Oh, wow, you replied, you still don't believe the people on this thread who actually tried the phones? Anyway, the guy in that article is wrong, the 555 and 595 use different drivers, the part number for the 555/595 drivers are 512806 and 512807 (left and right) The drivers for the 558/598 are 934818 and 934819 (left and right)
The 558/598 are better built upgrades to the 555/595, they don't suffer as much cracking and they sound a little better too.
Sound wise, 558(modded) and 598 are nearly identical, same with the 555(modded) and 595
As for the article you linked to, it's such a turnaround from his first article. Wonder why he changed his mind? Not really, you can probably figure out why without too much effort
Oh btw, it was Rids57 who linked to the first headfonia article, not me.
Again, the only reason to get the 598 over the 558 is if you like the look. And nothing wrong with that.
Just so you know I actually purchased 558's (brand new for a bargain price of £80) and I am selling my 595's.
I was going to keep them stock but your convincing me to mod them.
I think I'll leave them stock for now. Are you really sure they are better modded? Is the bass loose or tight?
My 558's actually arrived today and my 595's are now on auction.
"On the first HD558 & HD598 article, I had posted a mod that was supposed to make the HD558 closer to the sound of the HD598. As with many modifications, however, when you gain some you also lose some. And the HD558 mod does sacrifice some amount of bass control, resulting in a slightly boomy bass area. Without going into too much detail on other changes with the mod, I felt that in the long run, the stock HD558 configuration is the better version, and I’ve reverted my HD558 back to the stock configuration. Ultimately, the HD598 is still the better version between the two (a point-by-point comparison between the HD558 and the HD598 can be found a few paragraphs down). "
his points do sound quite convincing as do yours
"HD555 (mod) vs HD558 (mod):
The HD555 has slightly more emphasis on the upper midrange, which is nice, but at the same time feels thinner at the bottom end. The HD558′s upper mid is slightly less forward than the HD555′s, but both headphones are quite forward in the upper mid.
The HD558′s is smoother throughout the overall frequency range than the HD555′s.
The HD558′s bass is fuller and has better extension to the low bass notes. The HD555′s bass is slightly tighter than the HD558′s, where the HD558 can sound a little boomy in the bass.
Bass punch on the HD555 is slightly punchier, while the HD558 has a weightier bass.
Soundstage performance of the HD558 is noticeably better, especially in the depth area. A more three dimensional soundstage, versus the left-right soundstage of the HD555.
Overall the HD558 mod is the better headphone, although I do wish that the HD558 (mod) can retain a tighter bass control like on the HD555 (mod)."
Actually it's quite funny how he doesn't compare HD558 modded to HD598 stock, I did find that really really odd.
Now that you have pointed it out I'm convinced he had to do the article that way because Sennheiser must have told him off or something.
I'll mod mine in a month or two, keeping them stock for now to get used to them so I know the difference for when I do the mod.
I wouldn't buy the he400's for gaming. If I was you, I would get the he500's. I think they are the best value high end head phone you are likely to get.
