Sennheiser HD555, HD595, or HD580

[450]

Alrighty then...

HD555, HD595, or HD580...Which one is superior?

My *guess* is the Sennheiser HD580 is the superior. But I'd like to know the opinions of others.

In the event I purchase one of these 'phones, they will powered by my Aiwa NSX-V20 (powerful headphone-out IMO).


THANKS for your comments!

 

[blessingx]

Do you have some stats on the Aiwa NSX-V20? It's going to be kinda hard to pick unless people know that or have heard one. I've heard the HD580s powered sufficiently by an old '70s Sherwood, and I'm sure there are some others (some Marantz receivers, etc.), but there are many too that can’t (my cheap Pioneer for instance).

 

[GlowWorm]

The HD580 by default (not heard the other two yet).

Although the 555 and 595 should be easier to drive.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

If you have a PIMETA or higher amp in quality, the HD580, although I have not heard the HD555/HD595.

 

[commando]

From what i've read i'd have thought the 595s would be better - headroom compared them with HD600s/650s a while back.

 

[breez]

It's a matter of taste between 595 and 580 so you are going to get responses from both sides. What kind of sound would you like?

 

[3lusiv3]

I like my 595's but i'm not going to vote because I don't think I have given the 580's a good enough listen. Out of a low powered amp you may be better of with the easier to drive 555 or 595, but that depends on your music and sonic preference and how much you want to spend.

 

[Geek]

The 580 is similar to the 600, but it has a slightly more colored plasticky sounding bass and doesn't keep up with the 600 in terms of intimacy and high end finesse, imho. The HD595 has more forward highs and a midrange equally neutral to the HD580s/600s. It has better bass than the HD580 which is of a slightly different character. The highs are almost as good as the HD600, although they lack a slight bit of finesse. Compared to the HD650, though, the 595s fall short in midrange liquidity, bass extension and authority, and high end tonality.

Man, my head doesn't work at 6:30 in the morning. I hope that helps a little bit.

ALL of these headphones require monster amps.

Cheers,
Geek

 

[Nak Man]

What mattered to my ear is not a matter of distant vs upfront presentation but overall more neutral sound coming from 595, especially mid + vocals ... a definite improvement over 580. Using receiver output the 580 are as easy to drive as 595. Never tried the 555.

My wish is for a 595 in a 580/600 quality headband.

 

[Patrickhat2001]

I'd take my HD595 over my HD600 with stock cable anyday. That's just me, though.

 

[450]

I listen to a lot types of music (no, I'm not a reviewer), mainly classical and opera these days. I do listen to Rock and Trance though... and to many peoples disgust, a basshead.