[Jo-Vo]

Hi!

I'm thinking about upgrading my headphones. At the moment I have the Koss Porta Pro and the Sennheiser PX100. I got an PA2V2 amp today and I like it. My source is an Sony D-33 Discman.

I'm wondering if the Sennheiser HD595 would be an good improvement in sound quality. I've never listened to any headphones better than my Porta Pro or PX100. So I ask you!

My taste in music is almost everything. Genres (with some examples):
-Rock/"Emo" (Billy Talent, Incubus, My Chemical Romance...)
-Progressive Metal (Dream Theater, Vanden Plas...)
-Jazz (E.S.T., Keith Jarrett, Duke Ellington...)
-Trip-Hop (Portishead, Massive Attack...)
-Pop (Robbie Williams, Dido, Michael Jackson...)
-some Hip-Hop (Eminem, german rap...)
-Acoustic (Jack Johnson?)
-some orchestral music (e.g. Mahler, some "Best of"-Classic albums)
-sometimes electronica

It should be some kind of allrounder and I like it a bit flat or neutral. Now my question: Would the Sennheiser HD 595 be the right phones for me? Do you know any alternatives?

Thanks in advance and sorry for my english!

Greets
Jonas

 

[souperman]

Yes

. It fits your description of allrounder perfectly. The only gripe i have with the 595's is that they do everything great, but nothing spectacular. They have quite the flat frequency compared to all the other Sennheisers as well. I say go for them! Come with an awesome headphone hanger as well.

 

[mrbrad]

I have had a pair for about 2 weeks now and have been very happy with them. I am especially happy about how comfortable they are, even with glasses. I upgraded from SR80s, and the sound is different but they do sound very good. For you, upgrading from PortaPros, you will not get near the bass you are accustomed to. However, after you get used to it, I like it much better.

 

[Jo-Vo]

Thanks for your fast replies!

@Souperman: Do you know some headphones in the same price range that do also well as allrounder but are spectacular at some sort of music?

@mrbrad: Ok, I hope that I could get used to it. Do you think that there is an improvement in detail (or soundstage or whatever) compared to the Porta Pros for example that justify the cost of the 595s?

Greets
Jonas

 

[DJShadow]

The HD 595 will fit your wide ranging tastes pretty well. They'll do a good job of being listenable with a lot of music.

 

[StealthR6]

x4 HD595, they sound pretty good w/ the PA2V2.

 

[Jo-Vo]

Hi, thanks for your replies!

@StealthR6: I've read in your signature that you own the PX 100 and the HD 595, could you compare them or write what changes when switching from the PX100 to the HD595?
Thank you!

Greets
Jonas

 

[tbonner1]

Read cotdt's comments comparing the 595 to the $500 Audio Technica ath-ad2000

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=231843

 

[esuko]

Does it ease your mind if i say never has Rammstein sounded so good as with HD595

No problem for me with rock using these phones. In other music styles there are no worries. Dynamic, clean and flat upper range but comparing to portapro not so fun headphone.

 

[Gurra1980]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo-Vo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for your fast replies! @Souperman: Do you know some headphones in the same price range that do also well as allrounder but are spectacular at some sort of music? @mrbrad: Ok, I hope that I could get used to it. Do you think that there is an improvement in detail (or soundstage or whatever) compared to the Porta Pros for example that justify the cost of the 595s? Greets Jonas

I'm not souperman or mrbrad but I answer anyway

1. No.

2. Yes. I upgraded from PortaPro to HD-485, a nice upgrade and after that I upgraded to 595, now this is when I noticed that I was in HiFi-land I loved the 595 but upgradeitis struck me. Go with the 595 they are an excellent allrounder and very good with Dream theater.

 

[souperman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gurra1980 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not souperman or mrbrad but I answer anyway 1. No. 2. Yes. I upgraded from PortaPro to HD-485, a nice upgrade and after that I upgraded to 595, now this is when I noticed that I was in HiFi-land I loved the 595 but upgradeitis struck me. Go with the 595 they are an excellent allrounder and very good with Dream theater.

He answer my question for me

. Allrounders are just that. Nothing more nothing less. If a can were to excel at one type of music it wouldn't be an allrounder any more .

 

[Jo-Vo]

Hi!
Thanks for all your replies. I'm a bit surprised that there are only positive opinions. Maybe I have chosen the wrong thread title and only the 595-lovers reply
So I'm happy about this feedback and if somebody wants to stop me from buying this headphones, please reply!
Is 133,50€ = 182$ too much(new)? I found that price on the internet.
The local electronics-store sells them for 200€

Greets
Jonas

 

[StealthR6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo-Vo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, thanks for your replies! @StealthR6: I've read in your signature that you own the PX 100 and the HD 595, could you compare them or write what changes when switching from the PX100 to the HD595? Thank you! Greets Jonas

Before I begin and I should probably let you know I'm in the group of peeps that think the KSC75 > PX100s

The biggest difference between the PX100s and HD595 was the detail. I could hear every little item w/ the HD595s. Obviously the soundstage was a big increase. The cans were a bit brighter and the bass had a greater range but wasn't as punchy as the PX100s, it was smoother and more full, I actually liked that more. The mid and high can't compared to the PX100, HD595 just dominates those categories. It HD595 isn't a PX100 on steroids, it was a more a refined total listening experience. I greatly enjoy my HD595 still, it was my first big can into this level of headphones. I was using them at first w/ just a PA2V2 but eventually went w/ a Gilmore lite amp and the HD595 really sounds nice w/ that amp. But they sounded pretty good w/ the PA2V2. I did notice a big difference not using an amp compared to even using the PA2V2, I do feel the HD595 really need to be amped of get the most out of them. But its nothing like amping a K501 for example.

 

[Jo-Vo]

Hi StealthR6!

That was really great, thanks for the comparison!

Greets
Jonas

 

[mrbrad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo-Vo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for your fast replies! @Souperman: Do you know some headphones in the same price range that do also well as allrounder but are spectacular at some sort of music? @mrbrad: Ok, I hope that I could get used to it. Do you think that there is an improvement in detail (or soundstage or whatever) compared to the Porta Pros for example that justify the cost of the 595s? Greets Jonas

I have both the PortaPro and PX100. The 595s are just an all around better headphone, which is what you would expect based on the cost. They are more detailed (IMHO) and are flatter, which is why the bass is not as pronounced. Great headphone!