Sennheiser HD 558 vs. the HD 598 - Page 3

Just remove the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558, it makes the HD558 more open.

Also give the HD558 sometime to break in, need to leave them plugged in over night (a few times), maybe with the volume a little higher then normal.

Cover them with something like a blanket, to block the noise.

about the modding, i removed the black foam inside and also removed the lining in the earcups. they really improved the sound and put it at about 97% of the HD598 (HD598 still had slightly better mids, very slightly better clarity and slightly better soundstage and a very slightly cleaner bass, though im not sure how the HD598 would sound like if i removed the lining in the earcup, since that does clear the sound up a little)

Do not bother to spend more on hd558/598, all hd5*8 series share same drivers. If you can do moding just remove outside plastics on hd518 and you will have identical even better headphone then 598. Of course bass will be not as punchier, you also can add DIY metal grills.

see this thread

http://www.head-fi.org/t/609634/hd-518-teardown-with-a-shocking-twist

 

Here what I have done: this is 558

 

on hd518 it will be slightly different story but figure it out is easy I guess :)

 

even better thing is that insides hd518 and 598 are same see pictures on headfonia.com

Edited by Lumos - 4/14/13 at 10:36am

add on: removing the silver ring helps also imo

mmm... I am not sure, can you link me recording where difference is noticeable? I will try then, I have not spend many time to compare with it or without it... but I could not hear difference when I tried :)

well it only affects the soundstage a little bit, so it might be hard to notice

Ah OK, I have to try it again...

 

By the way I had this crazy idea to put these drivers on hd600 frame, I do not know how it will work but one day I have to try :D

I got my "refurbished" HD 558s for $105 USD from Amazon. They are occasionally available for about $99. They are truly "good as new" and needed a bit of burn in but now sound marvelous. The 598s cost about $170 refurbished. I wanted the 598s but didn't want to spend the additional money, especially with the mod available. I don't doubt that the 598s may be more refined in some way, but I have never regretted my choice. By the way the refurb 518s are on sale at Amazon for $72. Good luck in your search!

Ive been enjoying my "refurbished" 558s for the past few days. I ordered them 2 weeks ago from Rakuten for $92.

Personally, I agree they are a bassier, less airy version of the 598, but I do not think they are "less refined." They just sound different, not worse. I will not mod mine - I prefer them to the 598s lightweight sound.

I do personally miss the bass of the stock HD558, it's a lot more solid and punchy.

Just received the HD 558 today. It has the same rich, warm sound as the Sennheiser Momentum, except airier and with a wider soundstage. An excellent and comfortable headphone. The Momentum has a slightly more sparkling clear sound. I hesitate to say much more because one is an open headphone and the other is closed, and they serve different purposes.