HD555
Sep 26, 2010 at 7:05 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 23
Circuitbender

Circuitbender

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Hey guys,
 
Just got a pair of HD555 because of the amazing deal posted on here a few days ago (75 dollars shipped was too good to pass up). Now I'm wondering if I just wasted 75 dollars.
 
Basically, I don't have any amp. My sources are good (all V0 on my Sansa Fuze, or FLAC on my computer), but I guess that doesn't really matter if I don't have an amp. I can't really spend any more money at this point. Should I just stick it out and be fine with it or wait, return the HD555 and get a pair of SR-60is instead? Again, Sansa Fuze and computer, no amps or video cards until I can finish the CMOY I'm building. I listen to classic rock, jazz, blues, metal, etc.
 
Thank you in advance!
 
Sep 26, 2010 at 7:12 PM Post #2 of 23
Are you saying the audio quality of the HD555s is disappointing to you? I ordered a pair as well that should be here tomorrow so I can't attest to this first hand but I'd advise that you stick it out with them until you finish your amp. From what I hear, the HD555's change a great deal with burn in and there are a few mods that can be done relatively easily to increase their sound quality as well.
 
Sep 26, 2010 at 7:15 PM Post #3 of 23
I'm saying I haven't even gotten it, but from the threads I've been reading it doesn't really meet its full potential without an amp. I am going to finish my CMOY but the thing is, it's probably not going to help much seeing as I can't get to the line-out on my Sansa anyways...
 
Sep 26, 2010 at 7:16 PM Post #4 of 23
I've had mine for 3 days and it's beginning to come around. I don't use any sources except for my desktop stereos which is good quality. The first day, it brought chills to my spine by how bad it sounded.
 
Keep it on for 24 hours and see if it improves.
 
Btw, exactly how does yours sound?
 
Sep 26, 2010 at 7:39 PM Post #6 of 23


Quote:
circuitbender said:
I'm saying I haven't even gotten it, but from the threads I've been reading it doesn't really meet its full potential without an amp. I am going to finish my CMOY but the thing is, it's probably not going to help much seeing as I can't get to the line-out on my Sansa anyways...
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Oh, you haven't gotten them yet. Well, I hear that they don't perform at their best without proper amplification but the CMoy you're building will probably have enough power to drive them effectively.
 
Of course, you'll have to take my statement with a grain of salt and see for yourself when they arrive. You might be pleasantly surprised.
 
Sep 26, 2010 at 7:44 PM Post #7 of 23
I've always read that they were fine without an amp.  I'm running mine straight from a cowon j3 and they sound absolutely fine to me, even with minimal burn in.  I tried it with an ipod nano>lod>fiio e5 and they sounded great too, that's like a 30$ setup only.  
 
I'll say you definitely didn't waste 75$  Maybe they won't reach their full potential without an amp but they're definitely fine without one.  I don't even plan on burning mine in, I'm just going to use them normally and in a month or 2 they'll be even better.  Maybe then one day I'll be bored and I'll do the soundstage mod too.  I don't see any reason to max out your headphones the instant you get them, you'll just get bored of them faster and possibly get upgraditis.  
 
Sep 27, 2010 at 11:54 AM Post #9 of 23
Quote:
mythe said:
I've always read that they were fine without an amp.  I'm running mine straight from a cowon j3 and they sound absolutely fine to me, even with minimal burn in.  I tried it with an ipod nano>lod>fiio e5 and they sounded great too, that's like a 30$ setup only.  
 
I'll say you definitely didn't waste 75$  Maybe they won't reach their full potential without an amp but they're definitely fine without one.  I don't even plan on burning mine in, I'm just going to use them normally and in a month or 2 they'll be even better.  Maybe then one day I'll be bored and I'll do the soundstage mod too.  I don't see any reason to max out your headphones the instant you get them, you'll just get bored of them faster and possibly get upgraditis.  
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Mine get plenty loud without an amp, but they just sound terrible out of my iPod touch 3g. The Xonar DX made them sound like completely different headphones. So, while I've also seen most people saying they don't need an amp, I disagree with that.
 
To the OP, keep the HD555s until you can get an amp!
 
Sep 27, 2010 at 4:53 PM Post #10 of 23


Quote:
pp312 said:
I think this thread is a bit of pointless obsessing based on no evidence of anything whatsoever.
 
Wait.  
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Yes, but aren't all hobbies? (going off of experience: audio equipment, computer stuff, guitar/bass stuff, knives/multitools/flashlights are all like that :p)

 
Quote:
hans030390 said:
Quote:

Mine get plenty loud without an amp, but they just sound terrible out of my iPod touch 3g. The Xonar DX made them sound like completely different headphones. So, while I've also seen most people saying they don't need an amp, I disagree with that.
 
To the OP, keep the HD555s until you can get an amp!
Click to expand...

fair enough. I'll try them out before freaking out.
 
 
Sep 29, 2010 at 3:45 PM Post #11 of 23
Well, I got them in today, and I love them, but to be honest I don't have a frame of reference. My only listening device for the longest time was just my SoundMagic PL50s. Going from IEMs to full-size open headphones is like night and day! They sound fine to me, even coming out of my laptop (I figured that would be even worse than my Sansa)
 
Edit: I'm positively shocked at how much the foam mod helps out the bass. These things sound amazing now...
 
Dec 4, 2010 at 3:23 AM Post #12 of 23
I just got mine in last evening. Havent found more time, is all am sad about.
I am excited at the way they sound on grunge, but the bass is a huge let down. I was expecting them to burn in, but i read a few articles saying its all psychological, and now even if they burn/break-in, I'm not gonna feel any difference psychologically.
I can't even begin to think of buying an amp given that the headphones were out of my budget here in India, already.
 
Will buying an E3 help the experience? I don't wanna buy the E5 because it looks like an iPod Shuffle, but if it is THAT better, i could hide it somewhere in my pocket. Please do not suggest E1.
 
Dec 4, 2010 at 4:30 AM Post #14 of 23

burn in on the hd555 is definitely not psychological. but they will sound much much much better after a bit of use... around 50-100 hours in.
 
and while the hd555 doesn't need an amp it can do wonders with a decent source.
 
i'm running off my sondigo inferno. no lack of bass, mids are amazing and highs are very clear.
Quote:
chronus said:
I just got mine in last evening. Havent found more time, is all am sad about.
I am excited at the way they sound on grunge, but the bass is a huge let down. I was expecting them to burn in, but i read a few articles saying its all psychological, and now even if they burn/break-in, I'm not gonna feel any difference psychologically.
I can't even begin to think of buying an amp given that the headphones were out of my budget here in India, already.
 
Will buying an E3 help the experience? I don't wanna buy the E5 because it looks like an iPod Shuffle, but if it is THAT better, i could hide it somewhere in my pocket. Please do not suggest E1.
Click to expand...



 
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