[palmfish]

Put your headphones in the freezer for more analytical sound. In the oven for warmer sound

 

[daniel0407]

One small question:
 
What gain setting do you prefer, when using the FIIO e17? Listening to "Jazz at the Pawnshop", I like more the Saxo when the gain is at 6dB, but the sound is more spacious when at 0dB.
 
Which gain setting do you use? Is there any reason to use the gain at 6dB or 12dB, given that the 598 are low impedance?
 
Thanks,
 
Daniel

 

[kimvictor]

Quote:

One small question:
 
What gain setting do you prefer, when using the FIIO e17? Listening to "Jazz at the Pawnshop", I like more the Saxo when the gain is at 6dB, but the sound is more spacious when at 0dB.
 
Which gain setting do you use? Is there any reason to use the gain at 6dB or 12dB, given that the 598 are low impedance?
 
Thanks,
 
Daniel

I don't have a e17, but I don't see why you need that extra gain. Also, HD598 actually have a 250 ohm impedance peak in its mid bass region.

 

[amigomatt]

Quote:

I don't have a e17, but I don't see why you need that extra gain. Also, HD598 actually have a 250 ohm impedance peak in its mid bass region.

Isn't that a 100ohms peak at 100hz?

 

[kimvictor]

Quote:

Isn't that a 100ohms peak at 100hz?

250 ohm peak at 100hz.

 

[amigomatt]

Quote:

250 ohm peak at 100hz.

Wow

 

[kimvictor]

Quote:

Wow

I know. It makes me question what source HD598 was meant to be used with. Full amp or an ipod?

 

[amigomatt]

Quote:

I know. It makes me question what source HD598 was meant to be used with. Full amp or an ipod?

Well, it's certainly marketed for portable use.  iPod use is specifically advertised on the packaging too!

 

[kimvictor]

Quote:

Well, it's certainly marketed for portable use.  iPod use is specifically advertised on the packaging too!

Well, 50 ohm does seem suitable to be driven out of portable DAPs.

 

[daniel0407]

Quote:

Well, it's certainly marketed for portable use.  iPod use is specifically advertised on the packaging too!

But the difference between Ipod alone, and Ipod + Fiio e17 / DCP + amp is not an small one.
 
Not that every song will sound pour using the Ipod alone, but for example Led Zeppelin "Going to California" sounds badly and empty without amplification IMO.

 

[amigomatt]

Yeah, I rarely use them unamped too.

 

[streetdragon]

I use the HD558 (same driver) at high gain setting because it helps reduce the flabbyness and increases impact/tightness of the bass due to the massive impedance peak at the 100hz mark.

 

[Krutsch]

Quote:

I use the HD558 (same driver) at high gain setting because it helps reduce the flabbyness and increases impact/tightness of the bass due to the massive impedance peak at the 100hz mark.

 
+1 ... I do the same w/ my 598s and set high gain on the FiiO E11; in addition the attributes you note above, it also seems to provide better balance at low volume.  I think the difference is night and day, using the E11, as opposed to straight out from my iPod.  That was a surprise to me.

 

[gnewylliw]

i just upgraded from soundstage-modded 555s to 598s, has anyone else done the same? I feel like the soundstage is similar, but but it is the added treble response in the 598s makes it sound wider/airier
 
edit: not to downplay the significance of the upgrade: everything sounds clearer, sharper, but I'm just wondering how much of the difference is simply due to the treble response

 

[Drrizzt]

Quote:

 
+1 ... I do the same w/ my 598s and set high gain on the FiiO E11; in addition the attributes you note above, it also seems to provide better balance at low volume.  I think the difference is night and day, using the E11, as opposed to straight out from my iPod.  That was a surprise to me.

Yes, i was so surprised when i received the Fiio E17 compared to my integrated soundcard, the difference is so huge, it's like i upgraded my cans to me, everything is so mych clear, impactfull, sharp, larger in soundstage, impressive how this little device can make the big difference.