds essentially the most element and texture within the signature. The Sennheiser HD collection has a really recognizable midrange, with outstanding element to make devices simply identifiable. The HD 600 pushes the midrange essentially the most ahead of the three. It makes positive you hear all of the melodic components entrance and heart, particularly vocals. Devices sound pure and sincere, highlighting impartial sound above all. The stability of all of the devices within the HD 600’s midrange is treble-leaning, which might make some devices sound sharper than they’re. If that form of sound is fatiguing, it’s possible you’ll want the stability of the HD 650 slightly extra. The extra dynamic total signature makes the midrange much less harsh, with a give attention to tonal stability above all. You continue to get the identical neutrality and pure textures of components within the observe, this time with extra distinct separation of these components.
Trying on the non-Sennheiser mannequin on this comparability, you’ll be able to see how the Grell shifts your expectations. If you’re accustomed to the sound of the Sennheiser ahead midrange, you will most likely discover the Grell to be a lot much less aggressive and virtually recessed. In a manner, you would be right; the OAE2 is far much less ahead as an entire and lets the sound take up extra depth and top than the Sennheiser headphones. The midrange continues to be extremely detailed, and also you get a whole lot of textural element in a whole lot of genres. The vocals come to the entrance naturally and make them the focus, so you’ll be able to take note of these predominant vocal melodies with ease. I actually appreciated how the midrange took up extra space, layering backwards as an alternative of aspect to aspect just like the Sennheiser does. The sound does develop into extra cohesive with much less separation than the Sennheiser, however it’s going to come down to non-public desire for which presentation you like.
TREBLE FREQUENCIES
Rounding out with the treble frequencies, the Sennheiser HD 600 and 650 each have a really brilliant response that stands out. The HD 600’s treble is essentially the most outstanding a part of the signature, making it a standout amongst different mixing headphones. Having that brightness permits for extra minute particulars to be revealed in the remainder of the signature, which is precisely what you hear within the HD 600. Evaluating that to the HD 650, you’ve slightly extra stability between the bass and treble because the midrange creates a V-shaped signature. The treble is extra ahead on the HD 600 than the HD 650, however each are sturdy intimately and carry that all through the signature. The spatial element can also be noticeable within the treble response. You may get a greater really feel for the areas the place tracks have been recorded somewhat than simply the sharpness or ethereal qualities.
This spatial treble element is heard extra clearly on the Grell OAE2. For the reason that total signature takes a step backwards compared to that of the Sennheisers, you’ll be able to hear how the highest finish opens up simply that little bit extra to make the sound airier and brighter. The treble itself could be very brilliant and colourful, permitting for top-end devices to get full element and textural precision to make them simply distinguishable. From my listening, the Grell OAE2 was in a position to take the highest finish and lengthen it out additional than the Sennheiser collection, the place the treble was very up entrance however had a clearer cut-off level. Each of those responses have been unimaginable intimately and precision, and it was sharp sufficient with out sounding harsh or abrasive. The Grell OAE2 had essentially the most relaxed treble response, and the HD 600 had essentially the most ahead of the three. For those who worth treble element or something, the Sennheiser collection could also be up your alley greater than the Grell. If you’re extra delicate to treble, the Grell OAE2 provides compromise of element with out being too in-your-face.
As talked about within the title, these two headphone corporations compete for top-spot on the listing of “Greatest Mixing Headphones”. Sennheiser stays a superb choice, exhibiting off naturalness and neutrality in not one however two headphones. The treble shine within the HD 600 is nice for individuals who want a bit extra brightness, however the HD 650 could be very well-rounded to make it a extra balanced listening expertise. For those who’re somebody who mixes on the bassier aspect, it might be value it to get the Sennheiser HD 650 so you’ve slightly bass already added in, and it will not tempt you to make use of it additional. The HD 600 provides brilliant neutrality and fascinating spatial accuracy to any budding engineer.
The place does the Grell OAE2 match into all of this? The Grell provides the identical brightness and pure tone, however has comparable lushness within the bass just like the HD 650. You’ve a bit extra stability that’s arduous to copy with out the assistance of an out of doors DAC or amplifier with some utilized filters. I discovered the Grell OAE2 to be nice for imaging and getting an amazing sense of house, versus the Sennheiser’s flatter soundstage that stored issues somewhat frontal. The Grell had higher three-dimensional sound that might be dual-purpose within the studio or simply for analytical enjoyment. For those who have been in search of imaging and placement, it’s possible you’ll decide up the Grell OAE2 to get a greater sense of the house you need your observe to be in. For extra analytical and actual instrumental modifying, maybe both of the Sennheiser collection could also be a greater match on your setup.
So, which headphone is for you? Trying on the Sennheiser HD 600, Sennheiser HD 650, and the Grell OAE2 all collectively, they provide a whole lot of the identical options that make them stiff opponents. Irrespective of which of those headphones you select, you’re positive to be happy with the sound and be capable of use them for studio or simply informal listening. Relying in your desire for sound, you’ll undoubtedly discover that you just lean in direction of one over the others. I extremely suggest getting the chance to attempt the Sennheiser and Grell headphones out and see which one your ear leans in direction of.
For those who worth spatial presentation above all else, select the Grell OAE2. You will discover the relaxed signature and immersive high quality to be nice for putting all of your devices within the extensive soundstage, all whereas ensuring all of your observe components work collectively in concord.
If stability is your primary precedence, select the Sennheiser HD 650. The ahead element throughout the frequency vary won’t go unnoticed, and the stability of treble and bass can be excellent for locating the correct sound for every instrument.
If cost-effectiveness and treble element are what you want, select the Sennheiser HD 600. You will discover the ahead treble and midrange accentuates the naturalness of the sound, and you’ll tune your observe components with ease.
Yow will discover all three of those headphones at Audio46.
