[joshwalnut]

I've just order one. But I'm a little concerned about the build quality, from what I read here, a lot of 598 cracked within a week or two.

 
That happened when they first released them, they fixed that problem a long time ago by making that area more sturdy. Most comfortable headphone i've ever worn... and that's the 558, the 598 is supposedly more comfortable.

 

[alterndog]

I've just order one. But I'm a little concerned about the build quality, from what I read here, a lot of 598 cracked within a week or two.

 
That seems to be an issue with earlier versions of the headphones. The more recent stock are suppose to be much better build quality and shouldn't break. If they do, Sennheiser will replace them.

 

[streetdragon]

I've just order one. But I'm a little concerned about the build quality, from what I read here, a lot of 598 cracked within a week or two.

Don't worry that was a very old problem (about 3 years old) Now the problems are almost gone and any cracked units still out there will be replaced by sennheiser. Definitely high up on the list of most comfortable headphones.

 

[santacruise]

Thanks all, for the information. Can't wait to receive it

 

[revanxp]

My 598 just arrived. This is my first audiophile headphone (before i used 201 by seenheiser too). These cans are amazing and work wonder with my music playlist. 
 
So happy i cried the first time i listened Strong by London Grammar

 

[FastAndClean]

Cool bro, enjoy.

 

[Artem]

anyone tried the sennheiser's short cable alternative to the stock ones? And also the new Fiio cable that can be used for the HD598? any sonic changes to the audio quality?

 

[TsukiNick]

Im using one of the short cables for the 598. Works very well got it on ebay from a Chinese seller. It looks much sturdiet than Sennheisers official 3.5mm short cable. Plus it has a screw on 6.3mm adapter.

My fiio should come today or tomorrow so ill let you know on that as well.

Edit: FiiO E18 arrived today HD 598s sound even more amazing on the go and I can get them louder than before, bass boost is a nice plus as the bass was lacking on these cans.

 

[bigbenrfan99]

Are there any good deals right now on the HD 598?  I couldn't take advantage of the Fry's $150 sale because there are no Fry's stores anywhere near where I live.

 

[alterndog]

  Are there any good deals right now on the HD 598?  I couldn't take advantage of the Fry's $150 sale because there are no Fry's stores anywhere near where I live.

 
B&H and Amazon has them for $189 right now. Best Buy will price match both of them. You could see if they have them in stores near you. They seem to be around this price until end of November. There looks to be a couple new and used in the for sale forum.  You can also wait and see for Black Friday and also wait until they are on sale at fry's again (been two or three times) and order them online from them or have Best Buy price match Fry (I did that ). 

 

[Frosty3258]

I've just order one. But I'm a little concerned about the build quality, from what I read here, a lot of 598 cracked within a week or two.:confused_face_2:

That was fixed a long time ago. They will hold up fine

 

[BobG55]

I've been thinking about buying a pair of HD598 & have read a few reviews on Head-fi but I also came across the review by Steve Guttenberg on CNET dated Feb. 21, 2011.  In his review Guttenberg mentioned something interesting : (copy & paste)
 
"The HD 598 features Sennheiser's Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement technology, which uses acoustic baffles inclined at a slight angle to guide the sound directly to the ears. The technology appears to be derived from Sennheiser's flagship HD 800 headphone. The HD 598 also features powerful neodymium magnets, Duofol drivers, and lightweight aluminum voice coils."
 
Does anyone understand this to mean that Guttenberg refers to the "soundstage" of the HD598.  I haven't read this thread from the beginning because of it's length so if this specific subject has already been addressed I apologize. 

 
Thanks and looking forward to feedback. 

 

[palmfish]

All headphones are designed to direct the sound to the ears...LOL. Sounds like marketing mumbo-jumbo to me and I believe that SG basically paraphrased the words right off of Sennheisers website...

http://en-us.sennheiser.com/downloads/edff0332f68e2c659d76ddf85a9430fe.pdf

He probably got a free Sennheiser coffee mug for his postive review.:rolleyes:

 

[BobG55]

Its just marketing mumbo-jumbo. I believe that SG basically copied the words right off of Sennheisers website...

http://en-us.sennheiser.com/downloads/edff0332f68e2c659d76ddf85a9430fe.pdf

Gotcha.  Upon reading the Sennheiser link you sent, it seems that the music is directed straight into the ear channel but doesn't do anything special soundstage wise.  I was just trying to find out if the HD598 soundstage was better than the HD600 or HD650 because of the borrowed technical aspects from the HD800.   Thanks for the answer & link.
 

 

[palmfish]

I really havent looked closely at my 558's but they (and the 598) do have a more spacious sound than the 600/650. I believe that Sennheiser probably has installed some type of baffles to create some reflections / delays to achieve this. But there is very little about the 558/598 that resembles the 800.