Upgrade / Sidegrade from HD558?

[xtroria]

So after going to a meet-up and basically testing headphones. all of them are more expensive than my HD558, I feel like I might need to upgrade

 

Background:

• I play FPS games but no I don't need positioning bullcrap things like that. 
• I basically use my headphone all day long, so I do need good comfort
• I listen to almost every kind of genre (top 40s, country, jazz, blues, EDM, R&B etc etc)
• My current AMP / DAC is an iBasso D-Zero, although I'm willing to get a O2 or schiit magni to power the headphone.

I have a love / hate relationship with sennheiser. I love the laid back sound, yet I feel like sometimes it lacks transparency (sennheiser signature veil). My IEM is RE-400 and I do really love the smooth and clarity representation it gives, although it lacks a tad bass for me.

 

Potential Headphones:

• AKG Q701
• AKG K612 Pro
• Senn. HD600
• Shure SRH1440
• HifiMan HE-400 (not the i version)
• Beyer DT880 / DT990 (250 ohm)

My budget probably will be limited to $300, although ofc cheaper is better and I'm likely to buy a second hand headphone from head-fi.

 

Any suggestions ?

[EmoRarity]

I'm always partial to Shure, which is why I don't recommend them, and the AKG's are nice if you can get over the build. 

[Guest]

I'd rule out the HD600 on the grounds that it is going to sound the closest of any of these to your 558.

[xtroria]

@EmoRarity what's shure over-all sound signature overall? Out of everything that i put in the list, the shure is probably the least popular

[EmoRarity]

@EmoRarity what's shure over-all sound signature overall? Out of everything that i put in the list, the shure is probably the least popular

Warm for an open, pretty balanced. build is great and they look really nice. 

[ShearMe]

The open shures are very neutral sounding according to the graphs. Could lack a fair bit of bass if you're used to Sennheisers.

I'd say the 600 series is a definite upgrade from the 500 if you already like the sound signature but Just need a tad more clarity.

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2861&graphID[]=3551&graphID[]=4273&graphID[]=573&scale=30

[NannerBeans]

Maybe some modded Fostex headphones would be good?

[creatip123]

HE400 sounds quite similar with HD650, except HE400 got more distinct highs than 650. On the other hand 650 should also sound similar to the 600, but with more lower mid frequencies and warmer. So if you like that, then yeah, go with HE400, I think. Also, get it from head-direct.com (official hifiman store). It's $249 and bundled with a headphone bag.

[xtroria]

HE400 sounds quite similar with HD650, except HE400 got more distinct highs than 650. On the other hand 650 should also sound similar to the 600, but with more lower mid frequencies and warmer. So if you like that, then yeah, go with HE400, I think. Also, get it from head-direct.com (official hifiman store). It's $249 and bundled with a headphone bag.

But isnt HE-400's sound signature is warmer overall compared to HD558?

 

The open shures are very neutral sounding according to the graphs. Could lack a fair bit of bass if you're used to Sennheisers.

I'd say the 600 series is a definite upgrade from the 500 if you already like the sound signature but Just need a tad more clarity.

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2861&graphID[]=3551&graphID[]=4273&graphID[]=573&scale=30

 

I've had the chance of testing HD600. I do like the sound but havent really compared them with 558 side by side

[creatip123]

But isnt HE-400's sound signature is warmer overall compared to HD558?

 

 

I've had the chance of testing HD600. I do like the sound but havent really compared them with 558 side by side

 

HE400 is warm, and the lows go flat all the way down to 2 digits frequencies (which is one of its strong point), then as it go higher, it got quite a big dip in the higher-mid, and a spike at the highs. HD650's higher-mid and highs are kept below the standard loudness point. 

 

Many people might not agree, but I think HD650 is an example of a 'dark' headphone, while HE400 is still 'warm' (because it still got the distinct highs)

[ShearMe]

Many people might not agree, but I think HD650 is an example of a 'dark' headphone

 

Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

I've had the chance of testing HD600. I do like the sound but havent really compared them with 558 side by side

 

Is there something you didn't like about the 600 that's making you second guess?

[xtroria]

@creatip123 I might need to test he-400 later on just to see how or truly sounds, there is no guarantee after all that I'll like it (damn it meet-up, 2 lcd 2s and staxes and no one brought he-400)

@ShearMe It wasn't a really proper testing of hd600 as the room was super noisy. But the biggest cobcern is probably sennheiser's veil. I like my hd558, but i only wish for more clarity and a more 'to your face' sound

[xtroria]

Just an update, my Q701 just arrived and so far I'm loving it, no more veil and I like the treble. Maybe I'm a treble head after all