[jesushairman]

Recently I have been wanting to get a new pair of nice headphones but I cant decide.  I have a budget of below $300 (although a little over is ok) and I think I have narrowed it down to 2 headphones, either the Sennheiser HD598 ($180 Amazon) with an Amp, I am really leaning toward the o2 amp ($150 on Amazon) or the Hifiman HE-400s. I have heard that the HE - 400s  are much better than the hd598s with an amp but I cant afford one with it, and the HD598s are good but better With and amp. I will also be using these outside of home so they need to sound pretty good with a phone as well. I will be both gaming and listening to music on these headphones, I will mostly be listening to alternative and classic rock but also some classical and electro. Also how comfortable are the HE-400s and do they compare to the Sennheisers.
Thanks Yall.

 

[KG Jag]

The very similar HD 558 is currently on backorder, but can be had from Amazon for $100.  Both the HD 558 and 598 have better and more natural sounding mids than does the HE-400.  The HE-400 has better and more extended bass.  Both Senns deliver the velvety smooth but slightly veiled Senn sound signature.  The HE-400 is faster and less veiled.
 
Here's a good review of the HE-400 planar:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HE400

 

[manbear]

Buy a used HE-400 and a used amp. 

The HD598 isn't a headphone that really needs an amp, and using an amp with it isn't going to make a huge improvement. 

If you want to save some money, an Audio Technica AD900x without an amp is also good deal. It doesn't need an amp at all. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Recently I have been wanting to get a new pair of nice headphones but I cant decide.  I have a budget of below $300 (although a little over is ok) and I think I have narrowed it down to 2 headphones, either the Sennheiser HD598 ($180 Amazon) with an Amp, I am really leaning toward the o2 amp ($150 on Amazon) or the Hifiman HE-400s. I have heard that the HE - 400s  are much better than the hd598s with an amp but I cant afford one with it, and the HD598s are good but better With and amp. I will also be using these outside of home so they need to sound pretty good with a phone as well. I will be both gaming and listening to music on these headphones, I will mostly be listening to alternative and classic rock but also some classical and electro. Also how comfortable are the HE-400s and do they compare to the Sennheisers.
Thanks Yall.

 
The HD558 and HD598 use the same 50-Ohm driver.
Buy a (used $93) HD558 and remove the black rubber tape from inside the cups.
(the tape covers about 40% of the HD558 air holes).
 
Buy this cable ($18-$26), with a 3.5mm plug, for use with the HD558.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261255113290?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&var=560313338477&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Get the FiiO E11K headphone amplifier, $60.
So for around $180, you will have headphone and an amplifier to help bring out the headphones best.

 

[superjawes]

The HD598 isn't a headphone that really needs an amp, and using an amp with it isn't going to make a huge improvement. 

QFT

The 598 doesn't need an amp...the HE-400 would definitely benefit from one, though. Those planar drivers sound great at the expense of efficiency.

In general, save up some cash. If you get the 558 or 598, you'll have headphones now and will be saving up for an amp down the road, and you can pick an amp that will pair well with other models you're interested in. If you want the HE-400's, be patient and save up so you can get an amp with them. If you can snag some deals and/or find used equipment, that should help to fit into your budget.

I say this because the 558's and 598's will definitely sound good without an amp. I am not so sure about the HE-400. If nothing else, you might be struggling to get decent volume out of them (due to the lower efficiency). They might be fine without an amp, but I would hate for you to spend $300 on a pair of headphones only to feel "meh" when you listen to them.

 

[Za Warudo]

Neither, if you are going to use them outside in noisier environments with other people near you.  If you just use them at home, I would not pick the HE400 for those genres since it's only good for bass heavy music where vocals and acoustic instrument timbre don't matter.  It's also too heavy for long term listening.

 

[zunehdrocks]

QFT

The 598 doesn't need an amp...the HE-400 would definitely benefit from one, though. Those planar drivers sound great at the expense of efficiency.

In general, save up some cash. If you get the 558 or 598, you'll have headphones now and will be saving up for an amp down the road, and you can pick an amp that will pair well with other models you're interested in. If you want the HE-400's, be patient and save up so you can get an amp with them. If you can snag some deals and/or find used equipment, that should help to fit into your budget.

I say this because the 558's and 598's will definitely sound good without an amp. I am not so sure about the HE-400. If nothing else, you might be struggling to get decent volume out of them (due to the lower efficiency). They might be fine without an amp, but I would hate for you to spend $300 on a pair of headphones only to feel "meh" when you listen to them.

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=7&graphID[]=2861&graphID[]=2851&scale=30

 

[zunehdrocks]

The he300 works well with portable devices according to most reviews
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE300Rev2.pdf
 
Same with the soundmagic hp200
http://noblehifi.blogspot.com/2013/05/soundmagic-hp200-review.html
 
 
This reviewer just has severe volume problems without an amp
http://noblehifi.blogspot.com/2013/06/hifiman-he-400-review.html

 

[manbear]

HE-400 will sound ok without an amp, but you won't be able to get above mild/ moderate volumes. My laptop can't get it quite as loud as I would like for music, but it's ok for movies. Anyway, I agree that you will not be getting your full money's worth unless you get an amp to go with it. 

If you buy a used HE-400 here, and a used O2, schiit magni, etc. you will spend around $300 to $320. This setup will be a major improvement from a new HD598 and O2.