[Maxvla]

First of all. I just joined up here and I must congratulate you all on such a comprehensive forum. Very well written reviews and great threads.

onto the question:

my kenwood KPM-310's suck royally. i have been using them for the better part of a year and a half and its time for a change. they are way too boomy on the low end and highs are just non-existent.

my use is primarily computer related, mostly listening to my cd collection ripped for easier access and some mild gaming.

not sure what the feeling is on computer-headphone setups here but i have a SB Audigy that i'm currently using. i know there are Creative haters everywhere so please keep your complaints to something constructive. I'm 20 years old and a college student so please don't suggest HD600's etc, etc.

i'm looking at the HD570s and the EH2270s

the HD570s retail for 149, the EH2270s for 199

online best price i could find was 73 for the EHs and 79 (after $10 rebate) for the HDs

so virtually they are the same price which makes it very hard to decide for someone who has heard neither set.

my budget is sub 110 bucks all said and done, shipping, tax, etc.

one question i had while writing this up is what is the difference between the HD series and the Evolution series?

also i would like input on a headphone amp. i've never used one before. how much improvement can you get using one and how sharp is the wallet dagger for these things? i've seen some for several hundred dollars. is there any for 50 or under that will do a decent job?

i appreciate any insight you can give me

Thanks

links:

www.sennheiserusa.com
www.pricescan.com

 

[Maxvla]

nobody?

i realize its middle of the night but there seems to be decent board traffic.

 

[Duncan]

All I can tell you is... that the HD570s are really poor, sounding really dark and boomy (According to other sources here)

The EH line ~ I THINK that they are geared more for computer users... knowing that the lower end, white EH series have boom mics on and are commonly sold cheaply in computer shops... maybe more of a forgiving 'phone for MP3s and the like ~ hence, evolution...

That is more of my own thought than actual knowledge... but, seems feasible?!

 

[Maxvla]

thanks for the reply (attempt) - not a slam

are you saying the 570's are poor in comparison to other products in the same price range or to your more superior setups?

i don't have any shops here in town that carry these so all i have is user opinion.

i'll check back later

btw thats gotta be the best smiley ever created. and i've seen alot.

 

[Duncan]

Supposedly if you can muster up a few extra dollars, the HD590s are a LOT better (or... for less, the HD580 ~ but they're pickier about the source you match them with)

The best thing I can suggest is maybe to search the forum for 'HD570' to try and get a feel for what other people think...

I personally haven't seen that much in the way of threads for the EH line of headphones... but, also might be worth a search

 

[Maxvla]

thanks for the input.

i've done just a few searches and haven't really found much help but i'll keep at it

590's eh? how many more parking meters do i need to break open for these?

 

[Maxvla]

newegg has the 580s for 125 minus a $20 rebate making them 105. definately do-able.

best price i came across for 590's is 149.00

i don't think i can stretch that far.

ok so the 580's would be the best of the group? besides 590's which afaik i can't afford.

 

[Duncan]

The HD590s ultimately would probably be better for using with a computer (without an amplifier)

Add an amp into the mix though, and I believe that the HD580s are more forgiving of any rips that you might have that aren't quite up to the grade... the treble is smoother on the HD580s...

There is quite a split here amongst the Sennheisier users... a lot prefer the HD580s but there are still quite a few people who think that the HD590 with a replacement cable can blow its cheaper, and older brother out of the water...

 

[Maxvla]

alright.

i know i have no experience with hifi headphones but i can't warrant the spending of 45 dollars more (1/2 again more) for headphones that might be better.

i'm going to do a bit more thread searching, but right now i'm kinda centered on the 580s.

 

[Duncan]

The HD580s ARE a great choice... they are less than a full step behind their bigger brothers, the HD600s which are very well respected in these parts

My only reservation ~ you might not be getting the best out of them, just using them straight from a soundcard, with their high 300ohm impedance...

But... thats where upgrades come into the equation... in the future, if you get yourself an amp, the headphones leap in performance and then you get the cool thoughts of listening to your entire music collection again as if its new... the amount of new information to be heard is amazing

If you go with the HD580s be assured that they are a good choice

 

[Maxvla]

580's ORDERED!

newegg only had one left and i knew they were discontinued so i didn't figure they would be getting any more in.

and although my main use will be on the computer i do have a pioneer 906 that powers my 5.1 system. i will use that to fully enjoy my phones.

i'm excited

now i am going to douse my kenwoods in lighter fluid and roast em

j/k but i want to.

maybe by this time next year i'll be able to afford a good amp.

 

[Duncan]

Congrats...

Be sure to post your opinions of them once you've had them for a few days

Thanks

Duncan

 

[Maxvla]

of course!

 

[Duncan]

by the way, nice avatar of Alizee

 

[Kieran Comito]

Congrats on your purchase. The 580s are a good headphone. However, they are a better headphone when paired with a dedicated headphone amplifier. So start saving money for an amp and a replacement cable, the sound will open up bigtime. Oh, someone forget to tell ya, Welcome to Headfi, sorry about your wallet.