seal the deal (hd 555, MS-1)

[bboy hectek]

Hey everyone. I came back from japan and realized i need some non canal phones (i already have 4s and a meta 42). I narowed it down to 2 pairs: the HD 555 and the alessandro MS1s. I had the alessandros a while back (still have their senn pads) but sold them because i was out of cash. I will use the cans in my room 90% for music. Mostly jacked into my mac or out of my 4g ipod with the meta.
I like a lively sound and listen to a mix diff than most headfiers its about 50% hip hop(RJD2, pharcyde, brother ali, MF doom etc.), 40% rock (AKFG, dismemberment plan, radiohead, pixies etc.) and 10% jazz. I likea sound that doesnt put me to sleep but doesnt make you take a break every 30 mins because its so harsh. I have a sneaking suspicion that the MS1s will do me better than the 555s (which looks ergonomically really awesome but...)but i wanted the community's opinion before dropping the cash. Thanks in advance for all who respond!

 

[DevilDog]

I'm a Senn fan but of those two, for your needs, I'd recommend the MS-1s. I only heard them for a brief bit at a meet but I liked them.
You didn't mention comfort because I guess you're used to the MS-1s you had before. Also, if they weren't fatiguing before I guess they wouldn't be this time around, either.
So, yeah, go with the MS-1s.

 

[Jasper994]

Grado/Alessandro are not generally recommended for hip hop but they will definately have a more lively sound. The 555's are rather polite. Don't get me wrong, their great all around headphones but they are a bit on the polite side. I'd say it's a toss up depending on whether you would rather have a livelier sound or one that does better with hip hop. The MS-1 should win for rock. I would imagine they would tie on jazz. Mind you, I haven't heard them (MS-1), but I have SR60's and have spent some time with various other Grado cans, so this is my opinion based on that.

 

[bboy hectek]

Yeah i basically sold the ms1s because i had no money...nothing to do with not liking them. I want to convince myself i need to get the 555s just because they look so comfortable...but at the same time i dont think they can handle the MS1s for rock...maybe not even hip hop. The one difference between sr60s and ms1s that hit me the first minute i put the MS1s on is that the MS1s bass extends alot further..or at least doesnt feel like it bottoms out as easily. I guess the smart thing to do on my limited budget is to buy the cheaper of the 2(esp since i already have those old senn pads for the ms1) and try the senns another day...sigh

 

[akellor]

I would also recommend the MS-1s. I love my 555s but I listen to many types of music, they're good all around headphones IMO they just don't have that fast Grado sound which is especially good for rock. I also find the soundstage of the 555s can be a bit distracting with rock.

 

[vasu]

I'm in the same boat... MS-1 or HD555

On the one hand, people say the MS-1 handles rock better (i listen mostly to alt-rock, rock, hip-hop/rap, electronic, then jazz in that order).

On the other hand the HD555 is still a really really good headphone, is more comfortable (the headband on the MS-1 isn't padded which I like, nor are the ear cups in velvet, which I like, or do the earpads fully wrap around my ears, which I like), and if you froogle search, you can find new ones for about $105, which is just a few bucks more.

-vasu

 

[Jasper994]

The HD555 is the most comfortable full size over the head headphone I've ever had on my head and I've had on a lot of headphones... The HD595 would have taken top honors but they foolishly put a much firmer pleather pad on the top which presses into your head making it a bit less comfortable.

 

[elliot]

I've never heard any Grado/Allessandros. I do have the HD555's, and I think the HD555's are great value for the money. Yes, headphones like HD650 are better. They also cost 3 times as much. But are they 3 times better? Definitely not. The HD555's are great cans.

 

[Jahn]

Well I can't make a comparison of 555 over MS-1s, but imho the MS-1 that i have destroy the HD-280s. Comfort be damned - go for the tone! And just bend that headband out if it squeezes too much (and the senns were much more vise like believe me)

 

[3lusiv3]

The HD 555 are excellent for hip-hop.

 

[jacopo]

never listened to 555
but I'm a grado maniac so guess what...

J|!

 

[3lusiv3]

Would the bass on the MS1 extend low enough for hip-hop? From what I have read, I get the impression that bass on the Grado style headphones doesn't go low enough until you get to the very expensive end of their range. I haven't heard any of them though.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3lusiv3 Would the bass on the MS1 extend low enough for hip-hop? From what I have read, I get the impression that bass on the Grado style headphones doesn't go low enough until you get to the very expensive end of their range. I haven't heard any of them though.

check out "scrub" by TLC. you know that monster subwoofer blow? the MS-1s impart that perfectly to my ears (caveat- with flats from todd, not the stock comfies). the ms-1s are perfectly capable of that famous grado low-end without getting flabby.

 

[AdultSwim]

Hi - I'm in the same boat as you... Which did you end up getting?

Actually reading your post seemed like reading my own mind.
My musical interests are a little different but I really enjoy Dismemberment Plan and RJD2, etc...

I'm kind of up in the air between the Sennheiser 555's and Grado's (thinking Alessandro MS-1's but concerned that without an amp SR-60's would be best).

Any new thoughts / comments?

I like that the senns are full-sized and look really comfortable but dislike that they have a 1/4 inch plug - How warm are they? Right now i don't walk around outside much but it'd be nice if they were great sounding earmuffs. I get that neither would really fit well under the hood of my coat (but thats ok).

I like that the Grados are cheaper and think it would be cool to put the yellow pads on but im just not sure how well the MS-1's would do in an iPod and how (un?)comfortable they would be for extended use.

I'm in Anchorage, Alaska and there doesn't seem to be any place to try out either of these here. My one minor concern would be what to do with all the long cords they have. With the earbuds I like to put them up my shirt hiding the cable but with these maybe I could put the iPod in my pocket, run the cord outside and the extra cable in my coat pocket(?). What does everyone else do with all that cable?

-Tom

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