Noticing some High Treble distortion with my HD558

[Alec246]

Hey guys
 
My Sennheiser HD558 arrived a couple of days ago, and I'm loving it so far. Really good sound, not fatiguing at all, something that made me sell my previous Gamer Headphone ( I know, very stupid ) but I'm noticing some High Treble Distortion. It's connected to the Headphone Output of the X-Fi Titanium HD, no Headphone Amp.
 
The example I have to tell you when I hear it is Led Zeppelin III - Since I've Been Loving you - MP3 320kbps. I have checked the file on Reaper, it's not clipping, well below the clipping zone. The distortion happens around 6:15 - 6:20. I don't know if it's supposed to sound like that, maybe because of the recording equipments back then, and the HD558 is making me notice it much more than before.
 
Thank you!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

My Sennheiser HD558 arrived a couple of days ago, and I'm loving it so far. Really good sound, not fatiguing at all, something that made me sell my previous Gamer Headphone ( I know, very stupid ) but I'm noticing some High Treble Distortion. It's connected to the Headphone Output of the X-Fi Titanium HD, no Headphone Amp.
 
The example I have to tell you when I hear it is Led Zeppelin III - Since I've Been Loving you - MP3 320kbps. I have checked the file on Reaper, it's not clipping, well below the clipping zone. The distortion happens around 6:15 - 6:20. I don't know if it's supposed to sound like that, maybe because of the recording equipments back then, and the HD558 is making me notice it much more than before.

The Titanium HD does not come with a true headphone amplifier and has a high impedance of 35-Ohms, which may or may not be causing the treble problem.
Has you tried using Foobar to play audio files?

 

[Alec246]

Yes I'm using FOOBAR in ASIO mode.
 
Tried using the E-MU Tracker Pre USB Interface, same thing. I Guess it's the music, I have not heard it with any other, actually I have with One from Creed, but looking that music with Reaper is ridiculous, so compressed with lots of clipping.
 
It's incredible how much better the Titanium HD DAC is to the E-MU Tracker Pre, which should be a pretty good one, much more clarity.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Yes I'm using FOOBAR in ASIO mode.
 
Tried using the E-MU Tracker Pre USB Interface, same thing. I Guess it's the music, I have not heard it with any other, actually I have with One from Creed, but looking that music with Reaper is ridiculous, so compressed with lots of clipping.
 
It's incredible how much better the Titanium HD DAC is to the E-MU Tracker Pre, which should be a pretty good one, much more clarity.

Have you removed the black rubber tape from inside the HD558s cups?

 

[Alec246]

Nope, I read it makes it even better? No risks of damaging the headphone??

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Nope, I read it makes it even better? No risks of damaging the headphone??

I've not heard anyone say it damaged their HD558 headphones, did not damage mine.
But keep the BK rubber tape handy just in case you need to send the headphones in for warranty.

 

[Alec246]

I think I will wait for the Burn In effect to settle, then think about the Mod. No point changing something to improve audio if it's already improving naturally over time.