[schorsch]

I loved them (HD540 ref gold).
 
they were my first piece of high end audio gear - used them with a very good CD playwer for somer years. BUT then stax happened to me and I have created a little collection of stax gear - still havin my HD 540 lying around when I just wanted to plug in .... without the need of an extra amplifier.
 
Just put new pads on them - really good headphones!!!!
 
Regards Georg

 

[Hairspray]

plug in .... without the need of an extra amplifier.

Hi Georg,
My O2 drives them like a charm (at around 12:00 hours though). But unamped?! They definitely need a LOT of juice.
Unless you are referring to an old receiver or amplifier, with a good old high impedance headphones output? That would make sense because they sound great out of my vintage Yamaha amp.

 

[schorsch]

Dear hairspray
For The stax headphnes One needs an special amp.

The conventional headphnes can be Pfluges into Most amps

Regards Georg

 

[LonelyHiker]

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I too am a big fan of the HD540Ref's. They are my main headphone for around the house. 10 years ago I inherited a pair in absolutely perfect condition, they looked like they were barely ever used. Since then I've used them nearly every evening and to this day the only thing I've had to replace are the cables (big surprise). The headband is held together with wire ties though and it's getting a little rough.
 
They spend most of their time connected to my computer, where they run directly off the headphone out jack, no extra amp. I prefer a bit of EQ with my setup, about a 1.5db cut around 4k and a slight bass boost below 100hz. But when I connect them to my Yamaha Aventage receiver, they get no EQ and still sound fine, so maybe the EQ is just to correct weakness in the computer's audio.
 
I've been wondering about something and I've never seen it addressed. How do the 540's sound in comparison to some of the moderately priced modern Senns, like the HD428? Has anyone done any testing along these lines? I've been tempted to pick up a pair of the 428's since they drop into the $30 range every couple of months, but if they don't have sound comparable to my 540's I'd probably be disappointed.
 
The only other Sennheisers I have are a set of the ear-canal cx870's, and I have to say they sound at least 80% as good as the 540's to my ears. So I'm curious what some of the larger modern Senns sound like in comparison.

 

[vid]

I compared the 540's brother, the HD 530, to the HD 600. The 600 sounded more linear but not as natural.
 
Of other old Senns in this price range, I recommend the unipolar. Mod or EQ them to have a bit less treble and a bit more bass, and forget the HD 428.

 

[pOOB73]

I've just ordered myself a HD 530 II. Hope it pairs well with my iBasso DX50 and Meier Audio Corda Quickstep.
Already love this combination with the Heir 8.A. Unmatched detail, clarity and subsonic bass.

 

[SmOgER]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD-540-reference-Headphones-gepruft-funktionieren-/321242675191?pt=Kopfhörer&hash=item4acb8e37f7

 

[GREQ]

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD-540-reference-Headphones-gepruft-funktionieren-/321242675191?pt=Kopfhörer&hash=item4acb8e37f7

Posting links to auctions is extremely bad internet etiquette - please refrain from doing this in future.
If someone wants to look to purchase a headphone, they'll look on their own.
Don't abuse these forums for advertising your own equipment for sale, or linking the sale of others equipment.
That's what the "for sale" forum is for.

 

[compubomb]

Having a difficult time finding replacement pads for the HD540's They are great cans, I have a pair of hd580's, 600's, 650's and these still hold their own with the right amplification. Can someone suggest a good replacement, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[GREQ]

  Having a difficult time finding replacement pads for the HD540's They are great cans, I have a pair of hd580's, 600's, 650's and these still hold their own with the right amplification. Can someone suggest a good replacement, I'd really appreciate it.

If someone can confirm if the HD530 has identical earpads then you could order replacements here: http://headphonespares.sennheiser.co.uk/hifi-tv-headphones/hd-530

 

[Hairspray]

  Having a difficult time finding replacement pads for the HD540's They are great cans, I have a pair of hd580's, 600's, 650's and these still hold their own with the right amplification. Can someone suggest a good replacement, I'd really appreciate it.

 
Those Senn pads fit perfectly:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/sennheiser_hd250_linear_ii_ohrpolster.htm
 
pic of my 540 ref with the linear II pads:
 

 

[vid]

The HM5 pads fit the HD 530 and they're the cheapest. I don't like to fully seal them on the baffle, though.

 

[Hairspray]

 
(...) and forget the HD 428.

 
Totally agree. It's not even worth comparing them. 540 are at least 3 leagues above.
Compared to my Q701, 540 Ref sound more natural/realistic (amazing timbre and great intimacy), more neutral, with unmatched imaging, and comfort is 10/10 (they are SO light).
Plus, they conciliate a front-row presentation with a superb wide soundstage.
Separation/articulation are great too, with a lot of air.
Great HPs, totally underrated, probably because they are not "fun" or "spectacular" at first listen.

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

I have recently purchased the Sennheiser HD540 Reference II and put simply, it is the best headphone I have ever used. I have been using the HD250 Linear I and Linear II for one year now (which are very good) and I feel that the HD540II that I have now takes the standard of true-to-life musicality up even further. The HD540II with original all-velour earpads and inner cloth sounds incredible with all genres of music, in my opinion. The neutrality and resolution is simply beautiful and it is wonderful to hear many different music sources with such an incredibly pure, uncoloured transducer. Combining a HD540II with a Graham Slee Bitzie USB DAC and Lautus USB cable takes the sonic performance up even further and is something that needs to be heard to be believed... Beautiful. *wipes away a very manly tear* =')

 

[2leftears]

You'll find that Golden Ears subjectively rate the HD 800 and HD 540 even on resolution. Make of that what you will; I think GE may've also been extra kind in their review of the HD 540.

I have had a pair of 540's since new (bought late 80's I think, on my third pair of pads now). I found that not until Sennheiser released the HD800 did they manage to match the tonal balance of the HD540s. I now have both and listen to both (my pair of 650 sees a lot less use in fact).

I do think the 800 has better resolution (and much better imaging) than the 540 though.

All of these (540,650,800) benefit from a good dedicated headphone amp.

For good recordings I use he 800 or 540, for poor recordings the 650 is a bit more forgiving.

B.t.w., this my first post, so I hope the formatting comes out OK!