[cosmo]

Hey team,

My Sennheiser HD-590s recently broke, and I'm considering getting a new pair of headphones. If I decide to go with a pair of Sennheisers again, and if the choice were only between the HD-590 and the HD-595, which one should I go with? Is there a big sound difference between the two? Does the different shape of the HD-595 feel less or more comfortable?

Thanks in advance!

 

[catscratch]

The 595 is a better headphone overall. Better balanced, slightly more transparent and resolving. It's not quite as comfy as the 590 (few things are) but still very comfy. I'd say go with the 595. They're not any easier - or harder for that matter - to drive than the 590. The one area where 590's have them beaten out is bass - 595 has neutral and well balanced bass, but the 590 can be a bass monster out of the right equipment.

For trance/techno, 590's are better. For mostly everything else, 595 will be the better choice.

 

[Nak Man]

May I know how your 590 got broken ? I don't like the build of 590/595, looks 'plasticky' and more fragile compared to 580 ultilitarian style. I also find them not as comfortable as 580's headband.

Sound quality wise I think 590 are more like 600/580 where 595 have slightly more 'round' mids and overall better balanced - but anyway the difference is not that big. Since you already tasted 590, I'd go for 595 provided there's not much price difference.

 

[cosmo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nak Man May I know how your 590 got broken ? I don't like the build of 590/595, looks 'plasticky' and more fragile compared to 580 ultilitarian style. I also find them not as comfortable as 580's headband.

The wire inside of my HD-590 broke, I guess it was a really flimsy and thin wire.

 

[Nak Man]

Now that should be easy to fix ! So if you're in the mood for a new phones, get the 595 and leisurely fix 590's cables.

 

[cosmo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nak Man Now that should be easy to fix ! So if you're in the mood for a new phones, get the 595 and leisurely fix 590's cables.

Someone tried to fix my 590s but really broke them up in the process...I like the bass that the 590s have, is there really a lot less bass in the 595s? Is there another Sennheiser model or other brand model which sort of sounds like the 590s and are pretty comfortable in case I decide to go with a different pair?

 

[Nak Man]

Have you tried 580 ? They simply sound good, looks stronger and feels more comfortable to me, plus no internal wiring to worry since you get L R cables entering both cups. Highly recommended esp considering current low price.

Imo 595's combination of more forward mids and behaved bass made them sound bass lean compared to 580 (or from my distant memory, 590) which have stronger bass and slightly laidback mids. If you like heavier bass + slam I think you'll find 580 better suit your needs, similarly for more balanced mids and more 'polite' / neutral sound 595 are the way to go.

 

[catscratch]

What's your source? The 580's are probably better than either 590 or 595, but need some serious power. Out of a sound card or headphone jack of a consumer-grade receiver, you won't get close to the sound they're capable of.

Have you considered non-sennheiser alternatives? There are a LOT of good cans out there. If you like the overall sonic signature of the 590's, the Beyerdynamic DT 770/80 is fairly close, with truly monstrous bass and sharp, detailed treble. They're built like tanks, so if you managed to wreck your 590's, good luck breaking these

The Audio-Technica ATH-A900 is also a very good phone, with a somewhat more neutral sound than the 590, and is very easy to drive. Both are on par with the 590 comfort-wise, which really says something.

But, hell, if you like your 590's, get another set of 590's

They're great cans, even if there may be slightly better options.

 

[cosmo]

Thanks for all your replies.

I do like having a punchy bass. The wiring which broke in the HD590s was what went into the speakers, so having a wire to each speaker wouldn't help that...but i'm not really worried about a new pair breaking. Also, I don't have a headphone amp, and I hear that the HD580s need one to sound good...is there a model which doesn't need an amp to sound good?

Thanks

Edit:
Lol, i didn't see the previous post before i posted....my main source is coming from a PodXT www.podxt.com (which i'm using as a sound card), but I would like the headphones to be drivable without an amp. Are these other alternative headphones you mention open air headphones?

 

[acs236]

I agree that the 590s are closer to the 580/600 than the 595. But I liked the 590s better than the 595s, but not as much as the 580s. I think the 595s are significantly different sounding than the 590s, and while some may like them better, I would try to get a listen before selecting them as a replacement to the 590s.

 

[Sultan165]

Of the sennheisers, I've only heard the 590 (which I have), 595, and 650. IMO, the senns sound more alike than many would lead you to believe. Unless you have the appropriate associated gear (source, amp, cables) that would bring out the different sonic signatures between the models, I wouldn't really get caught up in pinpointing (at least what I consider to be) minor differences.
Now in your case, given that you don't have an amp, I would place the 590 or 595 before the 580/600. As between the two, while the 590s have a slightly recessed mid and are brighter than the 595, I still prefer the 590s sound overall.