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Sennheiser HD598 vs AKG K550

post #1 of 4
11/29/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 

Anyone have experience with both of these headphones?

 

Besides the obvious open vs closed design, which is a better overall headphone?

 

My Priorities are as follows.

 

Flat Response

Clarity

Tight Bass (Not Boomy)

Sound Stage

 

I listen to mostly Rock and Trance.  My source is primarily my Macbook Pro and sometimes my iPhone.

 

I am thinking the K550 will be the better choice since they have the smaller plug while the Sennheisers have the 1/4" plug that needs an adapter.  I have also read that the Sennheisers need an amp to get the best sound, while the AKGs are designed for portable use.

 

These are the two main headphones I am considering and I realize there could be something that trumps both of these.  I am trying to keep it under $300.

 

Thanks.

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post #2 of 4
11/29/12 at 7:48pm

Heya,

 

If you at all appreciate deep sub-bass, the K550 is the one to go for (trance).

 

The HD598 is a very articular headphone, with a better sound stage, but it's rather lean on the bass. I hardly think of it as flat really though, but that's just me. If it's sub-bass and mid-bass are not at the same volume as the mids, it's not flat. But them's my ears. Also note, the HD598 doesn't need an amp anymore than the K550 do. They're both efficient and do not need amps. Not every headphone in existence needs amps nor truly benefits from them beyond some simple psychology.

 

Very best,

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post #3 of 4
11/29/12 at 8:36pm
Thread Starter 

Bass isnt extremely important to me. I have the Grado SR80i and I really love them. Do you think the HD598 will be a major improvement over the Grado or just different?

 

I think I am leaning toward the AKG K550 to replace my Sony MDR-7506. You may have noticed from a previous thread I had posted that you replied to. However I have come to the conclusion that isolation is not as important to me anymore.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by MalVeauX View Post

Heya,

 

If you at all appreciate deep sub-bass, the K550 is the one to go for (trance).

 

The HD598 is a very articular headphone, with a better sound stage, but it's rather lean on the bass. I hardly think of it as flat really though, but that's just me. If it's sub-bass and mid-bass are not at the same volume as the mids, it's not flat. But them's my ears. Also note, the HD598 doesn't need an amp anymore than the K550 do. They're both efficient and do not need amps. Not every headphone in existence needs amps nor truly benefits from them beyond some simple psychology.

 

Very best,

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post #4 of 4
12/3/12 at 4:43pm

I think the HD 598 will just be different compared to your Grados.  This is because they are both bass lean headphones.  The HD 598 will have a less bright sound signature and will be much less fatiguing.  The Grado you have will have a little more sub bass rumble, but the HD 598 extends deeper into the bass.  See the charts below for a comparison of their frequency response:

 

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2851&graphID[]=353

 

If you want something that has some definite bass that is not bright the K550 is a great start.

 

Here is the K550 added to the mix:

 

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2851&graphID[]=353&graphID[]=3571

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