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Sennheiser HD 558 Headphones
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Sennheiser Consumer Audio |
Model Name | HD 558 |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | Over Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Audiophile grade over ear, open back headphones
- Twist and lock single sided cable eliminates tangles and simplifies exchanges
- Gold-plated 1/4 inch plug with 1/8 inch adapter
- Highly optimized, field strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet system
- Internal Sound Reflector immerses the listener in rich audio
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Price | $379.99$379.99 | $149.95$149.95 | -22% $156.61$156.61 List Price: $199.95 | -35% $149.95$149.95 List: $229.25 | $99.99$99.99 | -16% $99.95$99.95 Typical: $119.15 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 15 - 18 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it Apr 5 - 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it Apr 4 - 11 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | — | 4.3 |
Noise cancellation | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 2.6 | — | 4.1 |
Sold By | I.R.N. GROUP LLC | Amazon.com | Amazon Japan | ARF Tech | DealsAdvantage ( All order will record S/N ) | Amazon.com |
connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wireless | Wired | Wired | Wired |
headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Bi-fold | Over Ear |
connector type | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 1/4-inch, 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack |
noise control | — | — | active noise cancellation | — | sound isolation | sound isolation |
headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
cable feature | Detachable | Retractable | Detachable | Detachable | Retractable | Retractable |
control type | Media Control | — | Volume Control | control | Media Control | control |
material | Plastic | プラスチック | Aluminum | Velour | — | Leather |
model name | HD 558 | FBA HD 25 | FBA HD 25 PLUS | HD 560S | — | HD 569 |
What's in the box
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 3.94 x 9.15 x 8.07 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.42 pounds |
Manufacturer | Sennheiser |
ASIN | B004FEEY9A |
Item model number | HD 558 |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #294,734 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #6,099 in Over-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | November 15, 2010 |
Item Weight | 1.4 Pounds |
Number Of Items | 1 |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
Product Description
Featuring an internal surround reflector, the HD 558 audiophile headphones are able to generate an extended spatial sound field for a listening experience that immerses the wearer during music and movies. They are outfitted with Sennheiser’s innovative E.A.R. technology which ensures accurate channeling of audio signals into your ears, as well as sophisticated Duofol diaphragms which reduce unwanted resonances to an absolute minimum. The HD 558 come with plush, luxurious velour ear pads and headband cushion which provide outstanding wearing comfort, even for long listening sessions.
From the Manufacturer
Featuring an internal surround reflector, the HD 558 audiophile headphones are able to generate an extended spatial sound field for a listening experience that immerses the wearer during music and movies. They are outfitted with Sennheiser's innovative E.A.R. technology which ensures accurate channeling of audio signals into your ears, as well as sophisticated Duofol diaphragms which reduce unwanted resonances to an absolute minimum. The HD 558 come with plush, luxurious velour ear pads and headband cushion which provide outstanding wearing comfort, even for long listening sessions.
Enhance your audio experienceMovie and music aficionados will definitely appreciate what the new HD 558 has to offer. Not only does it feature Sennheiser's E.A.R. technology and optimized Duofol diaphragms, but also a Surround Reflector that generates an extended spatial sound field for an enhanced audio experience.
Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) for High Performance
These high-end open circumaural headphones use E.A.R. technology for outstanding sonic accuracy and clarity. Sennheiser's innovative "Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement" (E.A.R.) design channels audio signals directly into your ears. State-of-the-art, advanced Duofol diaphragms deliver transparency and minimal distortion, while highly optimized, field-strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet systems yield an excellent dynamic response. A surround reflector creates an extended spatial sound field for the lightweight aluminum voice coils chosen for high efficiency and excellent dynamics. The special diaphragm geometry reduces intermodulation distortion, while highly constant, compressed cellulose fleece reduces total harmonic distortion.
About Sennheiser
For more than 60 years the name Sennheiser has stood for the highest quality products and customized solutions across all areas of sound recording, transmission and reproduction. As one of the world's leading providers of integrated solutions for electro-acoustic products, systems and services, Sennheiser constantly meets the challenges of developing creative answers which satisfy the requests and requirements of customers.
What's in the Box?
Sennheiser HD 558 Audiophile Headphones, 3.5mm plug adapter, warranty.
Technical Specifications
- Transducer type: Dynamic, open
- Headphone type: Circumaural
- Frequency response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
- Total harmonic distortion: <0.1% (1 kHz/100 dB SPL)
- Sound pressure level (SPL): 112 dB
- Impedance: 50 Ohms
- Cable length: 3m
- Jack plug: 6.3mm
- Weight: 270g
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, comfort, and quality of the headphones. For example, they mention that the bass is tight but not boomy, and the sound stage really opened up. They appreciate the value for money, saying that it's well worth the price. Customers are also happy with appearance, and performance. One downside is the cord length, with some complaining that it’s shockingly long.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They mention that it produces outstanding bass and vocal projection. The bass is tight but not boomy, and a lot of sound escapes. The treble and sound stage really opened up, and the snare is crisp. The speakers are quite powerful, and sound are very clear. Customers also have no problem hearing opponents in multiplayer games. The vocals are wonderful and clear, and with its directional audio, they're able to clearly tell when someone is.
"...Cymbals (especially the ride/hi-hats) and snare are crisp, bass drum is just enough punch and the toms, I can't even describe how good toms sound...." Read more
"...tight and punchy with just the right impact for my tastes, vocals are wonderful and clear, and the sounds are a touch on the warm side but honestly..." Read more
"...I wanted a headphone that was clear, with prominent mids, and quality bass, and that's what I got, but the saying "be careful what you wish for" was..." Read more
"...But everything, and I mean everything, on here sounds amazing. You can feel the bass, trebles are crisp, and vocals are crystal clear...." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the headphones. They mention that the velour ear pads are soft and plush, and the sound quality is superior than most. The cups and soft foam that makes up the padding are tight and smooth. They also say the headphones comfortably fit their massive ears in the cups and the soft foam makes up padding.
"...I care about sound quality, durability, comfort and nothing else...." Read more
"...The velour ear pads are soft and plush, and the included cable also feels good, with a nice thick rubberized cord that seems like it would be tangle-..." Read more
"...Pros:-Incredible soundstage! Boomy lows, without being headache inducing, and crystal clear highs give you a level of clarity that is just..." Read more
"...Beyond comfortable, I thought they would be a little warm on the ears, or they would be too tight because I have 7 3/4 hat size; this was not the..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the headphones. They mention that the drivers are great, the bass gets deeper, and the overall quality gets a bit more clear. The headphones are made of plastic, but that of a high quality and feels sturdy enough to last. Some say that the headphones are the best they've ever used and are a great place to start for aspiring audiophiles.
"...from the headphones themselves if you ever need to replace it, extremely handy. Cable length is about 3m so it goes a fair distance...." Read more
"...The HD 558's are built from plastic, but that of high quality and feels sturdy enough to last years of use with moderate care...." Read more
"...The bass gets deeper, and overall quality gets a bit more clear...." Read more
"...Pretty stable build, they are made of what seems like good quality plastic, and feel pretty stout without being too heavy...." Read more
Customers like the value of the headphones. They mention that it's well worth the price, has a great balance of performance and price, and is excellent value for the quality of sound. Some say the headphones are great out of the box and have good low end.
"...It's cheap but very high quality. I also have a review on that card up as well.Thanks for reading!" Read more
"...-Probably the best bang for the buck. At less than $200.00 these headphones are a bargain unquestionably...." Read more
"...Nothing else sounds even close. They are worth it. Buy them." Read more
"...To me, this experience is well worth the price." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the headphones. They say it has good looks, is nicely designed, and has an open back. Customers also say that the mids really shine and the trebles are very crisp and detailed. They also say the headphones look brand new and have an enjoyable signature.
"...Cymbals (especially the ride/hi-hats) and snare are crisp, bass drum is just enough punch and the toms, I can't even describe how good toms sound...." Read more
"...Doesn't really matter, but they look pretty cool to me.CONS:..." Read more
"...Like I said, they are mellow and beautiful - you may be inclined to sway back and forth (as I frequently do) and hold your lighter high during some..." Read more
"...This design looks so good, that they decided to reuse it on the Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones - Black...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the performance of the headphones. They mention that they work well for recording purposes, are quite good at what they do, and are pleased with the overall performance across all genres. The headphones have amazing response times and work well when listening to music and movies. They also work well with the genres that they enjoy most, such as folk/acoustic, classic rock, and gaming. The open style headphone works well for them, and they like the spatial sound of the music.
"...and cradle your face nicely, and the band cushion also does an excellent job of resting the headphones on the top of your head...." Read more
"...hours every day I know what these are about, and they are quite good at what they do. The 558 includes listeners of classical, jazz, new age, etc...." Read more
"...This isn't boomy bass though. It is tight and perfect. If you are a basshead, don't even think about purchasing these...." Read more
"...558s really shine with music played on REAL instruments, mixed well with good dynamics, and without tons of loudness...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sturdiness of the headphones. Some mention that they are strong, reliable, and last for a very long time. However, others say that they're disappointed with the build, the structure is not very strong, and the headphones are poor quality and clunky.
"...I care about sound quality, durability, comfort and nothing else...." Read more
"...They require a couple of weeks of wear before they loosen up a bit for optimal comfort...." Read more
"...and light weight materials, but the Hd 558's feel much more solidly constructed and much more breathable because of their open back design and..." Read more
"...Pretty stable build, they are made of what seems like good quality plastic, and feel pretty stout without being too heavy...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the cord length of the headphones. They mention that the cord is shockingly long and has a 1/4 plug. The adapter makes the entire connection point pretty long, and the earcups don't fold up for travel. The cable is removable, but it's not a generic cable.
"...5. The cable is removable but it isn't a generic cable. It's a 2.5mm with a special twist latch that is specific to Sennheiser cans...." Read more
"...The bigger issue is with the plug. Since these are targeted at serious users, the normal plug is 6.3 mm...." Read more
"...and plush, and the included cable also feels good, with a nice thick rubberized cord that seems like it would be tangle-resistant...." Read more
"...for home use; they're open back (sound leaks out), the cord is nearly 10' long and terminates in a 1/4" plug...." Read more
Reviews with images
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I know it's not a major factor, but the box the 558s come in is actually quite nice, very sleek and modern but still classy. The packaging was fantastic, a plastic mold holding the cans with foam padding to protect more important features. I'm actually still using the plastic mold and foam padding to hold the headphones when not in use. Let's get to the headphones.
Design:
The cable is actually 1/4" plug but comes with a 1/8" adapter for standard audio jacks. If you don't know, a 1/4" jack is mainly for stereo systems etc. The cable can also twist off from the headphones themselves if you ever need to replace it, extremely handy. Cable length is about 3m so it goes a fair distance. I read a few complaints about this, but the 558s are meant for home use, not for the casual jog etc (which was the main complaint). The headband doesn't make any cracking sounds or anything on my pair, but I believe this issue was around it's entrance into the market and since then Sennheiser has fixed that issue. The padding on both the headband and earpads is phenomenal and has a very customizable headband. I have never experienced such comfort. I can listen to straight music for hours and never have discomfort. These are an open-air design, so you won't block loud background noise and they will have quite a bit of sound leakage. They are by no means noise-canceling, make sure you don't get the 558s if you're looking for that.
Sound Quality:
Continuing on the open-air design, this provides the crystal clear sound. Nothing sounds muffled or distorted like what happens sometimes with closed-back headphones. The only issue with open-air is of course, the sound leakage but bass isn't as prominent as closed-back. Now, I personally think the bass on the 558s is the perfect range, just enough to hear the heavy bass and feel the rest. That being said, many people prefer the booming bass that overpowers much of the music (dubstep etc). If booming bass is what you're looking for, you may want to steer clear of the 558s. On the opposite end, the treble and mid-ranges are perfection. I'm use to guitars blending a little too much into the music and not being a prominent as I'd like. The earphones/cans I've tried lack the ability to separate the guitar and many times, particularly with my metal collection, the sound starts to distort. So far the 558s have not shown this problem once! My biggest love of these headphones has to be what it does for drums. I'm a drummer myself so naturally I tend to focus greatly on that instrument in music. Cymbals (especially the ride/hi-hats) and snare are crisp, bass drum is just enough punch and the toms, I can't even describe how good toms sound. For once I can hear each individual tom.
I only describe drums and guitar/bass because I really can't think of a way to describe Vocals or Piano. But vocals shine through and piano/keyboard have never sounded better.
I've tested the 558s on a variety of genres; rock based, alternative, punk, ska, blues, reggae, metal (including Gothic metal where the 558s absolutely kill the vocals), Progression based music even Techno. Any genre other than rap, pop/hip-hop and country (sorry to fans of those genres).
I was shocked how much better the 558s performed over the bose headphones which are double the price, not to mention the others. Sennheiser has won me over as a customer almost instantly after I got the 558s. I can't imagine what their advanced headphones can do, like the 700 HDs. My only complaint, but I had a feeling this would be the case when I got them, was sound quality on low quality systems. I would hear a crackling and popping while listening to music on my PC but the stereo (receiver set up) was perfect. At the time my PC had only on-board sound. I was debating between either a headphone amp or a new soundcard anyway since on-board is horrible. I decided to go with the Asus DG Xonar which was specified for gaming but a few reviews said it was audiophile quality and it has a headphone amp built in! Its a cheap card but does it ever change the sound, the crackling etc was fixed and the headphones sounded just as good on my PC as they did on the receiver/stereo. As a bonus, the Xonar came with software to put Equalizer (or EQ) on my system! I now have a perfect EQ that made these 558s even better (if you decide to get the Xonar I slightly tweaked its preset Jazz setting, that is a great EQ just on its own). That card is audiophile quality and is it ever good for gaming too (I also play Guild Wars 2/Battlefield 3 with it using a Turtle Beach headset).
If you decide to go with the 558s and are looking for a replacement to on-board PC sound, give the Xonar a look. It's cheap but very high quality. I also have a review on that card up as well.
Thanks for reading!
BUILD QUALITY:
The HD 558's are made entirely of plastic. I mean, the wires and the drivers aren't plastic but the housing and body are. Usually plastic designs bother me but the material used to build the 558's don't seem like a cheap plastic that would fracture after a month of use (or years, with reasonable care) so that doesn't bother me one bit, especially when we consider that plastic is used to keep the weight of these headphones down to maintain comfort. They feel very solid in the hand and have a very satisfying, snug fit when they sit on my head. The velour ear pads are soft and plush, and the included cable also feels good, with a nice thick rubberized cord that seems like it would be tangle-resistant. Overall I'm very satisfied with the build quality.
COMFORT:
As expected the 558's feel like wearing a cloud on your face. Bose does an excellent job with their headphones and maintaining the level of comfort, but they have a different feel. Bose cans feel "smooth," for lack of better word, because of their use of leather and light weight materials, but the Hd 558's feel much more solidly constructed and much more breathable because of their open back design and velour ear pads. When you first put on a new pair, the clamping force is a touch on the stronger side but not to the point of even being annoying, just noticeable. After a day or two of use they conform to the shape of your face and fit like a glove.The ear pads are plush and cradle your face nicely, and the band cushion also does an excellent job of resting the headphones on the top of your head.
One thing I would note about the comfort though is that the drivers have this plastic bump that comes out a bit inside the ear cups, and occasionally my right ear will brush against it or touch that plastic, and I guess I have sensitive ears but if this goes on for long enough it becomes a source of discomfort. With some playing around and getting used to though, I doubt this will be a problem for over 99.5% of people who would use these. After you break these in and grow accustomed to them, they feel like they were custom made JUST for your head - they're that comfy.
SOUND QUALITY:
Here is a point where I don't have to defend the HD 558's at all - they justify their price and more with how great they sound. Admittedly, I was unimpressed when I first put them on and played a song. The sounds were somewhat flat, 2 dimensional, and a tad muffled and were uninspiring. I wondered if I got a defective model, but I kept listening to them anyway to burn them in. My god did that help. The next day I put them on again, and noticed a difference immediately (I let my playlist loop overnight). The sounds were much more alive, much more defined. Every aspect of a song knew it's place, be it the forefront or from a distance. I was worried the bass would be lacking as per many other reviews, but I find they're absolutely perfect. The bass is tight and punchy with just the right impact for my tastes, vocals are wonderful and clear, and the sounds are a touch on the warm side but honestly I prefer that. They produce a very relaxed and natural sound rather than aggressive and engaging, which makes them less fatiguing to listen to over longer periods of time. The mids are just creamy smooth, as another review put it, and I couldn't put it more accurately myself. The HD 558's are absolutely wonderful to listen to.
TL;DR:
The super condensed version is this: JUST BUY IT. They're freaking amazing.
The HD 558's are built from plastic, but that of high quality and feels sturdy enough to last years of use with moderate care. They're very lightweight and the materials are soft and cradle your face perfectly, keeping them comfortable to use for hours and hours on end. If you really wanted to, I doubt you would never actually NEED to take these off due to discomfort (you could leave it on for days and days). If your ears are sensitive or stick far from your head, they might brush against a piece of plastic on the inside of the ear cups, but this doesn't seem to be a problem for most people who've used these headphones. Last but not least, the sound is incredible - just make sure you give them at least a day's worth of burn in before you judge them for their sound. They get better and better, and sound magnificent. Just the right tight, punchy bass, creamy smooth mids, and good high's. They don't exactly sparkle, but I find nothing to complain about.
CONCLUSION:
The HD 558's are commonly found at just over 100 dollars, I got mine for ~117 shipped. At this price and anywhere up to 140-150 (I would say even more maybe, but then it would be walking into HD 598 territory), they're a wonderful pair of headphones with great comfort and sound quality that puts many other pairs of headphones to shame. I own a pair of M50's and prefer these to the M50's any day. They're infinitely more comfortable, smoother and more balanced, and just feel/sound better to my ears. The M50's introduced me to a world of audio that I didn't even know existed, but the 558's made me fall in love and want to settle down with them. If you're looking for an open back pair of headphones to use at home when you're relaxing or just doing work at a desk, or to watch movies, I can vouch for these headphones and say they DEFINITELY justify their price tag.
Just, you know, buy it. You won't regret it.
Top reviews from other countries
Esto dio pauta a informarme sobre los mejores audífonos para música y micrófonos en distintos rangos de precio. Aunque lamentablemente muchos modelos y marcas no son tan fáciles de conseguir en México.
Al ver estos audífonos en oferta no dudé en comprarlos y la verdad la experiencia auditiva es otro nivel que no había experimentado, ningún audífono gamer o de otras marcas muy comerciales tiene la claridad y profundidad de sonido que los HD 558 ofrecen.
No ideal para usar en publico ya que su diseño abierto permite que todos escuchen lo que tu escuchas, al mismo tiempo el ruido ambiental afectara tu experiencia auditiva. No un punto en contra pero algo a considerar.
Adepte de Sennheiser depuis quelques temps, pour de la simple écoute ou pour du mix, j'ai donc profité d'une promotion sur ce produit en partant avec un bon à priori.
Quelques lectures de tests par-ci par-là m'ont permis de confirmer ce choix.
Après près d'un mois d'écoute, voici mon avis :
- le produit est robuste et bien fini. Certes c'est du plastique, mais du plastique de bonne qualité qui sent la durabilité.
- le confort est excellent. Portant des lunettes, la plupart des casques me compriment trop au niveau des branches de celles-ci et rend le casque désagréable à porter assez rapidement. Là je n'ai aucun soucis de ce type, même après 2 à 3h d'écoute. Sans compter le confort des coussinets en velour pour le dessus du crâne, qui rend le casque au final très léger malgré son poids.
- La qualité sonore est au rendez-vous, avec de belles basses bien rondes mais pas omniprésentes, et de beaux aigues. Une petite faiblesse dans les mediums, mais pas de quoi alarmer. Le rendu global est extrêmement satisfaisant pour cette gamme de prix.
- Enfin on est relativement bien isolé (le bruit extérieur reste toutefois toujours audible, de par la conception alvéolée des écouteurs) et j'apprécie le fait de pouvoir changer le câble jack, même si celui-ci possède une accroche propriétaire. Fini le fait de devoir changer de casque à cause d'un câble défectueux !
Au final je referais ce choix sans hésiter, même hors promotion.
Sennheiser prouve encore une fois son savoir-faire avec des prix contenus.
N.B : j'utilise ce casque dans un open-space souvent assez bruyant. Malgré le fait que j'entende encore le bruit environnant, le casque me permet de bien m'isoler sans avoir à monter le volume de manière immodérée.
I've searched and researched at least 15 different headphones online since most of these are not even available in retail showrooms where I can try them out. At least not in one place, I'd have to travel around inside the city visiting various malls and experience centers to try them all out. Not much patience for this, nor the time. I shortlisted the Audio Technica ATH-M50X, the Bose SoundTrue and the Sennheiser HD 558, based on various reviews. Noise cancellation is not of prime importance to me for two reasons (1) I don't use these while traveling and (2) I don't like the additional weight of the batteries. So the more expensive ones like the Bose Quiet Comfort 25 were not even on my list. Out of these I chose the Sennheiser for two reasons (1) Good positive reviews all over and (2) same day delivery! You see, I don't like waiting for something once I've ordered it, even if it means I pay a little more for it.
Now, coming to these headphones, I'm simply blown away by the sound. The sound "stage" that it creates is so much wider and there is quite a bit of "depth" to the sound. I listen to all kinds of music depending on my mood, Carnatic Classical, Bollywood Classics, Bollywood Contemporary, Western classical, 80s pop, the list goes on. I've not tried the entire gamut yet (only had them for two days now), but whatever I have played has sounded extremely good to my non-professional ears.
The velour padding on the 'phones feel very luxurious and comfortable. The headset is not too tight not too loose. It fits just right, once I adjusted the set. Ears are covered completely, so while there is a bit of sound isolation, it is not disturbance proof. You can hear external sounds if they are loud enough or close enough. I am not bothered too much, since I don't plan on taking these outside my home.
I also play a lot of games on my PC and these perform quite well with the two I tested with, Far Cry 4 and GTA V. There is no microphone on these 'phones so if you want to play online and shout insults at your co-players, then these are not for you. I don't play online, so this is not an issue for me.
There is only one drawback to these 'phones, which is that the jack is of the larger 6.3 mm size, which won't plugin to smartphones or PC sockets. There is a smaller 3.5mm jack that is bundled along, which you have to tack on to the larger jack so that it can be used with smartphones and PC. But this will make the end large and unwieldy if you are planning to take it on the move. Sennheiser makes a cable which has a 3.5mm jack on both ends and you will have to buy this separately, as the entire cable can be unplugged from the headset and replaced with the smaller one.
I hope to get a lot of good mileage from these headphones and I am sure you will too.
Das liegt vielleicht auch schon an der Beschaffenheit eines Kopfhörers, wenn ich Ihn denn mit guten Lautsprechern vergleiche. Eine Membran soll all das übernehmen, was sonst mehrere spezielle zusammen erledigen. Große Boxen in einem deutlichen Abstand im Raum positioniert verglichen mit zwei „kleinen“ Dingern direkt am Ohr. Der direkte Vergleich würde hier deshalb schon im Vorhinein hinken. Obendrein die Tatsache, dass jeder „angenehm und gut“ für sich anders definiert. Jeder hat irgendwie ein anderes Gefühl dafür, wann etwas gut klingt.
So habe ich schon diverse Kopfhörer ausprobiert und probegehört. An diversen Quellen ausgiebig verglichen. Oft hoch angepriesene Kopfhörer haben mich nicht überzeugt, andere vielleicht wieder mehr. Man(n) wird älter und so ändert sich auch vieles wieder. Deshalb spielt ebenfalls die Musikwahl bei Kopfhörern eine besondere Rolle, wie ja eigentlich auch bei Boxen. Klassik, Jazz, Pop oder gar Rap, Electronic oder Dance, um nur einige Musikrichtungen zu nennen. Ich denke man muss viele Dinge in Betracht ziehen wenn man sich für einen Kopfhörer entscheiden will.
Gefallen ist immer auch etwas Subjektives. Insofern wird meine Rezension vielleicht nur bedingt hilfreich sein. In der Hoffnung vielleicht doch dem einen oder anderen etwas zu helfen möchte ich nun meine „Testergebnisse“ und mein Fazit schildern.
Design:
Ist Geschmackssache und auch nicht für jeden von Belang. Das Aussehen kann jeder für sich selbst anhand der Bilder beurteilen. Was aber zu merken ist, wenn man ihn in der Hand hält ist, dass er sehr wertig aussieht und sich auch so anfühlt. Gut durchdachte Elemente wie die gut zu verstellende Bügellänge, die auch für wirklich große Köpfe gut reichen müsste über die in vier Richtungen beweglichen, großen Ohrmuscheln für den perfekten Sitz, das auswechselbare, einseitig geführte Kopfhörerkabel, welches quasi eingeschraubt wird, damit es nicht einfach rausgezogen werden kann oder zu guter Letzt die leicht austauschbaren Ohrpolster.
Tragekomfort:
Die weichen Kissen um die ovalen Ohrmuscheln sind mit einer Art flauschiger Mikrofaser überzogen. Dadurch und durch ihr offenes System bekommt man keine heißen Ohren (Dafür hört das Umfeld aber quasi mit! ;) ). Die Polster am Kopfband sind ebenso weich und dick gepolstert.
Die Kopfhörer sind verhältnismäßig leicht. Leichter als viele andere dieser Größe. Geringes Gewicht, nicht zu fester Anpressdruck, große, ovale und sehr weich gepolsterte, sich anpassende Ohrmuscheln sowie das dick gepolsterte Kopfband sorgen im Zusammenspiel für ein sehr angenehmes Tragegefühl. Behaupten, dass man vergisst einen Kopfhörer aufzuhaben kann ich zwar nicht ganz aber annähernd ;). Wenn alle Nerven und Nervenbahnen ausreichend funktionieren, wird man immer spüren, dass man etwas am Kopf hat. Dennoch kann man ihn lange tragen ohne zu schwitzen und ohne dass es unangenehm wird.
Klang:
Die „Klangbühne“ bzw. das Raumgefühl ist bei diesen Kopfhörern größer als mit vielen anderen. Man hat nicht das Gefühl direkt am Ohr/Trommelfell den Lautsprecher sitzen zu haben. Die Ortung der Lautsprecher wirkt meines Erachtens definitiv weiter entfernt vom Ohr als sie wohl de facto ist.
Höhen, Mitten und Bass sind sehr präzise und jeweils eindeutig wahrnehmbar. Man hört nun bei vielen Stücken Dinge, die man vorher nicht so wahrgenommen hat. Man versteht nun manche Wörter in Liedern, die man vorher nicht recht verstanden hat. Der Bass ist hörbar und vorhanden, nie lästig und dennoch klingen die Kopfhörer klar und ausgesprochen „ehrlich“.
Zu dem Kopfhörer gibt es eine Modifikation, die man selber sehr einfach durchführen kann. Dieser „MOD“ bewirkt, dass der Klang noch klarer wird, das Räumlichkeitsgefühl, die Bühne etwas aber merkbar größer aber der Bass etwas weniger wird. Geringfügig, aber hörbar - dennoch sehr klar bzw. deutlich und präzise. Bei sehr tiefem Bass schaffen es die Kopfhörer aber immer noch ein Vibrieren auf die Haut zu zaubern, wenn man etwas lauter, jedoch noch angenehm/erträglich hört.
Hier ist es Geschmackssache. Ich habe beides ausprobiert und meine eigene kleine Modifikation gefunden.
Es bleibt hier aber ganz klar zu sagen, dass diese MODIFIKATION wirklich NICHT NÖTIG ist. Die Kopfhörer klingen so schon ausgesprochen gut und es kommt diesbezüglich sehr auf den Musikgeschmack, die persönliche Vorlieben und die persönliche Risikobereitschaft an. Wenn man vorsichtig ist, kann man echt nichts kaputt machen, denke ich, aber bzgl. der Garantieansprüche muss man sich auch im Klaren sein. (Alles auf eigene Gefahr!)
Diese Kopfhörer klingen wirklich so schon super und ich habe das jetzt nur so belassen, weil ich neugierig war, gerne tüftle, es ausprobiert habe und irgendwann keine Lust mehr hatte, bzw. nicht mehr wusste was jetzt noch wie besser klang.
Das sagt schon, dass die Unterschiede marginal sind und wahrscheinlich eher etwas subjektiv. Hinzu kommt, dass ich persönlich nicht so viel Bass mag, außer bei Filmen, aber man kann ja nicht immer vor ‘nem Film zum Schrauben anfangen ;)
Fazit:
Für mich ein sehr guter, im Tragekomfort als auch im Klang sehr angenehmer Kopfhörer, der mich viele neuen Details erkennen lässt und mit dem es Spaß macht Musik, Filme und Co. zu hören. An einer Stereoanlage klingt er obendrein noch besser als an iPod / Macbook Pro und Konsorten. Wer jedoch an einem PC eine gute Soundkarte hat und Lieder von CD oder in ALAC/FLAC/WAV-Formaten hört wird auch dort seine Freude haben, denn er kann das volle Potential dieses Kopfhörers nutzen. Ob bei Musik, Filmen oder PC-Spielen, man wird es genießen und sehr zufrieden sein.
Einzig wer gerne sehr bassbetont hört (z. B. bei basslastiger Musik wie Rap / Hip-Hop / RnB / Dance / Trance / Electronic etc.) wird vielleicht mit bassbetonteren Kopfhörern besser bedient sein - wenn dies denn auch von ihm gewünscht ist.
Für alle anderen und diejenigen, die ein ehrliches Klangbild mit einer etwas größeren Klangbühne bzw. mehr Räumlichkeitsgefühl suchen werden hier bestimmt glücklich.
Aus meiner Sicht ein absolut empfehlenswerter Kopfhörer mit dem auch stundenlanges Hören nicht anstrengend wird.
Disclaimer: I don't have an amp or a DAC, so these are my impressions of the 558's with an "OK" onboard laptop soundcard, ipod and xbox.
These are very comfortable... however they take a couple uses to settle into your head nicely. For example, the first couple uses, after maybe 2-3 hours the head band got a little uncomfortable and the my ears started to touch the speakers (probably from the initial clamp force, it's now weaker, which is good). Now, they feel amazing and i can wear them for long hours without feeling much discomfort if not any at all. For comfort as of right now, 9/10, but i'm 100% sure they'll settle in nicely and that comfort rating will go to 10/10.
The sound is also really nice, i'm not an audiophile so my vocabulary for those fancy words are limited. These didn't sound AMAZING like i thought they would, but then again, i'm not playing back high quality audio nor do i have an amplifier or a DAC or a decent soundcard (I'm a newb to high end headphones). Don't get me wrong, un-modded, these "cans" sound very nice and accurate, clear and crisp... but curiosity got the best of me and i did the "foam mod" where you remove the foam pieces and it is suppose to make them sound more like the 598's. I'm not entirely sure if they do, but there was a pretty big improvement.
There's goods and bads to this mod. There seems to be more "oomph" in the bass and mids, but then the bass kinda lost it's accuracy and sounded more muffled too, which is bad.. they also got louder and the sound stage got a bigger... but me.. being me, got creative and cut 1 foam piece in half and put 1/2 of the the foam piece in the left ear cup, and the other 1/2 in the right ear cup. This way i get best of both worlds! Not too much loss of bass control/accuracy but still have that boost... erm, oomph in the bass and mids! lol
Oh, and also, i think these are better for gaming when they're un-modded (foam strips are still in them).. for me anyways, they just sounded nicer.. maybe it's just me, i don't know. But they're really nice for gaming, the grenades that blow up don't hurt your ears like they do with closed headphones.
Keep in mind, i don't have any amp yet, i'm pretty sure an amp will definitely give more "punch" in the music. These are good for pretty much all types of music except for hip/hop and most rap.. the bass isn't huge in them but it's a nice medium (they're open dynamic so of course they won't have a lot of bass anyhow)
I'm sure you already know all about that other mumbo-jumbo so i won't touch on that. However, for all you portable people that want a shorter cable with a 1/8" (3.5mm) instead of that big 1/4" (6.5mm), there's a cable that that you can order.. i think! If you live in USA i know you can, i'm pretty sure they'll ship to Canada also. Not entirely sure about overseas. Copy and pasted from a comment: "You can order a 4.5 foot cord for the HD598/558/518 with a 3.5mm termination by calling Sennheiser directly (860-434-9190 ext.1) and asking for the "US5X8SHORTCABLE". It costs $12.95 + shipping and handling."
Don't try to use another cord with a 2.5mm to a 3.5mm termination because it could possibly blow the 558's speakers, just a heads up. Their cords are different then the normal. They're special! :)
And that's my review, i hope you liked it.