HD555 broke - stronger alternatives?

[Culinia]

My Sennheiser HD555 have broken where the "Ear Adjustments" are, just below the "Ear Cushions" are housed i.e. cracked where the logo is.

I found this picture which illustrated where mine has cracked:

but mine is actually on the silver bit not the black bit/mechanism that goes up and down

Irony is where I got that picture they say "nothing to worry about" but mine have completely snapped in half!

Consequently I am looking for alternatives now since I want something similar quality wise but more rigid.

Mostly play games & listen to music (various)

Thinking £120-200 but I guess I could be coaxed into long-term thinking if it is quality built.

Paid £78.50 and headphones lasted 1086 days so cost me ~7.22p per day for reference

 

[mmj_uk]

My HD595's got small cracks in the same place at both sides, I used a bit of superglue in the cracks and they've been solid ever since.

 

[Culinia]

I think I'm gonna need a bit more superglue...here's my problem

It actually disengages from the chassis if I picked them up.

 

[Phal]

Beyerdynamic DT 990

 

[InvisiblePrawn]

I'd highly reccomend a pair of AKG K550's. They're primarilly made out of metal and feel rock solid. They're also extremely comfortable.

Or, if you're looking for something more similar to your previous pair, HD558's would work!

 

[Culinia]

Thanks for replies so far

Beyerdynamic DT 990

Been looking at the DT 990 'Edition' since they seem to be made out of metal. Look interesting something to consider thanks for your suggestion.

I'd highly reccomend a pair of AKG K550's. They're primarilly made out of metal and feel rock solid. They're also extremely comfortable.

Or, if you're looking for something more similar to your previous pair, HD558's would work!

Thanks for your suggestion but it seems they are 'closed' headphones, I think I prefer open headphones but is definitely something to consider anyway if nothing else turns up.

I looked at the 558 but it still looks like the same plastic and don't want this to happen again.

 

[Sin_Chase]

Could consider repair?

http://portal.sennheiser.co.uk/repairs/enquiries/hifi

 

[Phal]

Thanks for replies so far


Been looking at the DT 990 'Edition' since they seem to be made out of metal. Look interesting something to consider thanks for your suggestion.

Yeah depending which model you get, they seem to be either entirely metal or a mixture of metal and plastic. The plastic part is just the can itself so the headband and Y shape that holds the can is metal and feels pretty sturdy!

All that being said, I have a very old pair of DT 990s where the construction is entirely plastic and they're about 20 years old I don't tend to use em much but they've lasted this long so they can't be that bad lol.

 

[Culinia]

Yeah depending which model you get, they seem to be either entirely metal or a mixture of metal and plastic. The plastic part is just the can itself so the headband and Y shape that holds the can is metal and feels pretty sturdy!

All that being said, I have a very old pair of DT 990s where the construction is entirely plastic and they're about 20 years old I don't tend to use em much but they've lasted this long so they can't be that bad lol.

Thanks for comment. I am getting the DT990 Pro version, it seems the other version is full metal but is 'closed' but I prefer 'open' so get the Pro version with plastic. Hopefully should last.

Now to decide which impedance to get (250 or 600 ohms) is difficult...

Went over to head-fi forums and what a strange world...left me more confused than ever.

Could consider repair?

http://portal.sennheiser.co.uk/repairs/enquiries/hifi

Might just do that, but I don't want the same thing happening in ~3 years.

 

[Phal]

Doesn't matter which DT 990 you get, they are all open can headphones. DT 880s are semi open and DT 770s are closed.

As far as which impedance to choose, guess it depends on what you currently have to power them.

 

[Hicks]

Not sure what you do with your headphones but I've had my 595s for about 6 years and they aren't cracked, damaged or showing signs of either. I do hang them up when not in use though.
Are you sitting on yours?

 

[Culinia]

lol would like to say thanks as you guys can tell I am still a headphone enthusiast novice.

Doesn't matter which DT 990 you get, they are all open can headphones. DT 880s are semi open and DT 770s are closed.

As far as which impedance to choose, guess it depends on what you currently have to power them.

Currently have Creative X-fi Titanium sound card, but the non-hd one apparently the Titanium HD card can power or "drive" as they say up to 330 ohms. Since mine doesn't have an inbuilt amp afaik most of the people over there seem to recommend an amp to get the best out of it.

I'm not really sure what to do because then when I start reading the other threads and reviews etc it turns out apparently the 600ohm ones are the best (all the buzzwords) when paired with an amp, so I figure I might get an amp that can do 600ohms but the way I see it - it really is in all IMHOs over there so I may well just get a 250ohm version one plug it in and see what happens and then start thinking about amps and tubes and the likes

I base this on the fact I have a soundcard/desktop PC set-up and not looking to use it for portable devices (iPhones/MP3 players etc) and do not have an amp.

Out of curiosity does anyone have an amp with their headphones? Do you feel it makes that much of a difference? I'm more specifically concerned about gaming directional positioning first than music which may change my options.

Not sure what you do with your headphones but I've had my 595s for about 6 years and they aren't cracked, damaged or showing signs of either. I do hang them up when not in use though.
Are you sitting on yours?

haha, it must be my big head The day it broke I put them on my head and that was it. The crack just spread and spread until one day it split apart.

 

[Phal]

Yeah the 600Ohm variants of headphones tend to be better if you have something to power them. There are of course exceptions to this rule but generally speaking, the 600 Ohm headphones tend to be designed for enthusiasts who have the equipment to plug them in to. In theory, the higher resistance results in a more accurate sound reproduction.

I started looking for a headphone amp just because I wanted a separate volume knob and so that I didn't have to reach down the back of my PC all the time to connect/disconnect (clever design of my soundcard that disables speakers when headphone port is used...).

After reading up on the matter to found that I would obviously get a bit more volume but I would also get more accurate sound. I ended up spending a lot of cash on my amp but there are decent enough headphone amps for around £100 I believe or a little less.

 

[melmac]

Yeah the 600Ohm variants of headphones tend to be better if you have something to power them. There are of course exceptions to this rule but generally speaking, the 600 Ohm headphones tend to be designed for enthusiasts who have the equipment to plug them in to. In theory, the higher resistance results in a more accurate sound reproduction.

I don't think this is true anymore It comes to us from history. Way back when there was no portable devices, it was easiest to make high impedance out's on devices which meant headphones had to be high impedance. And who would have headphones back then only professionals or serious audio enthusiasts. So it sort of became the norm that high impedance meant high quality.

When actually it isnt true at all, headphones design, frequency response etc, has a much bigger bearing on sound quality than the impedance. True high impedance should mean less distortion, but, well made headphones should have no very little distortion no matter what the impedance.

Some of the best headphones in the world are low impedance, like the LCd2 and 3, Grado Ps1000, Fostex Th900.

What people should try to do is to match the headphones they are buying with the amp they have, or buy an amp to suit the headphones, but hey, who does that only audiophiles

 

[Culinia]

Thanks guys...

generally speaking, the 600 Ohm headphones tend to be designed for enthusiasts who have the equipment to plug them in to. In theory, the higher resistance results in a more accurate sound reproduction.

I would also get more accurate sound.

This sounds fantastic and you had me sold on the 600Ω and after some research I am considering the FiiO E09K for ~£110 but not sure if it is "worth it", in theory it sounds good but with melmac's counter I am now confused again

or buy an amp to suit the headphones, but hey, who does that only audiophiles

My problem is I don't have (working) headphones and I don't have an amp. The headphones I am considering come in 3 different impedance ratings 32Ω, 250Ω & 600Ω

So as you can see here's the conundrum

--Do I buy an amp first and then the headphones or the headphones first and then the amp!?

I think I am tempted to get the 250Ω 990-Pro version, see what it's like and if no complaints great -- this will be the cheapest option. If this is the case maybe in the future get an amp and see what it does if there is much to be desired.

 

[Phal]

headphones design, frequency response etc, has a much bigger bearing on sound quality than the impedance.

You don't say

As I said, there are exceptions and just because headphones have low resistance doesn't necessarily make them worse/sub-par and vice-versa. That being said, the high impedance is there for a reason, it serves a purpose.

Don't buy headphones on numbers and stats alone. Impedance is just one of many statistics to consider when choosing your headphones. Ultimately, the headphones you choose are a combination of electronic parts to achieve a certain kind of sound. You just need to choose a pair which tick all the right boxes for you.

If you don't have any working headphones then buying an amp first seems a bit wrong hehe. You could try the 250Ohm and see how they are with your soundcard alone but unless you like your music quiet, I suspect that you may find the volume a little lacking sometimes when you're in the mood for something loud.

 

[melmac]

Thanks guys...



This sounds fantastic and you had me sold on the 600Ω and after some research I am considering the FiiO E09K for ~£110 but not sure if it is "worth it", in theory it sounds good but with melmac's counter I am now confused again



My problem is I don't have (working) headphones and I don't have an amp. The headphones I am considering come in 3 different impedance ratings 32Ω, 250Ω & 600Ω

So as you can see here's the conundrum

--Do I buy an amp first and then the headphones or the headphones first and then the amp!?

I think I am tempted to get the 250Ω 990-Pro version, see what it's like and if no complaints great -- this will be the cheapest option. If this is the case maybe in the future get an amp and see what it does if there is much to be desired.

OOPS lol. Sorry My post wasn't really a counter argument to Phal's post. It was just an observation.

You are considering the Beyer DT990 pro? Well there are three versions, 32Ohm, 250Ohm and 600Ohm. For what you have and I would get the 32Ohm version and be done with it.

Or else upgrade your soundcard to the creative Z and get the 600ohm version.

Unless you are really picky about your sound quality, there isn't too much difference between all three. They are all great headphones.

 

[Culinia]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help. Thought I would give you guys an update.

Well it's nice to have finally some nice proper headphones - my DT990 Pro 250Ω came today

On balance I went with the cheapest set-up, initial impressions - great and this is without amp just Creative X-fi Titanium. I was worried about 250Ω version being hard to 'drive' but it's fine, currently on volume 24/100 and that's more than enough sound!

 

[Phal]

Turned out alright then Can always test them with a headphone amp later once you've got used to them to see if it makes much of a difference for you.

 

[melmac]

thanks for getting back to us!! Glad you are happy with them, they should sound better after a few days settling in!!