[mechanix]

I am currently using a pair of HD 201. Today I found out a friend of mine wants to sell his HD 555 around 70 dollars. So, does it worth upgrading to HD 555 or should I save some more money and get another model? What should I expect from HD 555? I need a brief pros / cons list.
 
Thanks in advance.

 

[mechanix]

Also I have Grado SR80i and Koss PortaPro in mind. I know they are all different than eachother but I'm looking for the most comfortable one because I listen to music over long periods of time.
 
Let me ask this way, which one would you pick between these three if you were to get one?

 

[LordZip]

I happened to do a comparison between the HD202 (which is said to be a little bit worse than the HD201) and the HD555 quite recently and there was obviously a massive difference between the two. When listening to the 555 everything opened up, you could hear every little detail, big soundstage but when I switched back to the HD202 it sounded like listening to music while having a bucket on my head. The testing happened using an amped source.
 
Hope this helps

 

[charliex]

Absolutely anything is better than the HD-201

 

[mechanix]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Some people said they wouldnt prefer HD555 for listening to music and its best for movies / TV etc. That made think twice if I should look for another model.

 

[andysor]

I had a pair of HD201s for quite a while. I noticed a MASSIVE difference when I upgraded to Denon D2000s. About 1000000x more comfortable, and so much more detailed and open.
 
I agree that "anything is better than HD201", especially for long listening sessions.

 

[mechanix]

Well, seems like now I should decide between PortaPro, Hd 555 and Grado SR80i.

 

[Aizura]

HD 555 is by far the most comfortable headphone i've tried. I tend to wear mine even when i'm not listening to music, just because they're so comfortable
 
Most Grado's like the SR80 are known for their discomfort, because they put pressure on your ears. I haven't tried the PortaPro yet, but by the looks of it it doesn't come close to the HD 555 when comfort is concerned.
 
Sound-wise it depends on what sound signature you prefer, the HD 555's have a relaxed, laid back sound with a big soundstage.
Grado's have a more intimate sound signature and it feels like you're on stage with the artist.
 
I prefer my HD 555 for vocals, whilst i prefer my HD 25's (which also have a Grado-ish sound sig) for electronic music.
 

 

[Mr Joboto]

I'd go with the Portapro/SR80 personally, but it all depends how you like your music.

 

[mechanix]

 
Quote:

but it all depends how you like your music.

Yeah, unfortunately seems like it all comes down to this. Seems like I will have to try a number of headphones to decide how I like listening music. Some guy is selling a brand new SR60 for 65 dollars and slightly used Hd555 for 75 dollars, I think I'll buy both of them, one for on-the-go and other for when listening from PC. But from what I've read so far, I think I'm gonna love Grado's sound.

 

[Aizura]

Keep in mind that they both leak sound a lot, which makes them terrible for portable use. Unless you want to annoy everyone around you with your music ofcourse. I recommend getting a pair of closed headphones like the SRH750DJ or M50.
 
I have both the SRH750DJ and the HD 555 and i enjoy the Shure a lot more. They are more detailled and have a nice bass impact (the HD 555 have little bass)

 

[mechanix]

Well, don't think HD555 is good for portable use anyway. Seems like I'll have to stick with my CX500 outside, because I really want to try SR60. Maybe I'll get a HD238 for portable use if I see no need to get HD555 after using SR60.

 

[zmd]

Let me gently steer you away from the HD238, as they're useless as portables if any kind of isolation is desired. They leak just as bad as the Grados, plus the sound is really not that great: the bass is kind of out of control, the mids are a bit recessed, plus the sound has a certain harshness to it that I've found distracting.
 
The PX200-II from Sennheiser OTOH are really nice as portables, if you can get them for around the same price as the Grados. Good isolation, clear, smooth sound, balanced, with tight and punchy bass (after burn-in). They sound quite airy too, considering they're tiny things. Soundstage and especially instrument sepparation are much better on the HD238 though.

 

[luvs2squizz]

Remember that the HD555 is easily modded to a HD595

 

[Technicolour]

In my opinion the HD201s are a nice pair of headphones for their price. 201 - 555 is a substantial upgrade and one I would consider worth $70 for a second hand pair, depending on usage. The 555's to me seem to be a more all round headphone, so if you are looking for an exciting pair as far as your preferred range (i.e. prefer bass or treble) these might not be ideal, but once again, $70 is good..
 
Also the 201's are a closed pair and the 555's are open, meaning if you use these in noisy or outdoors environments the 555's may not be ideal, but if you require soundstage for gaming the 555's would be more than suitable.