HD555 vs a500

[Digital Oxide]

in the market for something I can use in games aswell as listen to music, i've heard good things about both of these headphones, looking to get a final opinion on these, thanks.

 

[Tha_Bomb]

I can pwrsonally attest that the HD555's are an awesome deal. They're better than my friend's 580's (IMO) and have great response to all frequencies even without an amp (just a SB X-FI using ASIO/Winamp) It even makes games/videos/movies sound markedly better than anything else I've ever had. (HD-280's and Grado SR-80) I haven't heard the other pair.

 

[ScYcS]

I think the comparison is a little between apples and oranges. The HD555's are a different class than the ATH-A500 cans. A better comparison would be HD555 - ATH-A700 and HD595 - ATH-A900 - Beyer DT770.

 

[spaceman]

555s. the a700 airs are probably a little better than the 555s.

 

[WhiteZero]

I can pwrsonally attest that the HD555's are an awesome deal. They're better than my friend's 580's (IMO) and have great response to all frequencies even without an amp (just a SB X-FI using ASIO/Winamp) It even makes games/videos/movies sound markedly better than anything else I've ever had. (HD-280's and Grado SR-80) I haven't heard the other pair.

Weird, because the HD580's have a wider freq. responce. To each his own I guess.

I'm sort of the in the market for the HD555 or the 580 myself. I currently have a pair of the Grado SR60, which are awesome, but the I dont like the 2 thick cords that come down from the ear pieces.

 

[krameriffic]

I have a set of the HD555s and I returned some DT770/80s to Guitar Center in favor of them simply because I didn't like the closed design and they clamped way too tight. I felt like I was underwater and that they were smashing my skull whenever I had the Beyers on. The comfortability of the HD555s is very high (in my limited experience with high end headphones).

 

[Gautama]

Weird, because the HD580's have a wider freq. responce. To each his own I guess.

I'm sort of the in the market for the HD555 or the 580 myself. I currently have a pair of the Grado SR60, which are awesome, but the I dont like the 2 thick cords that come down from the ear pieces.

As a owner of both the HD555 and 580, I strongly recommend the HD580. Unamped, the HD555 wins hands down. But with an amp the HD580 is leagues ahead IMO.

 

[WhiteZero]

As a owner of both the HD555 and 580, I strongly recommend the HD580. Unamped, the HD555 wins hands down. But with an amp the HD580 is leagues ahead IMO.

Well, I'm not a super audiophile and the 555's are alot cheaper on the Egg. Besides, I dun have an amp anyway.
So I've ordered the 555s. Hopefully i'll have em Tuesday.

Thanks for the info though, I should be quite happy with em.

 

[Mister X]

555s. the a700 airs are probably a little better than the 555s.

You mean the AD700s?

(in which case I would take the AD700s because they do everything but the midrange just a little better)

I should be quite happy with em.

I think you will find they are a nice upgrade over the SR60s.
Especially for gaming.

 

[Viper87227]

You mean the AD700s?

(in which case I would take the AD700s because they do everything but the midrange just a little better)

Agreed. I am not nuts over the closed AT's, but the open ones are pretty good for the price. Can't go wrong with AD700's.

 

[spaceman]

yeah the a700 airs are the open version. comfy, around $100 and have good all-around sound. what's not to like?