Need a worthy upgrade over my HD555's

[BLindsay]

Hi all, aside from the part that my HD555's are cracking (where everyones does) i have been itching for an upgrade. What would be a very noticable upgrade over these.

1. They are used on my Onkyo 806 reciever (or maybe my computer)
2. I have no intention of traveling with them or using them on a portable device
3. Dont have to worry about bothering anyone else
4. Would like to stay under $300 but if i got something really amazing id go up to $500
5. Maybe something with a bit more bass than my HD555's

Source is my BDP-580 and i usually am playin SACD's (and soon some DVD-A) as well as blu-ray concerts

[BLindsay]

Im considering the HD 650s but i didnt know if there is something else in that price range i should get over them. I want something with some more bass than my 555's as well (but not muddy of course)

[BLindsay]

well i hope they are good, the 650s are on the way haha

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

well i hope they are good, the 650s are on the way haha

They are well received by most, but being a 300 ohms phone it does require decent amplification to get the best out of them. Your receiver should do a fine job, but your computer might not drive them adequately depending on the soundcard. There are amps to be found at decent prices that would make them shine.

This site might be interesting for you http://www.head-fi.org/. Lots to be learned but like anything you have to filter out what you read as amplification is one of those niche markets that has no end ranging from $40 to multi thousand options. Do some research.

Congrats on the purchase

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

They are well received by most, but being a 300 ohms phone it does require decent amplification to get the best out of them. Your receiver should do a fine job, but your computer might not drive them adequately depending on the soundcard. There are amps to be found at decent prices that would make them shine.

This site might be interesting for you http://www.head-fi.org/. Lots to be learned but like anything you have to filter out what you read as amplification is one of those niche markets that has no end ranging from $40 to multi thousand options. Do some research.

Congrats on the purchase

I can do audio out from my computer into my reciever and still run my headphones off the reciever.

I know with my HD555's my reciever had more than enough power for my linking lol.

Cant wait to try them out

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

I can do audio out from my computer into my reciever and still run my headphones off the reciever.

I know with my HD555's my reciever had more than enough power for my linking lol.

Cant wait to try them out

The HD 555s are only 50 ohm and have high sensitivity so they are easy to drive. The 650s are another animal. But yes your receiver should do fine. If you feel you're not getting enough juice an external amp might help. Not necessarily for volume output but proper voltage to drive them up to their potential. Try them out and see.

Enjoy when you get them

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

The HD 555s are only 50 ohm and have high sensitivity so they are easy to drive. The 650s are another animal. But yes your receiver should do fine. If you feel you're not getting enough juice an external amp might help. Not necessarily for volume output but proper voltage to drive them up to their potential. Try them out and see.

Enjoy when you get them

is there an advantage of them being 300ohm? and i didnt realize the HD555s were easy to drive, tell that to my ipod lol

Im looking forward to them, recently discovered SACD's so i wanted to get a good pair of headphones

thanks for the info

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

is there an advantage of them being 300ohm? and i didnt realize the HD555s were easy to drive, tell that to my ipod lol

Im looking forward to them, recently discovered SACD's so i wanted to get a good pair of headphones

thanks for the info

To be honest I don't know if there are any advantages, someone with better understanding of headphones might be able to answer that one.

Sorry and good luck with the new purchase

[Jimmyjo]

I've had my HD555 headphones for about four years now and really enjoy them. The bad news is the headband has broke on the left side and the right side looks like it may break soon. I was thinking of upgrading to the HD598 buy notice they are built with the same looking plastic parts as the HD555. As much as I love these headphones the breaking problem seems to be mentioned alot. I even read of a pair of HD598 headphones breaking this way. Are there any other good options in the price range of the HD598s that have better consruction with at least as nice of sound. I mostly use them for movies and find the open air phone much easier to listen to than the closed type.