[nicholars]

At the moment I only have a budget of < £100 for some headphones, currently I have the CAL! which are ok but I miss my old HD650 sennheiser open sound etc.
 
So I was thinking of getting some of the new sennheiser line... Either the 518 or 558...
 
I am leaning towards the 518 due to value for money and more bass, also most people say there is not THAT much difference between the 500 series.
 
How would these compare to my old HD650? I really liked the HD650 but did find them a bit flat and boring sounding at times, are the 500 series better in this area? Obviously they are not going to be as good as the 600 series technically but maybe a bit more fun?

 

[proton007]

The 558 and 518 are not as 'punchy' or 'tight' when compared to the 600 series.
For fun sound, maybe you should consider Grado SR 80 or 125.

 

[nicholars]

Hmmm Grado sound is the the complete opposite of what I am looking for...
 
I want comfortable, open headphones with good soundstage, warm midrange and decent bass.

 

[proton007]

Quote:

I want comfortable, open headphones with good soundstage, warm midrange and decent bass.

 
Ah... I guess you meant something else by 'fun' then. 
Warm and bassy...hmmm..here's a comparison of the HD 518 and 558:
 


I think the 518 may work.

 

[obobskivich]

I haven't heard the 518 or 598 (and haven't spent enough time with the 558 to want to talk about them much), but the 5x5 series were very different from the 580/600 Senns. I wouldn't describe them as fun.

Comfortable, open, etc - have you looked at the Ultrasone HFI-2400? Probably closer to what you want.

 

[streetdragon]

I had the HD518 in mind since it is rather warm and bassy. fun im not certain though, it depends on you

 

[nicholars]

Maybe I should reword "fun" to "more energetic and faster than the HD650"...
 
By this I do not mean excessive treble, I just mean faster / more energetic... I do not like bright treble at all.

 

[Tangster]

Goldring DR100 or 150. No contest.
 
http://www.headfonia.com/goldring-headphones-dr50-dr100-dr150/

 

[obobskivich]

Maybe I should reword "fun" to "more energetic and faster than the HD650"...

By this I do not mean excessive treble, I just mean faster / more energetic... I do not like bright treble at all.

HFI-2400 would satisfy that. You might also look at the AKG K701.