[KopaneDePooj]

Which pads are best for them?

The originals

 

[Tuneslover]

Hi,

Anyone compared these hd598 with grado sr80 ?
Is it right That hd598 sound dark, not Very clear ?

Thanks

I enjoyed doing this head-to-head comparison between the Sennheiser HD598 SE and the Grado SR80.  I compared them on the following equipment:  iMac (iTunes AIFF 16/44.1 rip) > toslink out of the iMac into a Schiit Bifrost 4490 DAC > Schiit Magni2U amp.  I listened to one complete track on the Grado and then re-listened to the same track on the Senn's.  I listened to about a dozen songs in order to draw my comparative results.
 
First off with respect to the Grado SR80, this headphone (and Grado in general) takes quite a rap at the shrill high frequencies and while I can't disagree with this view I personally don't mind the very nice detail retrieval of these headphones which is largely found in those higher frequencies.  As a result I use the Grado's for night time TV listening as to not to disturb anyone who may be reading in another room or heading to bed.  I prefer the more integrated soundscape of the Grado SR80 to the Senn 598SE in that it sounds more natural, not as wide as the 598's but more realistic sounding.  The other rap that both the SR80's and also the 598SE's get is apparently there is insufficient bass.  I for one don't get that criticism as both of these cans have plenty of clean bass, not head-rattling sub-bass but plenty deep enough for me and in just the right amount of quantity.
 
The Sennheiser 598SE has a slightly reduced high frequency characteristic when compared to the Grado SR80 but still a very satisfying amount of detail.  This somewhat restrained high frequency might be interpreted as that Sennheiser veil.  As an aside, I also own the HD650's and when I first auditioned them a few years ago I didn't care for them because of this veil.  Turns out the amp at the store where I was auditioning them wasn't a very good amp.  After I heard them again at an audio show with a variety of excellent amps I no longer heard veil or a dark sound signature.  With respect to the Senn 598's, they have a smoother top end that allows for much longer listening sessions than I would be able tolerate with the Grado SR80's.
 
Both the Grado SR80's and the Senn 598SE's are easy to drive cans and the DAC and AMP I am using in this comparison brings out the best of both these headphones.  They are surprisingly similar in character with the Grado's swaying closer to the "hyper" side of the scale while the Senn's lean toward a more "mellow" side of that scale.
 
If I HAD to choose only 1 of these two headphones for music listening I think I would probably go with the Sennheiser 598SE's because of the slightly reduced top end which would be more desirable over long listening sessions.  Another factor that I would choose the Senn's is that I find them to be a bit more comfortable.  I prefer the pads surrounding my ears as opposed to the on-the-ear design of the Grado's.  Of course please keep in mind that this is all based on my ears and my ability to hear these headphones.  Cheers!

 

[apaar123]

The originals

what about hm 5 pads?

 

[MWSVette]

what about hm 5 pads?

I would stick with stock...

 

[Frosty3258]

How do you put a hp fs?

 

[MRK1]

Anyone here has tried the new version of the hd series, especially the new h559 & 599? I know they've been sent out to Amazon Vine users, too bad all their crappy reviews don't tell me nothing about the sound and improvements over the previous models. I had the 598se but sent them back because while the sound was ok something was missing, especially bass and forwardness of the vocals in the music I listen to, but the basis for my kind of sound was there. Maybe the new model will improve in these key areas for me.

 

[LazyListener]

Anyone here has tried the new version of the hd series, especially the new h559 & 599? I know they've been sent out to Amazon Vine users, too bad all their crappy reviews don't tell me nothing about the sound and improvements over the previous models. I had the 598se but sent them back because while the sound was ok something was missing, especially bass and forwardness of the vocals in the music I listen to, but the basis for my kind of sound was there. Maybe the new model will improve in these key areas for me.

 
I haven't tried them yet, but you may get better luck in the thread linked below for now.  This is more a 598 impressions thread.  I'm sure as head-fi'ers start receiving the new models, they will open new threads just for them.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/818931/sennheiser-debuts-a-bunch-of-new-headphones-at-ifa

 

[Llano]

Sennheiser HD 598 CS Closed Back Over Ear Headphone is out which can be bought from Amazon India.
Does anyone have any clue about these?

 

[ContractorHei]

Apparently it's genuine, but it appears to be an Amazon exclusive.
 
@aakshey got a pair and these are his first impressions of it.

Compared to HD 598 regular:
Bass: More in qty. much tighter.
Treble: More in qty. lusher.
Mids: Even more forward. Clearer.
V shaped with forward mids. Exactly like RS 180 and Aktimate Mini+.
Worth INR 19k. At 7k it is a no brainer.
Goes louder than HD 598. But not as comfortable.

 

[Sennheiser]

  Apparently it's genuine, but it appears to be an Amazon exclusive.
 
@aakshey got a pair and these are his first impressions of it.

 
Yes, the HD 598 CS is an Amazon channel specific model. 

 

[Frosty3258]

Yes, the HD 598 CS is an Amazon channel specific model. 

So sad

 

[Subhakar]

   
Yes, the HD 598 CS is an Amazon channel specific model. 

 

HD 598 Cs

(Closed version of HD 598 SE)

 
 
Ordered a unit at $95.
http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01JP436TS/ref=pd_sim_23_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1MMN9BJTQ6DHB3YCRX3J
 
Has anyone managed to dig out any impressions from any corner of the world except the lone buyer (@aakshey)'s?
 
 

 

[techboy]

Sennheiser has said these will be launched in other countries subsequently. Very soon. Perhaps Amazon only though.

From the specs, they have the exact same drivers as HD 569.

 

[techboy]

Sennheiser's official post:
https://www.facebook.com/SennheiserIndia/posts/1289341434411316:0

 

[Subhakar]

Sennheiser has said these will be launched in other countries subsequently. Very soon. Perhaps Amazon only though.

From the specs, they have the exact same drivers as HD 569.

If HD 598 Cs has the same drivers as HD 569
AND
if Sennheiser confirmed, as they so did, that HD 598 Cs is a modified version of HD 598 SE
THEN
should we be expecting HD 598 Cs' sound signature and value-for-money to be close to 598 SE or just 596?
 
HD 598 SE goes for $120 on a given day on Amazon.com.
So, is HD 598 Cs is worth $95 on Amazon.in sale, should it resemble 596 closer than 598 in drivers and sound signature?