wrote:

Mitch, have you tried the Sennheiser HD-600's? Their middle of the
line headphones aren't nearly as good, and have, to my ears, a very
different (and inferior) sound. I remember auditioning the HD-600
against some Stax electrostatics (although it was probably 15 years
ago), and didn't think that the difference was worth the considerable
cost difference.

BTW, using a headphone amp makes a huge difference with the HD600's - I
use the Creek.

Yes, I've tried the 600's, Bill. I acknowledge that they're very fine
'phones, no doubt the best dynamic 'phones I've heard (though I still
have a soft spot for those Beyers, and for the incredibly uncomfortable
Koss Pro 4AA's); but they're just not my cup of tea. I found them a
little "romantic" on top for my taste. In headphones, I prefer something
with a bit more high frequency energy.

I also don't think the current Stax sound anything like the Sennheisers,
though I do agree the headphone amp used makes a difference (as does the
energizer unit used with the Stax: particularly tubed vs. solid state,
which do sound different in the stereotypical tube vs. solid state
ways).

MK