Head to head

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro vs Sennheiser HD 600

A side-by-side look at Sennheiser HD 380 Pro and Sennheiser HD 600 for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro

The HD 280's quieter, more refined sibling with an even flatter frequency response

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Sennheiser HD 600

The audiophile open-back that pro audio engineers have used as a reference for 30 years

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At a glance

Sennheiser HD 380 ProSennheiser HD 600
Starting priceSee siteSee site
Free planNoNo
Free trialNoNo
Best forProducers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cableExperienced audio producers who want a world-class open-back reference for final mix review and critical listening

Key features

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro

  • Closed-back, circumaural folding design
  • Up to 32 dB passive noise attenuation
  • 8 Hz - 27 kHz frequency response
  • 54 ohm impedance
  • THD less than 0.1% at 1 kHz, 100 dB SPL
  • Detachable and replaceable coiled cable

Sennheiser HD 600

  • Open-back, over-ear design - NOT for recording
  • 42mm driver with acoustic silk for airflow control
  • 16 Hz - 30 kHz frequency response
  • 300 ohm impedance - dedicated amp required
  • THD 0.1%, Sensitivity 97 dB
  • Detachable cable with dual 3.5mm connectors

Pros and cons

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro

Pros

  • Excellent passive isolation at 32 dB - matches the HD 280 Pro
  • Lower distortion and flatter response than the HD 280 Pro
  • Replaceable detachable cable - longer lifespan
  • Better comfort on extended sessions than the HD 280 Pro

Cons

  • Higher price than the HD 280 Pro for incremental improvements
  • Coiled cable is long for desktop use
  • Less widely available than the HD 280 Pro

Sennheiser HD 600

Pros

  • World-class reference transparency - the 30-year standard
  • Exceptional midrange detail and tonal accuracy
  • Comfortable for extremely long sessions
  • Fully serviceable with replaceable cable and pads

Cons

  • 300 ohm impedance demands a quality headphone amp - non-negotiable
  • Open-back bleeds sound - cannot record while wearing
  • Premium price reflects its audiophile and professional positioning

The verdict

Choose Sennheiser HD 380 Pro if

Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable.

The HD 380 Pro is Sennheiser's professional closed-back that most audio engineers consider the more accurate companion to the HD 280 Pro. The frequency response is smoother, the THD is lower, and the detachable coiled cable is a practical improvement…

Read the full Sennheiser HD 380 Pro review →

Choose Sennheiser HD 600 if

Experienced audio producers who want a world-class open-back reference for final mix review and critical listening.

The HD 600 has a 30-year track record as a professional reference standard - sound engineers, mastering engineers, and broadcast veterans reach for it when they need to hear exactly what is on the recording, uncolored and unembellished. The 300-ohm…

Read the full Sennheiser HD 600 review →

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