[Midgetguy]

Then the 5x8 line really is all about the different tuning per can. Cuz they all seem to have a different signature from what I've read about them. Haven't personally had a chance to try the 518 or 598 though.

 

[teb1013]

Then the 5x8 line really is all about the different tuning per can. Cuz they all seem to have a different signature from what I've read about them. Haven't personally had a chance to try the 518 or 598 though.

All I know is that the foam mod is said to bring the 558s closer in sound to the 598s. I did the mod and liked the more open sound, but I haven't heard the 598s to compare.

 

[Midgetguy]

All I know is that the foam mod is said to bring the 558s closer in sound to the 598s. I did the mod and liked the more open sound, but I haven't heard the 598s to compare.

I've read people that say they sound more like 598s with the foam mod and I've seen others say that's wrong and the foam modded 558s still don't sound like 598s. I never bothered with the foam mod cuz I read things indicating a little less bass response and I don't want any less out of the 558s. Plus, I don't have a 598 to compare to anyway either haha.

 

[rhiga]

I have the hd518 and did the mod mentioned in this thread
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595120/the-sennheiser-hd518-it-just-needs-to-gain-some-weight
 
Wow, the sound did improve quite a bit, the bloated bass is now better, the smearing i was hearing is not that bad anymore, mids sounds cleaner, the treble didn't change (still lacks a bit of air). I think the resonances inside the cups is somewhat reduced, that's why it sounds cleaner overall. Worth a shot for those who own the hd518.

 

[414353]

The HD518s are the only headphones I have. I was looking to find out what the 598s sound like, but there is no way to do that. 
I don't know how to take apart the 518s and I don't think I want to because I'll end up ruining them.
That thread explains nothing about how to take them apart anyway. Is there someplace I can send them and have the mod done by someone who knows what they are doing? Then again, what if the mod makes them worse in another direction?
I don't think this is such a good idea.

 

[kramer5150]

  I have the hd518 and did the mod mentioned in this thread
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595120/the-sennheiser-hd518-it-just-needs-to-gain-some-weight
 
Wow, the sound did improve quite a bit, the bloated bass is now better, the smearing i was hearing is not that bad anymore, mids sounds cleaner, the treble didn't change (still lacks a bit of air). I think the resonances inside the cups is somewhat reduced, that's why it sounds cleaner overall. Worth a shot for those who own the hd518.

FWIW... I poster-tacked up the magnets on my 558.  I think it improves clarity a bit, but admittedly I don't have a stock pair to compare with.
 

 

[kramer5150]

  The HD518s are the only headphones I have. I was looking to find out what the 598s sound like, but there is no way to do that. 
I don't know how to take apart the 518s and I don't think I want to because I'll end up ruining them.
That thread explains nothing about how to take them apart anyway. Is there someplace I can send them and have the mod done by someone who knows what they are doing? Then again, what if the mod makes them worse in another direction?
I don't think this is such a good idea.

you just grab the earpads and gently pull them till they unsnap.
From there remove the 4 screws.
 
One of the easiest headphones to mod.

 

[414353]

  you just grab the earpads and gently pull them till they unsnap.
From there remove the 4 screws.
 
One of the easiest headphones to mod.

No, I don't think that is correct because I showed my 518's to the Sennheiser guy at canjam and he stated that the pads are not replaceable  and don't come off on the 518s.
Come to think of it, I don't think I'll make the 518s any better with the mod even if I find someone who will do it who can put them back together with no issues. There is no guarantee and I don't have another pair to compare. 
Using hindsight before doing tells me this is not a good idea.

 

[kramer5150]

  No, I don't think that is correct because I showed my 518's to the Sennheiser guy at canjam and he stated that the pads are not replaceable  and don't come off on the 518s.
Come to think of it, I don't think I'll make the 518s any better with the mod even if I find someone who will do it who can put them back together with no issues. There is no guarantee and I don't have another pair to compare. 
Using hindsight before doing tells me this is not a good idea.

He might be mis-informed.  Its the same snap on-off attachment method used on the 558 and 598...
Sennheiser OEM part number 94738.  The amazon reviewers report its all the same between the 3 phones.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Replacement-Cushions-SENNHEISER-Headphones/dp/B002STGF6O
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1D91JP7735
 
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_75102_Sennheiser-HD518-HD555-HD558-HD595-Replacement-Ear-Pads-1-Pair-094738.html
 
The truth is there are more similarities between these cans than Sennheiser wants consumers to believe.  Would not be the first time an audio manufacturer makes efforts to create product differentiation through marketing and small earcup / enclosure tweeks.  Sennheiser has a long history in this regard with the HD545/565 and HD580/600.

 

[414353]

  He might be mis-informed.  Its the same snap on-off attachment method used on the 558 and 598...
Sennheiser OEM part number 94738.  The amazon reviewers report its all the same between the 3 phones.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Replacement-Cushions-SENNHEISER-Headphones/dp/B002STGF6O
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1D91JP7735
 
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_75102_Sennheiser-HD518-HD555-HD558-HD595-Replacement-Ear-Pads-1-Pair-094738.html

Hmm, the guy from Sennheiser mis-informed? I suppose that is entirely possible, you may be right. Seeing those links you provided does back that up, no question.
I still think I will error on the side of caution as I am afraid I'll break them if I do it. Also if I don't like the sound after the mod there is no going back. If I had an extra pair I might attempt it, but I don't. I'm one of those "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" types.

 

[kramer5150]

  Hmm, the guy from Sennheiser mis-informed? I suppose that is entirely possible, you may be right. Seeing those links you provided does back that up, no question.
I still think I will error on the side of caution as I am afraid I'll break them if I do it. Also if I don't like the sound after the mod there is no going back. If I had an extra pair I might attempt it, but I don't. I'm one of those "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" types.

Nothing wrong with at... enjoy them as they are.  One things for sure the HD518 has one of the smoothest dynamic CSD plots I have ever seen...  That 10k resonance might give it added treble sparkle that the 518 lacks.  You could very easily make a strong argument against modding them... IMHO
 

 

[Jim McC]

Does the HD518 clamp as hard as the HD558 does? Is the main difference in the sound that the HD518 has more bass?
 
Thanks.

 

[bikerboy94]

Senn HD518 at Newegg for $64.95 with code EMCAPPK69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106514
 
 

 

[kuhchuk]

  Senn HD518 at Newegg for $64.95 with code EMCAPPK69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106514
 
 
 

That's a pretty sweet deal.  If I didn't already have a pair of 558's I'd probably hop on that.

 

[rhiga]

I found out the hd518's sound change quite a bit depending on headphone positioning in your head and ears. I thought it was burn in at first, but i was like "there's no way a simple burn in could affect the sound that much" so i tried fiddling with the headphone for a bit and finally found the sweet spot.
 
It sounds quite nice now, maybe it's my favorite heaphone. I think it strikes a good balance between not been too bright and harsh but enough treble so it doesn't sound dull. Bass quantity is musical enough for my tastes, i know it lacks bass extension (sub-bass), but my akg k240 is maybe even worse in that regard.