[alexm]

I'm going to get my first "serious" pair of headphones and I've narrowed down to either the Sennheiser 570 or 580 : I usually listen over long periods to music like that by King Crimson, Radiohead or solo piano(classical, jazz), so important is comfort factor and sound not overly aggressive.
From what I've read here the 580s have a definitely more refined sound, but considering I won't add an amp (at least not soon) to replace the phone amp in my Behringer mixer, I'm not sure about my best choice : I'm afraid to find out later that without a good phone amp the 580s can't show their qualities and maybe they would be less appreciable as a whole than the 570s (?).
Thanks a lot for any suggestion

Alex

 

[Eagle_Driver]

With or without an amp, I don't recommend the HD570's. They have WAY too much high treble, which makes most music sound "metallic". My HD590's (the HD570's big brother) are better balanced than the HD570's, but are still somewhat bright compared with the more "neutral" HD580's.

 

[Braver]

without an amp, the HD580 wont be performing that well. the 570 isn't that great either tho, with or without amplification. a Hd590 might be a better option.

you might want to check what amount of milliWatts your Behringer can put out. might be enough to power the 580 untill you get a real amp.

 

[KR...]

The 580 really do need an amp and they sound great with a good one, but the 570 are suppose to stink with or without an amp.

If I were you, I get the 580 and just buy a cheap amp until you can afford a better one.

The Rega and Creek amps sell for around $200 each.

 

[gaineso]

The 580 and it's big brother the 600 are sort of power hungry, at least compred to Grado's. A lot smoother sound and more comfortable, especially for extended listening.

Either the 580's or 600's will play decently from any decent source, even if it's not very powerful. One good thing about starting without an amp and getting one later, you'll really appreciate the difference.

Get The HD580's and you won't be disappointed.

Okay, bring on the flames

 

[PC Corp]

I have the HD580 and my laptop drives them quite well. Good enough to listen 4-5 hours a day.

Get the HD580 as they are so cheap now.
And you can buy a Cmoy type little amp here.
Bottom line, if you don't like the HD580, you can always sell them here.

 

[dngl]

the best thing about senns is that if they're driven poorly, they may sound bad, but not fatiguing... and then when you drive them properly, they're magical.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

And one more thing about the 570s... That model is part of the "crapponetic" line of Senns. I'd call the HD495 (and sometimes the 590) the ONLY good "bionetic" Senns; the others are mediocre at best.

 

[BenG]

My Panasonic portable w/ 9mW drives my 580s satisfyingly loud at about 8/10 on volume. It's just not quite as sweet and punchy or has as much gain as the X-Crapv2 amp. Every other cheap source I've tried sounds fine too, just not alot of gain to play with.

At any rate, they are miles better out of a boombox jack w/mega bass then the DJ phones are out of anything, so rest well.

 

[fjhuerta]

I think the 580s are one of the best deals around. I got mine when I didn't have a headphone out, and enjoyed their sound. But the minute I got my XCanV2, I fully realized what a little jewel I had found. They are simply superb.

Second only to my Ety ER4s, of course.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Within the past week the (Sennheiser) 570s came to a Best Buy superstore near you!

That marks the first time in several years that Best Buy carries a Sennheiser headphone! WOO-HOO!

But then... The HD570s aren't regarded as one of Sennheiser's best headphones.

And the 570s sell for $129.99 (plus tax) at Best Buy - just about the same price as what Headroom sells them for (plus shipping)! D-OH!!!!!!