garyc
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Post by garyc on Nov 25, 2016 10:35:15 GMT
I've just seen these on Amazon UK for £89 Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Around-Ear Closed Back Headphones - BlackAccording to a head-fi thread sennheiser-hd-598-cs-closed-back they are Amazon channel versions of the HD569 (drivers the same but the headband looks like the HD599) I currently have a pair of HD555 (modded to HD595) which I use at home and I really like the comfort of these - particularly the velvet pads (a great selling point of the Superlux HD662EVO for me was the extra pair of velvet pads). I've used Sennheiser since I got hooked with a pair of HD414s in the early 80s and have a strong brand loyalty (not strong enough perhaps to buy a pair of HD600/650...). Opportunities to use the HD555s at home are still restricted as they do leak sound alot - these closed back Senns could see alot more use. I'm very tempted - 89 quid seems like a bargain (the 569s are £159 on Amazon). Thoughts?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 25, 2016 10:58:34 GMT
Sennheiser have never had a great reputation for closed headphones Gary. I have an HD250 which is perhaps one of the better ones they made but I know that some sound quite 'honky' (hd280 and 380) and I rarely saw any closed ones in working environments. I saw a lot of Beyers.
Closed headphones are a minefield since they don't resemble open in sound most of the time. I tend to use a dt770 at home or an AKG K553 which has less bass than the Beyer.
As far as open goes, I like both the hd659 and 600. In fact, I use the hd600 semi mobile in the back garden since the lead has a mini jack!!
Have you seen any reviews on the Senn hd598c? The hd598 and the hd558 that I have are both quite light on bass and pretty sharp up top. If you like that sharp sound, the AKG k553 might be a good buy for you.
I'm just wondering whether the hd598c has retained the same sound sig as the hd598 and IMO, it probably hasn't.
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garyc
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Post by garyc on Nov 25, 2016 12:07:19 GMT
I don't have the 555s here at work to compare against, but I am using the HD662EVOs (unmodded) which I think would be what you call 'sharp'. Prior to those I was using Takstar Pro80s (with HM5 velour pads) and I they seem to have more extended bass and are brighter, which I possibly prefer.
Never had any AKGs. A colleague has just loaned me some K52s. No contest with the Evos - bass is horrible and bloated/wooly. BUT, they are very comfortable and lightweight. I don't see any 553 (Pro) for sale any more - Amazon do have 550 MkII, £109. I could just buy another pair of EVOs for home use, or take a punt on the 598 Cs. Hmmm.
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Post by timjthomas on Nov 25, 2016 12:31:48 GMT
Similar price here in the states. I decided to give them a try. With the mic, it might work out well at work. Certainly much cheaper than the PM-3s.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 25, 2016 13:46:12 GMT
The hd598 open version is very bass light. Hopefully, the closed version isn't the same ....
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Post by timjthomas on Nov 25, 2016 16:31:40 GMT
I'll let you know when they arrive. I am quite a few conference calls at work, so I'm hoping these will be a decent compromise -- relatively good for listening to music as well as for calls. Senns typically are fairly well built, so it should hold up well at work (I'm hoping).
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garyc
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Post by garyc on Nov 25, 2016 18:43:11 GMT
Yes I'd be interested to hear your thoughts Tim.
From Ian's comments I think I will hang fire - it's not like I *need* any more headphones right now. Was also put off when I read that the pads are pleather rather than velour, which is one thing i really like about the HD555s and 662EVOs (don't get sweaty).
I re-discovered some KAM HP1s on my desk today - those I really like apart from the pleather pads. Need a source of round velour pads to fit those - 9.5cm diameter. Does anyone know of any that would suit?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 25, 2016 19:02:45 GMT
Their closed headphones do have pleather most of the time. My old hd250 is the same, hd25, hd280, 380, px200 are all pleather. I guess better for isolation. Best for sound out of that lot is probably the hd250 IMO. It's no longer made though.
I'll be interested to see what you make of the hd598 c.
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garyc
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Post by garyc on Nov 28, 2016 10:32:50 GMT
The HD598 Cs are now sitting at £199.99 on Amazon now, same price as the regular HD598, which makes the HD650 look cheap at £232...
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 28, 2016 11:14:40 GMT
For what you get Gary, that is cheap. It's a great headphone.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 11:22:19 GMT
The HD598 Cs are now sitting at £199.99 on Amazon now, same price as the regular HD598, which makes the HD650 look cheap at £232... Always be wary of people who use words like "massive" when describing sonic differences in the world of headphones. However, the HD 650 provides a massive upgrade in sound over the HD 598. As long as you have the amp (and source) to do them justice. £32 is nothing for that gain.
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Post by timjthomas on Nov 29, 2016 14:42:11 GMT
I've been listening to HD598cs for two days now, and have no complaints. It's a bit bright, but for use on conference calls, I think that's a benefit. The bass is a little lacking, but not non-existent. It certainly is not to the level of a modded T50rp (Paradox) or the HD662-EVO, and is closer to my HD580s.
I find the overall presentation clean and enjoyable.
They are incredibly comfortable. The headphone is light and well constructed, and the pads feel like a firm memory foam -- much firmer than the HM5 pads for example. The material is somewhat hard to describe. It feels sort of like a cross betweeen a microfibre and pleather. Not quite sure how to describe it. They do not seem make my ears feel overly warm.
In short, I'm happy with the purchase. I'm sure there are other headphones that do a better job (e.g., PM-3), but for $300 less, I can't complain. I wasn't looking for an "end game" headphone, only one that would work well on conference calls as well as casually listening to music at work.
-Tim
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Nov 29, 2016 15:03:42 GMT
Chances are 1 ply of toilet paper between the driver and the foam and the treble may be a smidgeon less.
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Post by timjthomas on Nov 29, 2016 15:08:52 GMT
Thanks Frans. Plan to take them home over the weekend and add the TP. (Don't want to do that at work and try to explain what I'm doing - LOL.)
I was planning to give that a try in a week or so after I've given myself a chance to give them a good listen. I didn't want to mod them before I had given them a "fair shake."
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 29, 2016 19:01:21 GMT
Coffee filters are good and are already round in shape. I use the ones that Are just a few inches across and they make great sound filters too. Not much cutting to do then. Just slip them in.
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