[Bogatyr]

I've been researching these headphones for the last couple of days and have seen many mentions of people buying 518 / 558 / 598 for <100$, 100-130$, 160-190$. What gives? All the prices I find are 25-40% higher. Is this a recent jump in price due to tax returns?
 
I'd love a 500 series Sennheiser headphone but my student budget is 130-170$ and I'd like to make my pennies count. If anyone knows a good place with a good price, (I'm from California) please do tell.
 
If you don't know a cheaper source, I'd like to hear your opinion whether hooking them up to a Xonar DG audio card is sufficient and whether the price difference between the 3 listed models is worth it. This will be my first full sized open cans. Thanks for reading and thanks in advance.

 

[obobskivich]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/596362/massive-price-increase-on-sennheiser-hd650/
 
It's what's "supposed" to be happening at authorized retailers. The previous prices were sales or promotions. 
 
I have not heard any of the new -8 cans, so maybe get someone else's opinion, but personally I remember the 555 and 595 as very boring. The 598 is supposed to have solved that, and looks very intriguing indeed. 
 
 
 
 

 

[KG Jag]

From December 20th through January 5th Amazon had the 518 under $96.  The 558's was under $140 in late December.  The 598 was just over $170 in mid to late December.  I guess that goes to show that timing and frequent price monitoring can pay off.