Hello everyone,

I am new to all this audio gear. I have good hearing, and can tell differences in headphones.

I listen to all types of music, except country.

What would you guys recommend, that Sony MDR-7509 (I just heard these today, they sounded great; I didn't get a chance to test the highs) or the Senn HD 590?

I know the 590's are good. I've worn them. Very comfortable. What about construction and brightness, vs. the Sony? I liked the heavier duty construction of the Sony, but for extended listening, I'm betting that the Senns would be better.

If you could offer some pros and cons for each, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Let's start over. Give us what you need in a headphone, as there might be other types of headphones that are better for you. It's always best, IMO, to choose what you need and don't need for features and budget, and find the headphone that best suits your needs and taste, rather than asking for "can I have a comparison between headphone x and headphone y?" a few dozen times.

I'm looking for CLARITY. That's number one. Second would be tight bass reproduction. I like vocals mainly, and strings.

Music? Piano, guitar, trance, vocals...80's...some easy listening.

I'd like a comfortable pair of headphones (I'm at school for a LONG time...).

Quality. I would like the phones to last. Although at this price range, I'm sure they do pretty well.

Emphasis on comfort...I sometimes listen to recorded lectures while lying down...I hate that feeling of crushed cartilage.

Sources? All kinds...portables, stereo, computer (a lot of this).

I understand you don't want the old brand war, x vs. y. But the truth is, I've narrowed my choices to these two (read: Senn HD590 and Sony MDR-7509), and was wondering if anyone had experience with both, or those that have tested one pair extensively can perhaps offer the weaknesses and strengths of the headphones.

I hope that clarified what I am looking for.

Not necessarily.

I was more thinking that you would look at THESE two webpages:

http://headwize.com/articles/hguide_art.htm

and

http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=13

and figure out what TYPES of headphone you need!

I'd say pick up a pair of senn 580. As a matter of fact, someone is selling a used pair here. That's what I'd do.

Welcome to head-fi! (sorry about your wallet)

Do yourself a favour and do a search on your subject. You'll have enough information for a couple of months of extensive reading. .

- The 100000 post has recently been made here at head-fi and I would say that out of those 100000 you've got at least 5000 post about the discussions on sennheiser 580 vs. 590 vs. 600 and about the crappiness and overpricedness of those sonys. I'm not saying you shouldn't waste our time by asking - you're not - I'm simple suggesting the search function for your own good. You will be extremely happy with all the information. I guarantee you will feel very well informated after reading just some of it. At the same time your horizon will be broadened alot - you WILL be more confused - and then you will just randomly pick a headphone from those seeming most appealing to you. But you will make an educated choice - and you will feel good about that.

I would like to wish you good luck on your headphones... - We'll see you again. I guarantee.

And by the way, to give you a hint about what it takes to be into headphones, the first thing i wrote is the official head-fi greeting

Jackson, being a owner of HD 590, I can tell you that if CLARITY is what you're looking for, you can't go much wrong with the 590s.

These cans have GREAT clarity, straight out from my SACD player. So detailed that I occasionally get a "WOW!" factor from my old CDs, even though I've had the cans for quite a while now.

As for comfort, the only pair of headphones that are better in comfort than the HD590s, are the Sony MDR-F1, but not by much.

I haven't heard the Sony cans you are talking about, though....

As for the bass of the HD 590s, AWESOME! Some "WOW!" factor from time to time as well And they are controlled and tight.

The only thing you might object on, is the slightly more focus on the higher freq., which kinda contributes to the detailness and clarity of these cans. I've never found them to be overly bright, but some people seem to. I guess it's got something to do with your source as well.

But if your sources are portables and PC, etc. It shouldn't be an issue at all, I think.

Yeah the 590 are great phones but so are the 580s. it depends on your taste...i have both

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very nicely said Ctn.. That said, I feel like we don't need to discuss those cans versus eachother ever again I know, I'm dreaming.

I've heard the 7509 briefly. Haven't heard the 590, but I do own the 580, which should be close enough for the purposes of this comparison, hopefully. The 7509 aren't that bad, honestly, but the bass is somewhat boomy, comfort is average, and clarity isn't the best. They're quite overpriced, IMHO. The 590s should have a larger soundstage, as good or greater comfort, better clarity. Probably not as durable as the 7509, but I wouldn't call them delicate, either. Not sure where the voices would be (forward, laid-back). I'd probably go w/ the 590, but you should try them first, just to be absolutely sure.

Please do yourself a favor, forget about second party opinions, most of these guys never had listened enough both cans to offer you any detailed reference, maybe one or two guys but the rest are just expeculations, to give you a real reference you have to get used to the sound of the headphones and most of the time burn in for more than one day the product, with the same source, but, to go to an store and take a can, from the wall, most of the time damaged, by the way, is not a good point of view, not even for yourself, nor to give you any opinion, My advice, take it or leave it, get both in a place that you could return one later like headroom or so, listen both carefully, at home without rush, with the music you like, and choose the one you like better, there is one point that everybody always forget, the personal apreciation and the personal taste for the sound, what may sound coloured for someone maybe sounds flat for another listener, to my opinion the Sonys are excellent cans, I own one, and talking about the overprice the Senheiser most of the time overpriced their products too, there is a lot of crap in both brands, Sennheiser HD600 is a top of the line I own another of these, an excellent one, but for 400.00 is overpriced, the difference in sound between them and the Sonys is not 200.00. Other point is the source, if you are going to feed them with the same source maybe you will need more power for one that for the other, or maybe one sounds bright with this amp and flat with the other, as I told you before, is a matter of personal taste, I will give you an example: if you go to the reviews you will find hundreds of excellent reviews for the creek OBH-11 headphone amp right? I fall in that hole and following the reviews, and I got one, the result, I returned it a week later, for me is nothing like an overprice black box, my amplifier jack offers better sound, even more volume, of course this does not mean that 150 people are wrong, just that for their point of hear it sounds good and for me not.

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It sure is to me

What if you only pay $220 for your HD 600?

I already have it, the best price new right now that I was able to find was 264.00 but when I got it there was no way of getting it for that price, it was long time ago, but just let me know where to get it for that price (220), but brand new, and from an authorized dealer, with all the warranties, I have a friend that is looking for one...

Sovkiller,
Jan Meier at MEIER-AUDIO should have the best price on hd-600. He is an authorized dealer with full warranty. Good luck!

Purk

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Remember, with the HD580 and HD600, you have to have the right SOURCE to power them to make their purchase worthwhile... For example, the 590 is much better for less-powered equipment, the 580 is awesome for a lower-end headphone amplifier, and the 600 is worth it when your stuff kicks ass...