[PauloPT]

Hi all,

I'm noobie and I want to buy my first "decent" headphones. I previously had an HD202 and an HD238 along with some other not very good headphones.

I'm trying to choose between Sennheiser HD598, AKG K545 and the first generation Sennheiser Momentum ( the second one is to expensive for me).
As I can't hear any of them before buying I've been reading a lot of reviews but still can't make my mind. I'm going to purchase from Amazon spain or Amazon France. The HD598 are 122€, the AKG,s 125€ and the Momentums are 180€. I listen mostly to jazz, pop music, some rock, but no electronic or metal.

Here are a few examples of what I like to listen:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PJBEnFzV1WU

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vyCjn7Ur2vk

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RvnkAtWcKYg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ye6JssTdnvw

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Uze7ZBtW7dk

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=it1NaXrIN9I

Wich of the cans I listed will suit me better?

I don't need portability as I'm going to use the phones mostly at home.

Many thanks for your help!

Kind regards,
Paulo (from portugal)

 

[PauloPT]

No one?

 

[Chancho2]

Well the good news is that they all sound great. HD 598 sound stage is really wide and is very crisp and are super comfy, but they are open if you care about that and they lack sub-bass. The Momentums are more of a fun headphone, it has elevated bass and do a good job of hiding imperfections in the music. So if you're listening to lower bitrate music such as 128kbps mp3s or pandora streaming these do a great job at making the music sound really good. Unfortunatly the earpads are small so most likely they won't go all the way around your ear. Some people are fine with it and some people (like me) it bothers them. The AKG 545 has a flatter sound signature similar and has the sub-bass that the 558/598 lacks. Based off of what kind of music you listen to I think you would be happy with the AKG 545 unless you don't really care that much about sub-bass or will be also be using these for gaming on your computer in which case I'd get the 598/558.

 

[PauloPT]

Hi Chancho2'

Thank you for your answer. I still can't make my mind... I think I'd like the 3 in 1... I'd like a big soundstage, sub bass and an engaging sound! Can't have all of that in one package

About the k545' i've read in some reviews about some harshness in the sound... Is it true? What about a refined sound, doest it deliever?

I also read the HD598 might be a bit confused in the mid highs and not so good without an amp... Is this true?

I listen a lot to musicia s like Diana Krall, Patricia Barber, Leonard Cohen, Melody Gardot, Sophie Milman, and in another genre things like Paramore, Meat Loaf, some pop songs and the classics like Pink Floyd and Dire Dtraights. Some times I also like to listen to classic, Mozart, Bach, Brhams, List, Debussy... So, does the K545 stand out from me others for the music I listen?

Thank you again for your answer.

 

[PauloPT]

Anyone more care to share their views?

What about Momentum ON-EAR both the 1 and 2 generations how do they sound? Is a 2nd gen ON-EAR better than a 1st gen OVER-EAR? How do they sound compared with the K545?

Another question: is the HD598 boring as WhatHiFi says?

Thank you all who can help. really appreciate!

 

[Chancho2]

Yes the 545 treble can be a bit harsh at louder volumes but generally it's a pleasant sounding headphone. Boring headphones are traditionally described as flat where fun headphones have a v sound signature with elongated levels of bass and treble (Such as the momentum). The HD 558/598 actually have a little bit of a mid bass boost that I think they are trying to overcome the lack of sub-bass. I think they are very pleasing to listen to but I think you'll miss some of the sub-bass. To get what you really want you'll need to spend $400 + an amp. But there are actually pretty good headphones leading up to that. Can you get the NAD hp50 or the Phillips L1? The hp50 is awesome and the L1 will have a bit more bass than the 558.

The main thing that I don't like about the momentum's is that their soundstage is pretty narrow. I thought the on ears didn't sound as good as the over ears. I haven't listened to the second gen ones though.

 

[thelonious58]

In my experience, What Hi-fi seem to favour excitement (aka in your face sound) at the expense of refinement. I have bought several components recommended by them and been disappointed.
I can assure you that for most genres of music the HD598s are not boring but well balanced, a little mid-centric and smooth, not far off the HD600/650 but a lot cheaper and with a much wider soundstage
Don't believe everything WHF write!