Senn HD 580 Soundstage

[dipnorge]

Recently purchased Senn HD 580's and I find that there is no soundstage; either dead center or completely right and left. I get more of a sound stage from my Koss Plugs (customized with foam earplugs and foam between the transducer and the outer shell). What's wrong? BTW, I use a mint tin cmoy.

 

[go_vtec]

When you said no sound stage, are you saying your are hearing in mono or exteremely narrow sound stage?

Can you tell us what source & music you are using?

 

[dipnorge]

Source: iRiver SlimX 550
Music examples: Paul Simon Negotiations and Love Songs
Scott Cossu Reunion
Blues Crossroads

No soundstage means that the instruments are not spacially placed. The backing instruments are clearly in the left or right ear.

My Grado SR-80's, on the other hand allow me to "see" where the performers are; not only left v right, but (almost) in 3D.

 

[go_vtec]

Hmm, that is a puzzler; that sounds a bit strange. To me, Grado has a narrower/smaller soundstage than Senn HD580/HD600.

Only think I can speculate is to try use different source and amp (home receiver if you have one). Grado is a low impedance phone and Senn is a high impedance phone. Your Cmoy may have some problem driving high impedance phone.

 

[h3nG]

that's odd. i dont think the amp or source has much to do with it. the hd580 should be fine or atleast ok with the combo. i think the sound is just not for you.

 

[dipnorge]

In fact, I LOVE the sound, clear, transparent, detailed. I'd just love to get the sound out of my ears and into my head.

 

[Kirosia]

You need a better source than the iMP. My IHP does the same thing. There is virtually no soundstage, I get a headache after listening for a while. The amp is probably okay though. I've used my DT880s (which are also high impedance) with a supermini, pimeta, and mg-head. Sounds always stayed in my head. I really don't think Iriver players (or a few other DAPs for that matter) should be used with mid/high-end high-z phones if you expect *really* good overall sound quality.

 

[dipnorge]

What portable(s) are suitably matched to the Senn 580?

 

[mulveling]

That doesn't sound right at all. I would first be suspicious that something in the audio chain, whether it be source, amp, cable, headphone, or headphone cable is malfunctioning. Unless your current source is broken, I don't think changing sources will fully rectify this problem.

 

[Kirosia]

I think it would. Source is very important. Garbage in, garbage out.(Not to say that iriver sound is bad or anything, just an expression). Trust me, when I had a vintage PCDP it sounded much, much better than my IHP. There was definite depth in soundstage. My old D-211 was the best sounding portable I ever had, until it crapped out on me.

THe HD580 wasn't made with portables in mind, the only think I can suggest is getting a semi/full portable vintage PCDP. Or a home player. (of course a better amp would help too, but I still think the main problem is your source)

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia I think it would. Source is very important. Garbage in, garbage out.(Not to say that iriver sound is bad or anything, just an expression). Trust me, when I had a vintage PCDP it sounded much, much better than my IHP. There was definite depth in soundstage. My old D-211 was the best sounding portable I ever had, until it crapped out on me. THe HD580 wasn't made with portables in mind, the only think I can suggest is getting a semi/full portable vintage PCDP. Or a home player. (of course a better amp would help too, but I still think the main problem is your source)

You may be right, but personally I have yet to hear a source/amp crappy enough to render a larger soundstage on earbuds and grados than hd580s. Even on the SoundMAX soundcard at work (by far the crappiest source I have heard; far crappier than my PCDPs), the Senns still have a bigger soundstage than grados (though obviously I haven't done much critical listening there). That's why I thought it could be malfunctioning gear.

Don't get me wrong, I fully agree that the 580s deserve nothing less than a good non-portable source; it just seems to me this problem is odd enough that the possibility of broken equipmment should be investigated further.

 

[Kirosia]

Well, Grados have little soundstage to begin with, it is considered opposite of the sennheiser line after all. HD580s wide soundstage is a characteristic of the phones, the same source albeit crappy or not, will never give the grados a wider soundstage, I think. I've had grados and I can say this. I've used various amps and sources (mainly portable/low-fi) an I know this problem well. The IHP and IMP are similar sounding, which is why I assume it's the source. The IHP has nearly non-existant soundstage, even with a decent amp. And since the DT880s and HD580s have similar soundstage and impedance, I can relate.

Plus you have to remember that the HD580 was once second best next to HD600. It needs good components to thrive. You have a HD650 in your sig, so you should know what I'm trying to say.

 

[Distroyed]

It's gotta be the source...

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distroyed It's gotta be the source...

I agree. Although I only own a slimx 350: compared to my standalone player, the soundsstage on the slimx really sucks.
nevertheless, i'd say more than 70% of the soundstage still has to do with the headphones. And in my experience with the hd580....not a lot of soundstage.
nonetheless, soundstage has to be on the recording, so that'd be first instance then the equipoemtn

 

[PinkFloyd]

Source.