HD485 vs. HD497

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle_Driver I see that you have the HD595 and the PX100. My opinion of the HD595 has changed somewhat since I last posted about it (but that's for another thread).

Yep, but I have the HD497 too, and the 485 was meant to be used with my PCDP instead of the PX100 that now gets the most use.

Btw, you've piqued my curiosity, and although it's OT could you tell me very briefly about your current opinion on the HD595 ? I'm still quite divided between that and the 650 regarding the midrange 'behaviour', which is crucial for me.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Yep, but I have the HD497 too, and the 485 was meant to be used with my PCDP instead of the PX100 that now gets the most use. Btw, you've piqued my curiosity, and although it's OT could you tell me very briefly about your current opinion on the HD595 ? I'm still quite divided between that and the 650 regarding the midrange 'behaviour', which is crucial for me.

My current opinion of the HD595 is that it's slightly brighter than the HD6#0 series. Now I feel that the 595 may be worth the premium over the 555 - if you're using the two on really good equipment.

As for a headphone for portable use, well, the 485 is far from ideal. It's very large and bulky - even larger than the 497, and nearly as large as the 555. And yet, despite the large size, the 485's earpads don't go completely around the ear - the pads are not deep enough to do that; thus, part of the driver plane can squeeze the ears. Furthermore, I found that the sound from the 485 is noticeably less balanced - more bottom-heavy - than even the PX100.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle_Driver Furthermore, I found that the sound from the 485 is noticeably less balanced - more bottom-heavy - than even the PX100.

Ouch.

This rules it out definitively because a slightly leaner/brighter balance is what I'm looking for as an alternative sound. I guess I'll check out that Audio Technica -based Creative HQ-1700.

As to the 595, you know, I'm a big fan of it. It sounds very good with basicly anything, and it has this seductive and natural midrange, possibly even more natural than the more 'glossy', but more clear midrange of the 650. I'm still undecided.

 

[isibane]

... and back to my case.
I managed to find a 485 to litsen to and really liked its sound but even more the way it fitted my ears. It was so comfortable!
The problem is that the equipment it was connected to was much better then mine. I have a very OLD Philips FW30 mini-stereo (although I like it very much) connected to my PC (which I intend to buy a new sound card for).

My question is:
Will there be a major drop in sound quality because of my equipment so that the 485 wont reach its real potential?

Thanks for all answers.

 

[Andrea]

Sorry for side-jacking the thread previously.

I'm unable to tell if the Philips mini system is fully up to the task... who knows, you'll have to try and see. At worst, you could use the HD485 directly on the output of the new soundcard you're planning on.


Could you please describe in a handful of words the impression you had of the 485's sound ?

 

[isibane]

mmm... I can describe sound only through bass-mid-treble. I can tell you that that mids were very dominant and bass was sharp and accurate. I have to go back with some more cds to check the treble but I remember it was ok.

 

[Andrea]

Thank you ... these may well be worth an 'insight'...

 

[sionghchan]

Hi,

I don't know which country you are from, but if you are from Canada, check out http://www.minidisc-canada.com for the HD497. It is going for $79 CDN which is a really good deal as compared to everywhere else..

Cheers!
SH

 

[isibane]

Thanks but I'm from Israel and the 497 cost here something around 100 USD (the 485 are 155 USD!).

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Did a quick listening test for this thread and I agree with Eagle Driver that the 485 is a bit thick sounding, but not excessively so. I think it's a can that a lot of people will like. Very comfortable, good punch, relatively easy to drive. The 497 is a bit dry sounding, much better with an amp. The new EH 350 is better, more liquid through the mids, better balance and more articulate. I wouldn't discount the Grado SR60 in this conversation, either, they are still a very good sounding can at around these prices.