audioneophyte
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2006
- Posts
- 32
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Hi guys!
Well, I thought I was done with purchases for the time being after acquiring a pair of Senn HD280s, a Zhaolu D2 (CS4398/discreet amp) and now a pair of Senn HD580s, but it doesn't seem like it ...
I was just about ready to sell the 280s but thankfully I asked a high enough price that no one bought them, because it would have been a huge mistake.
The Zhaolu D2 & discreet amp really did "fix" the HD280s for me. The "missing" bass came in strong and there is a lot of detail, I thought the HD580s would be the same but better, boy was I wrong.
I plugged them (580s) in and immediately learned what the infamous "veil" is all about. They sound almost muffled, bass response is poorer than 280s (I was just listening to Indochine's J'ai Demade a La Lune and the 280s bass "kicks" while the 580s is very faint.). The 280s just sound clearer overall and are definitely a better experience, at least for any sort of "aggressive" (rock/metal/bass heavy?) music.
Did I simply expect the wrong thing from the 580s? Is this the difference between open and closed phones?
Or am I reaching the limits of the Zhaolu built in amp with the 300ohm impedance?
What's particularly interesting is that the HD580s require quite a generous turn of the volume dial to reach an acceptable volume, furthermore, after halfway on the volume dial, you can clearly hear buzzing/hissing from the Zhaolu unit using the HD280s (with no music playing), but with the HD580s it is dead silent all the way to max.
Are these 580s really that hard to drive?
I really enjoy the comfort, open design, and looks... but the sound is a bit disappointing.
Edit: Perhaps disappointing is the wrong word, let's just say they don't seem to be really universally suitable for all music.
Well, I thought I was done with purchases for the time being after acquiring a pair of Senn HD280s, a Zhaolu D2 (CS4398/discreet amp) and now a pair of Senn HD580s, but it doesn't seem like it ...
I was just about ready to sell the 280s but thankfully I asked a high enough price that no one bought them, because it would have been a huge mistake.
The Zhaolu D2 & discreet amp really did "fix" the HD280s for me. The "missing" bass came in strong and there is a lot of detail, I thought the HD580s would be the same but better, boy was I wrong.
I plugged them (580s) in and immediately learned what the infamous "veil" is all about. They sound almost muffled, bass response is poorer than 280s (I was just listening to Indochine's J'ai Demade a La Lune and the 280s bass "kicks" while the 580s is very faint.). The 280s just sound clearer overall and are definitely a better experience, at least for any sort of "aggressive" (rock/metal/bass heavy?) music.
Did I simply expect the wrong thing from the 580s? Is this the difference between open and closed phones?
Or am I reaching the limits of the Zhaolu built in amp with the 300ohm impedance?
What's particularly interesting is that the HD580s require quite a generous turn of the volume dial to reach an acceptable volume, furthermore, after halfway on the volume dial, you can clearly hear buzzing/hissing from the Zhaolu unit using the HD280s (with no music playing), but with the HD580s it is dead silent all the way to max.
Are these 580s really that hard to drive?
I really enjoy the comfort, open design, and looks... but the sound is a bit disappointing.
Edit: Perhaps disappointing is the wrong word, let's just say they don't seem to be really universally suitable for all music.