Sennheiser HD 598 Appreciation Thread - Page 142

People are choosing Sony over Sennheiser? 

     Hello! So I just joined head-fi thanks to my interest in these. I've heard many great things about how it reproduces acoustical sound, but there is not as much on the sound for techno, mainly because the opinion seems to change per person. The difference with me, though, is that its not the bass I care for in the forms of electronic, whether that be dubstep or ambient. I really care about the presentation of the instruments themselves. A lot of electronic music seems to be produced for closed back headphones, so I do not know how they will fare on an open back. While I do like to experience some thud to the bass sometimes, I'm much more into the treble nowadays.

     Another reason for my thinking that these would be a good choice is that my current headphones(HD 280s) just can not play rock music!  They just become so unmusical when put with rock. It plays certain more acoustical rock songs very well, though. They do very well with electronic music, so I love them for that... And, of course, the 280s block sound like no other headphone I've ever experienced. I, unlike most people, also don't see the 280s as playing classical music that well. There isn't the soundstage needed for classical/orchestral. I also spend time composing/producing music, so my headphones need to be able to work well with a more analytical mindset.

     So, would people be able to give their opinions on the sound reproduction of electronic music? I've heard a few reviews say that the 598s become boring when placed with electronic, sometimes even lifeless. Any suggestions?
 

     Hello! So I just joined head-fi thanks to my interest in these. I've heard many great things about how it reproduces acoustical sound, but there is not as much on the sound for techno, mainly because the opinion seems to change per person. The difference with me, though, is that its not the bass I care for in the forms of electronic, whether that be dubstep or ambient. I really care about the presentation of the instruments themselves. A lot of electronic music seems to be produced for closed back headphones, so I do not know how they will fare on an open back. While I do like to experience some thud to the bass sometimes, I'm much more into the treble nowadays.

     Another reason for my thinking that these would be a good choice is that my current headphones(HD 280s) just can not play rock music!  They just become so unmusical when put with rock. It plays certain more acoustical rock songs very well, though. They do very well with electronic music, so I love them for that... And, of course, the 280s block sound like no other headphone I've ever experienced. I, unlike most people, also don't see the 280s as playing classical music that well. There isn't the soundstage needed for classical/orchestral. I also spend time composing/producing music, so my headphones need to be able to work well with a more analytical mindset.

     So, would people be able to give their opinions on the sound reproduction of electronic music? I've heard a few reviews say that the 598s become boring when placed with electronic, sometimes even lifeless. Any suggestions?
 

I haven't heard the 280s so i can't compare them to the 598s, but i would assume that the 598s are much better for rock. I know i loved them with rock when i owned them. However, i don't think they are that great for electronic music as there isn't enough bass slam. I wouldn't go as far as saying that they are lifeless, but they certainly do not excel in that area.

     Hello! So I just joined head-fi thanks to my interest in these. I've heard many great things about how it reproduces acoustical sound, but there is not as much on the sound for techno, mainly because the opinion seems to change per person. The difference with me, though, is that its not the bass I care for in the forms of electronic, whether that be dubstep or ambient. I really care about the presentation of the instruments themselves. A lot of electronic music seems to be produced for closed back headphones, so I do not know how they will fare on an open back. While I do like to experience some thud to the bass sometimes, I'm much more into the treble nowadays.

     Another reason for my thinking that these would be a good choice is that my current headphones(HD 280s) just can not play rock music!  They just become so unmusical when put with rock. It plays certain more acoustical rock songs very well, though. They do very well with electronic music, so I love them for that... And, of course, the 280s block sound like no other headphone I've ever experienced. I, unlike most people, also don't see the 280s as playing classical music that well. There isn't the soundstage needed for classical/orchestral. I also spend time composing/producing music, so my headphones need to be able to work well with a more analytical mindset.

     So, would people be able to give their opinions on the sound reproduction of electronic music? I've heard a few reviews say that the 598s become boring when placed with electronic, sometimes even lifeless. Any suggestions?
 

Oh, boy, it doesn't look like I was clear at all on what I want in my headphones... I definitely do NOT want strong bass in my headphones. My 280s feel like they have a good enough amount of bass, and checking Frequency response charts, the 598s have even more bass, just not as much sub bass. The 598s also have more treble in places then the HD 280s. From 7 khz to 11 khz, the 280s have more treble, but the 598s are mostly higher everywhere else. In fact, the 280s pretty much roll off after 12 khz, so I don't know how I would handle all that extra treble. The Q701s just have so much extra treble, too, I don't think I could stand it. In fact, even on the HD 280s, it sounds more natural for me to EQ the treble down some, so to me the 598s might be pretty bright. Then again, it could easily be that crazy bump at 10 khz on the 280s that makes it not very natural to my ears. When I said I wanted strong treble, I meant in a detailed and beautiful sounding way, not having more of it. Same goes for bass, too. I want bass that sounds great to my ears, not bass that is overpowering.

So, considering how strange my ears are, would the 598s still be a good choice? I'm starting to think the 650s might be some of the best headphones for me, but I can't afford an amp to go with them, or the 598s. And here lies another problem with my choices, it would take some very impressive persuasion skills to convince me to get anything besides Sennheiser. I'm one of those people who gains strong brand loyalties, and especially considering this laid back sound is exactly what I want out of my headphones, it gets that much harder.

Oh, checking the 650's FR, its very close to the 280s, yet much more smooth and natural... I guess it would be better to find something similar to the 650s then (but cheaper)? They have a ton of bass, though, it looks like...

Edit: So, comparing the 650s (being similar to the 280s in FR) to the 598s, the differences would be between 1 KHZ and 8 KHZ. between 1 and 3 khz, the 650s are louder, and between 3 khz and 8 khz, the 598 is louder.

One good thing is there is a store about 30 minutes away I have found that has a lot of the Sennheiser and grados headphones for auditioning, but I won't be able to get to that store for at least a month or two.

Oh, boy, it doesn't look like I was clear at all on what I want in my headphones... I definitely do NOT want strong bass in my headphones. My 280s feel like they have a good enough amount of bass, and checking Frequency response charts, the 598s have even more bass, just not as much sub bass. The 598s also have more treble in places then the HD 280s. From 7 khz to 11 khz, the 280s have more treble, but the 598s are mostly higher everywhere else. In fact, the 280s pretty much roll off after 12 khz, so I don't know how I would handle all that extra treble. The Q701s just have so much extra treble, too, I don't think I could stand it. In fact, even on the HD 280s, it sounds more natural for me to EQ the treble down some, so to me the 598s might be pretty bright. Then again, it could easily be that crazy bump at 10 khz on the 280s that makes it not very natural to my ears. When I said I wanted strong treble, I meant in a detailed and beautiful sounding way, not having more of it. Same goes for bass, too. I want bass that sounds great to my ears, not bass that is overpowering.

So, considering how strange my ears are, would the 598s still be a good choice? I'm starting to think the 650s might be some of the best headphones for me, but I can't afford an amp to go with them, or the 598s. And here lies another problem with my choices, it would take some very impressive persuasion skills to convince me to get anything besides Sennheiser. I'm one of those people who gains strong brand loyalties, and especially considering this laid back sound is exactly what I want out of my headphones, it gets that much harder.

Oh, checking the 650's FR, its very close to the 280s, yet much more smooth and natural... I guess it would be better to find something similar to the 650s then (but cheaper)? They have a ton of bass, though, it looks like...

Edit: So, comparing the 650s (being similar to the 280s in FR) to the 598s, the differences would be between 1 KHZ and 8 KHZ. between 1 and 3 khz, the 650s are louder, and between 3 khz and 8 khz, the 598 is louder.

One good thing is there is a store about 30 minutes away I have found that has a lot of the Sennheiser and grados headphones for auditioning, but I won't be able to get to that store for at least a month or two.

Oh, boy, it doesn't look like I was clear at all on what I want in my headphones... I definitely do NOT want strong bass in my headphones. My 280s feel like they have a good enough amount of bass, and checking Frequency response charts, the 598s have even more bass, just not as much sub bass. The 598s also have more treble in places then the HD 280s. From 7 khz to 11 khz, the 280s have more treble, but the 598s are mostly higher everywhere else. In fact, the 280s pretty much roll off after 12 khz, so I don't know how I would handle all that extra treble. The Q701s just have so much extra treble, too, I don't think I could stand it. In fact, even on the HD 280s, it sounds more natural for me to EQ the treble down some, so to me the 598s might be pretty bright. Then again, it could easily be that crazy bump at 10 khz on the 280s that makes it not very natural to my ears. When I said I wanted strong treble, I meant in a detailed and beautiful sounding way, not having more of it. Same goes for bass, too. I want bass that sounds great to my ears, not bass that is overpowering.

So, considering how strange my ears are, would the 598s still be a good choice? I'm starting to think the 650s might be some of the best headphones for me, but I can't afford an amp to go with them, or the 598s. And here lies another problem with my choices, it would take some very impressive persuasion skills to convince me to get anything besides Sennheiser. I'm one of those people who gains strong brand loyalties, and especially considering this laid back sound is exactly what I want out of my headphones, it gets that much harder.

Oh, checking the 650's FR, its very close to the 280s, yet much more smooth and natural... I guess it would be better to find something similar to the 650s then (but cheaper)? They have a ton of bass, though, it looks like...

Edit: So, comparing the 650s (being similar to the 280s in FR) to the 598s, the differences would be between 1 KHZ and 8 KHZ. between 1 and 3 khz, the 650s are louder, and between 3 khz and 8 khz, the 598 is louder.

One good thing is there is a store about 30 minutes away I have found that has a lot of the Sennheiser and grados headphones for auditioning, but I won't be able to get to that store for at least a month or two.

I wouldn't think of the 598's as having too much treble or being overly bright at all. I haven't listened to a ton-o-cans to compare them to but I find them to be rather polite.

I totally agree. I sometimes find them to be too polite.