[Tacanacy]

Are you using new pads on both?

 

[MattLee]

Are you using new pads on both?

Yeah I have a couple sets of pads. Tried them both with new pads and equally worn pads as well.

 

[Sefelt103]

Presumably a 3rd or 4th version, raised nameplate, made in Ireland ?

 

[moriez]

I just got another HD580 a few days ago. It has black silk screens and red voice coils and it's in mint condition, so I'm guessing it must be a pretty late model.

The weird thing is that it sounds very different from my other HD580 which also has black silk screens. I think my other one is an older model, closer to when they first started using black silk screens. My older one sounds much more laid back (closer to an HD650), while this newer one is more forward and bright, and it sounds nearly identical to my HD600 (marble finish, silver screens). Going between this newer HD580 and my HD600 is pretty interesting, there's next to no difference in FR.

Love these reports and what it means for all the differences observed and between listeners for years on end.

So it's just the red voice coil that set the 580's apart? No mods under the grills or anything?

 

[MattLee]

So it's just the red voice coil that set the 580's apart? No mods under the grills or anything?

Yeah there are no mods on either one. Only the voice coil seems different between them, yet they sound very different from each other.

This is one of the drivers from my older 580. I'll try to swap the drivers between the two 580s and see how they sound with each other's screens.

 

[MattLee]

I just swapped the drivers between the two 580s and it's pretty interesting.

The baffles of the newer 580 with the drivers from the older one still mostly sound like the newer 580, and vice versa. So I'd say about 80-90% of the difference comes from the baffle screens and not the drivers themselves.

I've heard that Sennheiser can vary the thickness of the screen material, so I think that's probably what's going on here. Either that or unit variance. Both of these have identical looking black silk screens, but after the driver swap it's obvious that those screens are tuned differently.

So I guess there are still big differences even within these revisions like "raised plate black silk", but it's only possible to tell the rest by ear or measurements.

 

[Strat1117]

My favorite ‘upgrade’ for the 580 is to replace the plastic grilles with metal 600 grilles. Makes them sound even more pure (less plasticky?), plus they look pretty badass with the all black earcups.

Imho.

 

[MattLee]

Yeah changing the grilles can slightly change the frequency response, mostly in the upper mids and lower treble. I measured the difference on my rig, but I'll probably redo the measurements at some point just to be sure.

 

[Hofy]

My favorite ‘upgrade’ for the 580 is to replace the plastic grilles with metal 600 grilles. Makes them sound even more pure (less plasticky?), plus they look pretty badass with the all black earcups.

Imho.

Where can you get the mesh replacements? I have been looking for a couple of years and nobody has them.

 

[moriez]

I’ve always prefered the original Sennie pads for the 6 series…both for sound quality and comfort…but they tended to deflate fairly quickly compared to just about any other pad, and that made them expensive. I used to change ear pads every year in order to maintain the sound quality.
Recently though Sennheiser has updated the pads and made them more robust. They are still within 1+- dB of the original pads but seem much sturdier and way better at keeping their original shape. I’ve put on a pair on my HD580 and have been using it quite extensively for 3-4 months..and they still feel brand new. The older styled pads would’ve deflated by now and as a result changed the presentation ever so slightly.

To your knowledge, is it as simple as that the old pads came in underneath packaging with cardboard label, and the new pads in an all plastic black/white seal?

Where can you get the mesh replacements? I have been looking for a couple of years and nobody has them.

https://www.audiosanctuary.co.uk/sennheiser-replacement-grille-for-hd650-headphones-each..html

 

[Strat1117]

Where can you get the mesh replacements? I have been looking for a couple of years and nobody has them.

IIRC, I just googled and found them from a hifi store in England. Cost around $35 shipped? It was a while ago, so things may have changed, but I’ll poke around and see if I can get you a more definitive answer.

Update: Here’s where I got them, but it looks to be out of stock. At least this gives you the part number.

https://artaudioparts.com/en/092815-cap-grill-with-perforated-sheet-for-sennheiser-hd580-hd600-hd650

 

[Hofy]

Same part number I have. Just can never find any place that has them.

 

[Strat1117]

Same part number I have. Just can never find any place that has them.

I wonder if that’s the deal since Sennheiser sold off their consumer products division. I certainly hope not.

Best of luck!

 

[SHAMuuu]

I wonder if that’s the deal since Sennheiser sold off their consumer products division. I certainly hope not.

Best of luck!

AUDIOEQUIP USA via amazon for North America

... probably very limited stock.

 

[cacacacaciiiiii]

What is a modern upgrade to these? 1000-1500usd range