I'm considering buying the Sennheiser HD 558 Anybody own these or have used them? I've been looking for a good pair of cloth/velour padded headphones. I dont like how the leather feels after prolonged use. Too hot almost. I also like being able to hear my surroundings to some extent while wearing them. Anybody have advice or other recommendations? Mostly used for gaming/ music.
I just bought them recently and I'm very happy with my purchase.
I've had them and used them as my PC daily driver for close to a year, and i couldn't be happier, they're super comfortable, they sound spectacular for music, gaming, video, everything. The openness could be a factor for you, if that doesn't bother you, since these are EXTREMELY open and sound like laptop speakers (by volume) when you lay them in front of you, and to those around you. (mind you, my volume is set to around 30% and it's still plenty loud)
Also, with how sensitive they are, they do pick up small traces of the on-board audio/internal soundcard imperfections when you pump the volume. (imo this is a good thing, it gives you a good indication of your audio source quality)
I love them, I suggest them to anyone looking for high quality headphones in the sub $300 range.
I have to 598 and couldn't be happier they sound absolutely incredible and from what I have heard they sounds pretty Similar. Additionally if your feeling ambitious there is a member D that is supposed to make the 558 sound almost identical to the 598. Here is a link it seems really easy to do http://www.headfonia.com/sennheisers-new-hd558-and-hd598/3/
Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna pick them up. I seem to have a headphone collection starting lol. This will be my 5th pair..
look at AKG 240s they are a semi-open design. I think they are somfortible
2 years ago I got the HD555s (the predecessor) and a mate of mine payed the extra $50 and got the HD558's after checking them out i really feel as if i should have don't the same. Everything was just that little but tighter. They are truly a phenomenal set of cans and i don't think you will be disappointed. Plus they are sennheisers so you should be able to get replacement parts for a long while to come.
*Edit* the only negatives is that they leak a lot of sound so they would be predominately suited to home use.
It could be the type of cushion they used that is causing you to hear the outside sound. I recently acquired one and while it's a good start to become an audiophile, it really does leak a bit of sound and doesn't block most of the louder outside sounds. Try going on a train wearing these and you will have to crank up the volume to max.
Still, I couldn't be happier than just having one. It's good to be using a headphone with an actual audio jack, not some USB nonsense. I just wish my partially dead earbuds, also made by Sennheiser, came back to full life. Spent a lot on them, used them a lot and pooped a bit 1 1/2 years later after a couple of conflicts with its long ass cord.
Indeed the cup cushions would play apart in the sound leakage, however the cups are mesh instead of a solid material. If I put a torch on one side of the cups, I can see light on the other side. Which is good as it gives you a much more umm open? sound... not sure how to describe sounds with words haha.
Broken headphones suck man! it's a truly heartbreaking feeling to have one of the ears cut out. :(