I've never liked the HD 515/555/595 and the HD 518/558/598 from Senn, they did sound alright on some systems, the excursion factor improves on something that outputs a lot of power in the lower ohm regions, same applies to the MA900. The HD 555 were my first open-back headphones honestly put me off from Senn at first.
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
kman1211
I hope so too. Honestly I learned to avoid lower end Senns, most simply suck.
appsmarsterx
despite all the swearing, still nice honest review MrTechAgent. but be careful, your expression style can sometimes get you in trouble when communicating. lol. I agree most of the part, I used to defend MA900 despite all the issues with it, because I found it can be very musical headphone with the right source if you are into warmer sounding options. yes, both ma900 and 598 can be overpriced atm. but ma900 used to be under $130 on ebay before the discontinuation as far as I remember. I still like MA900 more despite it's treble rolloff, veiled and grainy sound characteristics. I think ma900's bass can hit very low,, it is not slow or boring as 598 imho. anyway currently I'm not into warmer sounding options like MA900, hd650, I like the neutral presentation of k612 and dt880 better for my preference.
Cheers
Cheers
ClearConscience
Here's the question everybody should be asking,. Why is the reviewer not only comparing these headphones to headphones that cost roughly twice the price, and then concluding they're bad? Furthermore, why is the author comparing these headphones to headphones that require an amp to use?
Did the author ever think that sacrifices to sound quality need to be made to make a headphone drivable without an amp? Did the author ever think that comparing these headphones, which make those sacrifices, shouldn't be compared to headphones that did not make those same sacrifices?
Apparently not, because the author is not intelligent. Move along, everybody.
Did the author ever think that sacrifices to sound quality need to be made to make a headphone drivable without an amp? Did the author ever think that comparing these headphones, which make those sacrifices, shouldn't be compared to headphones that did not make those same sacrifices?
Apparently not, because the author is not intelligent. Move along, everybody.
ClearConscience
Apparently I cannot edit grammatical errors. Sorry I didn't proofread before submitting. The intended meaning is still easy enough to grasp.
ClearConscience
Your comments are equally as insignificant as mine... And you only call my comments insignificant because your position is untenable. I made valid criticisms of your review. My arguments are entire sound. You have put forth no response to those arguments.
MrTechAgent
Don't know why I'm entertaining you but...I'll give you answers.
1 - "Why is the reviewer not only comparing these headphones to headphones that cost roughly twice the price"
I think you have a reading disability, in my whole review I did NOT compare the HD598 to headphones costing "TWICE THE PRICE". As a matter of fact the only headphone I compared it to was the ma900 which is right around the same price.
Your First question was proved irrelevant and insignificant.
2 - "why is the author comparing these headphones to headphones that require an amp to use?"
Are you deluded?
What are you talking about?
I didn't compare them to headphones that require an amp. Even if I had..your comment is still insignificant because I used an Amplifier for this assessment.
This is fun, let's go to your third question.
3 - "Did the author ever think that sacrifices to sound quality need to be made to make a headphone drivable without an amp? Did the author ever think that comparing these headphones, which make those sacrifices, shouldn't be compared to headphones that did not make those same sacrifices?"
Please Gentleman, you will be frowned upon if you talk about "Sacrifices" with low impedance headphones. The common misconception of Output-Impedance matching, "80Ohm Ideal Damping" is not a accurate point, it differs from system to system.
Do some research on it before you come and try to educate me on the subject.
If you are still not contented, I'll name 10 headphones which are cheaper and are Higher-Fidelity. Now don't you dare consider subjectivity here. Fidelity is NOT subjective.
1) Brainwavz HM5
2) Beyerdynamic DTX-710
3) Ultrasone HFI-450
4) HiFiMAN HE-300
5) Beyerdynamic DTX-910
6) AKG K240MKII
7) Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO - Different league, can't even be compared.
8) NVX XPT100
9) Beyerdynmaic DT660
10) Beyerdynamic DT860 Next time when you come across a critical review and try to flame the reviewer because of "Owner Fanboyism" then make sure you do some reading and research.
1 - "Why is the reviewer not only comparing these headphones to headphones that cost roughly twice the price"
I think you have a reading disability, in my whole review I did NOT compare the HD598 to headphones costing "TWICE THE PRICE". As a matter of fact the only headphone I compared it to was the ma900 which is right around the same price.
Your First question was proved irrelevant and insignificant.
2 - "why is the author comparing these headphones to headphones that require an amp to use?"
Are you deluded?
What are you talking about?
I didn't compare them to headphones that require an amp. Even if I had..your comment is still insignificant because I used an Amplifier for this assessment.
This is fun, let's go to your third question.
3 - "Did the author ever think that sacrifices to sound quality need to be made to make a headphone drivable without an amp? Did the author ever think that comparing these headphones, which make those sacrifices, shouldn't be compared to headphones that did not make those same sacrifices?"
Please Gentleman, you will be frowned upon if you talk about "Sacrifices" with low impedance headphones. The common misconception of Output-Impedance matching, "80Ohm Ideal Damping" is not a accurate point, it differs from system to system.
Do some research on it before you come and try to educate me on the subject.
If you are still not contented, I'll name 10 headphones which are cheaper and are Higher-Fidelity. Now don't you dare consider subjectivity here. Fidelity is NOT subjective.
1) Brainwavz HM5
2) Beyerdynamic DTX-710
3) Ultrasone HFI-450
4) HiFiMAN HE-300
5) Beyerdynamic DTX-910
6) AKG K240MKII
7) Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO - Different league, can't even be compared.
8) NVX XPT100
9) Beyerdynmaic DT660
10) Beyerdynamic DT860 Next time when you come across a critical review and try to flame the reviewer because of "Owner Fanboyism" then make sure you do some reading and research.
Bansaku
What a horribly written review in both content and writing style; I respectfully disagree with most of your arguments in regards to their sound. Seriously, who pissed in your cornflakes?
Anyway, how much burn-in time did you give the HD598? They literally take over 100 hours just to start to open up. And why would you rip off the cloth grills?
Anyway, how much burn-in time did you give the HD598? They literally take over 100 hours just to start to open up. And why would you rip off the cloth grills?
MrTechAgent
@Bansaku
"who pissed in your cornflakes?" Really? Is that the best you got?
Anyway, the HD598 pissed in my cornflakes which I think was obvious but somehow you missed it. If you have any more feelings of anguish, PM me with whatever you want to say. I love to be entertained.
To your questions, I don't count hours when I listen to headphones, I listen to music but since you are so diligent that burn-in will help then let me tell you that my 598s were easily above 100 hours and during that time period I noticed zero changes.
I took off the cloth grills because I like the HD598s without them, for aesthetic reasons.
If you need anything more, let me know!
"who pissed in your cornflakes?" Really? Is that the best you got?
Anyway, the HD598 pissed in my cornflakes which I think was obvious but somehow you missed it. If you have any more feelings of anguish, PM me with whatever you want to say. I love to be entertained.
To your questions, I don't count hours when I listen to headphones, I listen to music but since you are so diligent that burn-in will help then let me tell you that my 598s were easily above 100 hours and during that time period I noticed zero changes.
I took off the cloth grills because I like the HD598s without them, for aesthetic reasons.
If you need anything more, let me know!
Sennyboy
I sold my HD598 and got the HD650.
I completely agree with what you said, thanks for the honest opinions
I completely agree with what you said, thanks for the honest opinions
TinearedOne
OK, this was months ago, but what $150 headphone would you recommend over the HD 598?
Koss02
I'd also like to know what headphones are comparable to the HD598s at a $150 price range?
It appears that among enthusiasts, these headphones are becoming a victim of their own praise. I'm not planning on using these with an amp, at least at the moment, and would like a nice pair of open back headphones that offer a wide sound stage. The removable headphone cord is also a nice touch (something the Beyerdynamic's don't have).
It appears that among enthusiasts, these headphones are becoming a victim of their own praise. I'm not planning on using these with an amp, at least at the moment, and would like a nice pair of open back headphones that offer a wide sound stage. The removable headphone cord is also a nice touch (something the Beyerdynamic's don't have).
MrTechAgent
@Koss02
I suggest Senn's own HD545, it's a Vintage and you'll only find them used but they go for $60-70, you'll need to add another $50 for Earpads and you'll have a headphone that easily outclasses the modern 5XX series.
You'll also be able to drive them easily.
I suggest Senn's own HD545, it's a Vintage and you'll only find them used but they go for $60-70, you'll need to add another $50 for Earpads and you'll have a headphone that easily outclasses the modern 5XX series.
You'll also be able to drive them easily.
Koss02
Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate the candid review and suggestion.... I'll be purchasing either or both of these headphones in the next few weeks. Will update when I do purchase them.
ps - what's your opinion on the ATH-M50x headphones? Most people drool over them ... I don't find them to be that compelling.
ps - what's your opinion on the ATH-M50x headphones? Most people drool over them ... I don't find them to be that compelling.
MrTechAgent
@Koss02
People are gonna hate me for this but stay far, far away from M50 or any other Japanese headphone in general.
There's one inherent problem with Japanese Headphone Engineering and it's a long topic, something you can only convey best when you are talking directly. Typing won't help.
Hope it helps you, the HD545 is a good headphone!
People are gonna hate me for this but stay far, far away from M50 or any other Japanese headphone in general.
There's one inherent problem with Japanese Headphone Engineering and it's a long topic, something you can only convey best when you are talking directly. Typing won't help.
Hope it helps you, the HD545 is a good headphone!
alynx
@Koss02
Even the HD 580 can be found for quite cheap these days and they are essentially HD 600 with more of a retro look. For 150$ theres a ton of good cans. Mr. TechAgent mentioned some of them allready. Some others are AKG K 612 Pro, K 240 Studio (very comfortable and nice with the HiFiMAN Velour Pads), beyerdynamic dt 770 (closed but still quite open sounding), Audio Technica AD700X.
Even the HD 580 can be found for quite cheap these days and they are essentially HD 600 with more of a retro look. For 150$ theres a ton of good cans. Mr. TechAgent mentioned some of them allready. Some others are AKG K 612 Pro, K 240 Studio (very comfortable and nice with the HiFiMAN Velour Pads), beyerdynamic dt 770 (closed but still quite open sounding), Audio Technica AD700X.
WonWesleyChoi
there is no way this is freakin overpriced. you are probably just not a fan of this design.
i see only one reason.