I just got them...and they sound absolutely incredible. Very solid feeling, and immensely comfortable. Breaking them in right now, and also building a Cmoy amp for them. I love the sound, its very warm, but clear. I don't know how it will sound better with an amp, but I will let you all know.
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Wow...(Sennheiser HD555's)
- Thread starter Whitedude
- Start date
Whitedude said:
I noticed that the sound did change alot, and I mean alot to me. They sound now more balanced and real, I would discribe them as being more live, at first they sounded great with the bass just right or just a little overpowering but now things are more clear and the bass is more in shape with the vocals. I liked them at first alot, and I still like them alot but they did change alot and wish that they sound like they did before. Where as my 650's sounded alot better after a wile and not so good at first. But still my car stereo sounds better than any of my headphones so when I want something better that my headphones I just go out to my car and drive around. I wish I had some headphones that sounded like my car so that I did not waste so much gas!
Tedro said:
FWIW, you are probably just acclimating yourself to the headphones, rather than them substantially changing. A test was done about burn-in on HT speakers over at AVSforum, and the conclusion was that there was no such animal.
What do you like about your car stereo that your don't about your HD650's? I think the 650's are pretty damn nice, and I don't think that ANY car stereo could possibly beat them on accuracy, especially considering the terrible isolation and noise floor you get in a vehicle.
The effects of burning-in headphones varies depending on the model, but it does exist. If you don't believe me, then pick up a new pair of Sennheiser 280 Pros! You'll notice a change within just an hour, and and even bigger change after a day. Of course, psychology does play a part in how the sound improves. However, psychology alone doesn't account for how significant the sound changed in my 280s after such a short period of time.
On the other hand, some headphones change gradually or not at all when burning in. For example, I've never noticed change in my HD497s.
If you're already satisfied with the sound as-is, then there's not much of a reason to 'burn-in' headphones (in my opinion). After all, the process of burning-in just involves playing something on your headphones, so you are 'burning the in' while just listening to something. The only exception being if you wanted to burn in your cans at an unhealthy listening volume.
On the other hand, some headphones change gradually or not at all when burning in. For example, I've never noticed change in my HD497s.
If you're already satisfied with the sound as-is, then there's not much of a reason to 'burn-in' headphones (in my opinion). After all, the process of burning-in just involves playing something on your headphones, so you are 'burning the in' while just listening to something. The only exception being if you wanted to burn in your cans at an unhealthy listening volume.
Stinn said:
A good pair of headphones will pretty much be benefitted by whatever amp you drive them with. The better the amp, the better the quality. I personally would probably keep the amp budget to approximately the same range as the headphones themselves cost. Also, note that if you have a source such as an Audigy2, or practically any sound card, you'll be limited in quality right off the bat.
thanks BO(V)BZ, I have an av710 btw, I know it's not the best out there but it was a big step up from my old GTXP. I'm currently using an old Technics stereo receiver for an amp but it's got a few issues so I'll be happy to replace it with something. I got a buddy who is finishing 3rd year electrical engineering and he's agreed to build me an amp, and I'm sure he can do the work pretty well regardless of the complexity. I figured I'd get him to build me a pimeta, that should be a good starting place as far as amps go. Unfortunately to know this guy is to know this amp will never be as pretty as a MisterX amp 
but I'll go for function over form this time.
but I'll go for function over form this time.BO(V)BZ said:
Im sure your right, that I got used to the sound of the headphones but their is a change none the less either from the headphones or from my ears.
As for my car, Im not talking about a stock radio or anything like that and the sound from a completly active 4-way front stage in my car is mind numbingly nerve tingling pleasing err somthing like that. Its just so dymanic in my car where I have a sound stage that I can modify where as the 650s where very pleasing but still where headphones. I did lose myself a fewtimes in them on how good they sounded but still enjoy sitting in my car. I loved my 650's. If I cant be with my car I use my 555 since my 650 are no longer with me.
Stinn said:thanks BO(V)BZ, I have an av710 btw, I know it's not the best out there but it was a big step up from my old GTXP. I'm currently using an old Technics stereo receiver for an amp but it's got a few issues so I'll be happy to replace it with something. I got a buddy who is finishing 3rd year electrical engineering and he's agreed to build me an amp, and I'm sure he can do the work pretty well regardless of the complexity. I figured I'd get him to build me a pimeta, that should be a good starting place as far as amps go. Unfortunately to know this guy is to know this amp will never be as pretty as a MisterX amp
NP =]
Just based on the fact no resampling is necessary, I'd say that the AV710 is probably better than the Audigy 2, so that's a good start =] Hopefully things go well for your buddy building the amp.. should be a fun project for him,
Quak3R said:
I recommend getting use to them at the default EQ, I went from the Senn 457s to the 595s, I think you will find it doesn't need much eq after breakin
Also don't use the headphone setting in the Creative speaker settings, use the 2.1 speaker setup.
If you aren't resampling and using ASIO, I recommend that too
Pinipig523
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,742
I have the HD555 and I find that it is a very good set of phones for the price. I thought about getting the 650s or the 595s, but I decided that the 555s would suffice enough... especially when my Polk LSis are still king in my bedroom.
Anyway, I would like to share some findings of mine regarding the 555s.
1. They dont need an amp but they WANT an amp. I plugged the phones directly to my audigy 2zs and found the bass response to be missing a lot of depth and speed. It felt like a water balloon hitting you in the chest - no real impact, merely a splash... if at all. However, when the 555s are plugged into an amp (like on my HK330), the bass response is tremendously improved (atleast 30-40% better). The impact and speed is all there.. instead of a water balloon, picture a baseball hitting you in the chest... quick, precise, and visceral (at times). I think that the highs and the mids arent much improved with an amp, atleast not noticeably. Perhaps there is a better overall coherence in the sound... I definitely liked listening on the amp better than straight out ampless.
2. I dont believe in breaking in... perhaps breaking the mind moreso than the headphones themselves. However, for some reason, I found to enjoy the headphones moreso after two weeks of getting them. I know it cant be because of altered drivers... moreso my brain getting used to the sound.
3. I really like the vocals coming from the 555. Very similar to the Vifa tweeters of my Polk LSis.. very sweet, not sibilant, yet the detail remains. I love how I can listen to these at a loud volume and still have the headphones remain coherent and balanced.
Anyway, I would like to share some findings of mine regarding the 555s.
1. They dont need an amp but they WANT an amp. I plugged the phones directly to my audigy 2zs and found the bass response to be missing a lot of depth and speed. It felt like a water balloon hitting you in the chest - no real impact, merely a splash... if at all. However, when the 555s are plugged into an amp (like on my HK330), the bass response is tremendously improved (atleast 30-40% better). The impact and speed is all there.. instead of a water balloon, picture a baseball hitting you in the chest... quick, precise, and visceral (at times). I think that the highs and the mids arent much improved with an amp, atleast not noticeably. Perhaps there is a better overall coherence in the sound... I definitely liked listening on the amp better than straight out ampless.
2. I dont believe in breaking in... perhaps breaking the mind moreso than the headphones themselves. However, for some reason, I found to enjoy the headphones moreso after two weeks of getting them. I know it cant be because of altered drivers... moreso my brain getting used to the sound.
3. I really like the vocals coming from the 555. Very similar to the Vifa tweeters of my Polk LSis.. very sweet, not sibilant, yet the detail remains. I love how I can listen to these at a loud volume and still have the headphones remain coherent and balanced.
QwertyJuan
[H]F Junkie
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
- Messages
- 11,285
I have an old set of HD-500's are they any good?? They were given to me by a guy who was gonna throw them out.
QJ
QJ
Svperstar said:I recommend getting use to them at the default EQ, I went from the Senn 457s to the 595s, I think you will find it doesn't need much eq after breakin
Also don't use the headphone setting in the Creative speaker settings, use the 2.1 speaker setup.
If you aren't resampling and using ASIO, I recommend that too
thanks for the feedback there star, I'll be more careful next time.