[shampoosuicide]

A while ago, I posted a thread soliciting comparisons between the Sennheiser HD 555 and the Alessandro MS1. After going through at least 90% of 555 and MS1 comparison threads on Head-Fi, I was convinced that the MS1 triumphed over the 555 resoundingly, and that the 555 was not that competent and undeserving of its popularity.

Today, I had the opportunity to audition the MS1. I was convinced that this was my headphone from reading all the rave reviews. It was a 'rock and roll' headphone, it was lively and forward sounding - what I imagined I would want, being thoroughly dissatisfied with my 497s dry, boring sound.

Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed that much by the MS1, as I'd thought I'd would be. It just didn't 'wow' me, in rock, hip-hop, or electronica. It was too bright to listen to comfortably. It is, undoubtedly though, a better phone than my 497. Where I thought it really shone was acoustic/vocal music (ie. Damien Rice), where the sound was very defined.

Now, I didn't have a lot of time to audition the 595, but I heard this, and it felt a quite right. It sounded fantastic with hip-hop, I could almost have a party in my head. Electronica sounded great as well. I don't think it would be fair to compare the 595's performance at rock directly with the MS1, simply because they have a different sound signature, that's very subjective. But the 595 is certainly livelier, more forward, and fuller sounding than my 497.

I did not make a purchase, however. I am returning in a few days to audition the 555 and the 595 more thoroughly. I hear people say the 555 is 70-80% what the 595 is, so. What do you guys think? I've done a search on Head-Fi, and there are only a few threads comparing the 595 and MS1.

 

[mcmyers]

Here's a thread where I compared 595s to Grado SR80s.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229510

I haven't heard MS-1s but I think they are somewhat similar phones. My experience was somewhat different from yours. I WAS wowed by the SR80s. I just couldn't take the brightness. It hurt my ears. I've been quite happy with the 595s, although recently I've been caught up in the FOTM hype for the Denon AH-D2000s. I haven't bought them yet, but I'm really tempted to do so.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

With the 595s, it's like the fabric is winding all around me and stretching off into the distance. I can examine this string or that string, and I can see how they all weave together. I guess this is what people mean by soundstage (and the 595s supposedly have a small soundstage).

Last night, I had a similar experience with my humble KSC75's. They have no soundstage whatsoever but for some reason, this particular song (Bloc Party - This Modern Love remixed) had natural soundstage that was at least ample enough to give me an inkling of what a full sized phone can deliver. I love how the layers of instruments seemed to be at varying lenghts to each other. That coupled with the differences in volume just created this totally out of this world experience to me.

If $20, phones can affect me this much, bigger cans (that will provide 3x soundstage) would be HEART-STOPPING.

To OP:

What did the 595 have over the MS1 to you anyway? Soundstage? More bass? More smoothness? I suggest to pick out the features that impacted your decision so me may tell you if there's a better alternative available.

 

[aCommunistSpy]

just curious, where did you get to try these headphones?
i can't find anywhere near me that have heaphones priced over 70$ (besides bose... and shures but i can't try these. They are securely locked up). I would have loved to try the other alternatives before i bought the MS-1.
And are you sure the MS-1's were burnt in? because i hear they get significantly better with 50-100 hours

 

[judas391]

Which go louder without distortion?

 

[MaZa]

You are sensitive to Gradoic treble then I guess, so HD595 might be really your thing, your ears are more compatible with Sennheiser family.

HD595 wasnt for me. MS1 (or Grados in general) was just right for my ears minus mediocre subbass prowess.

 

[shampoosuicide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif To OP: What did the 595 have over the MS1 to you anyway? Soundstage? More bass? More smoothness? I suggest to pick out the features that impacted your decision so me may tell you if there's a better alternative available.

All of the above. Are there any other headphones at similar price points you would recommend?

 

[shampoosuicide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aCommunistSpy /img/forum/go_quote.gif just curious, where did you get to try these headphones? i can't find anywhere near me that have heaphones priced over 70$ (besides bose... and shures but i can't try these. They are securely locked up). I would have loved to try the other alternatives before i bought the MS-1. And are you sure the MS-1's were burnt in? because i hear they get significantly better with 50-100 hours

I live in Singapore. I got to try them out at Jaben at Adelphi. The phones were burnt in, according to the store owner they had been used for about 3 years.

 

[F107plus5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shampoosuicide /img/forum/go_quote.gif All of the above. Are there any other headphones at similar price points you would recommend?

Since the HD595 and MS-1 are really not at the same level, perhaps the MS2i is worth a look. It does all that the MS-1 does and more and definetly takes it to the next level in SQ, and in materials and workmanship.