Advice needed?

[Helltech]

I know everyone's ears are different. However I know I want Sennheiser headphones, and I know I want something very bassy. 

 

The problem is I'm not sure if the price increase from the 555/558s, to the 598s, to the 650s is worth the performance difference. Will I notice a significance difference between the 555s and the 650? At least a 320 dollar difference? Bass does matter and from what I heard the 558s aren't that impressive in that department. 

[Elbstrand]

How about the AudioTechnica ATH-M50 from what i've heard they got just the right amount of bass and great sound overall.

[t0wer]

598's are not bassy at all.

around that price range, I'd push you towards shure srh-840's, not extremely bassy, but good quality.(My review is coming soon)

 

You may want some higher end/more powerful equipment if you jump all the way up to the HD650's

 

 

what is your current source, and intended use?

[Irontheater]

I know everyone's ears are different. However I know I want Sennheiser headphones, and I know I want something very bassy. 

 

 

If you want "bassy" headphones, then Sennheiser is not what you should be looking at.

Their sound signature revolves around emphasis on good mids and highs, while being a bit weak on lows (bass).

 

If however you wanted headphones with high emphasis on bass, I would suggest getting closed cans (as opposed to the 555 or 598s..etc which are open).

 

Something like AKG K702 K550, ATH M50s, beyerD dt770, V-Moda crossfade M.

 

They all have distinct sound signatures, so I suggest trying them out to see which one fits you best.

[t0wer]

did you mean k550s instead of k702?

I don't own the k702's but I've heard complaints of them being bass light.

and the headphone.com graphs show them right inline with the HD558's right through the mids

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2621&graphID[]=2861&scale=30

[Jaybird]

+1 on v-moda. That's what I'm rocking right now. Love them. But headphones are only the fraction of what make the sound excellent. By the $200-300 mark you are going to have to change your source because an iPhone or onboard audio amp isn't going to have enough power to drive the drivers. You'll need a purchase a high end amp that will give you the richer highs and miss while providing enough power to hit those basses.

If you want to go further you can purchase music that is recorded at a higher quality and there by having cleaner highs and lows.

[Lyons]

did you mean k550s instead of k702?

I don't own the k702's but I've heard complaints of them being bass light.

and the headphone.com graphs show them right inline with the HD558's right through the mids

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2621&graphID[]=2861&scale=30

 

Only light if not driven adequately. If driven adequately - perfect.

[Irontheater]

did you mean k550s instead of k702?

I don't own the k702's but I've heard complaints of them being bass light.

and the headphone.com graphs show them right inline with the HD558's right through the mids

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=2621&graphID[]=2861&scale=30

 

 

Yes! I'm terribly sorry, I had tried these headphones a while ago, and obviously, my memory proved to be deceptive. 

[Helltech]

How about the AudioTechnica ATH-M50 from what i've heard they got just the right amount of bass and great sound overall.

 

I was suggested this on another forum as well, what are other people's thoughts?

 

Thanks for all the information guys. I am purchasing an Asus Essence with whatever I get (unless there is another/better option that isn't stupidly expensive). 

[ShearMe]

I was suggested this on another forum as well, what are other people's thoughts?

 

Thanks for all the information guys. I am purchasing an Asus Essence with whatever I get (unless there is another/better option that isn't stupidly expensive). 

 

I don't think you need something as pricey as the Essence. Maybe an O2+ODAC?

[Helltech]

I don't think you need something as pricey as the Essence. Maybe an O2+ODAC?

 

Sorry I meant Essence ST. 

[ShearMe]

Sorry I meant Essence ST. 

 

Ah, well I'd still recommend going external, but if you like desk space then the ST would fit the bill I suppose.

[Helltech]

Ah, well I'd still recommend going external, but if you like desk space then the ST would fit the bill I suppose.

 

Is there a reason external is better? 

[NewKID]

598's are not bassy at all.

around that price range, I'd push you towards shure srh-840's, not extremely bassy, but good quality.(My review is coming soon)

 

You may want some higher end/more powerful equipment if you jump all the way up to the HD650's

 

 

what is your current source, and intended use?

 

i wouldnt say it isnt bassy at all. out of the box, the bass isnt very impressive but its gotten a lot better over the year that ive had it.

+1 to the rest though

[ShearMe]

Is there a reason external is better? 

 

No drivers, cleaner power supply, more compatibility with other setups, and hardware volume knobs are probably the biggest things.

[Helltech]

No drivers, cleaner power supply, more compatibility with other setups, and hardware volume knobs are probably the biggest things.

 

Is there something in the 150~ range that is external that is good? 

[NewKID]

fiio e10

 

been tossed around in this forum quite a lot lol

[ShearMe]

Is there something in the 150~ range that is external that is good? 

 

fiio e10

 

Is a good one, but lacks the "cleaner power" because it is powered via USB. The Aune T1 is on sale at Massdrop.

 

t0wer might drop in and recommend something cheap but still good if you're willing and able to DIY....

[t0wer]

grubdac, pupdac, skeletondac.

 

jdslabs cmoy isn't a bad option for an amp(gave one away, and sold a kit to someone in my electronics class)

don't know if I'd use it with HD650's, but 598's would be great.

 

I don't like batteries if they can be avoided, so I'd look into a regulated power supply for the cmoy or if you must a rechargeable 9.6v.

[Gorgatron]

Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohm have lots of bass and great soundstage. Paired with the E10 you can take advantage of the bass boost. These are quite comfy. My only complaint is that the ear cups are circular and not "ear shaped" like how the HD558's are.

[t0wer]

got the review finished

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/35969-shure-srh-840-headphone/

[Helltech]

Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohm have lots of bass and great soundstage. Paired with the E10 you can take advantage of the bass boost. These are quite comfy. My only complaint is that the ear cups are circular and not "ear shaped" like how the HD558's are.

Would the 30ohm be better? http://www.amazon.com/electronics/dp/B0006NL5SM it is in my price range. I did a lot of research on the 80 ohm one, seems good. I'm looking to spend around 250. I kind of want open because I prefer the natural environment feel even though I know that it goes against the fact I want "bass-y". I should note I just want it to have good deep bass. No rattling or anything, know what I mean? I don't want to loose too much quality in other departments, solely on bass.

[t0wer]

if you need it to be driven off a phone, I might recommend 30ohm.

if home use only, I'd just get 80ohm.

[Gorgatron]

Would the 30ohm be better? http://www.amazon.com/electronics/dp/B0006NL5SM it is in my price range. I did a lot of research on the 80 ohm one, seems good. I'm looking to spend around 250. I kind of want open because I prefer the natural environment feel even though I know that it goes against the fact I want "bass-y". I should note I just want it to have good deep bass. No rattling or anything, know what I mean? I don't want to loose too much quality in other departments, solely on bass.

I cannot vouch for the 32ohm version but the DT770 are closed dynamic. Consider the DT990 if you want purely open dynamic.

[ShearMe]

Would the 30ohm be better? http://www.amazon.com/electronics/dp/B0006NL5SM it is in my price range. I did a lot of research on the 80 ohm one, seems good. I'm looking to spend around 250. I kind of want open because I prefer the natural environment feel even though I know that it goes against the fact I want "bass-y". I should note I just want it to have good deep bass. No rattling or anything, know what I mean? I don't want to loose too much quality in other departments, solely on bass.

 

What's the bass in the HD598 like compared to the HD650? If it's similar I'd recommend the OP get the 598 instead of a DT770. 

 

And if you're willing to get used Hd650s off ebay (what I did), there's some listings up that aren't too good to be true: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD650-Audiophile-Headphones-/251304888487?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item3a82f048a7 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones-with-Cardas-Cable-/271239922232?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item3f2728c238 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD650-Headphones-/281137889660?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item41751fc17c