Sennheiser modded HD555 or HD595

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pyronical

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Topic # 67421 1-Sep-2010 14:54

Hi, I'm looking to get some decent headphones for PC gaming on a budget.

I've narrowed my choice to the Sennheiser HD555 (~$170) or HD595 (~$280). A hundred bucks difference in price is fairly signficant, is this cost worth it?

Also does this mod: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvQ8PzBrHXE really improve the sound quality of a 555 to that of a 595?

Thanks for your input.

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860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

Reply # 375345 1-Sep-2010 15:32

Hi pyronical, I have owned a lot of Sennheiser headphones over the years - I currently own a pair of HD-595's and they are definitely worth the price for what they are. Comfort wise they are substantially better then the lower models including the HD-555's and more importantly sound wise they're significantly better.

If it were me, without question I would go for the HD-595's, but in saying the HD-555's are very good as well - The clarity outputted from them is unprecedented and sonically they are probably the best sounding headphones for that price range.

Hope this helps!

Regards
Conor

geekiegeek

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Reply # 375346 1-Sep-2010 15:33

If its just for PC gaming then get the HD555's - there is no need to go higher then that unless you plan to listen to good quality music. I have had a pair of HD555's for around 4 years and they are a really nice sound (specially for the price). I now have HD650's but at $750 these may be a bit steep for gaming :-)

I also have some HD380 pro's that are similar to the 555's but with a closed back so others dont hear your sounds - 555 and 595 are both open back so you will disturb people if they are in the same room. I have also read good reviews for the HD280 pro's which are around the same price as the 555's.

For good price's try www.computerlounge.co.nz I have brought abput 8 sets of senn's from them now.

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pyronical

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Reply # 375349 1-Sep-2010 15:43

Thanks both,

What about that mod on youtube, any truth to it?

cgrew

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Reply # 375351 1-Sep-2010 15:51

I can't view the mod on youtube at the moment but from my basic backround knowledge on headphones - I would say that's a negative on the mod improving sound quality, these mods from what I've heard don't usually work? But then again I could be wrong..

I would need to watch the vid to make a decision about that.

Conor

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 375536 1-Sep-2010 23:48

Both of them are quite nice headphones, the soundstage in particular will be great for games but they don't exactly have megabass.
I have heard talk on several forums that they share the same driver and that this mod all but makes them 595s but as always plenty of people on the internet can be wrong.
I'd say based on current prices that the 595 isn't worth the extra $110 but generally there are diminishing returns with all expensive headphones.
Best way to choose is to try both of them out if you can, I'm not sure where you could do that though sorry, when I went to computer lounge with the intention of buying 555s a while back they didn't have any I could try on.

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fahrenheit

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Reply # 375540 2-Sep-2010 00:41

Well I've had the 555's for over a year now and this is the first time I've been aware of that mod.
Comparing the photographic evidence it does indeed appear that the 555's are over $100 cheaper and come with bonus foam!
This mod looks like a walk in the park and if I don't like the results, I can just put the foam back.

I'm happy with my purchase decision in choosing the 555's over the 595's, but my opinion of Sennheiser has certainly taken a knock. This is a very cynical way to differentiate between product lines and if I had paid them the foam-free tax, I'd be very pissed off.

cgrew

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Reply # 375589 2-Sep-2010 09:17

samwooff: Best way to choose is to try both of them out if you can, I'm not sure where you could do that though sorry.

If you are located in Christchurch, Top Hi-Fi have both the 555's and 595's available to listen to.

Conor

pyronical

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Reply # 375634 2-Sep-2010 10:40

Hmm... there must be somewhere in Auckland I could do the same. But I am now seriously considering the HD 280/380 Pro. Having a closed back could be useful ifI need to use the headphones on the plane etc when I'm travelling for work. How do they compare to the 555/595?

fahrenheit

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Reply # 375660 2-Sep-2010 11:23

Have completed the mod and tested with one ear done and the other with the foam left in.
Outstanding, they are transformed.
I thought that by some peoples descriptions that the bass would become thuddish (is that a word?) but its not at all, it just sounds cleaner and wider.

Thanks pyronical for alerting me to this as I had no idea this was possible until you created this thread.

I'm not one to shy away from voiding warranties and I always weigh up risk vs reward when it comes to doing any modification to anything I own, but scale here is so heavily tipped in favour of reward, it would be crazy not to do this. You'd have to be a special kind of stupid to mess this up its that simple.

cgrew

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Reply # 375662 2-Sep-2010 11:24

pyronical: Hmm... there must be somewhere in Auckland I could do the same. But I am now seriously considering the HD 280/380 Pro. Having a closed back could be useful ifI need to use the headphones on the plane etc when I'm travelling for work. How do they compare to the 555/595?

I'm sure there is a place in Auckland - As for the HD-Pros from what I've read they are very good for media orientated purposes - especially gaming for that matter!

But I guess pyronical you have to tie up what you will be mainly using headphones for?? Just gaming? Or would you like to have the option there for high quality music stereo reproduction, because both the HD-555's & the HD-595's are excellent performers in this particular field. Especially if you are keen on watching Blu-Rays ect. For what they are in price, I personally think they are very good (you can spend a ridiculous amount of course) but for what they are, they get 5 stars from me.

The HD-595 has more punchy bass then the HD-555 I might also add and clarity is noticeably better - I have listened to both and made the comparison.

Hope this helps

Regards
Conor

pyronical

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Master Geek
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Reply # 375695 2-Sep-2010 12:10

fahrenheit: Have completed the mod and tested with one ear done and the other with the foam left in.
Outstanding, they are transformed.
I thought that by some peoples descriptions that the bass would become thuddish (is that a word?) but its not at all, it just sounds cleaner and wider.

Thanks pyronical for alerting me to this as I had no idea this was possible until you created this thread.

I'm not one to shy away from voiding warranties and I always weigh up risk vs reward when it comes to doing any modification to anything I own, but scale here is so heavily tipped in favour of reward, it would be crazy not to do this. You'd have to be a special kind of stupid to mess this up its that simple.

That's awesome, sounds to me that the modded 555 is the best bang for buck.

cgrew:
But I guess pyronical you have to tie up what you will be mainly using headphones for?? Just gaming? Or would you like to have the option there for high quality music stereo reproduction, because both the HD-555's & the HD-595's are excellent performers in this particular field. Especially if you are keen on watching Blu-Rays ect. For what they are in price, I personally think they are very good (you can spend a ridiculous amount of course) but for what they are, they get 5 stars from me.

The HD-595 has more punchy bass then the HD-555 I might also add and clarity is noticeably better - I have listened to both and made the comparison.

Thanks Conor, I would likely watch bluray movies and listen to music with them too. One more question for you, just how loud are the open back headphones to people around you? Is it quite disturbing? ie you wouldnt want to wear them on a plane?

cgrew

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Reply # 375704 2-Sep-2010 12:25

No worries, to be honest the amount of detail you can hear from both at low volumes wouldn't annoy anyone, be no different from people I've heard on the bus with their ipod earphones - minimal.

But cranked up they can be heard, it really all depends how loud you like to listen to them. I would strongly recommend going in to a Hi-Fi store and having a listen and compare them to other headphones.

Good luck!

geekiegeek

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Reply # 375740 2-Sep-2010 13:30

open back will not work on a plane as all you will hear is the plane. Open is open both ways i.e. you can hear sounds around you and others can hear your music. I had to get 380 pro for work as people complained about my 555s.

My thoughts are my own and are in no way representative of my employer.

pyronical

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Reply # 375784 2-Sep-2010 14:51

geekiegeek: open back will not work on a plane as all you will hear is the plane. Open is open both ways i.e. you can hear sounds around you and others can hear your music. I had to get 380 pro for work as people complained about my 555s.

How would you say the sound compares between the 380pro and the 555? Even though the 380 pro I guess is the 595 equivalent looking at the price.

Asmodeus

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Reply # 375794 2-Sep-2010 15:09

I have the HD485s and can confirm that they sound bloody good if you're looking for a cheapish set that really delivers. They're full size (not sure if that bothers you) and been around a while though.

A few reviews: http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-485/4852-7877_7-31341506.html?tag=uoBody

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