The Sennheiser HD600 is a true legend in both professional and audiophile circles and needs little introduction. Released in 1997, it has remained a long-standing reference headphone. It uses a dynamic driver and typically sells for around 300 USD.
The Sivga Luan is an open-back headphone launched in mid-2023. Its sound signature is relatively close in several ways to the HD600. It is built around a 50 mm in-house dynamic driver, features wooden ear cups, and is also priced at around 300 USD.
SIVGA LUAN SPECIFICATIONS
- Open back with 50 mm dynamic driver
- Transducer Size: 450mm
- Sensitivity: 100dB ± 3dB
- Impedance: 38 Ohm ±15%
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40KHz
- Cable Length: 1.6M ±0.2M
- Headphone Connectors: 3.5 mm
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm
- 12-month warranty
- Weight: 354g
Current price and availability:
- Aliexpress: Sivga Luan
- Amazon: Sivga Luan
- Linsoul: Sivga Luan
SENNHEISER HD 600 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Over ear, open
- Dynamic driver with 38 mm diaphragm
- Driver unit size: 42 mm
- Nominal impedance: 300 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 97 dB/mW
- Frequency response: 12 – 39000 Hz
- THD, total harmonic distortion: 0,1 %
- Detachable cable
- Termination plug: 3.5 mm with 6.35mm adapter
- Cable length: 3 m
- Weight w/o cable: 260 g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: HD600
BUILD AND COMFORT
The two headphones are built very differently. The HD600 uses a lightweight plastic and metal construction designed for long, practical studio use. The Sivga Luan, by contrast, has a far more luxurious appearance. It is slightly heavier (100g) and features wooden rings, large ear pads, and a very elaborate, extremely comfortable headband. Both are comfortable, but which one you prefer will depend on your head shape and personal comfort preferences.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
As Before by Olga Konkova
The Luan sounds more dynamic and punchy, while the HD600 can come across as a bit tame in comparison, especially lacking in low-end weight. However, piano and vocals are even nicer and more natural on the HD600 than on the already very good Luan.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
Again, the Luan is punchier with fuller bass and sounds slightly crisper in the mids and highs. The HD600 has a smoother midrange and more laid-back highs, but a rather tame bass response.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The HD600 sounds smooth and laid back. The Luan delivers stronger bass and overall dynamics, with better separation, but presents instruments with a slightly drier timbre.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
The Luan sounds a bit dry and crisp, and I generally prefer the smoother presentation of the HD600. The exception is the bass, which is clearly better on the Luan.
Rambling Man by Laura Marling
The HD600 sounds a bit flat and tame here. Vocal timbre is good, but the Luan performs just as well in that regard. The Luan offers better instrument separation and sounds more dynamic and articulate. Both become somewhat congested when the track is at its busiest.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
This track sounds excellent on the HD600, with beautiful vocals and simple instrumentation that suits it well. The Luan is quite similar, but presents vocals as slightly darker and more laid back, while offering much punchier bass.
In the Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The Luan has very punchy bass, and the piano sounds gentle and smooth. The HD600 has a much lighter bass presence, and the piano comes across with less intensity.
Angel by Massive Attack
The Luan sounds punchy and spacious, with snappy, tactile percussion. The HD600 has a more laid-back and smoother, less articulate presentation, with noticeably weaker instrument separation and dynamics.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
Vocals are perfect on the HD600, though they are very good on the Luan as well. When it comes to the bass, this track is quite special. It has a massive low-frequency bassline, which changes noticeably from headphone to headphone. The HD600 renders it surprisingly smooth, but misses some of the action completely.
The Luan presents the bass closer to how it is “supposed” to sound, but it comes across drier and less clean than on headphones with the best-performing (as in least distorted) bass.
Bullet in the Head by Rage Against the Machine
Vocals are sharper on the Luan, and instrument separation is better. It also delivers more bass compared to the HD600.
Spring 2 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The HD600 sounds wonderful, especially the lead violin, which has a timbre to die for. The Luan has a sharper timbre, better instrument separation and more image depth.
Autumn 1 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The Luan is crisp and dynamic, still with nice warmth. There’s a slightly dark tint in the midrange tonality. The HD600 is a bit smoother, but still has bite and attack. The timbre feels more refined, even more natural than the already good Luan.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The sound signature is fairly similar, but certainlynot identical. Both headphones offer good midrange presence. However, the Luan has a stronger presence in the highs and lows and a comparatively darker midrange tonality.
Treble
The treble on the HD600 is smooth, airy, and gently laid back. On the Luan, the treble is crisper and more forward, adding sparkle and clarity, but with a slight sharpness.
Midrange
The HD600’s midrange is famously smooth, natural, and rich, giving vocals and instruments a delicious warmth. The Luan’s mids are not far off, but slightly drier and crisper, often a tad darker.
Bass
The HD600 actually has quite good, well-controlled bass, but it famously gradually rolls off, becoming weaker in level as you move down the octaves.
As expected from any open-back dynamic design, the Luan also rolls off, but to a lesser degree than the HD600. The Luan delivers fuller, punchier bass with more impact and presence, giving music a stronger sense of rhythm and drive.
Soundstage and Imaging
The sound stage is equally open on both, but imaging is often (but not always) more precise with the Luan, which generally has stronger articulation of instruments and better separation.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The detail level is quite comparable but often (not always) the Luan offers more apparent detail. It generally has better articulation and microdynamics which makes details stand out more. Macrodynamics are also stronger with the Luan, often making the HD600 sound a bit tame in direct comparison.
When it comes to timbre, however, the HD600 is special. This is its strongest point, and the main reason it stays relevant almost 30 years after its release. The Luan gets close, but midrange timbre is generally more natural with the HD600. I prefer its treble timbre too, but the bass is generally more natural with the Luan.
CONCLUSION
The HD600 remains an excellent headphone even in 2026, with a smooth, natural timbre that is hard to beat and clean, slightly laid-back treble.
The Luan offers a somewhat similar midrange tonality but is a bit drier and crisper, with sharper treble. However, it often provides a punchier, more dynamic presentation. There’s better instrument separation and a livelier, more engaging, and fuller-sounding bass.
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