[palmfish]

The hd595 is bassier than the hd558 and hd598? In terms of soundstage, refinement, resolution and imaging are they even close to the hd598s?

As i stated on the last post i dont have enough power to frive open headphones because they simply sound bad straight from an ipod. Butfor 60 euros..... this pair of hd595's plus a cheap amp have the potential to become a great set?

No, the 595 does not hold up to the 558/598 in terms of soundstage and imaging. Resolution and refinement seem like a wash in that the 595 seemed to me to smooth out the details for the sake of refinement. In other words, the 595 has a warmer, meatier, smoother, darker sound than the 558/598.

I have never felt that any of these headphones need more power than an iPod. I suspect that you simply like the bassier punchier sound of the Momentum. I say this based on my audition of the Momentum and 558 side-by-side - I really disliked the Momentum and liked the 558 so much that I bought a pair.

 

[CharlesC]

Next week I'll have the HD598 but right now I've got this 4 foot cable with minijack.
 

 
An expensive bugger but there wasn't any way I was going to live with a 10 foot cable and adapter. Allegedly there are also benefits that go beyond mere convenience.

 

[Glasofruix]

  I listen to mostly to pop rock and edm..... i already now that the hd598's are a bit lean on the bass and will not perform edm very well but that is already covered by my hd25's.... This pair will be mostly to comfortably enjoy some indie and soft rock and pop.....

 
With a bit of amping the bass is plentiful.

 

[Tristan944]

I just bought my second HD598 and got it new from an authorized dealer for $149. That's a great deal for these amazing headphones.

 

[NZheadcase]

  I just bought my second HD598 and got it new from an authorized dealer for $149. That's a great deal for these amazing headphones.

 
Nice price. 
 
For you as a back up or for someone else?

 

[Tristan944]

Nice price. 

For you as a back up or for someone else?

In my quest to update to a better headphone, I sold my HD598 and a camera lens. I tried the Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman HE400 and much preferred the HD598. Luckily for this sale I was able to buy a new HD598 for the price I sold my old pair for.

 

[NZheadcase]

In my quest to update to a better headphone, I sold my HD598 and a camera lens. I tried the Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman HE400 and much preferred the HD598. Luckily for this sale I was able to buy a new HD598 for the price I sold my old pair for.

 
Worked out pretty well then. You got to experience the HD600 and HE400, and still managed to get the HD598 back brand new! hahahaha! Pretty cool. 

 

[Nicolas L]

I just got my pair! It's wonderful apart from the fact that my setup is so crap the hiss is... hissing. Pretty badly ):

 

[Arsis]

In my quest to update to a better headphone, I sold my HD598 and a camera lens. I tried the Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman HE400 and much preferred the HD598. Luckily for this sale I was able to buy a new HD598 for the price I sold my old pair for.

That's a nice testament for the HD598.

 

[StanD]

In my quest to update to a better headphone, I sold my HD598 and a camera lens. I tried the Sennheiser HD600 and Hifiman HE400 and much preferred the HD598. Luckily for this sale I was able to buy a new HD598 for the price I sold my old pair for.

If you didn't listen to the HD600 under proper conditions with an Amp, you didn't get the right experience. By the way which lens did you throw under the bus.

 

[Tristan944]

If you didn't listen to the HD600 under proper conditions with an Amp, you didn't get the right experience. By the way which lens did you throw under the bus.

I probably wasn't using nearly a good enough amp. I used the JDS Labs cMoyBB and Xonar DG sound card. Both drove the HD600 plenty loud, but those amps may have been missing the detail and crispness of better amps. The HD600 was so dark compared to the HD598 and MDR V6, I like a brighter and more fun sound. It also had a fair amount of muddy sound, kind of like an echo in a cave and it was distracting. I want to try out the AKG Q701 and Sony MDR 7520 now. I have the Aune T1 coming tomorrow, maybe I should have waited to return the HD600 until I paired it with the T1.

I sold my Canon 18-135mm lens. I rarely use it anymore now that I have the 17-40mm f4, 70-200 f4 IS USM, and 50mm f1.8. Those three lenses have amazing image quality. The 50mm f1.4 has come down in price so I may upgrade to that.

 

[NZheadcase]

I probably wasn't using nearly a good enough amp. I used the JDS Labs cMoyBB and Xonar DG sound card. Both drove the HD600 plenty loud, but those amps may have been missing the detail and crispness of better amps. The HD600 was so dark compared to the HD598 and MDR V6, I like a brighter and more fun sound. It also had a fair amount of muddy sound, kind of like an echo in a cave and it was distracting. I want to try out the AKG Q701 and Sony MDR 7520 now. I have the Aune T1 coming tomorrow, maybe I should have waited to return the HD600 until I paired it with the T1.

I sold my Canon 18-135mm lens. I rarely use it anymore now that I have the 17-40mm f4, 70-200 f4 IS USM, and 50mm f1.8. Those here lenses have amazing image quality. The 50mm f1.4 has come down in price so I may upgrade to that.

 
If you're satisfied with the current setup you have, and are concerned of overspending on gear, maybe stick with what you have for now? Easier said than done I know.
 
I thought I had an iron clad willpower when it comes to spending, but man, was I ever wrong

.  Getting good gear leads to getting more good gear to complement the first. Justifications to buy "just one more" keep appearing out of thin air. Then you have to compromise on things like eating real food, putting petrol in your car...lol! 
 
But you know what? By and large, I've only regretted a few head-fi related purchases - and they've all been been successfully sold off. 
 
Good luck on your search!

 

[StanD]

I probably wasn't using nearly a good enough amp. I used the JDS Labs cMoyBB and Xonar DG sound card. Both drove the HD600 plenty loud, but those amps may have been missing the detail and crispness of better amps. The HD600 was so dark compared to the HD598 and MDR V6, I like a brighter and more fun sound. It also had a fair amount of muddy sound, kind of like an echo in a cave and it was distracting. I want to try out the AKG Q701 and Sony MDR 7520 now. I have the Aune T1 coming tomorrow, maybe I should have waited to return the HD600 until I paired it with the T1.

I sold my Canon 18-135mm lens. I rarely use it anymore now that I have the 17-40mm f4, 70-200 f4 IS USM, and 50mm f1.8. Those three lenses have amazing image quality. The 50mm f1.4 has come down in price so I may upgrade to that.

I have HD600's as well as HD558's. The HD600's need some amping to sound right, Something went wrong as the HD600's are beautifully neutral not dark. IMO, you're definitely missing out here. Tomorrow my fist pair of Mag Orthos arrive, HE-500's so my ears will be very busy.
Camerawise, I'm in the Nikon DSLR camp and have nice collection of glass, much of which would be hard to pry from my dying hands.

 

[Chinafbi]

I love my HD598.  It is still very good compare to the HD650 and HE500.  And it can run on anything.  No need dedicated amps.

 

[StanD]

  I love my HD598.  It is still very good compare to the HD650 and HE500.  And it can run on anything.  No need dedicated amps.

They're quite good but not in the same league. Haven't you noticed, some people around here must have amps that cost an arm and a leg or else they will not be happy. As a well funded hobby, they enjoy the pursuit. That's OK with me but one that isn't willing to drop a ton of cash should not be drawn into the same quest as excellent amps can be had for far less money.