are SENNHEISER HD500's any good?

[DarK SagE]

Are SENNHEISER HD500 FUSION any good?

what price would be good for them? do they need an amp?

 

[Leo V]

Here is a great headphone resource:
http://www.headwize.com

Try searching their forums for HD500, you'll probably dig up a gold mine.

 

[Ulysses]

Oh, nice link, Leo V.

 

[spamboy]

Do yourself a favor and buy some Sony studio monitor headphones. You'll need $100, but the sound is perfectly flat, uncolored and clear. You hear exactly what's on the recording. Plus they are comfortable and look badass with the huge "Studio Monitor" block lettering across the strap. You see these in music videos shot in studio for a reason: they are the best of the best.

 

[luv2chill]

I have the 500s. I paid something like $50 for them on ubid like nine months ago or so. Yes, they are nice. Audiophiles tend to think they have a "phased" sound to them... I dunno. There is a modification posted on headwize, which I did a few months ago, and I think they sound better, w/ increased bass output (it rattles your face!!).

I would like to get the 580s, because I've heard them and think they sound a little better than the 500s, plus they have velour earcups (drool...) instead of the vinyl ones on the 500s.

Don't get me wrong though... the 500s are very nice cans. They are comfortable, loud, and have a long, single cord, which is nice. The 580s, on the other hand, are connected on both sides, which is annoying, IMHO.

Hope that helps.

l2c

 

[Leo V]

spamboy, I incidentally happen to own the $99 Sony MDR-V600 studio headphones. They're rather controversial amongst headphoniacs, who tend to prefer the discontinued MDR-V6 (about same price).

However, I really like mine--they're extremely sensitive, quite transparent, have VERY complete & clean frequency response (rated 5Hz-30KHz, I was able to feel that 5Hz and I can hear all the way to ~21.5KHz). Besides comfort, they have unmatched sound isolation--the cans practically block out all mild outside noise. Conversely, those little coworkers on the outside won't hear any of those blasting NIN guitars. Great for both listening, studio work, and listening AT work.

However, I still wouldn't recommend buying Sony just out of "brand loyalty". It all depends on your personal needs.

 

[Pastore]

My friend has a pair of HD800's and he swears by them

 

[Leo V]

err...don't you mean HD600's? That's the highest HD-series headphones Sennheiser makes. Of course, their cantankerous engineers could've released the HD800's behind their marketers' and webmasters' backs