Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD8 DJ

[Firaz44]

Hi guys, currently looking for a pair of headphones and kind of having trouble choosing any of them.

After watching Linus review on the Sennheiser HD8 DJ, I'm kind of interested in them, but unfortunately where I live right now (Malaysia) it wont be here for quite a while.

My question is how does it compare to the Sennheiser HD598, yes I know HD598 is an open headphone but how about the sound quality overall.

Should I wait for the HD8 DJ or just buy the HD598? Your opinion.

 

btw..I have Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro, I used for quite a while now. How does this compare to those two above. Thank You :)

[Bloodyvalley]

598

[Hyrikan]

btw..I have Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro, I used for quite a while now. How does this compare to those two above. Thank You :)

 

If you have a custom one pro don't bother with the HD8. HD8s are good headphones but the price addition you pay over the Custom One Pros is purely for looks and comfort. They are both close headphones with good sound, but the price delta of the HD8s doesn't really make any difference considering the sound.

The HD598s on the other hand are open headphones and deliver a completly different hearing experience. The base isn't nearly as booming as on a closed headphone, but often mids and highs are more precise and sound a more natural. (Natural meaning sitting in front of the musician recording the sound).

The Custom One Pro is an excellent headphone. So imo you should only buy the HD598s if you seek a new experience. If you really like the sound signature of the Custom One Pro, don't bother switching. Save your money and be happy.

[joppetie]

598's are more suited in my opinion for everyday listening:

- Impedance on the 598's is 50 Ohm, versus 95 on the HD8 DJ's. +1 598's

- 12-38,500 vs. 8-30,000: +1 598's

- HD8 DJ's are closed, which is something most people wouldn't want in a quiet environment, whereas the 598's have an open design.

  This gives them a more natural listening experience and a bigger soundstage. +1 (for most people, not everyone)

- The HD8 DJ's come with a carrying case and two types of cables: +2 for the HD8 DJ's (In peripherals, not sound)

- Also, may I add that on Amazon.com the 598's are $180, but the HD8 DJ's are $390? That's a BIG difference, more than twice as expensive! +2

 

Final score: HD 598's: 5, HD8 DJ's: 2. I think that says it all.

 

I'd go with the HD 598's if I were you. I have a pair and I've never regretted buying them. They're amazing.

[unraw]

I have modded 558's (Basically the same thing as 598's) and they are great for everyday use. I love that I can still hear the environment around me while I play games or listen to music and the sound quality is great! My vote would go to the 598's as well.

[joppetie]

I have modded 558's (Basically the same thing as 598's) and they are great for everyday use. I love that I can still hear the environment around me while I play games or listen to music and the sound quality is great! My vote would go to the 598's as well.

I thought that 555's and 595's had the same internals, so you could mod the 555's to get the exact same sound,

but that the 558's and 598's have different drivers, so modding isn't simple at all. Not if you want the same sound quality.

[Hyrikan]

I thought that 555's and 595's had the same internals, so you could mod the 555's to get the exact same sound,

but that the 558's and 598's have different drivers, so modding isn't simple at all. Not if you want the same sound quality.

 

No it's actually the other way around. Difference between 558s and 598s is only a small layer of foam that you have to remove to get basically the same sound quality as the 598s.

 

EDIT: Just looked it up for the 555s/595s and it's the same thing there. So both 558s and 555s can be upgraded by simply removing that stupid piece of foam.

[Mao_Zedong]

No it's actually the other way around. Difference between 558s and 598s is only a small layer of foam that you have to remove to get basically the same sound quality as the 598s.

EDIT: Just looked it up for the 555s/595s and it's the same thing there. So both 558s and 555s can be upgraded by simply removing that stupid piece of foam.

does the price of foam really affect anything? It doesn't seen like it would.

[Hyrikan]

does the price of foam really affect anything? It doesn't seen like it would.

 

It seems to do. Many people say it does make a difference, although I personally think that the difference between 558 and 598 is already very small when unmodded. Therefore I didn't mod my 558s - for me the risk of losing my warranty wasn't worth the additional audio quality.

[Firaz44]

Well thank guys for all the suggestions, so what I'm having trouble now is to choose either the HD598 or HD558. From what I have heard they sound different but can be modded (HD558), but to be brutally honest I dont want to do that because of the warranty.

So for overall better sound quality should I just buy the Sennehiser HD 598?

[unraw]

does the price of foam really affect anything? It doesn't seen like it would.

 

To be honest, I had to really listen to hear the difference after I removed the foam. It sounds a tad more open and "big" now. 

 

 

Well thank guys for all the suggestions, so what I'm having trouble now is to choose either the HD598 or HD558. From what I have heard they sound different but can be modded (HD558), but to be brutally honest I dont want to do that because of the warranty.

So for overall better sound quality should I just buy the Sennehiser HD 598?

 

 

 You would be good to go with either. (As Hyrikan said, they sound very similair) I would say buy whatever you can find a great deal on.

[Lauen]

Well thank guys for all the suggestions, so what I'm having trouble now is to choose either the HD598 or HD558. From what I have heard they sound different but can be modded (HD558), but to be brutally honest I dont want to do that because of the warranty.

So for overall better sound quality should I just buy the Sennehiser HD 598?

tbh, the difference is so small in the entire 5x8 series, you might even just get the HD518.

[Hyrikan]

tbh, the difference is so small in the entire 5x8 series, you might even just get the HD518.

 

Although that's a subjective opinion, I'd have to say that the difference between HD518 and HD558 is quite noticeable for me. Afaik they use different drivers and a slightly different "airflow design", meaning the open/closed character of the 518s differs quite a bit from the 558s/598s. I find them to sound more closed than the other two. But regarding 558/598 the way I usually recommend is: If you can get a great deal on the 598s go for it, if you're at normal prices go for the 558s and be happy with them - the difference is just to small to justify the price-delta.

HD650s would be the next tier of Sennheiser headphones I'd personally be willing to pay the higher price.

[Firaz44]

Although that's a subjective opinion, I'd have to say that the difference between HD518 and HD558 is quite noticeable for me. Afaik they use different drivers and a slightly different "airflow design", meaning the open/closed character of the 518s differs quite a bit from the 558s/598s. I find them to sound more closed than the other two. But regarding 558/598 the way I usually recommend is: If you can get a great deal on the 598s go for it, if you're at normal prices go for the 558s and be happy with them - the difference is just to small to justify the price-delta.

HD650s would be the next tier of Sennheiser headphones I'd personally be willing to pay the higher price.

 

 

Although that's a subjective opinion, I'd have to say that the difference between HD518 and HD558 is quite noticeable for me. Afaik they use different drivers and a slightly different "airflow design", meaning the open/closed character of the 518s differs quite a bit from the 558s/598s. I find them to sound more closed than the other two. But regarding 558/598 the way I usually recommend is: If you can get a great deal on the 598s go for it, if you're at normal prices go for the 558s and be happy with them - the difference is just to small to justify the price-delta.

HD650s would be the next tier of Sennheiser headphones I'd personally be willing to pay the higher price.

 

 

Thanks guys, I have decided to buy the HD 598. Thank You :D

[DT1337]

Hello guys, I also can't decide which one I should get.

The HD8 DJs would cost me around 236€ and the HD 598 SE 229€.

I realy like the look of the HD8 DJs

 

Which one is better for indoor listening with an external dac? (O2 ODAC)

I heard that you once go open back, you won't go back. Is that true?

 

I listen to electro, top 40, rap etc .  

[NeatSquidYT]

Hello guys, I also can't decide which one I should get.

The HD8 DJs would cost me around 236€ and the HD 598 SE 229€.

I realy like the look of the HD8 DJs

 

Which one is better for indoor listening with an external dac? (O2 ODAC)

I heard that you once go open back, you won't go back. Is that true?

 

I listen to electro, top 40, rap etc .

Please create a new thread, and don't necropost.