Sennheiser HD 558 Appreciation Thread - Page 16

I finally got my HD-558 in the mail. I think they still need to be broken in because they don't sound as good as everyone is claiming. Don't get me wrong, they sound good and they have an enclosed design which is comfortable and filters ambient noise out. But music doesn't sound as real as it does on my Grado GS-1000. 

I realize now that you really get what you pay for with audio equipment. I spent 1/5th the money on these as my Grados, so of course they don't sound as good. However, they definitely sound much better than 1/5th as good. I would even say they sound better than half as good. The value for money is amazing, I do believe that these are the best headphones in this price range. 


I will take a few months to break them in, my Grados didn't start sounding good till about a year after I bought them. Listening to these headphones makes me realize how spoiled I was with the Grado headphones. 

 

However, I can tell the build quality and durability is far superior to my Grados. I only bought theses because my Grado headphones kept falling apart and I can't listen to music on the go, and with convenience. 

 

More than likely you are simply accustomed to the Grado sound. Put your Grado's in the closet and listen to the Sennheisers exclusively for a few days and you'll be a happy camper. I can almost guarantee if you do this, then listen to your Grados again you'll wonder how you ever even tolerated them
Edited by palmfish - 5/20/13 at 7:42am

 

Or vice versa. 

I have been listening to them for the past few days. I brought them with me on a vacation and they are the only headphones I have right now. 

I still think my Grados are better, but I'm returning Wednesday and will listen to them again for comparison. 

The top-of-the-line Grados vs The entry-level audiophile HD 558, which is not even the top of its own line? Doesn't seem like a fair fight to me. I would just enjoy both

The Grado is obviously a higher quality "upper tier" headphone. But that doesnt mean one cannot like the HD558 more.

A headphones frequency response is the first impression of whether you like it or not. Only after you accept the frequency response do you move to the more subtle technical qualities of a headphone (dry, lush, articulate, grainy, fast, air, depth of stage, imaging, etc.).

Headphones like the GS-1000, LCD-2, HE-500, etc. may be technically superior to the HD558 in all of these areas, but if you dont like the basic frequency response, it doesnt matter.

The GS-1000 is a bright headphone. It sounds exciting, dynamic, articulate and fun. If one is used to and enjoys these qualities, the HD558 will sound dull and lifeless in comparison. However, over time, the neutrality and honesty of the HD558 may win out with some listeners once the brain gets "reset" to neutral.
Edited by palmfish - 5/21/13 at 12:00pm

I thought they sounded mediocre too before i did the foam mod. I also like what palmfish is saying about the frequency response, i never thought about it like that before.. maybe that's why some people don't like the sound of top tier headphones. I've heard that the Grado's have a bright sound? The 558's are considered dark... correct? You're comparing a bright to a dark.. maybe you just like bright headphones? I don't know i'm just speculating lol

Love: The comfort, clarity and frequency response.

Hate: How much of whatever I'm listening to is audible to those around me.

Aware: That's part of the price I pay for my ears not sweating.  It's a price I'll pay.