Steve999
smooth, DARK
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2002
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I was at the Sony outlet store in Lancaster PA this weekend, and saw the Sony MDR-CD580s for $40, refurbished. They seem to usually go for $50-$100, plus shipping etc. These are very big heavy phones and well within king dork territory. However, they are quite comfortable, considering their weight. They are front closed, open back, whatever that means. I was going to return them if I didn't like them, but I like them a lot. Instead of trying to use adjectives I'll compare them to my other favorite headphones.
The MDR-CD580s are my easiest to drive headphones, period. They are obviously easier to drive than the Sennheisier HD 497s, Sony MDR-V6s, and Grado SR60s. The Specs on the CD580s are 40 ohms at 1khz and 106 db/mw.
Sony V6s: The CD580s are first and foremost warmer than the V6s. If you A/B them it's CD580s-- warm, V6s--cold. Pianos in acoustic jazz have more prominence with the CD580s. They sound a little more tinny with the V6s. Female vocals sound a little more rich and breathy with the CD580s. You can hear breathing and the reed texture on a saxophone with the CD580s -- quite different from the V6s. The CD580s have low bass, like the V6s. The V6s low bass fits the sound of the V6 better though, so it sounds deeper and more impressive. However, the CD580s have some mid-bass emphasis that the V6s don't have. I think which is better is subjective and may vary with type of music. The CD580s seem more musical with a better soundstage than the V6s, and more accurate and balanced.
Sennheisier HD497s -- the CD580s are obviously brighter on the top end than the HD 497s. The HD497s have a super-sheen and punchy bass. Acoustic pianos are more forward on the CD580s and sound less tinny, and female vocals are more forward. The CD580s can really rock out in a low bass and bright top end way; The HD497s are more silky smooth sheen and punchy. The CD580s are warmer in the mids while the HD497s are darker overall, if that makes any sense. This is likely because the CD580s are much brighter in the treble. The CD580s have an advantage if you are listening closely and intimately to voices, piano, saxophone, etc.
Grado SR60s -- the CD580s and Grado SR60s are similar in the upper treble -- sibilants and high hats and cymbals, etc, sound similar. I'd say the CD580s are even brighter in the high treble! The Grados have a lovely and very coherent and addictive sound. Pianos on jazz recordings are less tinny with the CD580s, and female vocals are more full and rounded.
Sony CD180s -- I have been using the CD180s, rated very good and a best buy by consumer reports. A/Bing the the CD580s and the CD180s was quick and eye-opening. It seemed there was nothing that the CD580s didn't do better than the CD180s, so I just put the CD180s down and forgot about them. The CD180s were not overly bright though (or even bright enough), but still had sibilance and echo and lacked low bass.
The biggest drawback of the CD580s are looks (big silvery meshy globes) and weight (250g), some sizzle in the high treble. On the other hand they are warm and VERY detailed for close listening to a particular instrument or voice. I am pleased to have bought them for $40. If I had paid more... who knows?
The MDR-CD580s are my easiest to drive headphones, period. They are obviously easier to drive than the Sennheisier HD 497s, Sony MDR-V6s, and Grado SR60s. The Specs on the CD580s are 40 ohms at 1khz and 106 db/mw.
Sony V6s: The CD580s are first and foremost warmer than the V6s. If you A/B them it's CD580s-- warm, V6s--cold. Pianos in acoustic jazz have more prominence with the CD580s. They sound a little more tinny with the V6s. Female vocals sound a little more rich and breathy with the CD580s. You can hear breathing and the reed texture on a saxophone with the CD580s -- quite different from the V6s. The CD580s have low bass, like the V6s. The V6s low bass fits the sound of the V6 better though, so it sounds deeper and more impressive. However, the CD580s have some mid-bass emphasis that the V6s don't have. I think which is better is subjective and may vary with type of music. The CD580s seem more musical with a better soundstage than the V6s, and more accurate and balanced.
Sennheisier HD497s -- the CD580s are obviously brighter on the top end than the HD 497s. The HD497s have a super-sheen and punchy bass. Acoustic pianos are more forward on the CD580s and sound less tinny, and female vocals are more forward. The CD580s can really rock out in a low bass and bright top end way; The HD497s are more silky smooth sheen and punchy. The CD580s are warmer in the mids while the HD497s are darker overall, if that makes any sense. This is likely because the CD580s are much brighter in the treble. The CD580s have an advantage if you are listening closely and intimately to voices, piano, saxophone, etc.
Grado SR60s -- the CD580s and Grado SR60s are similar in the upper treble -- sibilants and high hats and cymbals, etc, sound similar. I'd say the CD580s are even brighter in the high treble! The Grados have a lovely and very coherent and addictive sound. Pianos on jazz recordings are less tinny with the CD580s, and female vocals are more full and rounded.
Sony CD180s -- I have been using the CD180s, rated very good and a best buy by consumer reports. A/Bing the the CD580s and the CD180s was quick and eye-opening. It seemed there was nothing that the CD580s didn't do better than the CD180s, so I just put the CD180s down and forgot about them. The CD180s were not overly bright though (or even bright enough), but still had sibilance and echo and lacked low bass.
The biggest drawback of the CD580s are looks (big silvery meshy globes) and weight (250g), some sizzle in the high treble. On the other hand they are warm and VERY detailed for close listening to a particular instrument or voice. I am pleased to have bought them for $40. If I had paid more... who knows?
