HD555 vs SR125i

I

Irishllama

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As the title says, which do you think is better? I know one is more expensive than the other, but point per point which would you rate higher?


I currently have a pair of 555's in which the "elbow" has snapped in half. So I'm looking for a new pair between 100-200.
 
send them back, i'm not sure of the cost for the repair but i think it would be worth it.
 
Probably wouldn't be worth it because the headphones are $100, so after shipping etc it would probably be 40%+ of the cost.
 
For gaming I would not get the SR 125i, but for everything else I prefer Grados over the Senn 555 or 595s.
 
skudmunky said:
For gaming I would not get the SR 125i, but for everything else I prefer Grados over the Senn 555 or 595s.
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Hmm, why not for gaming? Are you talking about a broad spectrum of games, or a few specific games.
 
I'd say the SR125i are a great way to go...maybe even think about putting a little more cash down for the 225i's,both are great sets of phones for the price.

Also, if you use USPS a medium flat rate box costs ~$10 to ship, might be worth it just as a backup set or try to get some money back selling them after they are repaired.
 
Irishllama said:
Hmm, why not for gaming? Are you talking about a broad spectrum of games, or a few specific games.
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Grados generally don't have the wide soundstage that many Sennheisers do, so the positioning probably wouldn't be as effective. Also, the bass response and characteristics of Grados are more suited to music than gaming.

What mix of music/movies/games will your headphones be used for? What type of sound do you like? Anything about the HD555s that you would change? Knowing the answers to these questions will help us suggest some cans.

I would also look at the Audio Technica ATH-A700 and ATH-AD700.
 
imyourzero said:
Grados generally don't have the wide soundstage that many Sennheisers do, so the positioning probably wouldn't be as effective. Also, the bass response and characteristics of Grados are more suited to music than gaming.

What mix of music/movies/games will your headphones be used for? What type of sound do you like? Anything about the HD555s that you would change? Knowing the answers to these questions will help us suggest some cans.

I would also look at the Audio Technica ATH-A700 and ATH-AD700.
Click to expand...

Gotcha.

For gaming I rarely ever use sound in game because I'm using vent. If I DO use sound in a game it's either MW2 or as of most recent APB.

As for music I listen to mostly Dubstep or 90's indie.

I do prefer a bit of extra bass, more so than most people I suppose. I liked my 555's but the treble did seem a bit "blurry" at times.
 
From what I've heard the Grados tend to "color" the sound a bit, as opposed to recreating what is sent to it transparently. That is probably not what you want for gaming.

Sennheisers are generally known for being very transparent. You can pick up a set of 595s on Amazon for $180, that is what I would recommend. They're great for gaming and listening to music, and they sound fine without a dedicated amp.
 
Have you also considered the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700?

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276102724&sr=8-1

I have head over on Head-Fi that they are pretty good for gaming, easy to drive, and fall in your price range. I have the Grado 325is cans, and while the ATH-AD700 may not be as clear in the high's, they are still very "accurate" sounding headphones straight out of my on-board audio (Realtek ALC888).
 
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Hadrien said:
Have you also considered the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700?

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276102724&sr=8-1

I have head over on Head-Fi that they are pretty good for gaming, easy to drive, and fall in your price range. I have the Grado 325is cans, and while the ATH-AD700 may not be as clear in the high's, they are still very "accurate" sounding headphones straight out of my on-board audio (Realtek ALC888).
Click to expand...

Right now I'm borrowing a set of icemats from my friend, and they use the same design as the Audi Technica and I absolutely hate it. I feel like they are constantly putting pressure on my ears.
 
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Weird...

The ATH-AD700's feel weightless on my head. Almost like nothing is there. Their copy of the AT design must be different somehow since I know most users of AT gear love how light it feels.
 
Maybe I'll try the AD700's then.

Sound wise, do you consider them better or worse than the 555's? The 555's seemed to lack bass (Well to me they seemed that way).
 
I have not heard the HD555 cans, just the HD595. I would say the 595's had smoother bass, but the bass in the AD700s was pretty good and solid.

If you are a bass monster though, you should consider something that is closed. The ATH-A700 or the Phiaton MS400, although the Phiaton are out of your price range they are very impressive for the price.
 
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