When looking at a headphone, you almost always forget that the more pretty, or whatever in may be that wins you over in this case, that headphone, it has a sibling.
This is the brother of a widely loved, and chosen as best for $200 bang for buck headphone, the Sennheiser HD598.
If we look around the headphone, there's really no difference when they sit side by side, maybe one has a bigger logo on the opening, and you also notice a huge contrast.
I'd argue that an idiot who looked at both of these would choose the 598 just because of its smooth color, and someone who didn't mind price would grab the 558, do research, and still appreciate his purchase.
The differences are fairly large in the grand scheme, but if you wanted gorgeous quality, and a fancy pair of cans you'd choose either of the two, let's be real. These two both look better than the Momentum.
So...
Sennheiser HD558 vs. Sennheiser HD598
First up, Sennheiser HD598
So, in my original review I wasn't very considerate of these, and that's not the case fully.
The 598 is a lovely can for someone who can appreciate a wide open soundstage at $150-200, and they do it best in this range. I feel in this price range, when going for a can you wanna use often, you should often go for something more close, especially if it's your first pair of headphones.
My argument? Not everyone's ears are going to understand the point of an Open Ear/Back Headphone. But it's your money, you decide.
Mids:
The 598 is honorably a great listening piece, and warm like both cans in discussion. Though the emphasis is very different, the details to mids in the 598 is pretty forward, the mids are nearly close to fully bodied with detailed tones on most acoustic tracks. The mids aren't aggressive in most cases, but I heavily recommend an amp, and slight tuning. Working the mids around with the EQ without an amp can pump up the mids, and definitely begin to show highlights when you listen to the Slow Post-Rock/Trip Hop of Massive Attack, and Bowery Electric, or you can EQ them properly and pull some really gentle, crisp, and almost whisper sounding mids.
I really recommend giving them an EQ if you wanna use them for portable house listening and not have to worry about amping them. My ending statement, they're beautiful, warm, and can be tuned to come off clean and crisp.
Vocals don't come off too bright, they properly lay in the middle of everything without becoming overpowering.
Lows:
Let's discuss Lows with these.
Lows aren't a huge strong point for these by default. And it makes me wish we all used the same players, because I've got great tuning for these.
So these headphones aren't genre specific by any means, but! I don't recommend these if you're a Hip-Hophead who wants to blare his favorite bangers at top notch volumes, I'd promptly ask you to stop reading and look at the M50, SRH840, or MDR-7506, you're not gonna enjoy these cans as much.
So I said they aren't for Hip-Hop fans, correct! It's listenable, but I feel these headphones cater a lot to different genres.
Genres with more vocal coverage work awesomely with these! The headphone takes a lot of focus and buries it around a mellow, but warming bass, and not strong by any means, maybe a bit slim, but they are detail headphones.
Without an amp the Lows are great if you can find that tune, they'll pop a bit more without an amp, and may come off a bit more slim as I said, but it's what they do best! Jazz, Classical, Orchestral, & maybe even Blues come off with a detailed pace, heavy instrument focus, and no stress on any elements.
Highs:
Personally I feel the HD598 has a huge emphasis on the true acoustic measurement of a studio recorded songs tracking.
With all the elements in a song creeping up on you, you never really know what you're going t get out of a song with each full listen.
Cymbals are prominent, and very detailed, I'd arguably call them relaxed, which I think is good for beginners.
To myself, they don't have a whole ton of Splash, but you do get it in a Clean measure, definitely makes the Cymbals that come from the M50(my last headphone) swallow their tongue.
Conclusion:
Detailed beginner can, and relaxing, very clean, not too forward. I feel these provide something new with every listen, they are a bit of a unique character when it comes being a detailed pair of cans.
Warmth is very prominent in these at immediate listen, vocals are delicate, but very different from what AudioTechnica does with female vocals.
I hope that if you decide you want one of these, and you come to this site this really helps you get an idea.
If you get the HD598, here are some recommended Albums, & Test Tracks(My Taste):
[track]Angel Olsen - Windows[Jangle Pop]
[track]Wolf People - Morning Born[Woodsy Indie Rock]
[album]Tool - Lateralus[Progressive Rock]
[track]Alvvays - Adult Diversion[Indie Pop(Really Candied Fuzzy Pretty Indie Rock Based Pop)]
[album]Dan Wilson - Free Life[Pianist Rock/Singer for Semisonic]
[track]Best Coast - Our Deal[Beachy Rock/Female Vocalist(Best song I've listened to in the genre, brings out the patchy guitars notes, and truly makes the other Cymbal based instruments shine)]
[track]Miami Horror - Infinite Crayons[Synthpop Revival(One of those tracks where the beginning atmosphere shine right through, and you're greeted by warm male vocals with a soft background inhales)]
[album]Ty Segall - Melted[If you're into cruddy Lo-fi, this album is something that'll make this headphone sound "fun"]
[track]The Moldy Peaches - On Top[Anti-Folk(An Anti-Folk track with a cute soundstage. Just listen, make fun of me later)]
[album]Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea[It's a Cult Followed Indie Classic not everyone will enjoy, but I thought I'd throw it in for good measure, (listen if you're an acoustic fan)]
[track]Amy Grant - I Will Remember You[Random find, great for beat tracking, in my opinion]
So, we've discussed the 598
REMEMBER!
Before we jump in, I don't feel as if a certain headphone is better than another! Not with any headphones.
I see headphones as a thing with a personality, and each does something different, which makes us choose an older headphone over a newer one, or other way around.
The Sennheiser 558
The 558 does have a role that you're not going to catch on the 598, again. All headphones are different, they're basically a personality.
For the price, you get the same sized package.
My argument here is actually pretty different. If you want a headphone similar to the HD598 at a cheaper price, get the HD558. I also feel it's safer getting into these first!
If you came from the M50, and were to ask me for something Open Ear/Backed for $100 or a bit more, I'd recommend these in a heartbeat.
Why I'd Heavily Recommend To An M50 User
These cans are my style, the HD598 belong to my brother anyway.
Dark, Smooth, and sound Luxurious to any who prefers a thicker sound.
They're quite a bit Bass influenced in my opinion, not HUGE BASS, but bass that shines brighter than what the HD598 provides.
An M50 user could get used to these with a proper EQ, and perhaps fall in love if he/she were open to Open Ear/Back Cans.
HD598 & HD558 True Difference
They're both gonna provide a warm sound, but hand in hand, if you want a Mid focused headphone, the HD598.
The 558 carries a good portion of that detail, but lays the warm blanket over it's head with a smooth, thick, warm bass. It lacks in depth at some points, but sill fares to it's own.
Mids:
The 558 is extremely unique!
The mids will almost seem squished to you, they feel really shut into the background, which isn't bad at all for a darker sounding pair of cans, it's almost pleasing if you bought these for relaxing.
You get a bass that's fit in really well, tight at points, but doesn't choke out cymbal points. And on acoustic songs with a bit more Synthesizer in it, it's a sexual feeling almost... To the point to where these cans can be so warm, with closed eyes I felt as if vocalists were pressed against my chest and singing in my ear.
I want to warn people about using an EQ an messing up the bass too much, the bass is nice and rich like dark chocolate where it is stock, but if you over-tune the bass signatures, you can accidentally close out vocals on tracks at times, and the headphone loses its origin.
Vocals are an important part of the discussion. While they are formed kindly into the background, they are piercing, and fierce! I almost get a Grado Labs styled vocal presentation.
Male vocals that are more light will show better, and vocals in general shine on both at nearly the same frequency.
http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2861&graphID[]=2851&scale=30
Don't take this to the extreme, but do you research! Sound is subjective. If it's good, you've owned/own them both, and you have different listening situations for them both, then that's your taste, there probably isn't anyone out there with your desires.
Your EQ is subjective to your sound preference.
Lows:
The treble might come off as a rumbling form of treble. I found this to be a strikingly good thing!
I enjoy that feeling of a 450,000lbs rock tumbling down a cliff, and you hear every pleasuring detail. I'd argue that the bass is more pleasing, yet remember, this is a dark headphone.
Bass is an Open Ear/Back generally brings in that warmth.
So, as I described the mids, they feel pressured onto you, and if you love warm, smooth bass, this is up your alley.
The headphone excels in the lows, but I feel they do their job of comforting your ears all round. This is definitely a headphone for getting home, and just laying down, or prancing around the house with these on.
My last bit on the lows, they're literally dark, no question.
I don't recommend these to anyone who wants a nice bass, but less warm feeling, I'd shoot you to the HD598.
Highs:
The highs are not much like the HD598, they've got some traits, but the Cymbals in tracks pierce more, the drum set stays like it should, balanced. But detailed.
I'd argue that the HD598 has more detail in the highs, and the HD558 keeps them placed in with the lows in the mids. Sure, you're definitely going to notice the highs with the HD558, but they attack you almost again like a Grado Labs Headphone. I really can't sign off a lot on these as there a bit more different.
Conclusion:
These are something everyone might be able to appreciate.
They're a 24/7 Headphone for me since I can't/don't need $400-700 cans.
There's really something special about these, and the reason I say that is quite simple. They aren't much like their younger brother the HD555, those are for a different sort of person.
But when I say special, I feel these definitely do their job better than a lot of headphones in their price range.
If you get the HD558, here are some recommended Albums, & Test Tracks(My Taste):
[track]Pure Bathing Culture - Pendulum[(http://purebathingculture.bandcamp.com)Synthpop/Dream Pop]
[album]Mac Demarco - Salad Days[Indie Rock, Pretty Patient(An album I feel the HD558 used to focus more on the separation, and it gets warm as well)]
[track]Dent May - Born Too Late[Indie Pop/Synthpop(A summery album, but the vocals on this song shine through as warm, and relaxed)]
[track]Tamaryn - Mild Confusion[Shoegaze(You'll understand! Shoegaze is amazing for these cans!)]
[album]On An On - Give In[Shoegaze/Synthpop]
[track]Factory Floor - Fall Back[Electronic Post-Punk(Bass Heavy, crazy track)]
Final Thoughts
I've not had the cracking experience, and from what I'm aware of, it's only common in people who aren't careful, I'm not sure though.
I personally use these both, I prefer one over the other, then again, the one I'm craziest over is mine!
I hope this was somewhat helpful to you.
My reviews are more of tales, but with a nice quantity of headphone experience, but I like including the other things that really tell you more about my experience. It helps you picture them in your life if they were on your list, and gives you things to consider.