[Scifiguy]

Right now I have HD555's and a older gilmore lite amp. Would the Hd580 be the next good upgrade or should I wait to save and go huge with some HD650's? I like sennheiser sound because I also have px100's and hd280's so I think I want to stick with senn's. So would the hd580's be a good step up with my amp? Also maybe a power supply for my amp but I think a new headphone first.

 

[nabwong]

Have you listened to the RS-1 or 2?

 

[Scifiguy]

No, I haven't listened to any grados. I have read they do real well with my amp though. Are you saying look into a compliment can? If I experiment with a new can it wont be a $600 one though. So for now I dont think so. Thanks. As the grado-senn war rages on.

 

[nabwong]

What is your budget then? I'm neither pro sennheiser nor pro grado. I love em both.

 

[applebook]

Go for the 580 unless you plan on getting a very good source.

 

[Scifiguy]

I meant no offence about the grado/senn thing.

My budget right now is around $200. I could wait for the hd650 range $350 in a couple months and I would have to check back next year for the $600 range.
Also my source is a av710 although I may look into a microdac.

 

[drarthurwells]

I bought some new ones at $300 about 7 months ago. A deal on Ebay but rare.

Look around carefully.

Prices will drop perhaps - success of AKG K701 will reduce demand for HD650 and a HD700 model could come out soon (no news just speculation).

 

[jagorev]

HD 580 is a good upgrade...it's practically identical to the HD 600, which itself is very close to the 650 for most purposes.

 

[applebook]

There are several eBay 650 deals for $279-85 with $17 shipping, but again, unless your source is good enough to match it, I'd recommend the 580 instead. You won't be disappointed with the 580.

 

[ironmics]

If your main listening is anything other than Jazz or Classical, I think you should skip the 580, I had a 580 and while it sounded great with classical, it is a down right boring set of cans, and I think most will agree. If you listen to rock more then go for a Beyer or a Grado I would say.

 

[jagorev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironmics it is a down right boring set of cans, and I think most will agree.

No, I don't think "most" will agree with you. The 580 is way too good to be dismissed like that.

I would say: If you listen only to hard guitar-heavy rock, you could do better than the 580, by getting a Grado, which seems to be specialized for this task. The 580, on the other hand, are better all-rounders, and sound pretty good with everything, and excellent with some genres. Grados and Beyers (770 and 990) can be unlistenable with some music.

 

[cwuzer]

are they for real?

 

[ironmics]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagorev No, I don't think "most" will agree with you. The 580 is way too good to be dismissed like that. I would say: If you listen only to hard guitar-heavy rock, you could do better than the 580, by getting a Grado, which seems to be specialized for this task. The 580, on the other hand, are better all-rounders, and sound pretty good with everything, and excellent with some genres. Grados and Beyers (770 and 990) can be unlistenable with some music.

Sorry what I meant is that they are boring compared to say Grado's in the sense of being laid back, and since most consider them to be very laid back phones that's what I meant, bad wording on my part. I agree they are great phones also though. Also Grado's sound pretty darn good on smaller group jazz. In my experience 225's, 770's, 580's are probably the three most spread out phones there could be. Just depends on how you like your music, in your face(Grado's), a ways away(Senn's), or with a sub next to your ear (770's). From what I've read it seems that HD555's and DT990's fall in the middle of the triangle somewhere, and I've always wanted to try both of them.

 

[granodemostasa]

i would personally wait and get the 650s, they improve more with cables and junk more than 600s and other senns. but on that cord i must say that it really depends on your listening wants and needs, the 650 has a more present bass and mid bass than the 580/600 line. the 600 sounded a little clearer, but just barely and didn't justify the price difference over th 580. have 650 has more potential though; you can always improve it while keeping the same headphone instead of changing headphones as you move up the audioquality ladder.
on soundstage: the soundstage on the H650 is similar to the 600/580 but very different from the grado phones. because it is so widespread the senns sound better for orchestral works while the grados work great with small bands/jazz or vocal groups. are they boring? well, if i compared it to the speed and the inbalence of the SR60, then it is, the senns are slow on the pianos and percussion.... unless it is a balenced senn.

 

[mazersteven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scifiguy I meant no offence about the grado/senn thing. My budget right now is around $200. I could wait for the hd650 range $350 in a couple months and I would have to check back next year for the $600 range. Also my source is a av710 although I may look into a microdac.

I purchased my Senn HD 600's for $229. I think in my opinion they are the best headphone for that price.