HD595 Owners

[fr4c]

What are your thoughts/impressions on these headphones, especially how they compare with the HD580/HD600/HD650? I will be getting a pair soon and I would like to know what users think about them.

All comments appreciated

 

[SunByrne]

Impressions of 595s aren't hard to find around here--just do a search! They're quite popular. I'm very happy with mine.

If I listened to all classical/acoustic, I would have gone the 580/600/650 route. I don't think there's any doubt in my mind that for classical that at least the 600s and 650s are superior (haven't heard the 580s much). Classical with good upstream components with the HD650s is truly outstanding.

However, the 595s are a little more forward (but not too forward), which I find better suited to rock/electronica kind of stuff. If I listened entirely to that, though, I might have gone for something else out of the Senn line. Instead, I find the 595s excellent for rock/electronic without being awful for classical/acoustic.

That's probably why some love 'em and some hate 'em. They aren't the best at anything (except maybe comfort) but they are very good at everything, a really wide range of music. If you can afford to have two pairs of $300+ cans in your collection, then these probably aren't the best choice--you'll want HD650s and then something else. But if you can only afford one pair of $200+ cans and you listen to a wide variety of music, they're a terrific option.

My two cents, anyway.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunByrne They aren't the best at anything (except maybe comfort) but they are very good at everything, a really wide range of music. If you can afford to have two pairs of $300+ cans in your collection, then these probably aren't the best choice--you'll want HD650s and then something else. But if you can only afford one pair of $200+ cans and you listen to a wide variety of music, they're a terrific option. My two cents, anyway.

Despite the fact that there may be many comments on the HD595 here, I found this critique very enlightening. Thanks a lot!

Another example of why "try the search button" is not always the best answer.

 

[6seal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c What are your thoughts/impressions on these headphones, especially how they compare with the HD580/HD600/HD650? I will be getting a pair soon and I would like to know what users think about them. All comments appreciated

I can't give my impressions of the 595 relative to the 580/600/650 because I haven't heard them but I can also say that I love my 595's and recommend them highly! I also have Grado 225's which I like but always return to the 595's.

You won't be disappointed I think.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunByrne They aren't the best at anything (except maybe comfort) but they are very good at everything, a really wide range of music. If you can afford to have two pairs of $300+ cans in your collection, then these probably aren't the best choice--you'll want HD650s and then something else. But if you can only afford one pair of $200+ cans and you listen to a wide variety of music, they're a terrific option.

SunByrne's view sums up pretty well what my research told me.

Silky smooth Sennheiser sound.... mmm mmm good to the last drop. I have the SR60 when I need a change of pace.

 

[SunByrne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen Another example of why "try the search button" is not always the best answer.

I know, that's why I gave an answer. But there are also insights to be gained from a search!

 

[Max Minimum]

Now, I'll tell you - this is going to sound like a harsher criticism than I mean for it to be, so keep that in mind...

The 595's remind me of a Toyota Camry. They are smooth and reliable and seem completely competent. It can be difficult to find and faults with these cans while you're using them. It's just that sometimes you get this feeling that you should be experiencing a bit more drama and excitement with them. Why doesn't this happen? You examine all the elements individually and can't find a culprit. The bass is good and deep, midrange and treble are clear, balanced and detailed and the soundstage is good, too. It just seems to break loose and cause a scene less often than you might like. But then again, the other Senns could be talked about this way, too, and they don't have the treble sparkle the 595's do. The 595's are probably a good midpoint between the standard Senn laid back sound and something more exciting, but less balanced.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Minimum Now, I'll tell you - this is going to sound like a harsher criticism than I mean for it to be, so keep that in mind... The 595's remind me of a Toyota Camry. They are smooth and reliable and seem completely competent. It can be difficult to find and faults with these cans while you're using them. It's just that sometimes you get this feeling that you should be experiencing a bit more drama and excitement with them. Why doesn't this happen? You examine all the elements individually and can't find a culprit. The bass is good and deep, midrange and treble are clear, balanced and detailed and the soundstage is good, too. It just seems to break loose and cause a scene less often than you might like. But then again, the other Senns could be talked about this way, too, and they don't have the treble sparkle the 595's do. The 595's are probably a good midpoint between the standard Senn laid back sound and something more exciting, but less balanced.

Interesting... I have a similar kind of feeling sometimes, so I switch to the HD650 and I feel "aaah...!". But oddly the other way round can take place too... I sometimes start with the HD650 and when I'm pushed for some reason to switch to the HD595 a similar "aaah...!" happens. This may be a proof that they have quite a different sound -- and that no headphone will be unfailingly satisfactory all the time and in any mood.

 

[Max Minimum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Interesting... I have a similar kind of feeling sometimes, so I switch to the HD650 and I feel "aaah...!". But oddly the other way round can take place too... I sometimes start with the HD650 and when I'm pushed for some reason to switch to the HD595 a similar "aaah...!" happens. This may be a proof that they have quite a different sound -- and that no headphone will be unfailingly satisfactory all the time and in any mood.

Yeah, I think it has a lot to do with how we think music should sound. I think most of us have pretty specific tastes when it comes to mixes whether we know it or not. When the source/recording presents it in a way that we feel something is not right when using a set of 'phones we eq or switch 'phones.

 

[nickchen]

I'm not an owner, but was at least a severe tester for a couple of days, so I'll contribute.

Max Minimum's remarks indicate really perfectly the character of the 595s:
Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Minimum The 595's remind me of a Toyota Camry. (...) It's just that sometimes you get this feeling that you should be experiencing a bit more drama and excitement with them.

My little Mazda is the perfect car to get me to daily work, but my wife's Mercedes of course is a much more refined way of driving.

Back to toppic: The primary vice of the 595s is that they are very truthful and realistic sounding cans. The result sometimes gets kinda clinical, try some bombastic rockers like Pink Floyd or some rumbling electronic ambient piece and EQ lower frequencies towards -10db - than you get an impression how the 595s sometimes sound. But take into account that I'm a basshead.
IMO, it also depends on your music style, if the 595s are good for you. You like Vivaldi, Keith Jarrett, Kate Bush, Tom Waits, ... --> go for them. I'll repeat once more that i.e. Bach's solo violin partitas made me severely think about keeping these as classical music HPs.
You rather like Tchaikowski, Björk, Underworld, Traffic Soundtrack, ... --> stay away from these. Sounds like out of a portable 2x4 W rms radio with the 595s.

 

[Murdoch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickchen IMO, it also depends on your music style, if the 595s are good for you. You like Vivaldi, Keith Jarrett, Kate Bush, Tom Waits, ... --> go for them.

Kate Bush sounds AWESOME through my hd555 too.

 

[fr4c]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Reason for getting the HD595's are that I want something with the Sennheiser sound, but with a little bit of Grado forwardness. I no longer own any Grados, and at times the laid back sound of the Sennheisers just arent involving enough. Not saying that I dont like the Senn. house sound (I own both the HD650 and HD600), but sometimes I just need a little bit of excitement in my music.

Another question: Is the headphone cable on the HD595 detachable? Or are they wired directly to the drivers?

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c I no longer own any Grados, and at times the laid back sound of the Sennheisers just arent involving enough. Not saying that I dont like the Senn. house sound (I own both the HD650 and HD600), but sometimes I just need a little bit of excitement in my music.

I don't think you can get Grado excitement through 595 - although that might be as close as Senn can get. Otoh, you'll be safe from Grado's 'treble excitement' as well. =)

Bottom line, if you can afford to keep all of them, I'd get an MS-1 for those Grado moments instead of 595 (and use senn pads for the needed comfort). However, if pressed to choose one phones only between the two house of sound, 595 will do the job extremely well.

Btw the cables attached to four pin connectors inside housing, not soldered directly nor utilised mini plug (ala 590 ?).

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c Another question: Is the headphone cable on the HD595 detachable? Or are they wired directly to the drivers?

It is detachable, but only from the inside of the earcup. You have to open the earcups, inside there's some 'custom' connector.

 

[SunByrne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickchen You like Vivaldi, Keith Jarrett, Kate Bush, Tom Waits, ... --> go for them. I'll repeat once more that i.e. Bach's solo violin partitas made me severely think about keeping these as classical music HPs. You rather like Tchaikowski, Björk, Underworld, Traffic Soundtrack, ... --> stay away from these.

Hmmm. I like Vivaldi, Kate Bush, Bjork, and Underworld (and very occasionally Tchaikowski)... and I like the 595s...