[Joey_V]

Ok... this place has helped me a lot! Thanks!

My progression in my search for the best headphones with regard to price and use are as follows:

Stage 1:
Sony MDR-F1 vs HD595 vs HD650

Stage 2:
Sony MDR-F1 vs HD 595 vs HD555

Stage 3:
HD555 vs HD595

Final Stage:
HD555 vs HD590

We are now at the last stage... so bear with me.

Which is a better buy? The HD555 or the HD590. I can get the 555 for approximately $100 and the HD590 for approximately $120.

Things I'm looking for is:
- Some resemblance of a soundstage (angled drivers are preferred)
- Good overall freq. response
- Neutral and colorless
- Driven easily by portables and my headphone out off my receiver (Harman Kardon 330)

BTW, do the 590s have angled drivers?

Last call to help me out.... I should buy a pair tonight or tomorrow!

Then I'll go from this

to this

.... LOL!

 

[Joey_V]

Second page already...... no responses.... bump!

 

[jesse_w]

Well, I haven't heard the HD555 (although I have heard the 595 and obviously 590), but since you haven't gotten any responses I would suggest that it would be safe to avoid the HD590. It's just not worth even that price.

jesse

Edit: Oh and the HD590s do not have angled drivers.

 

[Nak Man]

To make it easier for you - either will be a good choice.

For this real close contender I'd suggest to listen for yourself. Is it possible to get them both from same store with return policy ? Just regard any additional shipping and or restocking fees to be part of your purchase. This way you won't have any regret - and will also understand how it's sometimes difficult to choose between almost similar senns. =)

 

[bigshot]

I don't know about the others, but the 590s fit every qualification you have there. I sure love mine, and I paid a lot more than $120 for them. They're also the most comfortable headphones for longterm listening. I frequently forget I have them on.

See ya
Steve

 

[Andrea]

I personally believe the HD555 would be a safer bet.
It's known for being a very neutral all-round headphone, which I'm uncertain if the (latest 'revision' of (?)) HD590 can manage.

 

[3lusiv3]

I have owned both. I found them quite different. I found the HD 555 more neutral. I would buy the HD 555 because I prefer their sound. Be aware that they are both very open, the Hd590 being a bit more open, and they let pretty much all sound in and out and I wouldn't use either for portable use.

 

[akerman]

You'll find that the general attitude here towards the HD590 has changed from very positive to very negative during a year or so. When I bought them everybody cherished them, now it's "they're not even worth $120".

Personally I couldn't be happier - they are immensely comfortable, you don't notice they're on at all, and I, for one, am really enjoying their sound - especially since upgrading to a new audiotrak soundcard instead of my old creative.

Looking at the cups it doesn't look like the drivers are angled.. why do you want that anyway - they point right at the center of your ear as it is.

 

[acs236]

Full disclosure: I haven't heard the 555, only the 595s and the 590s.

Obviously, I'll talk only about the 590s. The 590s -- soundwise -- are in the same family with the 580/600/650. They're laid back, smooth and warm. The 590s are just a tad more lively/forward than the 580/600/650 -- but just a tad. They have the characteristic mid-bass hump that some like and others don't. They're extremely comfortable. For $120, I think they're a very good deal.

 

[cozmo5050]

i guess u could say my opinion is highly biased... but my vote had to go w/ the hd590. i've also notice the transition from positive ---> negative feedback recently on these too.

sound, i love them. i used to own the bose triports, and i thought those were the best headphones in the world until i heard my senns.

also... the build on the 555/595 look more plasticky.. some people say over time the 555/595 start to squeak at the hinges, etc....

i like the look of my 590's alot. they are a bit sleeker, and as always -very comfortable.

also, are the cables on the 555/595 detachable like the 590?

 

[cozmo5050]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nak Man To make it easier for you - either will be a good choice. For this real close contender I'd suggest to listen for yourself. Is it possible to get them both from same store with return policy ? Just regard any additional shipping and or restocking fees to be part of your purchase. This way you won't have any regret - and will also understand how it's sometimes difficult to choose between almost similar senns. =)

hey nakamichi fan... did u do a review for the 595's at audioreview? hahah.. cool.

 

[jsc3]

I like my 590s - never listened to the 555s. As far as driving them with portable gear, they sound OK with the headphone output of a Dell Inspiron 4000 laptop, and they actually sounded pretty good when used with a Sansui 13 inch portable TV with built-in VCR too, for whatever that's worth.

 

[buffpandabear]

I've owned the hd580 and the hd590, and yes, the hd590 is a lot more lively than the 580's.
if you're going to get an amp, then the hd580's probably better because the hd590 doesn't really improve that much with an amp. Without amplification, i love the hd590 with my $35 philips aurilium sound card from its lineout. the 590's a very good deal considering its price---it used to run double that.
both hd590 and hd555 have removable cables which coincidentally match each other--that is, the hd555 and the hd590 can interchange headphone cables. i have a sweet headphile cable (headphile.com) for sale right now that will work with both of these cans if you're interested.

 

[Joey_V]

So the cables on both are removable?

Is there anyway to plug in shorter cables with a 3.5mm jack as the default jack? This would help when I use the can with a portable.

 

[jesse_w]

The hd555 cable is not detachable (Unless you feel like taking it apart and desoldering).

jesse