[NewSc2]

Looking down the front page and into a few pages of headphone threads, I don't see very many threads regarding the HD580's or 600's and even people recommending these.

I see a lot of threads for various Sony and Koss headphones (CD3000, Eggos, V6's, KSC35, Portapros) and a good deal of Audio Technica and Grado recommendations, but it seems as if people are shying away from Sennheiser's top of the line (I do see posts/recommendations for the HD280's, HD497's, even HD590's...)

I own a pair of HD580's, and loved the sound, even unamped and stock cable (through my Denon 1802). I went for the Eggos, but I'm not very satisfied with the sound, and basically figured out not to mess with a good thing (if i love the HD580's, then just keep listening to them) but I don't get that feeling with the top Sennheisers... am I missing something?

 

[drewski]

It's kind of like a Toyota Camry- if you own one, you probably like it, can depend on it, and would recommend it to others if asked. But you don't bring it up as a conversation starter because it's not flashy or will it turn heads while driving down the street. Yet it's one of the best selling cars (if not the best).

I kind of feel that way about my HD600's.

I hope this makes sense

 

[vwap]

Quote:

Originally posted by NewSc2 Looking down the front page and into a few pages of headphone threads, I don't see very many threads regarding the HD580's or 600's and even people recommending these. I see a lot of threads for various Sony and Koss headphones (CD3000, Eggos, V6's, KSC35, Portapros) and a good deal of Audio Technica and Grado recommendations, but it seems as if people are shying away from Sennheiser's top of the line (I do see posts/recommendations for the HD280's, HD497's, even HD590's...)

These tend to go in phases.. If you do a search for the HD580s or HD600s, you'll find quite a few threads on them. The HD580/600's are currently on the bottom of the wave, while the CD3000, Eggos, etc. are on the top of the wave. It'll be back eventually...

 

[jms007bnd007]

Just check out some people's profiles, and you will see how many people own the 580/600 headphones.

 

[stan23]

Quote:

Originally posted by vwap These tend to go in phases.. If you do a search for the HD580s or HD600s, you'll find quite a few threads on them. The HD580/600's are currently on the bottom of the wave, while the CD3000, Eggos, etc. are on the top of the wave. It'll be back eventually...

abosolutely agree! When I was reading this board last year, NO ONE liked the CD3000. Now, they are all the rage.

Its just a matter of 'flavor of the month'

There are several cans that are pretty consistant. And that is the HD580/600/RS1/PortaPro/ETY

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I tend to disagree that the Sonys are the "flavor of the month" that everyone says they are. They are quite a bit better at a lot of things than just about any other set of cans out there, and have been around as long or longer than the rest. They fell out of fashion from the experiences of many people during the WOHT where a pair of horrible sounding units were auditioned by lots of people who then cmae out against them. Several people here who heard them at the WOHT now own them after giving them a second chance in their own systems using a good set of cans. Public opinion has swayed more and more people to give them a chance, nothing more. When the public opinion given my many of the more highly esteemed people here is positive toward soemthing, many will take a chance and try them or buy them.


It appears to me that the CD3K is finally getting its due here. Those who own them, almost to a person, love them. I count myself as one of those people who love these cans. I don't feel that they are for everyone nor every piece of gear out there, but I do believe that they deserve a chance as they are one of the best dynamic phones available today for a decent price.

 

[radrd]

Part of the reason that Grado/Sennheiser/Beyer/Ety have been consistent "performers" around here is Headroom. For better or for worse, Headroom has determined which headphones a lot of us consider auditioning. I think we can all agree that Headroom is a definitely good thing, but the fact that they can't sell Audio Technica and Sony products takes away some of the credibility that these two companies deserve. Now, however, people are becoming a bit more adventurous in their buying habits and 'trusted' Head-Fiers have tried brands that Headroom doesn't carry and the masses have started taking chances with non-Headroom gear.

 

[Mr.PD]

I have the HD580s with a Cardas replacement cable. I don't talk about them much, because the Sony people scare me.

 

[Sovkiller]

IMHO when people talked too much about something, with the time this theme become bored, I think this is the case fo the HD600/580, everytime someone talk about any headphone, or any amp or even any cable, for any reason there is always someone who has to bring any of them to the table, and make any comparison, this makes this talking a little bored, there are a lot of cans to talk about, HD600/580 aside, and me particularly do not consider them as a reference for anything but a good begining...but keep on going man....

Hope some of the rest of the members could find other choices, and not only the CD3000 which I like better now....

Flavor of the month now = DT880

 

[markl]

HD600 is still the most popular "upscale" can here. It's a great reference point and a completely sensible place for people new to better headphones to start. It's a good common reference point. It's a very capable, polite, and inoffensive can that is hard to fault, but for *some* people here equally hard to *love*. So they go looking for "something else".

When that happens, the options are limited:

1. Sony CD3000
2. Grado RS-1
3. AKG K1000
4. AT W2002/W1000/W100 etc.
5. Beyer 770/880/990 etc.
6. Ety ER4S
7. Various Stax systems
8. Sony R10

Owners of each of these "alternative headphones" are part of subgroups here that have very ardent constituents.

I also don't see the CD3000 as a trend. I believe it pre-dates the HD600 by a bit actually in terms of when it was released. That said, IMO, when people think of "upscale headphones" they tend to automatically think "Sennheiser". Semi-obscure German name, specialist in headphones and little else, and most importantly, they *advertise and promote* their flagship headphone, and they have good distribution even in chain stores. They do a great job of promoting their headphones.

When you dig a little deeper (which we can now do thanks to resources like Head-Fi), you find that there are a number of other contenders out there for "world's best headphone" besides the HD600. Thank God there are, because headphones are such a personal experience, that there's no such thing as "one size fits all".

Mark

 

[NewSc2]

Good responses

I'm not saying that every other pair of headphones are hot right now, I'm just curious that newbies don't get recommended these phones enough, and I know that the HD580's/600's are probably the most popular set of cans around here.

Case in point:

A new member came in here a couple days ago saying that he had about $600 to spend on headphones for a computer. In my mind this is the perfect number for HD600's + upgrade cable + $300 amp. Nobody seemed to suggest it though.

There are various other threads like this, and I don't see why people are offering some of the more controversial headphones up rather than the do-it-all Sennheisers.

 

[markl]

It depends on what type of sound a person is looking for. Not everyone is a immediate candidate for the HD600. You can say that any of the phones on that list above are better than the HD600 and not require hospitalization. These are things that perfectly rational people can disagree on and both be right-- for THEMSELVES.

Mark

 

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

Quote:

Originally posted by NewSc2 Good responses I'm not saying that every other pair of headphones are hot right now, I'm just curious that newbies don't get recommended these phones enough, and I know that the HD580's/600's are probably the most popular set of cans around here. Case in point: A new member came in here a couple days ago saying that he had about $600 to spend on headphones for a computer. In my mind this is the perfect number for HD600's + upgrade cable + $300 amp. Nobody seemed to suggest it though. There are various other threads like this, and I don't see why people are offering some of the more controversial headphones up rather than the do-it-all Sennheisers.

That's easy, their requirements for associated equipment are demanding. I would recommend a minimum of a Corda HA-2, or Gilmore Dynamic to power them, and at minimum a $400.00 CD player. Oh, and don't forget nice interconnects, headphone cable, and power cords.

 

[wallijonn]

for the most part I've only praised these. though I have joked that the minute you buy one for $250 you'll need to upgrade the cable for $150. then you'll need a really good amp to make them shine. and since you've gone that route, you might as well get a good source and then end it with some $50 to $500 interconnects.

but I've never suggested them to newbies strictly because of the hidden costs.

but they are great phones, nonetheless.

so for a top notch system:
HD600 $250
Equinox or Cardas cable $150 - $180
Meta42Max $300, Antness-Gilmmore $500, Melos $1100, RKV $1200
Interconnects $300
Phillips SACD player $400
power conditioner $300

not bad for about $1900 (the usual damage is about $2500)

 

[LobsterSan]

I think one of the reasons why I shy away from recommending the Sennheisers is that they were the first "audiophile"-grade headphones I had ever purchased, and I did so without the knowledge of head-fi or that other headphones existed that could compete with it. I had heard that the HD600 were the "absolute best", and so I was wooed to own the "best". As markl stated, the Senns get a lot of press and prestige for being Senns -- and a LOT of people have and really like them. As well, a lot of people were probably like me, and purchased the HD600 thinking that they were the be-all and end-all of headphones. I had failed to consider personal preference and choices in sonic characteristics of headphones.

A few months down the road, I realized there was something in the hd600 that was lacking to my tastes. But how could I go against what is considered to be the absolute best? Well, on my journey for alternative headphones, I came across headwize and head-fi, and found such a wealth of knowledge so as to make my head spin. My eyes were opened, and since the HD600 were not necessarily the best anymore, I could open up my ears and mind to consider alternatives.

For me, I guess I assume that people already know about the Senns, and have heard that they are great headphones. They have set a certain bar for prestige in the headphone world. It seems like almost everyone and their grandmother owns or has tried them. Recommending other headphones helps open the door for people to try different sonic characteristics and realize that headphone preferences are entirely subjective -- there is no absolute "best" in the world of headphones (with possible exception to the HE90/HEV90... though there may be somewhere out there who prefers the sound of something else, too!)