Disappointed with my Sennheiser HD598s. Thoughts about this.. - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by amigomatt 

Thank you, that's all very helpful.  I've got to admit, though, as I was reading through it, I was thinking, 'yes, definitely the HD600s.....yes, def the HD600s (cheaper option, too...)", then on the very last remark about soundstage and congestion, I was like, damn!  HE-400s then!

My guess is the congestion of the HD-600 is due to the slightly narrow soundstage combined with the somewhat slow decay. The slow decay along with the clean treble is why it sounds smooth, I think. But this smoothness can sound like congestion on complex pieces, so maybe it's not great with orchestral. I'm just trying to play detective here. I wish I had listened to some classical for your benefit =/

If I had to guess, the HE-400 is better with classical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasatch 

If you could just step up into the HD650s. I believe the HD600s are discontinued, but should be easily found at some very good prices. Maybe even consider the HD700s.

The HD600's are not discontinued: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/over-ear-headphones-highest-quality-headphones_004465

Quote:

Originally Posted by amigomatt 

Thank you, that's all very helpful.  I've got to admit, though, as I was reading through it, I was thinking, 'yes, definitely the HD600s.....yes, def the HD600s (cheaper option, too...)", then on the very last remark about soundstage and congestion, I was like, damn!  HE-400s then!

JMHO, but reading through this thread - if you don't want another pair of Grados (PS500's or RS-1's?) - then the HD600's will fit the bill.  I never recommend this with any other phone and refuse to get into thread arguments about it, but the one thing you can do to HD600's more than any other item is to get a Cardas cable.  A Cardas cable turns the HD600 into a bass-thumping Grado: very detailed highs, forward and strong midrange (female vocals are to die for!), and a deep and impactful bass.  It removes the "veil" completely.  The HD600/580 started all the re-cabling industry ... for a reason.  There is no other headphone that benefits so much from a re-cabling.  Sennheiser's own cables - including the new 650 cable - are positively dark in comparison.  I get frustrated when I see people recommending the 650 cable for 580/600's and HD25's, in fact.  Yes, it seems like a great deal - robust, fairly thick, very long, and inexpensive - but it's one of the darkest cables that you can use.

Anyway, I completely agree with your assessment of the HD598.  It's the same phone as the HD595, just gussied up pretty and all with the wooden accents.  The HD595 was never in the same league as the 580/600/650.  Its primary selling point was that it was highly efficient and didn't need an amp.  Adding +3 and some Woodie coloring hasn't changed that.  I'll even admit to lusting after its styling myself, but thankfully I've always thought better of it before pulling the trigger.

Also not too sure if this has been suggested, but perhaps the ATH-AD900?

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-50-headphones-compared#user_ATHAD900

David Mahler seems to love them for orchestral pieces. I haven't heard them myself. But, he says the do lack a bit in bass impact, so if this is important to you, maybe look past the AD900.

I think it's difficult for a headphone to have great bass presence and impact without sounding somewhat congested. Just thinking out loud here, but the best bet for an open-back headphone with great bass and separation is probably a planar magnetic headphone, like the HE-400 lo and behold.

I do remember while listening to the HE-400 with some dub mixes that it was simply remarkable in its separation. The bass was powerful and impactful, but in no way intruding upon the mids and highs. I remember thinking that while listening to it at the time.

x2 on the cardas, 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb 

Anyway, I completely agree with your assessment of the HD598.  It's the same phone as the HD595, just gussied up pretty and all with the wooden accents. 

Disagree. I've owned both HD595 and 598 and they're different phones altogether, as I suggested early in this thread. I still have my 595 and still find it a clean and well balanced phone, whereas I sold the 598 within a week--just found it wiry and harsh. Definitely different phones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb 

The HD600's are not discontinued: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/over-ear-headphones-highest-quality-headphones_004465

 

JMHO, but reading through this thread - if you don't want another pair of Grados (PS500's or RS-1's?) - then the HD600's will fit the bill.  I never recommend this with any other phone and refuse to get into thread arguments about it, but the one thing you can do to HD600's more than any other item is to get a Cardas cable.  A Cardas cable turns the HD600 into a bass-thumping Grado: very detailed highs, forward and strong midrange (female vocals are to die for!), and a deep and impactful bass.  It removes the "veil" completely.  The HD600/580 started all the re-cabling industry ... for a reason.  There is no other headphone that benefits so much from a re-cabling.  Sennheiser's own cables - including the new 650 cable - are positively dark in comparison.  I get frustrated when I see people recommending the 650 cable for 580/600's and HD25's, in fact.  Yes, it seems like a great deal - robust, fairly thick, very long, and inexpensive - but it's one of the darkest cables that you can use.

 

Anyway, I completely agree with your assessment of the HD598.  It's the same phone as the HD595, just gussied up pretty and all with the wooden accents.  The HD595 was never in the same league as the 580/600/650.  Its primary selling point was that it was highly efficient and didn't need an amp.  Adding +3 and some Woodie coloring hasn't changed that.  I'll even admit to lusting after its styling myself, but thankfully I've always thought better of it before pulling the trigger.

If people can have the right to post this stuff, then I feel I have the right to call this nonsense out for what it is: total hogwash. No offense.

Turning a HD600 into a "bass-tumping Grado"... with a cable "upgrade"... Please.

The HE-400 is far more realistic sounding in general than dt880 to me. Mostly due to its sounds stage and good mids/ quality bass. The dt880 is a bit boring to me. Fairly analytical and flat sound and a bit bright, but without very noticeable spikes. To make it short, it would be my choice of 'phone for a studio. It is fairly neutral, but not natural sounding.

The soundstage of the dt880 is big, but not natural and it seems too thin. The 'phone is just not engaging enough.

The HE-400 has a very solid quality bass and an intimate and natural soundstage, though not very big. What struck me at first was the definition of the sound stage. It seems very defined and good for positioning.

The mids are great. The treble is very energetic, but can be a bit fatiqueing. It seems a bit spiky and the hi-hats, snare drums, and etc. sound a bit metallic and too uniform.

But there is one point where the HE-400 destroys the dt880, and it is the speed and seemingly unstrained delivery of sound. I never saw my dt880 as a struggling 'phone, but it is compared to the HE-400/500. If you want an even more refined sound with well balanced and smooth treble, you should go for the HE-500.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amigomatt 

This is great, davidsh, thanks!  Going for the HE-500s is really stretching my budget though, and given that I'm overall pretty happy with the Sennheiser's, in that it's not a massive improvement I'm after, but just an opening up of the frequency ranges and dynamics plus more speed and attack.  It sounds like the HE-400s would do just that and more for me!  I'm very close to pulling the trigger now.  Hopefully, I'll be a happy camper!  It may even be that end of the road can for me!  (or maybe not....)!!

Well, consider trying it with your speaker amp then, might work out better than the e11...

Glad I could help. The only thing missing on the HE-400 is that well balanced treble, but it has its own charm, making it an aggresive 'phone which compliment your senn well 

But it is still kinda dark...