HD580 - HD600

[ronnielee54]

I have been trying to score a pair of HD580's recently and have noticed that for the prices I have been receiving I can almost get a pair of HD600's. I found one pair for 210 with a Audigon rating of 8/10 and another pair for 250 with same rating plus a Red Clou cable upgrade. the plan is to occasionaly use them with Headamp AE2 and mainly at home with Onkyo reciever for movies late night. I have an older Sony DVD player. When I bought this player, I researced it pretty heavily and bought it because it was pretty highly regarde for it's SACD\dc playback. The future plan is to upgrade to Bluray and then take Sony player and run it through a home amp (for example Gilmore Lite or eqivalent). I have heard 580's before but have never heard 600's. My question is would it be better to spend another 35 to 50 (based on offers I have received for 580's - 175 to 240) and just get the 600's?

 

[tomb]

YES. The 580 is a great phone - perhaps my favorite, but only in the context of being a major savings over the HD600.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

The difference between the HD 580 and HD 600 are minor in the end. They both house the same drivers, although the 600's drivers are more closely matched. The HD 600 also has carbon fiber body (which makes the ugly body almost excusable

), arguably making better resonance for the sound. The cable also I think harks from the HD 650, so better quality cable there.

 

[ronnielee54]

Would I be better off going 210 for the stock or 250 for the Red Clou cable upgrade. Have done much research yet on the Red Clou. Found some threads on HF and so far it sounds like it might be a pretty good cable upgrade. Right now I have emails out to the sellers trying to find out exactly how old the cans are.

 

[tomb]

The HD580 and HD600 have the same cable. The HD650 introduced the new one. Luckily, they're only about $11.00 direct from Sennheiser-USA with reasonable shipping - order two while you're at it. The 650 cable is a significant upgrade to the HD580 over the stock cable. Whether it's also an upgrade to the 600, I don't know.

Can't help you with the cable you mention, either. However, my HD600 has a Cardas cable. Several people have remarked that it sounds superior to the HD650.

 

[pataburd]

HD600 sound more refined and balanced than the HD580, IMHO. If there's little price differential between the two for you, then by all means get the HD600. : )

 

[audiomagnate]

AFAIK, it's "faux" carbon fiber, AKA plastic. I would be astounded if anyone could hear the difference between a 600 and a 580, even if the 580 had stock grilles.

 

[tomb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomagnate /img/forum/go_quote.gif AFAIK, it's "faux" carbon fiber, AKA plastic. I would be astounded if anyone could hear the difference between a 600 and a 580, even if the 580 had stock grilles.

Owning both of them, I can guarantee you that there's a major difference between the two phones when the 580 has stock grilles, which mine do. The 600 is much more open. The 580 is only slightly removed from a pair of closed headphones, with much more punch, but not as much air. It's a fairly stark difference, too.

Now, put 600 grilles on a 580, and I'll agree with you.

 

[ronnielee54]

How does 180 + shipping sound for a 5 year old pair of 600's rated 8/10 on Audiogon?

 

[LostOne.TR]

Have you seen pictures of the headphones?

 

[ricmat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarchingMule /img/forum/go_quote.gif They both house the same drivers (...) The HD 600 also has carbon fiber body (which makes the ugly body almost (...) arguably making better resonance for the sound. (...)

DITTO!

 

[derek8555]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Owning both of them, I can guarantee you that there's a major difference between the two phones when the 580 has stock grilles, which mine do. The 600 is much more open. The 580 is only slightly removed from a pair of closed headphones, with much more punch, but not as much air.

Totally agree.

To me stock 580 sound more "plastic" and bass less controlled; soundstage-wise it's semi-open at best.

600 is on another different level, much more airy and open sounding, tighter and deeper bass but lesser in quantity.

EDIT: treble extension on 600 is also quite significantly better.

EDIT2: 650 demolish them both

in terms of refinement and soundstage, more controlled overall but undeniably darker...