HD668B VS HD 558 and HD558 Burn in.
Mar 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 10

Can Junkie

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I have owned a pair of Superlux HD668B's for a while, reasonably burned in. I just picked up a pair of Senn HD558's on sale at Best Buy for $139. I was expecting the Senns to be much better sounding than the Superlux but to my surprise, they sounded very similar. I am not the type to take something back to a store but I feel like I already own what I just bought. Anyway, was just wondering if the Senns will burn in and sound better?? I am hesitant to do any mods to a new pair of HP's.
Thanks
 
Eric.
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 8:55 PM Post #2 of 10
Try the mod that you can find on you tube. It will make them sound better (much like the 598). There's an article on headphonia.com about this. Very simple mod that can be reversed.
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 9:39 PM Post #3 of 10
Try the mod that you can find on you tube. It will make them sound better (much like the 598). There's an article on headphonia.com about this. Very simple mod that can be reversed.


This is a very subjective statement.  I had the 558s and reluctantly did the foam mod on mine but noticed no difference in the SQ.  Each person is different, I get that, but I also have the 598 and to my ears, removing the foam did NOT turn the 558 into a 598.
 
YMMV.....
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 9:44 PM Post #4 of 10
 
This is a very subjective statement.  I had the 558s and reluctantly did the foam mod on mine but noticed no difference in the SQ.  Each person is different, I get that, but I also have the 598 and to my ears, removing the foam did NOT turn the 558 into a 598.
 
YMMV.....

 
I've seen it stated often around here that the foam mod alone will not turn 558 into 598.  The housing also needs to be changed.
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 9:48 PM Post #5 of 10
This is a very subjective statement.  I had the 558s and reluctantly did the foam mod on mine but noticed no difference in the SQ.  Each person is different, I get that, but I also have the 598 and to my ears, removing the foam did NOT turn the 558 into a 598.

YMMV.....
that's why I said much like the 598 but I still think the 598 sounds better (clearer on the treble extensions) I'm actually auditioning both right now.
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 9:51 PM Post #6 of 10
I've seen it stated often around here that the foam mod alone will not turn 558 into 598.  The housing also needs to be changed.
absolutely agree. All depends on whether the mod makes it better sounding for someone that doesn't want to spend an extra $50 for the 598. I still think the 598 sounds better to me.
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 9:56 PM Post #7 of 10
Well after about 4hrs burn in, I am not sure if my ears are getting burned in or what but I can safely say the 558 Senns are now sounding noticeably better than the Superlux 668B's. I have been swapping them back and fourth and the Bass as well as the Mids seem to sound much better now. They still have that classic Senns darkness but I am ok with that and expected it.(The Superlux always require me to turn down the top end a little ant way) The new cans no longer seem like something I already own which was really bothering me. Can not wait to see how the 558's sound after about 10 more hrs.
 
Mar 24, 2014 at 9:57 PM Post #8 of 10
absolutely agree. All depends on whether the mod makes it better sounding for someone that doesn't want to spend an extra $50 for the 598. I still think the 598 sounds better to me.

 
I didn't mean for the housing to be changed for 558 to look like 598, it needs to be swapped for 598's housing so that it can sound the same. 
rolleyes.gif

 
Mar 31, 2014 at 8:14 PM Post #10 of 10
Well just a little update. After about a total of 25hrs burn in, I would estimate the Senns 558's sound about 20% better than they did pre burn in. The Bass and mids continued to improve and now the Highs are even opening up. 558's really do burn in nicely and they now sound in another league above the Superlux 668"s. Still love the bang for the buck 668B's but the extra Dough for the 558's was worth it. :)
 

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