open-air headphones on the HD590/580?

[ddavidd20]

I'm a noob to the forums and headphones in general, but for the sennheiser HD590 and 580, it says these are open air/dynamic headphones? what does this mean exactly? how does it affect the music when i'm listening to it? does that mean people around me will hear my music easily?

thank you

 

[applebook]

Hi, yes, open-air means that the drivers are exposed to the outside world. Some open-air headphones leak-out more sounds than others, but I've found the Senn 580/ 6XX to be the worst when it comes to leaking. They're literally like small speakers with the volume turned up.

BTW, I highly recommend the 580 over the 590

 

[ddavidd20]

wats input impedence mean, thats the difference between the two...ill be playing them mostly unamped on a nano and on my comp

 

[ddavidd20]

also wat about HD555

 

[ddavidd20]

also wat about HD555

 

[applebook]

Without spewing a whole bunch of jargon, most of which I don't have a clue about, at you, my understanding of impedance is that it's just a numerical rating in ohms about how effective a headphone is at producing db levels from any source. If the source is low-powered, like a personal discman or an iPod, than higher impedance cans like the HD580 will not be getting enough power to its high 300ohms and will therefore not be driven very loudly or as clearly --high and low frequencies will be rolled-off and recessed if the source isn't powerful enough to drive the headphones, thus the need for a dedicated headphone amp.

I've never heard the HD555, but from reviews that I've read, it's considered a very good headphone, especially for its price and is much easier to drive than the HD580. The HD580 is pretty much Sennheiser's top-of-the-line model and is universally regarded as one of the best headphones for under $200. The HD600 and HD650 are modified and enhanced versions of the same concept.

 

[ddavidd20]

so do the 590's sound just like the 580's? and so they will be loud to others if i just listen to them at 90% volume?

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by applebook I've found the Senn 580/ 6XX to be the worst when it comes to leaking.

I'm guessing you never tried grados.

 

[ddavidd20]

how badly do they leak. i mean, i use my iPod at school ALL the time.

 

[ddavidd20]

how badly do they leak. i mean, i use my iPod at school ALL the time.

 

[ddavidd20]

how badly do they leak. i mean, i use my iPod at school ALL the time.

 

[applebook]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddavidd20 so do the 590's sound just like the 580's? and so they will be loud to others if i just listen to them at 90% volume?

I've never heard the 590, but many reviews that I've read indicate that the 590 does not have the same soung signature as the 580/ 6XX series. Some might even prefer the sound of the 590 over the 580, but the latter is more balanced and neutral. My HD600, essentially the same can as the 580, sounds loud enough at 90% volume on an iPod without an amp, but the highs and bass are rolled-off; there is a significant mid-bass hump (5G iPod Video), and the mids sound harsh and has glare. This is all with WAV files and are of course subjective opinions.

An amp, even a cheap one like a cmoy, is highly recommended for the HD580.

 

[ddavidd20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by applebook I've never heard the 590, but many reviews that I've read indicate that the 590 does not have the same soung signature as the 580/ 6XX series. Some might even prefer the sound of the 590 over the 580, but the latter is more balanced and neutral. My HD600, essentially the same can as the 580, sounds loud enough at 90% volume on an iPod without an amp, but the highs and bass are rolled-off; there is a significant mid-bass hump (5G iPod Video), and the mids sound harsh and has glare. This is all with WAV files and are of course subjective opinions. An amp, even a cheap one like a cmoy, is highly recommended for the HD580.

i meant like, how much sound does it leak to those around me like within 5-10 feet, when i have my nano at 90% volume. and is the 300 impedance on the 580's too much for a nano to handle?

 

[dwin902]

enough that anyone in the immediate vicinity--assuming there's not too much background noise--will clearly hear what you're listening to. as was stated, they're like miniature speakers in that regard.

 

[ddavidd20]

dern...what are the best closed headphone that are 150 dollars and under...
comfort and quality are the high regards

are the sennheiser EH2200 or H215 any good? this is unamped of course.