Sonic Differences between 580 and 555

[donunus]

can anyone give me a detailed comparison or whatever you can about these cans. Just want to reinforce my hearing capabilities and memory of what my 580s sounded like... may it rest in peace

 

[donunus]

so no one in headfi has both? always a problem i have here. no one seems to answer these comparison questions, everyone just defends what they have

 

[Arainach]

The two phones are from completely different series. The 555/595s are a totally different sound from the 580/600/650 line. The 555/595s are a lot more forward, I suppose you could say. Personally, I prefer the 580/600 sound to the 555/595 sound any day, but others have felt differently.

 

[johnjac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus so no one in headfi has both? always a problem i have here. no one seems to answer these comparison questions, everyone just defends what they have

The SEARCH button can be your friend

 

[[AK]Zip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjac The SEARCH button can be your friend

Yep. There are a lot of comparisons. I prefer the 580/600/650's to the 555/595's. They have a more refined sound and more laid back.

-Alex-

 

[iancraig10]

580 sounds sweeter and wider soundstage. To some ears, a little 'dull' sounding but very analytical on good equipment. Very comfortable to wear.

555/595 Not as subtle sounding. Some people feel that the bass leaves a lot to be desired. Still a good phone. Referred to as 'dark' sounding. 595 is slightly more 'airy' than the 555.

My preference is 580 or even better the 650.

Ian

 

[donunus]

interesting, i dont remember the 580s being as exciting as my 555. I dont remember the soundstage being as good although it was more refined. What I remember is that i enjoyed my grados more than my senns and now i like the senns more with the 555. hmm

 

[iancraig10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus interesting, i dont remember the 580s being as exciting as my 555. I dont remember the soundstage being as good although it was more refined. What I remember is that i enjoyed my grados more than my senns and now i like the senns more with the 555. hmm

No-one mentioned excitement. The 555's have an immediate impact with a bit more bass thud imo. I have all three phones and compared them by having them plugged into my headphone amp at the same time 'cos it has 4 outputs. This allowed me to change headphones very quickly on the same music.

The 555 have more 'thud' at the bottom. 595 less 'thud' but slightly more 'airy' sounding. 580 don't have the initial 'thud' that the 555 has but I think that it is a tad more balanced than both 555 and 595.

Grados make my ears bleed!! I have them as well.

Senns are definately my preference. Interesting that you went from Grados to the much more laid back sound of the Senns.

 

[Murdoch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iancraig10 No-one mentioned excitement. The 555's have an immediate impact with a bit more bass thud imo. I have all three phones and compared them by having them plugged into my headphone amp at the same time 'cos it has 4 outputs. This allowed me to change headphones very quickly on the same music. The 555 have more 'thud' at the bottom. 595 less 'thud' but slightly more 'airy' sounding. 580 don't have the initial 'thud' that the 555 has but I think that it is a tad more balanced than both 555 and 595.

This is a very nice comparison of the bass performance between the hd555, hd595 and hd580. I haven't heard the 595, but your description of the bass impact of the 555 and the lack thereof in the 580 is in line with my experience. Based on the frequency response graphs of the 2 phones the hd555's bass also extends a smidge deeper than the hd580.

For me the hd555 has just enough bass to be satisfying. I would not be happy with the hd595 conisdering its relative lack of bass slam.

 

[Julz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus no one seems to answer these comparison questions

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ht=HD580+HD555

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ht=HD580+HD555

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ht=HD580+HD555

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ht=HD580+HD555

Yeah, no-one ever answers

 

[donunus]

The bad thing though about the 555 is that some music sounds thin and more enjoyable on cans like grados or even my stock zen micro earbuds for example. hehehe. try listening to the 1999 remaster of david bowies 1983 lets dance cd. Very weird, the fact that these cans give a soundstage make this recording thin and distant but sound great on a grado sr60 for example. The grados with comfies give it a thicker presentation( which is better for this music imo). On good recordings or just average recordings with a good soundstage, The 555s become a different headphone and kicks bootie!!! While the sr60 sounds the same with everything. It cannot touch the 555s with good recordings

 

[earjam]

I compared the 580 to the 650 and concluded that although the 650 was better i would be perfectly happy with the 580 if budget was a problem. Then i compared the 580 with the 555 and concluded that i would not be happy with the 555. The 555 just doesnt have the detail and resolution of the 580. The 580 is a very good buy considering the price it has been selling for lately. I am Currently being seduced by the detail of the sa5000. If you like the sound of the 580, you will probably like the sound of the 650 even better. I consider the sound of the 555 on the level of the grado sr60. In fact i think i prefer the sound of the sr60 to the 555.