Hi Jerry, and welcome to the money pit ! With SP7 and 580 on nakman's profile, he may be eligible to give short opinion. :sp7smile:
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerryK
My question is: how do these phones rate sonically? I'm thinking of buying a set of Sennheiser HD-580's, and was wondering if I'll notice some or much difference. I've never heard of anyone else that owned these!
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Sonically, SP7 sound surprisingly good for 80's phones, but still not as refined as modern cans, and they exhibit some midtreble peak that can get fatiguing after long listening period. If you really love SP7's very forward sound then Grados sr80 etc would be the natural upgrade path: better bass and details, with lesser midtreble peaks.
Going to 580 I noticed immediate all around improvement - they are no ordinary phones ... but more like real speakers. However, this particular laidback sound signature apparently not to everyone's taste. So it would be better if you can try them first. I'd strongly suggest trying HD595, they're more refined than my sr80 - yet with forward presentation relative to previous senn kings 580/600. Imo second best to more expensive hd650.
On comfort, you'll either find senns to be amazingly comfortable, or, have a deadly vice grip compared to 'loose' SP7. Otoh Grados are very much like SP7, they sit on your ear.
Btw radio shack 'large' replacement pads will fit these SP7 very well. I'll find the part numbers if you need it.