[amigomatt]

  Hello everyone,
 
I joined these forums today after reading some posts and threads about the Sennheiser HD 598 and I'm still very new to the concept of being an audiphile or audio-lover.
I currently own a Shure srh440 and even though I really like them, I am looking for an upgrade. After reading so many great things about the hd 598 I am considering to buy a pair.
But I have some questions and I thought some of you might be able to answer them.
 
Can my ipod classic drive these without an amp? 
Is the issue with the headband cracking resolved?
I really like to listen to Jazz (mainly Harmen Fraanje), Classical (mostly cello, violin and piano), but I also like to listen to some metal from time to time (Korpiklaani, Opeth and Finntroll)
Are these cans fit for those genres?
If I decide to get an amp for my pc, which amp goes well with the hd598?
 
I apologize if I made any grammar or spelling errors and hope to get a response soon
 
Have a nice day 

Hi,
 
I've not tried the ipod classic, but I can pretty confidently say that it will drive the 598s to an ok volume as they are made with mobile devices in mind.  However, you will most likely not get massive volume from those devices.  I never can from any of my android phones.  It's loud enough, but you may want more.
 
In that case, they bnefit from amping and anything will really help them to get sufficient volume as they are not that hard to drive, but if you plan on getting bette/harder to drive cans in the future, then my recommendation is easily going to be the Cayin C5, which drives ANY headphone brilliantly and is portable.
 
Of the genres you mentioned, the 598s do great with Jazz, Classical (they sound AMAZING with small group stuff with their amazing soundstage).  But, for metal, they do show all the details up and present everything to you, but they are a little slow and polite sounding, so metal can sound a little tame and lacking aggression.  It's not terrible, but there are better options for metal.  Still, I would be happy if these were my only cans for all genres and would accept that compromise with the metal for everything else it does so well.
 
For a solution for your PC, I would recommend without doubt the HRT Microstreamer, which is an amazing DAC as well as an amp, so with the 598s, you'l hear a BIG step up in performance.  Also, you can use the HRT on your smartphone as well, so you can take amazing sound out and about with you.
 
Good luck!

 

[amigomatt]

Actually @Thymen Frederik Given your mention of Opeth, the 598s sound great with big, lush and melodic metal like that, it's just the more incisive, brutal death/thrash metal genres that get a bit glossed over and smoothed out by these cans.

 

[Bansaku]

  Can my ipod classic drive these without an amp? 
Is the issue with the headband cracking resolved?
I really like to listen to Jazz (mainly Harmen Fraanje), Classical (mostly cello, violin and piano), but I also like to listen to some metal from time to time (Korpiklaani, Opeth and Finntroll)
 

 
As an iPod Classic and Touch as well as an iPhone 5 user who likes jazz and classical the short answer is no. At full volume the iDevices struggle and if you have anything Telarc, not a snowball's chance in hell. Modern music iDevices preform pretty good in terms of volume. A band that is more mellow like Opeth sounds pretty good but Finntroll sounds pretty awful. Unfortunately the HD 598 sounds great with uncompressed DR, low processed, and live performances, not so much with anything with heavy distortion like metal guitars. 
 

 

[Thymen Frederik]

Thanks for the replies Amigomatt and Bansaku,
 
I guess I'll have to look around these forums to find a headphone better suited for rougher metal.
The problem I have now is that Amigmatt says that my ipod can drive the hd 598, but Bansaku says that they can't.
Seeing that Bansaku has used Idevices and Amigomatt hasn't used an Ipod classic, I think I have to trust Bansaku and get a portable amp.
 
When I know if the headbands still cracks after a while, I can decide if i'll buy them
 
Thanks again

 

[amigomatt]

  Thanks for the replies Amigomatt and Bansaku,
 
I guess I'll have to look around these forums to find a headphone better suited for rougher metal.
The problem I have now is that Amigmatt says that my ipod can drive the hd 598, but Bansaku says that they can't.
Seeing that Bansaku has used Idevices and Amigomatt hasn't used an Ipod classic, I think I have to trust Bansaku and get a portable amp.
 
When I know if the headbands still cracks after a while, I can decide if i'll buy them
 
Thanks again

The headband cracking was sorted out ages ago and is no longer an issue.

 

[amigomatt]

Grados are a good bet for metal.  The sr80 are the best bang for buck option (for UK prices anyway).  They have a slightly small soundstage but still play everything in an exciting and detailed way.

 

[Thymen Frederik]

Then it is decided: I am getting the hd598 possibly a Fiio e10k to go along with it.
Thanks for helping me make my decision.

 

[Bansaku]

  Then it is decided: I am getting the hd598 possibly with a Fiio e10k to go along with it.
Thanks for helping me make my decision.

Not a bad choice. Been eyeing an E09i or E11 that's up on Kijiji to pair with my iPods and listen to my HD 598 and beyer T 70 at my couch.
 
I just want to reiterate, an iPod does have sufficient volume for modern music with good bass. But an amp is needed to get the most out of classical and jazz. Headphones of 32 Ohms seems to be the limit for iPods.
 
I also suggest getting an aftermarket cable 3.5mm as the one provided is 1/4" and using the adapter is awkward, not to mention the 10' length.
 

 

[Thymen Frederik]

   
I also suggest getting an aftermarket cable 3.5mm as the one provided is 1/4" and using the adapter is awkward, not to mention the 10' length.

Good suggestion.
I guess the 3.5mm cable you can get from Sennheiser will suffice?

 

[Bansaku]

  Good suggestion.
I guess the 3.5mm cable you can get from Sennheiser will suffice?

Look a few pages back and check out the links of the china cable that seems popular (the one I use). Great quality. Gold plugs and burgundy braid; looks classy with the HD 598's colour scheme.
 

 
 

 

[amigomatt]

You can also braid your stock cable,if you like...

 

[Thymen Frederik]

Thanks for those suggestions, but I think I'll go with the Sennheiser cable, because it's easier and I don't really like buying from ebay.
I can also see if I can get the cable you suggest is available in other webshops and buy it there.

 
Look a few pages back and check out the links of the china cable that seems popular (the one I use). Great quality. Gold plugs and burgundy braid; looks classy with the HD 598's colour scheme.
 

 
 
 

 

[Krutsch]

  Thanks for those suggestions, but I think I'll go with the Sennheiser cable, because it's easier and I don't really like buying from ebay.
I can also see if I can get the cable you suggest is available in other webshops and buy it there.

Good choice... I still believe the HD-598 to be the best headphone value out there and the perfect starter cans for the newly minted audiophile.
 
Enjoy! 

 

[dorino]

 
Good choice... I still believe the HD-598 to be the best headphone value out there and the perfect starter cans for the newly minted audiophile.
 
Enjoy! 

certainly one of the best. Really solid pair of headphones.

 

[Gammon2004]

 
certainly one of the best. Really solid pair of headphones.

Agreed - I prefer these cans to most others I've heard, including HD 600 (not enough bass) and HD 800 (too bright, soundstage is too far away).  Also, I just noticed in your signature that you have the HD598s and the Mr. Speakers Mad Dogs, which are exactly the two pairs I use most often.  I think they share a 'warm-ish' and very clear tonality and the soundstage is the right combination of in-your-face and depth.  Plus they're definitely two of the most comfortable cans I've ever worn.