[Langrath]

I haven't realised that before I bought HD280. I bought them for better isolation. I enjoyed them more than HD595 although HD595 have a more open sound. At first I didn't understand why I enjoyed HD280 more. Then I heard. There is deep bass in HD280 that I can't hear in HD595. I first heard it in Beethoven's Piano Concert no 5. Then I realised that most music sounds better with HD280 thanks to the deeper bass.
Now I don’t like HD595 any more. Now I seek for headphones with a sound like HD280 but that are open and need no amp. I have an amp, but I want to feel free, which I don’t when I am tied to an amp. No hurry I manage well with HD280 meanwhile.
Is Philips SBCHP1000 something for me?

Georg

 

[Nak Man]

Not sure about Philips hp1000 but all I can say is that so far I haven't found any other phones that can touch hd280's deep low bass - imo almost unequalled. I only tried hp890 which also have subwoofer like bass but still no competition to 280 - plus 890's mids and highs are simply not on the same level.

If you like 595 mids etc but wishes for better bass then may I suggest to audition the hd650. Totally open design yet with impactful bass. Can't go much wrong here. =)

Edit: I'm sure 595 do have deep bass - they extend very low but at much less pronounced level.

 

[skiguy411]

I actually noticed this too when I compared my 595s to my HD280 Pro. I just used the bass boost on my Audigy 2 ZS to fix that. While its still not as impactful as the 280 Pros, I find that I prefer the 595s.

One thing to note is that they did sound better after about 24-48 hours of burn in.

 

[Mr.Sneis]

I'm not too much a fan of the HD280 the bass was very muddy to my ears, but I have yet to find a headphone with bass that I actually enjoy...

 

[SunByrne]

The bass on the 280s does indeed go very low, but at those very low frequencies it's sometimes a little boomy or reverberant (not surprising for a closed can). The 595 bass isn't quite as low, but it's tighter and more controlled. Plus, the 280s treble is rolled off and not in the same class as the 595s at all. Note that one of the things I find is most improved by an amp for the 595s is bass performance in terms of both extension and energy, so it may be the lack of amp which is the problem.

On the other hand, aren't the DT770s supposed to be basshead cans? You should be able to drive the 770-80s at least OK without an amp.

 

[3lusiv3]

So if we want headphones like the HD 595 that have good mids and are good all rounders but also want stronger and more extended bass, what are our options?

I assume the HD 650 would be the best option but what about the Beyer DT 990? And are the DT 770's mids really that recessed? I don't like recessed mids. The HD 590 are pretty good but I found the mids not quite right for vocals.

 

[tkam]

Yep the 770s and 990s mids are really that recessed. The bass and treble on both overpower the mids.