[XposR]

What would you go for?

 

[NA Blur]

They sound the same to my ears so I would go for the less expensive HD558.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

What would you go for?

The HD558 and HD598 use the same driver, but differently designed cups.
So get the HD558s and remove the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558
and you will have something almost as good as the HD598.

 

[teb1013]

"The HD558 and HD598 use the same driver, but differently designed cups.
So get the HD558s and remove the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558
and you will have something almost as good as the HD598." PurpleAngel


Agreed, my 558s cost $105 refurbished and sound fantastic , I won't change until I am in the market for HD 600 or 650.

 

[xkonfuzed]

I think there's a mod that makes the HD558 come close if not just as good as the HD598 in terms of sound. 

 

[Trunks159]

The 558 has more bass so... Id get the 558. The mdr ma900, dt880, ad900x, and Fidelio x1 are pretty good also.

 

[tomb]

Quote:

They sound the same to my ears so I would go for the less expensive HD558.

Nope.  The HD598 looks better.  Since neither headphone is commonly accepted by audiophiles as a "keeper," (check Tyll's Wall Of Fame), you need to base your purchase on something else besides sound quality, assuming that you are going to progress beyond this stage in your audiophile pursuit, then you need to consider sale-ability as paramount.  The HD598 is one of the best looking headphones ever designed, IMHO.
 
That doesn't mean it's the best in sound quality, but it means that you have a better chance of selling it when you're through with it.

 

[phamtasm]

I'm deciding between these two. Comfort is extremely important. Is the 598 edge out in terms of comfort?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I think there's a mod that makes the HD558 come close if not just as good as the HD598 in terms of sound. 

Yep, removing the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I'm deciding between these two. Comfort is extremely important. Is the 598 edge out in terms of comfort?

I'm a HD558 owner, I believe the comfort is the same between the HD558 and HD598.

 

[phamtasm]

  I'm a HD558 owner, I believe the comfort is the same between the HD558 and HD598.

I actually bought both and although the 558 was better for me (my ears just got tired of the 598) in regards to sound, the 598 was more comfortable. the pads were softer and the band wasn't as stiff as the 558.

 

[BradleyM29]

Can't speak for the 558's but I had the 598's for a little while and they worked out pretty well.

 

[okcameradude]

I have the Sennheiser HD 558 model and I am so glad I did the mod.  At first I tried removing only some of the black tape, thinking I would get the best of both worlds, but I wasn't happy with the sound and went back and removed the rest.  It really opens them up and I am even more impressed with the Sennheiser.  Sure, a HD 650 is probably in my future, but for now I am happy with the Sennheiser HD 558.

 

[RADARIO]

So, I have been reading everyone's opinion on the two differing sets.  Myself I am looking to make a purchase, but are the 558's really that uncomfortable?  I have never heard of anyone giving them back or complaining of usage due to comfortability.  
Also, has anyone done a Final technical analysis post removal of the foam backing?  sort of this this freq comparison between 558's and 598's
 
http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2851&graphID[]=2861&scale=30
 
 
That would be great to see since most claim that removal improves sound quality... I'd personally rather see it on a technical aspect versus anybodys personal opinion.
 
I hope to make a purchase soon, but am wanting more validation that one is better than the other.  Please people chime in if you have thoughts or opinions to help me choose one. 

 

[Trunks159]

The HD558 is 90% of the HD598. Oh, the HD558 is very comfortable.