A sad story..

[admin_exported]

Long long time ago I bought the Sennheiser HD540 Reference, a very good choice. Since the earpads were completely gone I ordered the HD595 when I saw them offered for 100euro, thinking to buy an improved HD540. Not so, disappointed by the sound, plus the design fault of an awful isolation of cable noise to the cans (when you move and the cable touches your clothes or something you hear it in the cans, very irritating). So I sold them again,and bought new earpads for the old 540 (they are rare). And then one channel died.

So here I am, looking for half a working HD540, or new headphones. I must say that I do not use them that much (I really enjoy my speakers), mostly for watching television including music programs (one reason is that the tv (plus consoles etc) is in a separate room, living room is reserved for audio). I know the headphone out is not good, I may get a (cheap) headphone amp at one point. Music s mostly classical, acoustic, jazz. Not a big movies fan (and the mastering of the sound of movies is often really bad I think - different subject).

Any suggestions on suitable headphones are welcome. Open/closed is not so important, I am used to open, although some more isolation from the outside world would not be bad. Budget I guess around 100 pound/euro, unless I cannot find anything decent for that price. Around that mark some options seem to be the Audio Technica ath-ad700, some Grado sr-60, sr-80. At the higher price I can get the white AKG 701s for 200euro, but perhaps there are also better Sennheisers. Any suggestions?

 

[Anonymous]

The audio technica's are offered online on ebay from down under 'guaranteed no taxes, no duties' - this seems strange, is that possible?

 

[Anonymous]

The HD595 might have been counterfeit for that price if they lacked quality? I've had them and loved the sound. I bought HD600s recently for £200, which are currently running in and sound excellent.

With your budget HD595 is the price point (see Amazon)! Personally I found Grado 125s too bright and don't like the 'house sound'.

Alternatively, there are some 'mint' Senn 540s on eBay at the moment!

 

[Anonymous]

The 595's were genuine allright, I think that I won't like the Grado's either given that sound.

 

[matthewpiano]

I agree about the micrphony of the cable on the Sennheiser HD595s. They are excellent in many other ways though.

Having said that, I prefer my Beyer Dynamic DT770 Pros to the Senns. They are controlled, detailed, dynamic and create a real sense of atmosphere.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. So far had little time to listen and investigate. A nearby megastore with the name of a planet had lots of Sennheisers (also the HD600) but they played Madonna live dvd on all of them. Sigh... The HD600's were good perhaps also because they were not loud (very low sensitivity so it seems).

What are your ideas about differences between closed and open systems?