Sennheiser 558 Question

[ripper101]

Would these Headphones be good for gaming and music? It's really the only good pair I've found in my budget of $80 dollars. I don't need a mic or anything just looking for maximum comfort (since I have no life) and premium audio for a lower price and I'm wondering if these headphones can deliver. Thanks 

[Techicolors]

I had my HD 558s for 2 years. for the price it's going for these days, it feels like stealing. that's how good they are. no problems with gaming and music. since the 558 are open-back, soundstage is wide. incredibly wide. though i will admit, it is slightly lacking in bass but some EQ at the low end will do some good (just not too much). 

 

super comfortable. it looks cheaply made but there's a reason why it's made that way. for the first few days (if you buy brand new) the clamping force may be a little much, but it'll loosen

[ripper101]

3 minutes ago, Technicolors said:

I had my HD 558s for 2 years. for the price it's going for these days, it feels like stealing. that's how good they are. no problems with gaming and music. since the 558 are open-back, soundstage is wide. incredibly wide. though i will admit, it is slightly lacking in bass but some EQ at the low end will do some good (just not too much). 

 

super comfortable. it looks cheaply made but there's a reason why it's made that way. for the first few days (if you buy brand new) the clamping force may be a little much, but it'll loosen

What is clamping force? It squeezing your melon?

[Techicolors]

1 minute ago, ripper101 said:

What is clamping force? It squeezing your melon?

pretty much. i have a pretty large head but i could deal with the clamping force. then it became lighter, it was perfect for my head. 

 

also i found that the earcups may not work out if your ears are wide/large 

[Guest]

The Philips SHP9500 is another option in the price range.

[Spuriae]

They're good on both counts, as are the SHP9500's. The HD558's should be more pleasant-sounding, though; if you like brightness, get the SHP9500's, but I've never seen the appeal of treble emphasis beyond the initial illusion of "clarity". If you're on a budget, consider buying used; Renewlogic sells used HD558's for $40 and Newegg has SHP9500's for $46 Open Box fairly regularly.

[kokakolia]

1 hour ago, Nimrodor said:

They're good on both counts, as are the SHP9500's. The HD558's should be more pleasant-sounding, though; if you like brightness, get the SHP9500's, but I've never seen the appeal of treble emphasis beyond the initial illusion of "clarity". If you're on a budget, consider buying used; Renewlogic sells used HD558's for $40 and Newegg has SHP9500's for $46 Open Box fairly regularly.

I have used both and the Sennheiser HD 558 gives you a better first impression. There is more warmth, the highs are smoother and there's more bass overall (compared to the SHP 9500). 

 

The SHP 9500 still holds its ground though. It has a wider soundstage and leaner, tighter bass. The bass is so good on the Philips actually. I just wish it was louder. Overall, the sound appears brighter, leaner and thin (upon first listen) compared to the 558. But with some getting used to the Philips SHP 9500 sounds exquisite. Be warned that the high notes may irritate your ears, but that's not the case at lower volumes. 

 

The fit is more snug on the 558 as well. So if you have a bigger melon, go for the SHP 9500. And if you have a smaller melon, go for the Sennheiser 558. 

[Techicolors]

4 minutes ago, kokakolia said:

Be warned that the high notes may irritate your ears, but that's not the case at lower volumes. 

have you tried playing around with EQ? 

[kokakolia]

1 hour ago, Technicolors said:

have you tried playing around with EQ? 

No. I don't feel the need. 

 

At first I was pushing the volume too high to hear more bass. Then I lowered the volume to reasonable levels and it's much better. 

[Curufinwe_wins]

4 hours ago, Technicolors said:

pretty much. i have a pretty large head but i could deal with the clamping force. then it became lighter, it was perfect for my head. 

 

also i found that the earcups may not work out if your ears are wide/large 

 

1 hour ago, kokakolia said:

I have used both and the Sennheiser HD 558 gives you a better first impression. There is more warmth, the highs are smoother and there's more bass overall (compared to the SHP 9500). 

 

The SHP 9500 still holds its ground though. It has a wider soundstage and leaner, tighter bass. The bass is so good on the Philips actually. I just wish it was louder. Overall, the sound appears brighter, leaner and thin (upon first listen) compared to the 558. But with some getting used to the Philips SHP 9500 sounds exquisite. Be warned that the high notes may irritate your ears, but that's not the case at lower volumes. 

 

The fit is more snug on the 558 as well. So if you have a bigger melon, go for the SHP 9500. And if you have a smaller melon, go for the Sennheiser 558. 

 

 

So I have a GIANT head... (like I have to buy very difficult-to-find special XL helmets). When I first bought the 558, I WAS FURIOUS. The 558s honestly hurt to wear even at their largest setting. In particular, it felt like the ear cuffs couldn't bend far enough to prevent a large side pressure.

 

But that said, I threw the 558s on a thickback chair overnight to stress and deform the plastic headband just a bit, and since then, I've really grown to love these cans. They actually have been so nice that I brought them to work and exclusively use them there now (I use an RS 185 at home now, which has a similar-ish sound but is wireless, has MUCH better comfort, etc). I'm not a big fan of "big bass", and the HD 558 is about as bassy as I would go for (it is generally considered pretty weak there).

 

 

So yeah, if deforming the 558 isn't something you are comfortable with (it is pretty easy, and not likely to break it) then as mentioned before I would highly dis-recommend them for large heads. The sound however is really nice for all but bass-heads and at the price, it really feels hard to beat.

[kokakolia]

Well, the headband on the SHP 9500 is gigantic. So people with a smaller head have the opposite problem of having a loose headphone that slides off. 

 

I have a big head so I prefer the SHP 9500.

[ripper101]

3 hours ago, kokakolia said:

Well, the headband on the SHP 9500 is gigantic. So people with a smaller head have the opposite problem of having a loose headphone that slides off. 

 

I have a big head so I prefer the SHP 9500.

 

15 hours ago, Curufinwe_wins said:

 

 

 

So I have a GIANT head... (like I have to buy very difficult-to-find special XL helmets). When I first bought the 558, I WAS FURIOUS. The 558s honestly hurt to wear even at their largest setting. In particular, it felt like the ear cuffs couldn't bend far enough to prevent a large side pressure.

 

But that said, I threw the 558s on a thickback chair overnight to stress and deform the plastic headband just a bit, and since then, I've really grown to love these cans. They actually have been so nice that I brought them to work and exclusively use them there now (I use an RS 185 at home now, which has a similar-ish sound but is wireless, has MUCH better comfort, etc). I'm not a big fan of "big bass", and the HD 558 is about as bassy as I would go for (it is generally considered pretty weak there).

 

 

So yeah, if deforming the 558 isn't something you are comfortable with (it is pretty easy, and not likely to break it) then as mentioned before I would highly dis-recommend them for large heads. The sound however is really nice for all but bass-heads and at the price, it really feels hard to beat.

How do I know if I have a big head lol

[Curufinwe_wins]

27 minutes ago, ripper101 said:

 

How do I know if I have a big head lol

Do you wear a helmet ever? If not, feel free to go to a Wal-Mart or local equivalent to see what size you'd need to feel comfy. 

 

I'd say if you have to use a large or bigger then you will have to flex the 558 not to hate it.