Sennheiser HD 558 or HD 598
- Thread starter Akonovo
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ssddx
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there is no question that the hd598 is definitely superior to the hd558.
the 598 has a wider soundstage with more clarity and better highs. the 558 has a little more bass and less clarity with a smaller soundstage. none of them are what i would call bassy though.
if you want "bassy" then i would suggest something else like perhaps the ath-m50s or dt770pro.
as far as if you will notice the difference that depends on what bitrate of mp3. i know at 192kbps i can definitely hear a difference between "good" headphones" and "average headphones".
what kind of a sound profile are you looking for (what kind of music are you going to be playering and what other tasks)? also list how much bass response you want.
the 598 has a wider soundstage with more clarity and better highs. the 558 has a little more bass and less clarity with a smaller soundstage. none of them are what i would call bassy though.
if you want "bassy" then i would suggest something else like perhaps the ath-m50s or dt770pro.
as far as if you will notice the difference that depends on what bitrate of mp3. i know at 192kbps i can definitely hear a difference between "good" headphones" and "average headphones".
what kind of a sound profile are you looking for (what kind of music are you going to be playering and what other tasks)? also list how much bass response you want.
I don't like deep bass that ruins all other sound, that's why I like open models 
I will use them for music, movies and games.
Will the wider soundstage of 598 help in sound positioning? (I need nice sound positioning for games)
Thanks for answering!
I will use them for music, movies and games.
Will the wider soundstage of 598 help in sound positioning? (I need nice sound positioning for games)
Thanks for answering!
ssddx
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if you dont want deep bass and would prefer tighter but lesser bass response then the sennheisers are definitely up your alley. they can handle gaming and most music fine but are not going to sound as good for thinks like dubstep, hip hop or some rap where bass beats are key.
some people think a wide soundstage is ideal for positioning and the hd598 is the first choice for gaming when it comes to studio headphones. you dont *need* a wide soundstage but many people like it. most games render their sound in such a way that i can play perfectly fine even on my rather small soundstage m50s without issue.
also... i would like to mention that if you intended to use a microphone you can use a modmic to convert the 598 into a headset.
some people think a wide soundstage is ideal for positioning and the hd598 is the first choice for gaming when it comes to studio headphones. you dont *need* a wide soundstage but many people like it. most games render their sound in such a way that i can play perfectly fine even on my rather small soundstage m50s without issue.
also... i would like to mention that if you intended to use a microphone you can use a modmic to convert the 598 into a headset.
I just bought myself the 598s about 2 months ago and they sound amazing. Both on my PC with an Asus Xonar Essence STX and on my Yamaha RS 700 BL receiver. I got them on sale at Amazon for about $175 but even at full retail I would buy them again in a second!
I don't listen to much rap but what little I do listen to sounds great, Cypress Hill, Eminem etc. Electronica sounds amazing. So the bass while not heavy does sound great. I'm more of a highs and mids person anyway.
Sound positioning in games is great but that is as much the soundcard as the headphones.
I don't listen to much rap but what little I do listen to sounds great, Cypress Hill, Eminem etc. Electronica sounds amazing. So the bass while not heavy does sound great. I'm more of a highs and mids person anyway.
Sound positioning in games is great but that is as much the soundcard as the headphones.
Thanks, Ive read that you can remove a foam piece in 558 to boost its sound close to the 598. With this mod and price difference, still 598 over 558? (even in games)
Anyway, do you think that a xonar DX soundcard will be enough for this headphones? or will I need an amp or something to use all its potential?
Thanks once again for your assistance! =)
Anyway, do you think that a xonar DX soundcard will be enough for this headphones? or will I need an amp or something to use all its potential?
Thanks once again for your assistance! =)
ssddx
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even with the foam mod the 558 is not the 598. at best it is going to sound like an improved 558. the 598 is still going to have somewhat better clarity and a wider soudnstage. i'm not sure if it is worth the extra $60 to you but that is your call not mine.
the xonar dx will power those headphones. the creative soundblaster z will as well. the xonar has dolby headphone while the creative z has cmss-3d if you wanted to use virtual surround on the headphones. generally DH is considered superior but all virtual surround has some distortion. the lower output impedence on the z may be a better match for the 50ohm headphones you are looking at but its not going to be a big difference. my personal choice would be the asus.
external amp and/or dac combos can definitely sound better than soundcards in some cases however to get anything half decent the prices start in the mid $100's so if an extra $60 for headphones is a major issue then you will not be interested in external amps and dacs. also these will generate stereo sound only and do not have an option for virtual surround.
the xonar dx will power those headphones. the creative soundblaster z will as well. the xonar has dolby headphone while the creative z has cmss-3d if you wanted to use virtual surround on the headphones. generally DH is considered superior but all virtual surround has some distortion. the lower output impedence on the z may be a better match for the 50ohm headphones you are looking at but its not going to be a big difference. my personal choice would be the asus.
external amp and/or dac combos can definitely sound better than soundcards in some cases however to get anything half decent the prices start in the mid $100's so if an extra $60 for headphones is a major issue then you will not be interested in external amps and dacs. also these will generate stereo sound only and do not have an option for virtual surround.
You are right, and after tons of reading, ill probably go for HD 598. Ive tested today HD 518 and its sound was highly noticeable compared to my current headphones, even in youtube (192kbps) So that with HD 598 soundstage... :3
Do you think that will be a great difference between 518 and 598 in low quality audio (youtube@192kbps) ? or the difference will be only in uncompressed audio?
Thanks you so much for your support!
Do you think that will be a great difference between 518 and 598 in low quality audio (youtube@192kbps) ? or the difference will be only in uncompressed audio?
Thanks you so much for your support!
ssddx
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the hd598 and hd518 have different sound signatures. you should be able to tell the difference fairly easily.
as far as what is better... that all depends on your preferences. if you want crisper more detailed sound then the 598 is definitely superior. if you want a wider more airy soundstage then the 598 is also better. the one thing it doesnt do as well is bass response and the 518 probably has more low end presence.
My soundcard does have a dedicated headphone amp. Although technically the 598s do not need one it makes a very noticeable difference. I would suggest if you get the 598s that at some point you will want to go with a high end soundcard or external amp. That would be something you can always add later though.
ssddx
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a bit of overkill yes but you can probably hear the difference on those headphones.
the xonar DX is perfectly fine for your use though. it even gives you the option of virtual surround for gaming if you want it.
external amps/dacs that are any good normally start around 150 anyways (such as the audioengine d1)
the xonar DX is perfectly fine for your use though. it even gives you the option of virtual surround for gaming if you want it.
external amps/dacs that are any good normally start around 150 anyways (such as the audioengine d1)
It really comes down to 1) What level of quality are you looking for and 2) What are you wiling to spend.
Yes a $200 soundcard is expensive but with a set of $200 cans as good as the HD 598s in my opinion it's worth it. Also keep in mind that these parts should last for years and will not have to be upgraded every 2 or 3 years to keep up like the rest of your computer. So it's really a long term investment.
Now if you are happy with listening to music on a $200 boom box you might want to go with something cheaper. I personally can tell a difference. My home stereo is a Yamaha RS 700BL driving a pair of Klipsch RF 82 IIs and a BIC PL-200 Acoustech Platinum sub. For computer speakers I have old Logitech Z-2300s that are still the best speakers I have ever heard for the $100 I paid for them almost 10 years ago. They still sell on ebay for double that or more.
So I was really just wanting to bring my computer sound up to par with my home stereo and I have to say the Xonar STX/HD 598 combo comes damn close. I have around 60GB of MP3s mostly at 320Kb/s.
Yes a $200 soundcard is expensive but with a set of $200 cans as good as the HD 598s in my opinion it's worth it. Also keep in mind that these parts should last for years and will not have to be upgraded every 2 or 3 years to keep up like the rest of your computer. So it's really a long term investment.
Now if you are happy with listening to music on a $200 boom box you might want to go with something cheaper. I personally can tell a difference. My home stereo is a Yamaha RS 700BL driving a pair of Klipsch RF 82 IIs and a BIC PL-200 Acoustech Platinum sub. For computer speakers I have old Logitech Z-2300s that are still the best speakers I have ever heard for the $100 I paid for them almost 10 years ago. They still sell on ebay for double that or more.
So I was really just wanting to bring my computer sound up to par with my home stereo and I have to say the Xonar STX/HD 598 combo comes damn close. I have around 60GB of MP3s mostly at 320Kb/s.
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