Recabling Sennheiser HD555s, Driving HD600s etc.

H

HC77

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
88
Help!
My HD555's cabling was recently damaged, and I'd like to recable the headphones. While I found the instructions to recable the 5x5 series headphones both here on [H] and head-fi, I've yet to find a source for the cables.
1. Can anyone offer any suggestions on where to purchase the cables?

I'm also considering upgrading to a new model - I'm looking at 3 models, all by Sennheiser:
HD-580
HD-595
HD-600

I've read that the 595s offer a noticeable improvement over the 555s depending on the source. I'm mainly considering these because of the 120 Ohm impedance vs. 300 for the 580/600s.


On the other hand, I' understand that the cable for the 580/600 is of higher quality, and easily replaceable. However, I'm concerned with the high impedance of the cans.

My goal is to continue to use the headphones primarily on my PC for now, with the intention of using them on a dedicated audio system of suitable quality in the near future.

2a. Is it possible to drive the HD 580/600 off of an Audigy 2ZS or X-FI?
2b. Is it realistic to drive them off of a headphone amplifier, and route the ouput of the soundcard through the amp, with good results? (I am concerned about amplifying the EMI and picking up system noise by doing this.)
2c. Can anyone offer another alternative to driving these phones well, while maintaining the ability to use them on the PC for both music and gaming?

3. Is it worth considering the 595 vs. 580/600 when all is said and done? (NewEgg has the HD580 for $145.00 before s/h now, vs. $239.00 for the HD595.) OTOH, Headroom has the HD600 for $229.00.

Thanks in Advance!
 
1) The 595's are 50ohm these days.
2) "Is it possible to drive the HD 580/600 off of an Audigy 2ZS or X-FI?"

Not to maximum performance.

3) "Is it realistic to drive them off of a headphone amplifier, and route the ouput of the soundcard through the amp, with good results? (I am concerned about amplifying the EMI and picking up system noise by doing this.)"

Absolutely. :D A dedicated headphone amp should offer clean amplification.

4) The 595s would be a choice if you don't want to get a dedicated headphone amp. Otherwise get the 580/600's.
 
In reguards to 2b:

Yeah, that setup worked fine for me. I used to run Audigy2 ZS-->PPA-->HD600 and I had no interference problems. Since then I have upgraded to an ESI Juli@ for music and use the Audigy2 ZS for games.
 
Chastity said:
1) The 595's are 50ohm these days.
2) "Is it possible to drive the HD 580/600 off of an Audigy 2ZS or X-FI?"

Not to maximum performance.

3) "Is it realistic to drive them off of a headphone amplifier, and route the ouput of the soundcard through the amp, with good results? (I am concerned about amplifying the EMI and picking up system noise by doing this.)"

Absolutely. :D A dedicated headphone amp should offer clean amplification.

4) The 595s would be a choice if you don't want to get a dedicated headphone amp. Otherwise get the 580/600's.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback All!

Chastity,
That's great news re: the PC/Amp working well togehter. I've decided to hold off on a headphone upgrade as Sennheiser will send me a replacement cable, since my HD555 is still under warranty w/ proof of purchase.

However, I'll go the HD600 route in a few months. Any suggestions on a good Amplifier to start with for desktop use w/ the PC & HD600? I was originally considering a Total Bithead from headroom to pull double duty on the desktop side & also driving some Etymotic ER6s w/ an iAudio X5. But, I'm not sure if that's a good solution. I'm looking into this as a possiblity, as well as a dedicated desktop amp.

Also own a set of Grado 225s, and while the sound is good - the design is killing my ears as far as comfort, can't wear them for more than an hour at a time... Looking forward to going back to the Sennheisers.

Molson,
What is a PPA?

Thanks Again.
 
HC77 said:
Also own a set of Grado 225s, and while the sound is good - the design is killing my ears as far as comfort, can't wear them for more than an hour at a time... Looking forward to going back to the Sennheisers.
Click to expand...
HC77, headphile sells a mod for the grado's, which use beyerdynamic ear pads. If you really enjoy the sound of the grados, but can afford a slightly more laid back sound with better comfort, check out their C-pads. I've read some good reviews on them, and if I were to ever go the grado route, these would be a must for me.

http://www.headphile.com/page16.html

Great thing about them, is that they can be used on a lot of grados, so if you ever upgrade, you can transfer the ear pads over.

~Enjoy
 
towert7 said:
HC77, headphile sells a mod for the grado's, which use beyerdynamic ear pads. If you really enjoy the sound of the grados, but can afford a slightly more laid back sound with better comfort, check out their C-pads. I've read some good reviews on them, and if I were to ever go the grado route, these would be a must for me.

http://www.headphile.com/page16.html

Great thing about them, is that they can be used on a lot of grados, so if you ever upgrade, you can transfer the ear pads over.

~Enjoy
Click to expand...
Towert7,
Thanks - I looked at the site and the mods look intriguing, though I'm unsure about all the differences he offers, (ported, flat, ported, bowl, unported, ported custom etc.) and what the best solution for me would be. I'll definitely consider going this route, if I do I'll report back on the results.
 
HC77 said:
Towert7,
Thanks - I looked at the site and the mods look intriguing, though I'm unsure about all the differences he offers, (ported, flat, ported, bowl, unported, ported custom etc.) and what the best solution for me would be. I'll definitely consider going this route, if I do I'll report back on the results.
Click to expand...
Yea, I am interested in peoples first hand experience with this mod, espeically because I like a lot of rock music which the grados are praised for.

Basically, the ported pads have it where you can add "plugs" to change the amount of bass depending on how much you want, and also to change how open they sound. Unported are just all wood, without the plugs from what I know.
 
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