[BababooeyHTJ]

Well, what I want is an open back headphone without the compromise in bass. I would really love to pick up the AD700 just for the sound stage but I don't want to compromise the bass. I mostly listen to rock music. I would also be using these for gaming.  
 
What should I be looking into? Maybe the HD555?

 

[PurpleAngel]

You can get the Sennheiser HD-558 for under $150
 
To save more money
Panasonic RP-HTF600-S
Beyerdynamic EDT 200 Velour ear pads.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

The soundstage on the HTF600 is very narrow. I've heard someone use the word boxy to describe it, I would say thats accurate. 
 
Quote:

You can get the Sennheiser HD-558 for under $150
 
To save more money
Panasonic RP-HTF600-S
Beyerdynamic EDT 200 Velour ear pads.

 
Is there much of a difference between the 555 and 558? I've heard that there are issues with the headband cracking for some people on the 555 but that foam mod looks like its pretty easy and seems to have good results. The 555 also seems to be a good bit cheaper than the 558. 
 
 

 

[JayB18]

Id go with the Beyerdynamic DT440.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

Thanks for the suggestion. How would you describe the sound stage on the DT440 compared to your AD700?
 
Quote:

Id go with the Beyerdynamic DT440.

 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

The soundstage on the HTF600 is very narrow. I've heard someone use the word boxy to describe it, I would say thats accurate. 
Is there much of a difference between the 555 and 558? I've heard that there are issues with the headband cracking for some people on the 555 but that foam mod looks like its pretty easy and seems to have good results. The 555 also seems to be a good bit cheaper than the 558.

I've been lead to believe the HD-558 is a somewhat improvement over the HD-555,
A new HD-558  is around $45 more then a new HD-555
But they are some great prices on used HD-555 on eBay.
If you need cans now, just get a used HD-555
Just do the rubber tape removal mod. on it
If you can hold off until Black Friday, I'm sure there will be good deals on New HD-558s
 
 
 

 

[Gwarmi]

No better open can for rock than the Grado SR80i for under $250. Pretty much consensus and fact.

 

[awberke]

I currently use the HD598 for gaming/music, i mostly listen to hip-hop. I absolutely love them, they are way more comfortable to wear than my M50's (lighter, less pressure, nicer pads).
 
The gaming is truly superb and while the bass isn't as present as the M50's the detail is great and the bass is enough for me to still enjoy the hip-hop i listen to.
 
A little more expensive, but they also are quite stylish. Some say they are ugly, but i think they look really nice in person.

 

[Amarphael]

IME there's no better cans up to 200$ for rock than AKG K240mkII, If you prefer a full-bodied sound with present bass. It just trounces any presitge Grado and Senn HD595 in this regard, and also sounstage wise. It does need modest amping to truly show whay it's got though. A little PA2V2 will do fine.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

 
Quote:

I've been lead to believe the HD-558 is a somewhat improvement over the HD-555,
A new HD-558  is around $45 more then a new HD-555
But they are some great prices on used HD-555 on eBay.
If you need cans now, just get a used HD-555
Just do the rubber tape removal mod. on it
If you can hold off until Black Friday, I'm sure there will be good deals on New HD-558s 
 
 

Yeah, I'm probably going to hold out for a good deal on the HD558. I've been hearing good things about the 558 compared to the 555 especially with the sound stage. 
 
 
 
Quote:

IME there's no better cans up to 200$ for rock than AKG K240mkII, If you prefer a full-bodied sound with present bass. It just trounces any presitge Grado and Senn HD595 in this regard, and also sounstage wise. It does need modest amping to truly show whay it's got though. A little PA2V2 will do fine.

 
Thanks for the tip on the AKG k240. Sounds like it might be a good option. I'll have to look into them. 
 
Edit: Most of the reviews or comparisons that I've been able to find on the akg 240 suggest that the soundstage might not be as good as the HD555 so that combined with the fact that I might need an amp kind of makes me lose interest. 

 

[Amarphael]

Not to my exprience, HD5x5 have some really cramped headstage, no better than Grados. The K240 has much more dimentional prestation, though it's not that wide compared to some others. btw, any headphone will benefit from amping to varying degree, and the PA2v2 is about 50$ iirc. 

 

[Gwarmi]

Any Sennheiser HD5xx below the HD595 or HD598 is pretty bad - thin, veiled, no detail, cheaply made.
 
People only buy them for the Sennheiser name most of the time. 

 

[tim3320070]

Used HD580 if you're patient can be found at that price, absolutely a better headphone than the HD595

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

Doesn't the HD555 have the same driver as the HD595?
 
Quote:

Any Sennheiser HD5xx below the HD595 or HD598 is pretty bad - thin, veiled, no detail, cheaply made.
 
People only buy them for the Sennheiser name most of the time. 

Is the AKG K240 mkii worth the extra $60 over the original K240?
 
 

Quote:

IME there's no better cans up to 200$ for rock than AKG K240mkII, If you prefer a full-bodied sound with present bass. It just trounces any presitge Grado and Senn HD595 in this regard, and also sounstage wise. It does need modest amping to truly show whay it's got though. A little PA2V2 will do fine.

 

 

[Gwarmi]

Quote:

Doesn't the HD555 have the same driver as the HD595? 
Is the AKG K240 mkii worth the extra $60 over the original K240?
 
 
 

The HD595 did sound a bit nicer to me than the HD555 and the build quality was nicer too on the HD595.
 
Guess it's just my own biased preference ~ but for me ~ HD598, HD650, HD800 and HD25 II are the only
Sennheisers worth owning, other models face stiff competition from other manufacturers that offer more
for the same or less money. Again though, if you love the Sennheiser name and sound, this won't matter
or count for anything.