[KG Jag]

Quote:

Guys, real fast, since I'll be buying a new headphone in 2 days.
 
I was really sure of getting a HD558 for my needs. Mostly gaming. I thought of it the perfect match for me at that price range.
 
But... I just looked at Amazon, and I sat a DT990 PRO (250 Ohms) for 200 dollars. Only 15 dollars more than the HD558. And that got me thinking.
 
The DT990 seems way expensiver than the HD558.
 
Mad Lust Envy's guide shows that the HD598 outrates the DT990 PRO version. But does the PRO outrates the HD558? Or Since the HD558 is quite close to the HD598, it is still better? Also, on the "Holy Grail of Gaming" thread, the guy says the DT880 is the "best" he tested, outrating even the AD700. That's what got me thinking about the DT990.
 
What would you guys recommend?

The DT 990 (all versions) has a "V"shaped EQ. 
 
The 558 has the same drivers as the 598. 
 
The DT 880 is an excellent can and the former Beyer flagship.  It is usually priced close to the 598 these days.  It is an analytical can and will make crappy recordings sound just that way.  The Senns are much more forgiving.

 

[Carrek]

Quote:

The DT 990 (all versions) has a "V"shaped EQ. 
 
The 558 has the same drivers as the 598. 
 
The DT 880 is an excellent can and the former Beyer flagship.  It is usually priced close to the 598 these days.  It is an analytical can and will make crappy recordings sound just that way.  The Senns are much more forgiving.

V shaped? Well... then I might stick with the HD558. I can't really have strong bass. But the guy on this thread really got me thinking.
Also, I'm not sure if being "forgiving" is better. Making the sound up is a bad thing?
 
But anyway, acording to Mad Lust Envy, HD598 is better anyway.
 
You said both the 558 and 598 have the same drivers. It means they're pretty similar? Or the similarities ends there?

 

[linuxid10t]

Quote:

V shaped? Well... then I might stick with the HD558. I can't really have strong bass. But the guy on this thread really got me thinking.
Also, I'm not sure if being "forgiving" is better. Making the sound up is a bad thing?
 
But anyway, acording to Mad Lust Envy, HD598 is better anyway.
 
You said both the 558 and 598 have the same drivers. It means they're pretty similar? Or the similarities ends there?

The build on the HD598 is better compared to the HD558.  It also sounds better with its different enclosure.  A bit brighter/less dark.

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

V shaped? Well... then I might stick with the HD558. I can't really have strong bass. But the guy on this thread really got me thinking.
Also, I'm not sure if being "forgiving" is better. Making the sound up is a bad thing?
 
But anyway, acording to Mad Lust Envy, HD598 is better anyway.
 
You said both the 558 and 598 have the same drivers. It means they're pretty similar? Or the similarities ends there?

For those that have a good many poorly recorded/mastered/compressed track (read: mostly commonly MP3's these days), a little Senn veil can be very good vs. the bare naked truthful presentation of the DT 880 and other very accurate cans.  It's a matter of preference and what you put into them.
 
The 598 is a bit better--as all is not in the drivers.  There is an easily found and simple mod to the 558 that makes it sound very close to the 598.  It is far to say that they have a similar sound.

 

[rousd]

My Sony MDR-F1's are finally beyond repair, so I'm looking for a replacement.  My listening leans towards acoustic jazz with some forays into power pop.  I'm content with the fidelity from these and happy with the staging.  I really like that I can wear these for 6 hours with essentially no fatigue. 

What's out there that might be similar to these?

Thanks for the input.
 

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

My Sony MDR-F1's are finally beyond repair, so I'm looking for a replacement.  My listening leans towards acoustic jazz with some forays into power pop.  I'm content with the fidelity from these and happy with the staging.  I really like that I can wear these for 6 hours with essentially no fatigue. 

What's out there that might be similar to these?

Thanks for the input.
 

I've never heard them, although they look a great deal like the Sony MDR-MA900.  My guess is that they came out about 9 years ago.  Maybe you could tell us more about their sound signature.

 

[tempor]

Quote:

Here's the short story version.  The Senn you are considering is made for use from portable devices.  It is considered to be a top performer in this segment (within your stated budget), topped by the Beyer DT 1350.
 
Once you get into full sized headphones, they are generally designed to be used primarily with different, usually more powerful, equipment.  With the exceptions I mentioned in my earlier post, most headphones street priced above about $150 need some kind of amping to perform to their capability (e.g. the Utrasone Pro 750 loses its bass) and even to be heard at all (e.g. 600 Ohm and most planars).  The buying guides linked in the opening post of this thread speak to the ability of the listed cans to perform with or without an amp.
 
Once you determined that you need an amp, you can pick between portable and desktop amps.  Desktop amps tend to provide more power.  Matching the best amps & amp/dac from among those that will drive it to certain headphones is a whole separate topic.

Ok thanks. Sure got myself into something here.

 
So it seems I should change my goals slightly. I guess I do need a 'portable' setup. The reason I said full-size headphones are ok is the size of the headphones don't bother me, but now that I know a little bit more I do know that I need a more minimal setup as it will be purely for when I am away from home. Closed because I can't bother people etc.
 
If I understand correctly the two headphones you suggested (Shure+KRK) do not need amping. After some quick thread searching (and reading the guides you noted) it seems the HD25-1 II doesn't need amping either, so I will keep them in my list.
 
I will check out those three in person I guess. Thank you very much for your help, I'm still a little lost, but getting there. Maybe I can add a portable amp also (or in the future) if it will help. Will research that a bit more. I just want the best sound I can get for the music I listed, while being closed and portable, around a $3-400 budget. Guess I just didn't realize entirely what I was after. Now I do!

 

[HamilcarBarca]

Quote:

The DT 990 (all versions) has a "V"shaped EQ.

 
Occasionally I think the DT 990 has treble emphasis I don't want. Almost always, I think they're great.
 
To the other poster, my opinion isn't the majority opinion.

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

Ok thanks. Sure got myself into something here.

 
So it seems I should change my goals slightly. I guess I do need a 'portable' setup. The reason I said full-size headphones are ok is the size of the headphones don't bother me, but now that I know a little bit more I do know that I need a more minimal setup as it will be purely for when I am away from home. Closed because I can't bother people etc.
 
If I understand correctly the two headphones you suggested (Shure+KRK) do not need amping. After some quick thread searching (and reading the guides you noted) it seems the HD25-1 II doesn't need amping either, so I will keep them in my list.
 
I will check out those three in person I guess. Thank you very much for your help, I'm still a little lost, but getting there. Maybe I can add a portable amp also (or in the future) if it will help. Will research that a bit more. I just want the best sound I can get for the music I listed, while being closed and portable, around a $3-400 budget. Guess I just didn't realize entirely what I was after. Now I do!

None of the three need an amp--at least out of an iPhone 4 or iPod.
 
For more see:
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/sennheiser-hd-25-1-ii-and-adidas-original-hd-25
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-srh840
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/krk-kns8400-studio-headphones

 

[Carrek]

Quote:

The build on the HD598 is better compared to the HD558.  It also sounds better with its different enclosure.  A bit brighter/less dark.

 
 
Quote:

For those that have a good many poorly recorded/mastered/compressed track (read: mostly commonly MP3's these days), a little Senn veil can be very good vs. the bare naked truthful presentation of the DT 880 and other very accurate cans.  It's a matter of preference and what you put into them.
 
The 598 is a bit better--as all is not in the drivers.  There is an easily found and simple mod to the 558 that makes it sound very close to the 598.  It is far to say that they have a similar sound.

 
Regarding the differences between the 558 and the 598, I think I am confortable then. The most important for me is the soundstage and positioning, not the quality or clarity or even build. And I wouldn't mod them, because of the warranty and the fear of something go wrong, even though the mod is pretty simples (I've seen it already).
 
Regarding music, I mostly listen to FLAC. I don't like MP3. Since I wont be using on an ipod or something, that shouldn't matter. 
 
I'm actually only afraid that the low end may cover the mid and high ends. That would suck for gaming. How is the bass compared to other headphones? In one review, the guy said it's close to the M50's. That may be a little problem.
 
Also, something really important. Do you guys know if a Titanium HD alone will be able to drive a DT990 250 ohms?

 

[Whippler]

I'm thinking getting a hisoundaudio studio-v, the new anniversary edition. I would use it with my iems on the go, but @ home i would love some fullsized headphones to go with it, and also would use the headphones with my pc for movies/games. Still the main use would be with studio v. I was thinking some AKG's like K 242 HD.
 
Also i dont like the plastic look on sensheisers, would rather go with more metallic looks.
 
I would like if they are below 200€ but if there's something really good not too much higher than that, would be fine.

 

[Pedrox]

Hello, i'm new here and currently own a sennheiser hd 595 with a xonar essence stx. I want to buy a new headphone - max $320- since i do not have much experience, i'm asking for your advice. I llike a lot of genres, but here is some estimated percentage of listening:
Eletronic - house 35%
Classic rock 20%
jazz and blues 15%
brazilian popular music and bossa nova 15%
Classical 10%
Other 5%
i do like some bass, but not overwhelming.
Thanks in advance!

 

[acidmix]

What would be a good upgrade from the Bowers and Wilkins P5s? They need to be comfortable. I listen to just about everything from dubstep to Southern Gospel. I was thinking somewhere in the $600 range.

 

[cinek]

I'm looking for a decent base but not overpowering. Currently have mie2 and it's really lacking the base. All of the above have iphone controls which is a must have. Which ones are best for the price & performance? or should I go for something else?
 
been looking at 
Monster turbines Pro gold
turbine mobile high performance
denon AH-C560R
AH-C300
Ajay t-Jays four 
 Etymotic Research HF5
sennheiser cx980i

 

 

[john59]

Quote:

In order of most bass to some additional bass:
 
M50 (but has recessed mids)
Ultrasone HiFi 780
Shure SRH 840 (mid bass hump)

 
What about the Ultrasones hfi 580? Would they sound good without any amp. Was reading a thread about them and they seem to fit my taste. What's the difference between the Ultrasone 580 and 780. Also has anyone else tried the Sens hd 380 and find them boring. Or is it just me:/