From HD555 to...?

[infinitefurby]

I've had my hd555's for about a month, and I've gotten used to how they sound with my Gilmore Lite...the GL definitely makes them sound a lot better, but it also exposes all their weaknesses. Hence my newfound "need"

for another set of headphones!

I'm looking for something with tighter, punchier bass than the hd555, also a can that isn't as "polite". I can definitely hear the laid-back sennheiser house sound in these cans and I'm not so sure I'm a fan. On the other hand it'd be great to have more detail as well, as I find the 555s a bit grainy. I'm very happy with the soundstage on the hd555, so it isn't one of my biggest concerns, though I'd be a bit reluctant for my next cans to have a worse soundstage.

I mostly listen to rock, electronic, and I've been getting slightly into jazz & classical lately. I'd be very hesitant to spend over $300 on my next cans, and mostly I've been looking at the Grado SR225 and Beyer DT880, but of course am open to all sorts of recommendations.

 

[Thaddy]

Before I even read your last paragraph, I was going to recommend the DT880's. So uh...yeah. DT880's

 

[Tech2]

My first pair of headphones was also the 555. Loved them with my Portaphile. Bought a Grado SR-60 and I liked them so much I bought a Grado 352i a few weeks later. Sadly, my Senns have since been collecting dust.

I prefer a brighter presentation and therefore find myself grabbing the 325i all of the time. I tried going back to the 555, but it never lasts very long. Knowing that comparing the 555 to the 325i was apples to oranges, I tried auditioning some Senn HD600s and 650s to see if an upgraded Senn would satisfy my listening needs, but I was not impressed. I suppose if I stayed with the Senns for a while, my hearing would "re-acclimate" to them, but I just love the Grado sound.

Anyway, you may want to try a Grado for variety in presentation and sound signature. I use my Grados for rock, rap, jazz and blues and they suit me just fine. YMMV.

 

[smittysan89]

MS2i, DT880, or maybe some used HD650?

 

[Illah]

I upped from 555's to 600's and loved it. Everything good about the 555's got better and the overall sound improved.

--Illah

 

[sacundim]

If you're happy with the sound signature already, you should consider the HD 595. Apart from that, there are several choices that people have recommended already-- Beyerdynamic DT880, Senn HD 600 and 650.

I listen to both the HD 555 and the DT880 on a daily basis (though in different systems), and here's what I think: the 880 is clearly better (more detail, extension, dynamics), but the 555 sounds more forward. If you like the latter quality, then you might want to step up to the 595. (Note that I've not heard the 595 yet; but I'm following the train of reason that makes me want to try them...)

 

[smittysan89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacundim If you're happy with the sound signature already, you should consider the HD 595. Apart from that, there are several choices that people have recommended already-- Beyerdynamic DT880, Senn HD 600 and 650. I listen to both the HD 555 and the DT880 on a daily basis (though in different systems), and here's what I think: the 880 is clearly better (more detail, extension, dynamics), but the 555 sounds more forward. If you like the latter quality, then you might want to step up to the 595. (Note that I've not heard the 595 yet; but I'm following the train of reason that makes me want to try them...)

WHAT! the 555 more forward than the DT880, wow never heard that before

 

[Nerull]

Went to the MS-2i's after my HD555's. No more blurring *smooshing things together*, no more treble roll off *very annoying, now that I've had a headphone to compare to the 555's....*, and no more blending *when multiple things are happening, the 555's tend to "group" everything together*. Hard to describe, but once you put on the MS-2i's, it's quite noticible. Plus you get to rediscover music again!

Cheers!

~Tom

 

[sacundim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittysan89 WHAT! the 555 more forward than the DT880, wow never heard that before

Well, I find that with the DT880, singers' voices sound more distant...

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacundim If you're happy with the sound signature already, you should consider the HD 595. Apart from that, there are several choices that people have recommended already-- Beyerdynamic DT880, Senn HD 600 and 650. I listen to both the HD 555 and the DT880 on a daily basis (though in different systems), and here's what I think: the 880 is clearly better (more detail, extension, dynamics), but the 555 sounds more forward. If you like the latter quality, then you might want to step up to the 595. (Note that I've not heard the 595 yet; but I'm following the train of reason that makes me want to try them...)

Interesting.

I read that the 595 supplies what the 555 is slightly lacking. (brilliance, speed, neutrality) I've never heard the 555. But I know I prefer (naturally, costs 2x

) the 650 to the 595 for the greater (midrange) smoothness that lets you listen more easily at realistic volume levels and for the better refinement.

 

[infinitefurby]

Thanks everyone for the tips, I'm definitely giving some consideration to the DT880 and MS2i...if I didn't make it clear in my original post, I'm very UNinterested in getting more sennheisers, I'm pretty sure the sennheiser sound is not my thing.

So how do the DT880 and MS2i stack up? From what I've gathered the DT880 seem to be more neutral cans, whereas the MS2i is a bit more forward, and probably better for my musical tastes (rock and electronic music mostly). I like forward tho...how do plain old grados figure into the mix here?