Continuing on the Journey to HiFidom: HD580 or K501

[Whorehay]

So, I have thoroughly enjoyed finding new details in music with my UM1s. The isolation is superb. The fact that it is portable is excellent.

But of course, this has left me wanting more. It's the Head-Fi style isn't it?

I'd like to keep it somewhat "cheap", under $200 headphone and amp. Must be circumaural and open, unless the closed phone is absolutely brilliant.

So I've narroweed it down to the Sennheiser HD580 or the AKG K501. Both are around $130 (K501 new, HD580 used). I need to keep my high school wallet in check.

I listen to basically everything, so I'd probably enjoy a more well-rounded phone. I'm not a basshead, but the bass should be there and tight. If I had to choose, vocals would be my priority, and classical a close second.

I find the soundstage of the UM1s (or any earbud) very limited, or almost nonexistent really, especially with my classical music. So that is the main reason I would like to get something new. So the headphone has to have excellent soundstage with the following portable amps.

The two portable amps (since this will be a semi-portable setup for when ultraportability is not needed) I am considering are the Little Dot Micro+ and the PA2V2, if it helps you aid in my decision.

I was set on the PA2V2 until I've read multiple reports that the PA2V2 isn't the greatest match with the HD580s, so I am also considering the LDM+ if needed (still leaning toward PA2V2s though). I don't have enough knowledge to do a DIY amp (PINT?).

My research with the K501s is relatively limited, but I've read good reviews on it and the K701.. and it is the right price, so I am definitely considering this.

I will be running the setup on a 5G iPod with probably the Sendstation PocketDock Line Out... Mainly 320kbps MP3s.

Which matchup (headphone/amp) do you guys think will be the best for vocals/classical?

Thanks for your help.

 

[HFat]

Opinions vary on the K501, and it doesn't help that there are several versions around. I prefer it to the Senn and it's great for some types of vocal/classical but, if you want a well-rounded heaphone, go with the HD580. You'll probably end up owning both at some point anyway.
Preferences vary from person to person and, not knowing what you like and dislike, it's difficult to give useful advice.

 

[jagorev]

The HD580 is a more well-rounded headphone if you're listening to a variety of genres.

I prefer the K501 for vocals and classical - it has unmatched clarity, particularly for chamber music, baroque, or solo/accompanied sonatas. The HD580 is occassionally better for symphonies and other orchestral music. They've both got plenty of soundstage.

My advice: Flip a coin and just pick one to buy now, then start saving to buy the other one - I'm being completely serious. They're both excellent values and have great sound quality (though they sound very different from each other).

The PA2V2 should be good with the K501 (might correct the leanness a bit), but it's too warm for the 580. For the 580, I would pick a CMOY or Portaphile or Z-Audio amp (www.portaphile.com, www.z-audio.com).

 

[zyxwvutsr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFat Opinions vary on the K501, and it doesn't help that there are several versions around. I prefer it to the Senn and it's great for some types of vocal/classical but, if you want a well-rounded heaphone, go with the HD580. You'll probably end up owning both at some point anyway. Preferences vary from person to person and, not knowing what you like and dislike, it's difficult to give useful advice.

Different versions of the K501? Can you explain that (e.g. extent of differences).

 

[jagorev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zyxwvutsr Different versions of the K501? Can you explain that (e.g. extent of differences).

Some people claim that K501s with brown foam rings have more bass. This is just a rumor. I found quite decent bass on my regular 501, while others say all 501s have no bass whatsoever. It has more to do with individual taste than anything, I think.

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zyxwvutsr Different versions of the K501? Can you explain that (e.g. extent of differences).

There are some openings to the back under the pads. The kind of venting appears to lend the 501s their airiness at the expense of bass response. Newer (?) samples apparently come with these holes closed. Since the pads sit directly on top, it's not surprising that these may have an influence. Mods with classic Blu-Tack and similar stuff are possible.

 

[HFat]

It's not only the pads.
I've seen pictures of at least two versions of the actual headphones. Underneath the pads, the first layer of plastic has vents that can be closed or open. About half of my large holes are open, as well as all the small vents. I also remember seeing pictures of a K501 whose vents had been closed with some kind of blu-tak.
For all I know, there might be other differences.
Quote:

Originally Posted by zyxwvutsr Different versions of the K501? Can you explain that (e.g. extent of differences).

I've only heard my version. If you can find the thread(s) discussing that blu-tak mod for example, you should find comparisions.

I don't know the extent of the actual differences but I know we seem to hear different things from our K501s, moreso than other headphones. For example, jagorev apparently feels that the HD580 and the K501 have comparable "amounts" of soundstage. I hear differently: the K501 clearly has "a lot more".

EDIT: sgrossklass beat me to it. The pads sit on the small vents but not on the large ones actually.

 

[Whorehay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagorev The PA2V2 should be good with the K501 (might correct the leanness a bit), but it's too warm for the 580. For the 580, I would pick a CMOY or Portaphile or Z-Audio amp (www.portaphile.com, www.z-audio.com).

I'm leaning toward the PA2V2 + K501 to start... Seems like a pretty good match with the warmness of the said amp.

I looked at CMOYs on eBay, and they look pretty interesting. (The ones in Altoids tins?) Would those be a good match with the K501s? HD580 with a CMOY costs about the same as a PA2V2+K501 though.. hmm.. I guess it is more which one I will get first

The Portaphiles+Zaudios look nice as well, but a little expensive at the moment.

 

[kramer5150]

HD580 + used 18V Mint should land you around the $200 mark.

IMHO the HD580 has some upper midrange recession that doesn't synnergize well with the bass/lower midrange heavy PA2V2. But if you want a VERY warm presentation, will rolled off highs, it might float your boat.

 

[Whorehay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 HD580 + used 18V Mint should land you around the $200 mark. IMHO the HD580 has some upper midrange recession that doesn't synnergize well with the bass/lower midrange heavy PA2V2. But if you want a VERY warm presentation, will rolled off highs, it might float your boat.

I can't find many MINTs for sale anymore!! I would probably have to go CMOY if I went HD580.

 

[465]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 HD580 + used 18V Mint should land you around the $200 mark. IMHO the HD580 has some upper midrange recession that doesn't synnergize well with the bass/lower midrange heavy PA2V2. But if you want a VERY warm presentation, will rolled off highs, it might float your boat.

What do you guys mean by WARM sounding?

I'm a newbie, and the only headphone I've tried is the PortaPro. How would you guys define PortaPro? (soundstage, bass- tight/loose, treble, accuracy, details, etc.)

 

[Uncle Erik]

Judging by what you wrote, the K-501 would be a better choice for you. Sennheisers have more bass (for sure) but it sounds sloppy after a long listen with the K-501 or K-1000. The K-501 has real bass. It's there and it goes all the way down while being clean and tight. And the mids (great for vocals) are as advertised.

I'm not sure about the brown rings or other variations. I don't see them on mine, which are about six months old. One thing I can tell you is that the bass opens up considerably after 200-300 hours of operation. I fell asleep with them on one night, and when I woke up, there was real, deep bass. Strangest thing, but can't complain about.

I'm not as familiar with the portable amps, but a lot of people seem to love the PA2V2. If you hated it, it'd probably go fast in the For Sale forum.

Also, don't discount the DIY amps. They're not as difficult as you might think. If you have any interest in learning more, give one a shot. One nice thing is that you can spread buying the parts over a few months, making it easier to afford. The Millett Hybrid is a good match and tubes go well with the K-501.

 

[cmk]

I think these 2 cans are in a different class. The 501 is so much more refined in the important mids/highs and has bass, at least to 40hz, thereafter it rolls off. Nevertheless, it communicates the music faithfully.

 

[jagorev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 465 What do you guys mean by WARM sounding?

Warm means bass-heavy - where the bass tends to dominate over the mids to some extent. The Portapros are pretty warm. The 501 is the "coldest" headphone I've ever heard - but this isn't a bad feature; it just means the focus is all on midrange and treble clarity, with no kind of bass emphasis whatsoever. Most headphones introduce a slight bass boost in order to make up for the fact that they can't produce the same kind of visceral impact as subwoofers - the 501 is the only headphone I've heard which has a flat bass presentation, kind of like good bookshelf speakers or monitors. This might sound accurate and neutral to some, and completely unrealistic and unenjoyable to others.

The PA2V2 is a bassy amp, too much so for the already-warm 580, but possibly just right for the K501.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik Judging by what you wrote, the K-501 would be a better choice for you. Sennheisers have more bass (for sure) but it sounds sloppy after a long listen with the K-501 or K-1000.

I find switching between the 580 and 501 to always be a very pleasing experience, since they give such a different perspective on the music. Can't we all just get along and enjoy both great headphones?

 

[murrmax]

I enjoy them both 580 + 501, I don't think the 501's are cold; sweet+cerebral maybe.. as opposed to the more viseral and warm 580s both have their merits..I think the 501's are in a class above the 580's in midrange, transparency, accuracy and soundstage..

Quote:

I think these 2 cans are in a different class. The 501 is so much more refined in the important mids/highs and has bass, at least to 40hz, thereafter it rolls off. Nevertheless, it communicates the music faithfully.

Quote:

Judging by what you wrote, the K-501 would be a better choice for you. Sennheisers have more bass (for sure) but it sounds sloppy after a long listen with the K-501 or K-1000. The K-501 has real bass. It's there and it goes all the way down while being clean and tight.

501= midrange master (aka ninja)
580 = jack of all trades (aka handyman)