Caporegime
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Don't worry, just playing devil's advocate. I totally believe that they're better.
Sennheiser HD555 to HD595 an upgrade? I certainly say yes!
- Thread starter mrk
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Don't worry, just playing devil's advocate. I totally believe that they're better.
What source are you guys using for music (not amp/soundcard)? MP3? CD? Lossless?
Is this worth the purchase if my music collection is in MP3 320kbps, or would I need to be running lossless to find it worthwhile? I've already got some Goldring NS1000s for flying and train journeys, but would like something open-backed for home use.
Is this worth the purchase if my music collection is in MP3 320kbps, or would I need to be running lossless to find it worthwhile? I've already got some Goldring NS1000s for flying and train journeys, but would like something open-backed for home use.
Yeah it doesn't matter a huge deal whether it's lossless or an -alt preset LAME encoded mp3 file the quality is still high (and those 2 formats are virtually indistinguishable anyway).
You can definitely hear the poor mastering on some CDs and poor conversion on some mp3 tracks though where LAME was not used and instead a crap VBR codec, I no longer have those CDs though so have not bothered to re-source those albums.
You can definitely hear the poor mastering on some CDs and poor conversion on some mp3 tracks though where LAME was not used and instead a crap VBR codec, I no longer have those CDs though so have not bothered to re-source those albums.
Out of curiosity do these leak sound? If so how bad? This thread has made me want to get a pair
Can't be buying these if the people in the next room can hear everything from them.
Not that that sounds dodgy or anything.....
Interesting. There's a contingent on Head Fi trying to demonstrate that the HD555 use the same drivers as the HD595 - and that minor mods to the HD555 can make them sound identical to their more expensive stablemate.
I've heard both (but not together) and regard both as nice headphones; however, they seem very overpriced just now. I got Senn HD600s for £99, and Goldring DR150s for £30 - both exceptionally low prices for new. As a result my view of what the HD555 and HD595 should cost is a little skewed.
Granted I've had much more time with the DR150s, but I regard them as better sounding than HD595 (from what limited time I've spent with them - listeing tests in shops), although the Senns have the edge for comfort and build quality. The DR150s are around £50 now. I'd find it hard to justify paying more than that for the HD595s TBH.
I've heard both (but not together) and regard both as nice headphones; however, they seem very overpriced just now. I got Senn HD600s for £99, and Goldring DR150s for £30 - both exceptionally low prices for new. As a result my view of what the HD555 and HD595 should cost is a little skewed.
Granted I've had much more time with the DR150s, but I regard them as better sounding than HD595 (from what limited time I've spent with them - listeing tests in shops), although the Senns have the edge for comfort and build quality. The DR150s are around £50 now. I'd find it hard to justify paying more than that for the HD595s TBH.
Do the DR150's leak sound?
The HD595s are over £100 brand new so £75 is a great price!
Strangely (as mentioned) though the HD555 appears to cost more than it should at present.
The DR150s are open air so yes, they will leak sound (however small or large) as will all cans that are open air.
If sound leakage is of concern then you need to be looking at closed back headphones.
Strangely (as mentioned) though the HD555 appears to cost more than it should at present.
The DR150s are open air so yes, they will leak sound (however small or large) as will all cans that are open air.
If sound leakage is of concern then you need to be looking at closed back headphones.
What would you recommend?
If you don't mind sit "on the ear" headphones in a smaller form factor check out the Koss Porta Pro, they don't leak as much as full open air headphones and give an airy sound output and are very nice for bass. They also come with a lifetime warranty. I had them for about 2 years and in those 2 years had to send them to Koss once for replacement as a clip broke and had a new one sent to me.
Plus they're portable so can easily be used in public places if you don't mind having headphones that look like they came from the 80s
Die hards will spot you though and say "are those Koss?!"
Alternatively I could recommend the Sennheiser HD280 Pro if you want full sized headphones.
Plus they're portable so can easily be used in public places if you don't mind having headphones that look like they came from the 80s
Die hards will spot you though and say "are those Koss?!"
Alternatively I could recommend the Sennheiser HD280 Pro if you want full sized headphones.
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Soldato
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I wouldn't mind hearing the HD595's, I'd like to see how they compare to my DR150's.
Soldato
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With the cost of train tickets I think it would be cheaper just get my own pair. If you do ever get to hear the DR150's at some point I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on them and how they compare. 
If you do ever get to hear the DR150's at some point I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on them and how they compare.
Soldato
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Thanks! I had a quick look here http://www.goldring.co.uk/stockists.htm and there seem to be around 4 stockists in Hampshire. I'd like to think that at least one of them would offer to demo the DR150's.
I am not impressed with my HD595s, at any sort of reasonable volume the plastic inside starts vibrating and means I have to run them at a low volume, I did strip them down and tighten all the screws and they were all very lose but this didn't make any difference. Also my first set broke within weeks, one of the drivers went pop, richer sounds swapped them straight over for me though.
Now I am not a big headphone fan and I have not had much experience with other types so I don't know how they will compare to other models but at £125 I am not impressed, I bought them over 6 months ago and only used them about a dozen times.
I much prefer listening to my music through speakers but I bought the headphones for late night listening but as it turns out I can play my music pretty loud at night without disturbing the neighbours anyway.
Now I am not a big headphone fan and I have not had much experience with other types so I don't know how they will compare to other models but at £125 I am not impressed, I bought them over 6 months ago and only used them about a dozen times.
I much prefer listening to my music through speakers but I bought the headphones for late night listening but as it turns out I can play my music pretty loud at night without disturbing the neighbours anyway.
That's quite unlucky to have 2 dodgy headphones but I've never had such an issue, my NAD amp borderlines on the ear damaging at about 10-p-clock on the volume dial and at that level I notice no vibrations on both HD555 or 505.
Could it be you were victim of a bad batch at Richer Sounds?
The only headphones I've ever had vibrate is a pair of Technics RPF200s but that was many years ago now.
Could it be you were victim of a bad batch at Richer Sounds?
The only headphones I've ever had vibrate is a pair of Technics RPF200s but that was many years ago now.