[JayB18]

Hi. I am looking for a new pair of open headphones for around $100. I will not be using an amp and mostly using them from a portable CD player or computer. I want a pair that is good for any music genre and has a decent soundstage for movies or games. I am thinking about the Senn h555. Is this a good choice and does anyone have any other recommendations?

 

[Duggeh]

The standard recommendations for this sort of query tend to be the Sennheiser HD555, the Grado SR-60 or SR-80 and the Allesandro MS-1. Of these, only the Sennheiser goes around your ear. It will also have the best soundstage but it is not quite so easily powered from an unamped source.

 

[reivaj]

Alessandro MS1 sounds to be the one here

 

[Ypoknons]

If my experience with the 595 is any indication, an unamped HD555 won't have as huge a soundstage advantage over the MS1 an amped HD555 would.

 

[Roger.McMurphy]

The unamped HD555 has a huge soundstage, on every single source I tried it on. I didn't get any upgrade from amping. It was conceived to give your ears real hi-fi quality, from about any source. Very easy to drive. A great headphone. Real comfy too.

Go with the HD555. It's no simple do it all. It's a life changing experience.

 

[JayB18]

Thanks for the help. I currently have the grado sr60 and it is a bit too harsh and bright for me. The souinstage is also lacking. I am going to get the hd555 but may consider getting the ms-1 in the future as well. How does the ms-1 compare in terms of harshness, brightness and soundstage to the sr60?

 

[Mercuttio]

If you don't really like the SR60, chances are you won't like the MS1 any more.

 

[TAF94]

Unamped HD555 sounds much better than HD595 unamped imo.

 

[Dominat0r]

I just got my HD555 from the for sale forums...as im using my puter as a source i can notice a HUGE improvement from my last headphones.

I havent had a chance to listen to grado's but i know, from reading, they are brighter then the HD555. These headphones are fantastic to my ears. I had to adjust the eq alittle to get the mids in line. However, once i got there, im in total love.

Right now using a A2 plat with the break out box. I tested the phones plugged directly into the card and then plugged into the breakout box. I could not tell a bit of difference between them. I know people say to use the phones directly plugged in, but if i cant tell a difference, then its easier to have them plugged into the break out box.

I am looking to get a small portable amp to see if i can give them alittle more bass power on lower volumes.

 

[uraflit]

hd555's are my first and currently only "audiophile-worthy" headphones. i used it with an ipod nano and out from my audigy2zs... i'd say im pretty darn satisfied...
the only thing that i want to know now is how a $1000+ setup would sound like!

 

[laxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uraflit /img/forum/go_quote.gif hd555's are my first and currently only "audiophile-worthy" headphones. i used it with an ipod nano and out from my audigy2zs... i'd say im pretty darn satisfied... the only thing that i want to know now is how a $1000+ setup would sound like!

don't think that! curiosity is the worst thing you can have coming into this forum. prepare to spend alot of money.

sorry for your wallet.