HD590s?

[MrPrez]

Are they any good? I got a killer deal on them from tweeter, but the bass is so weak. I mean, compared to my Sony MDR-V600s, they are nothing, at least my sony's shake and pulse when there is bass, but the HD590s just sit there. Should i amp them? Take them back? Any advise would be awesome. Thanks. Safe and happy holidays.

MrPrez

 

[Harkamus]

Please, take them back. You'll be very glad you did.

Headphones: What is your particular taste in music? That will be your main deciding factor.

For bass heavy(I'm a basshead...I like trance, jungle, electronica, rap, rock, metal, classical), I recommend my personal cans, the Beyerdyanamic DT 770 pro or non pro. Non pro just has less clamping force which many people prefer. I have the non pro. I like these; they're quite fun cans.

Accuracy I guess would best come out of something like a Sennheiser HD 650. Though how you define accuracy is purely subjective. Expect to spend a good 285+ for these. Something else to consider is an upgrade cable for these cans. No, not the interconnect.... Something like a Zu Mobius.

I also like the Sony MDR-CD3000. These are expensive. I doubt you'd find them for cheaper than 450...and that's pushing them. They remind me of the DT 770s that I use except they are less fatiguing. I like the bass output on these and they are similar to my ear to the DT 770, except that they lack the visceral feeling. No cranium shaking from these. ...hence the easier listening from these cans. These are my bro's cans, but I am using them now until he finishes his PPA amp.

Might try the Ultrasone 550 Beatmasters as well...these remind me a lot of the DT 770s. They are identical in terms of sound to me except that the 550s are way easier to drive than the DT 770s. Still, I pick the DT 770s over these because of build quality. Less plastic and more metal. That and the Beyers are made in Germany; I was born there so yeah....

I don't know what else to recommend. Actually, I do know, but that's from word of mouth and not my personal experience.

Cables: Dude, don't skimp on the interconnect. a 3 buck partsexpress or some other will only go so far. If you're already buying expensive cans, don't skimp on the cable. If you get some Bestbuy shit, then sure, go even cheaper than partsexpress and just get some crap from Ratshack. I also recommend the Zu Pivot since I have it hooked up to my system. There's some other good ICs like the Boulder Cables.

Hanger: Banana hanger or get a custom CNCed one like me.

Source...to much that I don't want to type right now. Don't skimp on that either.

EDIT: Grado sounds like ass. Also, definitely DON'T buy the HD 590s from Sennheiser. Those are the epitome of shit. I don't know why they sell them. Even amped they sounded like crap to me.

 

[MrPrez]

well thanks for the tip. ill take em back day after xmas. I got this iPod cable that allows you to connect your iPod to your home stereo thus it will allow me to connect my amp to my sound card. Is this a good quality product, it's from belkin with 24k gold contacts, it looks quality, but i want someone elses POV. Where can i get some Beyer DT770s? Have a good one man. Rock [H]ard. Later.

 

[Harkamus]

well thanks for the tip. ill take em back day after xmas. I got this iPod cable that allows you to connect your iPod to your home stereo thus it will allow me to connect my amp to my sound card. Is this a good quality product, it's from belkin with 24k gold contacts, it looks quality, but i want someone elses POV. Where can i get some Beyer DT770s? Have a good one man. Rock [H]ard. Later.

I'm not familiar with iPods as I don't have one. What kind of cable is this? I mean what connectors are on the ends of it? RCA?

Brand does not make a good cable btw...it's the wiring inside and finally the connector. Gold is one thing, but if the connector sux, no amount of gold will help it.

As far as DT770s, I don't recommend anyone other than Jan Meier from http://www.meier-audio.de He sells both kinds I think. Jan is from Germany. Beyer is German. You will get them straight from Jan; Jan gets them straight from Beyerdynamic. I recommend the non/pro BTW.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years too.

EDIT: Just checked his site again. Seems he took the non pros off the site. Email him about those if you want the non pros. IF you do order from him don't be alarmed, for he will tell you to paypal a guy in the states that is in charge of his US distribution from what I know. Just a heads up.

EDIT2: You might check the for/sale forum at http://www.headfi.com

Just make sure the guy is reputable. Check his post count from the forums and his feedback from whatever. There's also a buyer/seller feedback forum on headfi.com that you may check; he might have done transactions before.

EDIT3: If you get DT 770s, get a 250 ohm version. From what I hear the 80 ohm version has less impact.

 

[nweibley]

Haha, Jesus!

I have the HD590s and I certainly like their sound. I have no qualms about the bass they produce, it is sufficient and accurate. I am also not, however, a basshead which may influence my opinion.

 

[MrPrez]

thanks to the both of you. Yeah, not being a bass head definetly influences your opionon on bass output of headphones. They sell the DT770s at Headphone.com, I might pick some up there, or ill get the HD580s. They're the same drivers as the HD650, Sennheisers best headphone, the only difference is the constuction, while the 580s are plastic mostly, the 650s have carbon fiber and titanium (i think), so that they are black between notes. However, that doesnt want to make me pay twice as much for them.

Ill have to see how my next paycheck is to see if i can get the amp from MIster X and some new cans in one fell swoop. Or maybe not, college starts in January for me and I still havent found a new job yet, so well see how things turn out. Again, thanks for the help and stay black homies. Ha, im so white. Peace.

 

[Harkamus]

thanks to the both of you. Yeah, not being a bass head definetly influences your opionon on bass output of headphones. They sell the DT770s at Headphone.com, I might pick some up there, or ill get the HD580s. They're the same drivers as the HD650, Sennheisers best headphone, the only difference is the constuction, while the 580s are plastic mostly, the 650s have carbon fiber and titanium (i think), so that they are black between notes. However, that doesnt want to make me pay twice as much for them.

Ill have to see how my next paycheck is to see if i can get the amp from MIster X and some new cans in one fell swoop. Or maybe not, college starts in January for me and I still havent found a new job yet, so well see how things turn out. Again, thanks for the help and stay black homies. Ha, im so white. Peace.

I believe you're wrong on the drivers for the HD 580s and 650s. If I am wrong, someone correct me. Put it this way, if the drivers were the same for the HD 580s, most people would buy those cans over the 650s price tag of about 450 bucks.

Still, the sound from those two cans are quite different with the 650s being superior of course. The 650s are also known to be hard to drive without a good amp.

Check your PM, btw. Sent you a link to a dude from headfi selling his Beyers.

Senns best cans are the HE90 Orpheus...13 grand cans.

 

[nweibley]

I believe you're wrong on the drivers for the HD 580s and 650s. If I am wrong, someone correct me. Put it this way, if the drivers were the same for the HD 580s, most people would buy those cans over the 650s price tag of about 450 bucks.

Still, the sound from those two cans are quite different with the 650s being superior of course. The 650s are also known to be hard to drive without a good amp.

Check your PM, btw. Sent you a link to a dude from headfi selling his Beyers.

Senns best cans are the HE90 Orpheus...13 grand cans.

AFAIK, the 580s and 650s have different drivers.


And horay for 13k electrostatic headphones! I think if I actually ordered a set of headphones that cost a few grand more than my TV, somebody in the house would have my head

 

[MrPrez]

Yeah, 13 grand for headphones, give me a break, even Trump wouldnt spend that on cans just because it's ridicoulus, they're discontinued anyway. Eh, whatever. The reason I say the drivers are the same is that the drivers for the 580s are identical to the 600s which were surpassed by the 650s because of the carbon fiber which made them black between notes, that was the only design difference. So, if the drivers in the 600s and 650s are identical, then the 580 drivers are the same as well. That's what I heard. Check Senns website, look at the replacement parts, youll see what im talking about. This isnt gospel, it's what ive heard. Peace.

 

[Harkamus]

AFAIK, the 580s and 650s have different drivers.


And horay for 13k electrostatic headphones! I think if I actually ordered a set of headphones that cost a few grand more than my TV, somebody in the house would have my head

I hate to sway off topic, but headphones are and will remain a niche market for a long time. A lot of people that enjoy headphones buy them because they can't afford to get a nice home theater solution. For a fraction of what it would cost to set up a home theater, you can have awesome headphones. Still, there are exceptions such as the Orpheus and the Stax eletrostatic headphones.

 

[darkpark]

don't forget that headphones are portable and portable mp3 players are selling like hot cakes these days.
weren't you kind of harsh on the HD590s Harkamus? They aren't great but they're not bad.
It has been said that they are the cross between Grado and Sennheiser.
In any case, I liked the HD590 but they weren't good enough. They did have some bass but it was too boomy for me. I prefer bass that's tight and punchy.
When I amped the HD590s did improve but not in the crappy bass. oh well.
I switched off to some Grado SR-325s and i LOVE these headphones. These cans have a less pronounced bass but it's tight which is alright. I just use a equalizer to boost the bass.

 

[TRex]

If you can afford it defiently go with the HD650's along with a nice amp. I've had the HD580's, HD590's and am currently using the HD650's. The 590's were the worst of the bunch. Clarity and bass just didn't compare to the others. After about a year the 590's right phone blew and were not usable anymore. Maybe bad luck.
So the HD650's paired with a good amp would be a great setup. I currently have the X-CAN V3 headphone amp and while its not the best amp it surely does sound great with my HD650's. Well worth the $400 dollars I spent on it. I read a couple of reviews that say the X-CAN V3 is a great amp for the HD650's. Anyways, just my 2 cents

 

[Harkamus]

don't forget that headphones are portable and portable mp3 players are selling like hot cakes these days.
weren't you kind of harsh on the HD590s Harkamus? They aren't great but they're not bad.
It has been said that they are the cross between Grado and Sennheiser.
In any case, I liked the HD590 but they weren't good enough. They did have some bass but it was too boomy for me. I prefer bass that's tight and punchy.
When I amped the HD590s did improve but not in the crappy bass. oh well.
I switched off to some Grado SR-325s and i LOVE these headphones. These cans have a less pronounced bass but it's tight which is alright. I just use a equalizer to boost the bass.

Portable...he's going to use a Pimeta amp. How portable is that? The HD590s by themselves aren't portable. A headphone on your head is NOT portable. I don't think he's going for portable. If he wanted portable he would get canal phones or earclips.

EDIT: This guy will use them for gaming as well.... Food for thought.

And no, I wasn't harsh. The HD590s are craptastic at best. I shoot myself for having recommended them to a friend without listening to them first. Ever since then, I quit referring ppl to cans that I haven't heard myself.

Bass on HD590 you say? Now that is something new. They were lacking in bass even when amped to my PPA.

 

[Talonz]

Grado sounds like ass.

BS. How did you come to that conclusion? I won't say anymore.

 

[Harkamus]

BS. How did you come to that conclusion? I won't say anymore.

There's the Grado sound and there's the Sennheiser sound. Grado sounds like ass. It's more like Grate-o.

There are plenty of followers of that type of sound; I give you that. I haven't heard the really top end...the PS1 I think they are. I've heard every other Grado though. Just not my cup of tea.

Someone said this about Grados and I believe him after having heard them myself. "Smack some aluminum with a cheese grater and you get the same sonic signature that Grados have."

They look cool. That is all I like about them.

 

[E4g1e]

Are they any good? I got a killer deal on them from tweeter, but the bass is so weak. I mean, compared to my Sony MDR-V600s, they are nothing, at least my sony's shake and pulse when there is bass, but the HD590s just sit there. Should i amp them? Take them back? Any advise would be awesome. Thanks. Safe and happy holidays.

MrPrez

I've had both the Sennheiser HD590s and the Sony MDR-V600s. They both suck for their prices - especially the Sony MDR-V600s, which sound extremely muddy and echoey, and are not worth even $25, let alone $100. Everything from 120Hz to 1kHz was SEVERELY overboosted, while the bass bottoms out at only 80Hz! And the upper midrange and the highs are almost nonexistent, aside from a very sharp, fatiguing peak at 9 to 10 kHz! Those particular Sonys are easily the worst $100 pair of headphones (of any type) that I've ever heard! (And please note that the ones that I had listened to were the older, made-in-Japan version. Current production MDR-V600s are now made in China.)

The Senn HD590s sound incoherent to my ears: Overtight bass, scooped-out midrange and overbright shrill highs (or more specifically, peaks in the upper midrange and lower treble region), like a lot of cheaper open-air headphones. Those Senns are one of the worst $200 open-air headphones that I've heard.

 

[MrPrez]

After talking to Harkamus and Mister X, im gonna get a Pimeta Amp from Mister X and some HD580s from Headphone.com. I game, and if i cant crank my surround speakers at 3am, then i want to feel the exploding barrels and the .357 magnum gun blasts in HL2. I want to feel when Larz Ulrich hits a heavy bass note in Master of Puppets. The Beyers have great bass, but i want excellent sound across the whole spectrum, and the 580s do exactly that. You kids have fun. Peace.

MrPrez

 

[IdiotInCharge]

Can you post a final cost on that setup? I'm looking at a move in the future, even these Sonic XS's would be too much (bass, unfortunately, travels through thin walls). Much appreciated.

 

[darkpark]

Portable...he's going to use a Pimeta amp. How portable is that? The HD590s by themselves aren't portable. A headphone on your head is NOT portable. I don't think he's going for portable. If he wanted portable he would get canal phones or earclips.

EDIT: This guy will use them for gaming as well.... Food for thought.

And no, I wasn't harsh. The HD590s are craptastic at best. I shoot myself for having recommended them to a friend without listening to them first. Ever since then, I quit referring ppl to cans that I haven't heard myself.

Bass on HD590 you say? Now that is something new. They were lacking in bass even when amped to my PPA.

the first statement regarding portability was just a general statement as the one you made regarding headphones being a niche market. anyway, i've seen plenty of people at my college sporting full size headphones. to each his/her own.

to me the hd590s were alright but i must not be as critical and i probably haven't listened to as a wide variety of headphones as you or other audio enthusiasts so my point of reference is different.

regarding Grados, i love their sound. i listen to a lot of classic rock, metal, 80's pop, and industrial which sound hellishly awesome to me on these cans. i prefer the bright and in your face sound of the Grados which some find that it grates on their ears.

 

[Harkamus]

the first statement regarding portability was just a general statement as the one you made regarding headphones being a niche market. anyway, i've seen plenty of people at my college sporting full size headphones. to each his/her own.

to me the hd590s were alright but i must not be as critical and i probably haven't listened to as a wide variety of headphones as you or other audio enthusiasts so my point of reference is different.

regarding Grados, i love their sound. i listen to a lot of classic rock, metal, 80's pop, and industrial which sound hellishly awesome to me on these cans. i prefer the bright and in your face sound of the Grados which some find that it grates on their ears.

It was not a general statement...I've talked to him personally several times. We've exchanged PMs as well.