Sennheiser HD 598: Movies and Radiohead

[Amnesiac1]

Since I'm interested in picking up a pair of HD 598s, I figured I might as well try and get a few questions answered first. Keep in mind that I have never owned a premium pair of headphones before. In fact, the most I have ever spent on headphones is $30.

1. Radiohead's work is pretty much all I listen to. I'm hoping that these headphones will add new dimensions and intensify the experience of listening to albums like In Rainbows, The King of Limbs, OK Computer, etc. 

2. I watch a lot of movies. Do these headphones simulate 5.1? Will I get surround sound out of these headphones?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tdockweiler]

Radiohead is a favorite of mine and for them the HD-598 is pretty good, but not great. I actually find Radiohead better on the AKG K601 or even the K702. I love "The Eraser" on the K601. I think Radiohead is still better on the 598 than the HD-600 and 650 though.
 
For 5.1 you need a Mixamp or a Turtle Beach Earforce DSS to simulate it.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Do movies still sound great without a Mixamp or a Turtle Beach Earforce DSS? 

With regards to Radiohead, surely their songs sound great on the HD598s, no? Everything I have heard about these headphones indicates they are superb, so I'm rather surprised to hear that Radiohead doesn't sound fantastic on them. 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The HD598 doesn't have much in the way of bass impact, which will hurt in as a headphone for movie watching. there's no immediate wow factor with them for that purpose.

 

[Germancub]

Forgive me if this is slightly off-topic, but do you really only listen to one band?

 

[Amnesiac1]

Given all the laudatory comments about the HD598's sound staging (is that the term), I'm assuming films nonetheless sound great, no? I can understand that a certain lack of potency as far as the bass is concerned might compromise the experience, but I'm wondering if you guys are selling these headphones a little short...

I mean, these widely praised headphones don't do justice to movie watching and Radiohead? Really now...

 

[Amnesiac1]

Quote:

Forgive me if this is slightly off-topic, but do you really only listen to one band?

Exaggeration... I occasionally listen to other bands but, really, I do listen to Radiohead most of all. Maybe 85-90% of the time? It's hard to specify it in a percentage. I also listen to other bands and artists, though, but not quite as often as Radiohead. So, no, I don't exclusively listen to Radiohead but I primarily listen to them. 

 

[Germancub]

Given all the laudatory comments about the HD598's sound staging (is that the term), I'm assuming films nonetheless sound great, no? I can understand that a certain lack of potency as far as the bass is concerned might compromise the experience, but I'm wondering if you guys are selling these headphones a little short...

I mean, these widely praised headphones don't do justice to movie watching and Radiohead? Really now...

Given the fact that there are now 2 threads with over 20 pages praising these headphones, I'm sure they are fantastic headphones, I've never personally heard them so I can't say. You seem pretty set in your decision, why not just buy them from somewhere with a good return policy and decide for yourself? Compared to what you have owned in the past, they will surely be the best things you've ever heard.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

They are great headphones. I'm simply saying that I'd immediately reach for something else a little more fun for movie watching, where all the technical proficiencies the HD598 isn't important, and you'll nbotice it's deficiencies in the lower regions for such use.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Quote:

Quote:

Given all the laudatory comments about the HD598's sound staging (is that the term), I'm assuming films nonetheless sound great, no? I can understand that a certain lack of potency as far as the bass is concerned might compromise the experience, but I'm wondering if you guys are selling these headphones a little short...

I mean, these widely praised headphones don't do justice to movie watching and Radiohead? Really now...

Given the fact that there are now 2 threads with over 20 pages praising these headphones, I'm sure they are fantastic headphones, I've never personally heard them so I can't say. You seem pretty set in your decision, why not just buy them from somewhere with a good return policy and decide for yourself? Compared to what you have owned in the past, they will surely be the best things you've ever heard.

Yeah, I'm pretty much set on buying them... I just figured it wouldn't hurt to toss these questions out there. The answers I've been receiving just don't seem to match up with what I've read about these headphones elsewhere. For instance, the quote below:


Quote:

So these are my first real cans so I can't compare them to anything and I don' tknow a lot, I also only got to really play with them a little last night.  Too me they sounded great, the bass really good to me and i dno't know who can complain, unless you want something really bass heavy. 
 
I played the first few minutes of Star Trek (the new one )  and wow the soundstage is great, it almost did seem like there was surround sound with the positioning. 

 

 

[Germancub]

Exaggeration... I occasionally listen to other bands but, really, I do listen to Radiohead most of all. Maybe 85-90% of the time? It's hard to specify it in a percentage. I also listen to other bands and artists, though, but not quite as often as Radiohead. So, no, I don't exclusively listen to Radiohead but I primarily listen to them. 

Ah, I understand. I do that too with certain bands but it usually rotates weekly or even daily. Lol I guess I have musical ADD.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Quote:

They are great headphones. I'm simply saying that I'd immediately reach for something else a little more fun for movie watching.

Hm. I see. I can only afford one pair, and given the praise and the versatility of these headphones, I still think the HD598s are the right ones to purchase. I'm assuming, and hopefully I'm right, that these headphones will still output movie audio in a fantastic manner despite the lack of heavy bass...

 

[Amnesiac1]

Bump.

 

[Samsunait]

A real plus with the HD 598 is the comfort; it's probably one if not the best confortable headphone around, even if you wear glasses like me.
You watch a lot of movies you said, so an headphone as confortable as possible should be one of your first priorities i think.

 

[tdockweiler]

I'd suggest just getting the 598. They're a good all around headphone. If you get a headphone that's amazing for Radiohead, then it's also possible it won't be as good for other genres. I always felt that Radiohead sounded best on a headphone that was very clear and close to being a detail monster. For me it seems that Radiohead isn't as good on a very bright headphone, so that makes it even more challenging. I just think it's a mistake to get a headphone for just one band. Getting one that's good for every genre is best. Unless you want to have multiple headphones. I don't know if I could stick with just one for everything.
 
I personally don't agree with anyone that says the 598 lacks in bass impact, but it's just my opinion. It doesn't for ME. I never liked any bass heavy headphones to begin with. I don't think for even one second I said to myself "Wow, I wish these 598's had just a little more bass...". It also improves with an ugpraded cables, but I won't go there. It also varies between amps. I imagine there is going to be better bass when switching to a desktop amp to a portable. I think at 100hz there was a peak up to nearly 300 ohm. If you want decent bass an amp is still going to be needed.
 
I think for movies they're quite good and one of the best. I'd be perfectly happy with using my 598 or K601 for movies. IMO there is enough bass on the 598 for nearly every hollywood movie you can throw at it. For action movies I'd rather take some good mids over lots of bass any day.
 
One reason the HD-598 is a good idea is that it's much easier to drive than some of the other headphones that are better for Radiohead.