[urbo73]

I realize comfort is different for everyone, but I recently got a pair of Sennheiser 555s for late night TV/DVD/Blu-ray watching. While they don't sound nearly as good as the Senn 650s or other headphones (AKG 702) I've had and used, they are tremendously comfortable.

I wish the 650s and 702s were as comfortable, but they are not. But for music listening they are a lot better.

Having said that, I'm curious, what are some headphones that are as comfortable as the Senn 555/595s but have much higher audio quality? This is directed at people who've had/used the 555/595s and moved up.

 

[pwnRhasta]

AD700/900

I tried the 595's and i think they are a step down in comfortness, and in SQ they are mroe enjoyable.

 

[kostalex]

Unamped: AD700, AD900
Amped: DT880, DT990, D2000

And MDR-F1 worth to be mentioned as a "comfort king". Though its sound is not an upgrade to HD595, it is rather a big side step. It was the best can for movies I had.

 

[john57]

Stax is more comfortable since I have both.

 

[Necrolic]

Since you didn't give us a budget at all, here's a few within a reasonable price range as well as outside of it.

Unamped: Any Audio-Technica A(D)700 or better.

Amped: Beyerdynamic DT770/880/990, Denon D series (comfiest headphones I've used and sound FANTASTIC), JVC HP-DX1000, the list goes on.

 

[urbo73]

Sorry - more details:

Budget: $700 or less retail/msrp
Amped: YES
Sound signature: close to the Senn 650 - not too much bass and not too little either

I read the Denons are comfy, but too much bass perhaps?

 

[kostalex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbo73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I read the Denons are comfy, but too much bass perhaps?

I do not think so. Amp them to take bass under the control. Denons have the highest SQ from my list, but they are also the least comfortable due to the pleather (leather) pads.

For $700 take Denon + MDR-F1 and be a happy camper.

 

[my.self]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwnRhasta /img/forum/go_quote.gif AD700/900 I tried the 595's and i think they are a step down in comfortness, and in SQ they are mroe enjoyable.

oh is that so?

 

[nyjets28]

not too sure, but i think the 580's are really comfortable. i've read that the 650's are actually more uncomfortable than the 580's, so maybe they might be worth a try?

 

[urbo73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kostalex /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do not think so. Amp them to take bass under the control. Denons have the highest SQ from my list, but they are also the least comfortable due to the pleather (leather) pads. For $700 take Denon + MDR-F1 and be a happy camper.

Hmm, Necrolic up above said the Denons were the MOST comfortable! I do wonder for a close headphone.

 

[urbo73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyjets28 /img/forum/go_quote.gif not too sure, but i think the 580's are really comfortable. i've read that the 650's are actually more uncomfortable than the 580's, so maybe they might be worth a try?

They are way less comfortable to me - I did try them. Basically there are two types of systems it seems:

1. Headphones that put no pressure on the skull because they have a strong clamping force around the ears (HD650, etc.)

2. Headphones that have light clamping around the ears because they are "suspended" and held in place by putting weight on the skull (AKG 701/702).

The AD700/AD900 seem to have the perfect fit in terms of weight distribution, but I don't know that the AD700 is better than the 595 in terms of sound quality, and I've read mixed things on the AD900 regarding anemic bass, etc.

My favorite sounding headphone is the HD650 followed by the AKG 702. The HD650 had just too much clamping force (yes I did the bend thing many times) and the AKGs headband would hurt my head after about 30 minutes! I would love the AKG or Senn 650 sound in a more comfortable phone! Help!

 

[nonsupremous]

I owned the 555 and 595. Both good headphones for sure. I upgraded mine to the Dennon 2000's. I would think that the 2000/5000 or 7000 Dennons would all be a huge improvement in sound quality. As for comfort...hmmm. I think my dennons are very comfortable. It took some time for me to really think that they were really comfy however. They are heavy, so you have to kind of grow into that. the cups and padding are very hard to beat.

 

[tutelary]

I had the ad700 and didn't like the way the little wings felt.

 

[kostalex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbo73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm, Necrolic up above said the Denons were the MOST comfortable! I do wonder for a close headphone.

I said "the least comfortable in my list", which list consists of the most comfortable cans I know. So Denons are very comfortable themselves, with soft pads, delicate clamping force and weight well distributed.

 

[Lunatique]

I have own(ed) the HD555, 600, and 650, and I wouldn't say that the 650 is far better. The only discerning difference between the HD555 and 600 sonically is that the 555's treble is slightly rolled off, and you can only hear that difference when you do focused A/B'ing. The only significant difference between the 650 and the 600 is the 650's bass is just a little bit more prominent, but it's not night and day like some people claim. So that means, the 650 has a tiny bit more bass and treble compared to the 555, that's it. The overall sonic signature between the Sennheiser's mid/high-end headphones are all very similar with minor differences.