Virtuoso80
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2005
- Posts
- 44
- Likes
- 9
As my flagship Christmas gift this year, I got a new pair of Sennheiser HD598's. I've been listening to them sporadically while letting them run for some break-in; perhaps about 8 hours worth at this point at moderate volume. How much more improvement can I expect vs. what I hear so far? Because really I'm not particularly impressed yet.
My main listening headphone before this has been a pair of Grado SR-80's. Bass extension is deeper on the Senn, but the bass so far feels flabby, sporadic, and indistinct. Sound in general is a bit thin and not 'rounded', instruments aren't highly separated, and highs are dull. I know the Grado are a bright headphone, so I was expecting something mellower. But after listening to a few classical pieces, expecting some impressive improvements in atmosphere, I haven't gotten them yet, and I'm starting to worry.
I currently listen through an MBox2, which is connected via USB to the computer CD player. I was planning on investing in a headphone amp, but the volume levels of the Senn are just about the same as the Grado at the same settings, so they don't seem particularly hard to drive. So what's the deal? Do they just need more time to break-in, do I need an equipment upgrade, or were my expectations simply too high? (My second choice were a pair of Fischer Audio FA-003's, and I'm seriously considering doing a swap/return if the Senns don't improve.)
My main listening headphone before this has been a pair of Grado SR-80's. Bass extension is deeper on the Senn, but the bass so far feels flabby, sporadic, and indistinct. Sound in general is a bit thin and not 'rounded', instruments aren't highly separated, and highs are dull. I know the Grado are a bright headphone, so I was expecting something mellower. But after listening to a few classical pieces, expecting some impressive improvements in atmosphere, I haven't gotten them yet, and I'm starting to worry.
I currently listen through an MBox2, which is connected via USB to the computer CD player. I was planning on investing in a headphone amp, but the volume levels of the Senn are just about the same as the Grado at the same settings, so they don't seem particularly hard to drive. So what's the deal? Do they just need more time to break-in, do I need an equipment upgrade, or were my expectations simply too high? (My second choice were a pair of Fischer Audio FA-003's, and I'm seriously considering doing a swap/return if the Senns don't improve.)