I just got the HD598, I'm guessing they're close to the 558---and I love them, everything you said here describes them well, except they're plenty agressive for me on Rock.

Thanks everyone for the replies.  I don't think this is a preference sort of thing in my case (although that's also possible), there's actually a drop in sound quality going to the 650's on this amp (slightly more distortion, especially with high notes).

I have some HD650's for work, and HD595's at home, but the 595's broke so I decided to try out some new home headphones. After reading through scores of reviews, I decided to try ATH-M50 and HD598, and since I got a little license from my wife to upgrade a bit, I got a FiiO E7/E9 combo.  I let...

Slides: My 595s were very underwhelming coming from my stock computer sound card, so I got an amp/dac (Bithead) to bypass the card. Problem solved! So you may want to check out your source before sending back the headphones.

Sennheiser hd565 Ovation. I think those were the only headphones where my head was MORE comfortable while wearing them than with nothing at all.

This isn't exactly an inexpensive option ($90k for a full set), but if you're looking for something that can equal some of the best headphones out there, I have heard reports that these speakers equal the detail and sound quality of the UE-10 Pro: http://www.sonicweld.com/products.html...

NO to the 570s. Not even close to being in the same class as these other headphones. Unless you can get them for around $40, then maybe they are okay.

Quote: Originally Posted by m_memmory Or how about 80% of scientific research is just stating the obvious. They may as well say that 50% of the speed of your car is breaking the speed limit.... which would then say what type of road? uphill/downhill? type of car? what gear? This...

I personally like the hd595s better than the 580s because of their more forward presentation. And the 595s DO scale up nicely with the right amps.

I like it fine, but I don't do much with it. I felt that there was an improvement in sound quality when I changed to iTunes 7. Whether that's imagined or not, I'm happy.

I'm pretty happy with my Headroom Total Bithead (2006 edition). I like it because for me it's a source upgrade as well as a pretty good amp. Before, I was listening through the PC onboard soundcard, and while my hd595s were an improvement over my previous headphones, I still felt like something...

It's not just the volume, though. It seems like there's more separation and texture to the music now. I feel like the music as a whole is more alive through my hd595s. On second thought, I don't want to know whether it's real or imagined, because I'm really enjoying myself as it is.

I swear all my music sounds a notch better in iTunes 7. Am I just imagining things?

Yeah, listening to music through the bithead at home sounds like the music is coming through a plastic tube or something. It's pretty bad (sounds worse than straight out of the SBlive).

The PCI usb ports is a great idea! Donunus: The pcdp does sound pretty good, but nothing compared to the Bithead plugged into my work computer. So, probably not.