Headphones - Sens HD 555 or AKG K 601

[Happy Pappy]

I mostly listen to rock and trance, and I was wondering which pair of headphones would be better. After looking through the forums, I found that the 555s wouldn't suffer as much from not having a amp as the AKG K 601 would.

I have recently began to think about buying a nice pair of headphones, as I tried a friends Beyerdynamic 880's and was blown away.

I looked generally through these forums as well as reviews online, and decided that I want to buy a pair of Sennheiser 555s or AKG K 601's. I have heard that they generally have good reviews, and a nice price for what they deliever, as well as look nice.

The headphones will be used only for listening on the Ipod (3rd Gen Nano). I was wondering which one would be better to purchase considering my pricerange ($200<). Also, used price ranges for either headphones and where to get them used would be very helpful.

I've found the 555s for around 110, but the lowest that the AKG's were going for were 150 (555s new, 601's used). I am willing to purchase used headphones, but I am skeptical about scammers, and as to how the new headphones would compare with used ones.

I plan to purchase or make a Cmoy amp, and was wondering as to the effectiveness of this setup, 555 or 601s with the Cmoy Amps and as to whether a Cmoy amp would make a pivotal difference in the 555s or 601's

Lastly, even though this is irrelevant to headphones, hearing that the format and bitrate of the music file was also a crucial factor in listening experiance, I was wondering as to how I could change my format into one which is less "compressed" (I buy all my music from Itunes, not the 1.29 songs but the 99cent ones)

Thank you all for helping me

 

[JonM]

I find the HD55 pretty much good for all types of music. But especially classical, techno (including trance, electronic, drum & bass), and acoustics. They are also great with vocals. They also get better the more you listen to em (atleast for me they seem to).

My only complaint is they don't have great impact of bass, although thats not to say there is none. Its more smooth layed back kind of bass.

I havnt owned the AKG K 601 so I cant comment on them.

EDIT;
oh and one thing, the cord comes with a 6.5mm connection, so if you have to use a huge adaptor to plug it into things like an ipod( it really sticks out). Also since its an open can, I wouldn't recommend it for an iPod, cause they can get pretty loud (plus you have to use an adaptor with it).

 

[JonM]

One more thing... ive had no problems driving the hd555 off of my computer. Never needed an amp. Ive never tried them with a portable device though, and since they really lack portability I wouldn't want to anyway.

 

[speedball]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonM /img/forum/go_quote.gif EDIT; oh and one thing, the cord comes with a 6.5mm connection, so if you have to use a huge adaptor to plug it into things like an ipod( it really sticks out). Also since its an open can, I wouldn't recommend it for an iPod, cause they can get pretty loud (plus you have to use an adaptor with it).

x2
... However, it's pretty easy to drive so the iPod could handle them.

I have an AKG K601 and have tried them out of my iPod. It's a no go. You most definitely need an amp if using them out of an iPod. On most songs there just plain isn't enough volume, and on the songs where enough volume can be squeezed out, the bass just isn't there. Not only that, but it has all the same issues that JonM pointed out about the 555. (1/4" plug, open design)

 

[DJShadow]

Strange selection of headphones for your music tastes and equipment. I haven't heard the HD 555 but I have the HD 595 and I find it sounds too muffled, incoherent and blunt to deliver the punchiness conveyed by electric guitars and drums. It fares better with techno (and electronic music in general). In my opinion of course

. You won't need an amp to hear most of its potential. An adaptor is required if you want to plug into your ipod but get a wired one and don't use the barrel adaptor if it comes with the HD 555. And as speedball and JonM stated, they leak more sound than Northen Rock are losing customers. They become pseudo-speakers if you turn up the volume past normal levels slightly.

I wish I could comment on the K601 out of a DAP - they still haven't arrived.

Have you considered going for some Grados or saving up for those Beyerdynamics?

 

[smegger]

im listening to tool, out of an ipod and a homemade cmoy, its great i love the sound stage on these cans, trance i an not to up on but they do daft punk very well, rock i enjoy on them the separation of the instruments is still astounding coming from grados. I however feel even my cmoy does not do them justice, i will be ordering a millet max soon as i have read these can just love power. cant comment of the senns sorry.