Value is a pain in the ass to evaluate. Another person could come in and say both of these are a waste of money when PortaPro exists. The other thing that broke the pricing model is the excessively expensive new 579 and 599. The original pricing model was 100 for 558 and 150 for 598 which made way more sense. I hardly see the 5x9 series come down to those prices nowadays. It's also worth repeating that the 559 is like the 518, not the 558. I heard the 559 579 and 599 at Z's a long time ago. No idea why Sennheiser decided to confuse everyone. Wasn't the SHP9500 like $50 or $60 at some point? That's back when I reviewed it and thought it was fine at that price. $80 is asking too much when the 558 existed and wasn't discontinued at the time. Looks like you agree. PS died at that intro
Is the HD 579 the replacement for the HD 558, would you say? Also, I actually recall that the original price for the HD 558 was $179, not $100, and the 598 originally was over $200 ($249?), and the prices you’re remembering I think are what they fell to a year or two on the market before the newer models were introduced. (I paid $99 I believe for my HD 558.)
aethertech I have the KSC75 and they’re ridiculously good for the price but they’re not comfortable because those annoying clips start to hurt after a while and soundstage and bass aren’t as good as on HD558.
@@trellusg it's not me saying the 579 is the replacement - it just is. 518, 558, 598, is now 559, 579, 599 with similar sound signatures analogously. Well regardless what they used to cost, compared to the Drop Sennheisers the 5x9 line doesn't make a lot of sense right now lol
@ROMERO { 115 } no that's ridiculous. The 558 is just a 598 with perhaps less carefully matched drivers, and a piece of foam in the way, and some different colors and materials used. I don't think much of a difference has been proven otherwise between them
@@towsifshahriarshovo the 58x are less comfortable because of a harder clamping pressure but I'm sure it will break in. They also sound less harsh which is nice for music but indistinguishable in games. But I don't regret buying them. There not like a pair of beats you'll replace in 2 years, you can easily have these 20 years
i guess clamping force depends on your head size, but you can bend a lil bit the metal arms outwards to make ‘em clamp less, yet not too much to not make the stems slide into their housing
I own both of these headsets and use them every day. Heres my quick take. The Phillip's are far more comfortable with the looser clamp force and the bigger ear cups. They sound clear and I use them for general PC use and movies. They are a bit harsh for music and that's where the 58x wins. More pleasant sounding and musical. So I use them exclusively for music. I use an audioengine d1 dac.
I was never bothered by the harsness, some people are just sensitive to that. and you know that that actually just depends of what music you're listening to right? as long as it doesn't hit the slightly sibilant frequencies it's okay even if you are really sensitive. plus, what does more musical even mean, don't you mean more natural?
Alex xx Actually after more testing i realized that 58 x has great imaging in fps games. I bf4 and Bf1 i am much more aware of my surroundings.I can tell where enemies are coming from much better that with my Shp 9500. Shp has better soundstage than 58 x but 58 x is really amazing for positioning. So if you want to have more advantage 58 x does better than Shp in bf1 and bf4.
As an owner of the SHP9500 and the hd58x Jubilee, the hd58x is more of well-rounded headphone. The tight and clean bass is good. The clean sound and treble, along the imaging is what makes them great. The SHP9500 is great. Airy and ambient soundstage. That treble with the sibilance can be rough on my ears, depending on what I'm listening to. It's not, TOO harsh, but it is there. At times, I brace on those s,t, and z sounds.
I've had the 9500s for a couple years now. I highly recommend replacing the stock cable that comes with it. And yes I'm aware this is about the 9500 but I'm sure there's little difference. They are very good for the price. I use them on console with vmoda mic. I did pick up my pair on newegg for $50 at the time
Try a pad mod on the 9500s. Modhouse sells ring adapters for $10 and get some Shure 1840 pads on Amazon for like $20. Low end gets brought up just enough and the highs are tamed. After years of listening and trying new headphones I still go back to my 9500s.
@@ryanjarrell4359 if you dont care about the pads it comes with then you dont need the ring adapters. It takes about 15mins to remove them. I put the 1840 pads on mine and they're so much better now. here is a link to modify th-cam.com/video/VW2txDV5UNQ/w-d-xo.html
I had to “rewind” to the metal571 impression because I thought my brain had malfunctioned processing the audio 😂 Thanks for wedging the HD 558 into this review - it was my first “serious” headphone and I still love it because it’s super comfy, easy to drive relatively speaking vs my other good headphones, and has a pleasing sound signature and soundstage.
I do plan on buying a pair Philips but can’t buy them now since I’m about two weeks away from moving to another house so I don’t want to waste space in my suitcase (my parents live in separate states and I’m flying) so I’m gonna wait until then. Really great video, your videos always sell me on philips but it wasn’t until now that I have enough money to actually buy them. Just starting to get into audiophile headphones and I want my first pair to be open back so this helped a lot A little after I watched this video I bought them and threw them in my bag for the plane trip, three weeks later(almost four) I absolutely love these headphones
For a moment there Josh, I thought you were going to talk about the star of the show when it came to the 558s, their phenomenal soundstage for gaming and live recordings! Nice reviews!
The 9500s are like Street Fighter 2 for Super Nintendo. It's a respectable but inferior conversion. The 58x is like the PS1 version, basically flawless. And the 6xx is the Arcade
still got my 558, first pair of headphones i got going into this hobby, and they still hold up. GREAT set of cans for anyone trying to upgrade on a budget.
Just got my HD 58X today and they are the first set of headphones I have that I can actually feel the bass. I have been ripping myself off all these years, my first open back cans. I love em.
Haven't heard the HD58x but I do own the SHP9500 and I adore those for their openness and relaxed but present bass they sound so clear and are great for certain types of music - Michael Jackson sounds amazing on these to be fair.. I would also argue the SHPs are great for immersion gaming due to the openness works great for stuff like Resi 2 remake.
I have the 58X, 6XX and the 598SE and 598CS. Love them all.... different signature between them... but...... The 58X is the one I use much more often.....
Hi Pleiadian..!! Can u guide me which sounds better for the games and movies for better sound stage between hd598 and hd58X. Planning to get one among these.Thanks a ton...
@@v_tourer5713 58X all the way. There is not comparison. The 58x Bass, resolution and details retrival are in my opinion outstanding. Having over 20 different headphones I can say that the 58X is the best bang for bucks paid hands down. It is a open back headphone so people around you will listen what you listen also so if you need to play at night around people that are sleeping I would go more for a close back model but if it is not your situation then you will be very happy with the 58X.
Thanks Pleiadian..!!! for the advice and quick reply. Since you said u have over 20 phones, I would like to know How does HD58X compares with AKG7XX, does the extra 40 bucks of 7XX makes it real worthy?
Are the drivers of 701 and 702 the same?? Some reviews say 702 offer better with vocals and nice soundstage than 712., yet some claim 702 is unnaturally wide...ooh..sometimes I feel these reviews confuse me than clarifying... Is it better that I choose K712 or more flat k702 but with wider soundstage??
I got the hd558 on sale at bestbuy a few years back for $50. With some modding, paired them with a 3.5mm adapter and Vmoda boom pro, then removed the back foam. Been my favorite since. I tried the SPH9500 and found their clamp force to be too little for my small head and also not as breathable, they actually made me sweat, and did not prefer their sound signature. Gave them to my Dad and they were perfect for his line of work and head size. Whats great about the SPH9500 is cost and the detachable cable. Just buy them w/ VMODA boom mic and you got yourself a sweet gaming setup for cheap.
my buddy bought the phillips over the hd58x. I let him hear my 58x, he immediately shipped the phillips back and bought the 58x. its definitely worth it.
@@1Dub79 the hd58x stock doesnt sound good at all, not clear, muddy and muffled. You gotta take out the foam pads and eq in the top end a bit. Dont touch the midrange or bass, those are absolutely solid.
@@tycoonmaster4606 For the SHP9500, you do not because they have a low impedance of 32 ohm. However, you do for the hd58x Jubilee. Their impedance is 150 ohm.
Best upgrade from the 558/559 imo is the 6xx, nice v shaped but not so v shaped where the mids don't exist, but just enough to have great bass and treble
I agree with the 558 comments you made. In fact, I may be an absolute lunatic, but I enjoy the 558's more than the 6xx. Crazy huh? I have had both now for over 2.5 years and in terms of just a dynamic, very fun sound with beautiful mids, a nice tight thumpy bass section as well as terrific soundstage, the 558's make me much happier when listening, I forget about being analytic and just have such a ball listening to the music. No fatigue, harshness or lack of anything really. If you can find 558's on the secondary market that you can afford, buy them. Forget about modding them as they are perfectly fine. peace.
Perfect timing, I've had the SHP9500 for a couple months. I just ordered HD58X yesterday. If only I had waited till today and watched your video! Great channel btw.
I have the 558, 599 and 660s. The 558 is easily one of the best bargains out their at their current price($50-80). I bought them brand new in 2012 for $179(retail) as my first major audiophile purchase. I didn't even know that the 598 existed so I thought the 558 was the best headphone that sennheiser made. Especially since they were the best headphones i had heard up to that point and it wasn't until I got online and went to sennheisers website that I realized I bought a mercedes C-Class relatively speaking when I saw the 600, 650, 700 and 800.
I got the Koss KSC75 and KPH30i for under $50. Now I'm selling my SHP9500, Audio Technica M50X-BT, and Steel Series Siberia V2. I like using the KPH30i for gaming as well.
Hey there! Love your review on the KSC75. Wonder if you could also review the KPH30i and compare them to the SHP9500 for gaming? BTW do you have plans to get the 58x in the future as well?
Well, my humble opinion, based on owning the HD600 and the HD598, which are pretty close to the HD58X and HD558 respectively, is that the HD600 blows the HD598 out of the water, for my they are not in the same level, not in sound or built quality, maybe the HD598 is more comfortable, though. I have a pair of HD58X coming my way, so soon I will see if those are close to the HD600 as I think they are. Also, to me the HD600 is the best sounding headphone I have ever heard, is like you said about the HD558, it just sound natural to me.
If you want rain?...then the UK especially, Wales, the Lake District and Scotland are recommend...Headphones, DAC's and amps etc are also readily available 👍
I own both 9500 and 58X, at first I liked the 58X but I wasn't impressed, I expected more. After some months only using the 58X I noticed how it's superior to the 9500, the 9500 is too grainy nowadays for me also it lacks some body and intimacy on the mids. The 9500 is great and I reccomend it but 58X is better and also another great bang for your buck. Great comparison I agree with most points.
Interesting thread and your post confirms the term meaning of psychoacoustics. Been going through reading these posts and keep coming up with the same answer to which headphone sounds best... the one that fits your own needs and hearing characteristics meaning everyone's hearing is different to some degree as the varied opinions connected to hands on experience shows so you need to hear them first... except that due do to the brain filling in gaps (as the brain does with vision as well) you need to also spend time with them listening. People will swear up and down certain sound equipment needs to break-in but research shows it's often just the brain repossessing the sound information which takes time as well. Good example is what HOODedDutchman said: "Returned my 9500 because the high end was harsh af. Honestly one of the worst headphones I've ever used for just piercing my brain with treble."
I have heard the 558's use the same driver as the 598's, is that true?! I consider the 598's better than the 600's, so the 558's for $40 is a REAL bargain.
I couldn't resist getting the 58X at the current price of $135 plus tax minus the $20 first purchase discount. I decided to upgrade from some cheap but fairly decent Aiwa phones that were about 20 years old and started by getting a Status Audio CB-1 which I was really impressed with. I then got the 58X because of the perceived value and to have a basis to start doing some comparisons. So far I have to say that I prefer the CB-1s. My first impression of the 58X is that it is perhaps more analytical than I'm used to, but seems colder as well. By comparison I find the CB-1s buttery smooth and balanced, with somewhat more assertive but not overbearing bass response and slightly less treble resolution. The soundstage though, while not wide on either, seems more smooth and even on the 58X, while it is more left, right, middle, with the CB-1. I think I'm going to reserve final judgement until I see how they both respond to a better amp. I'm currently running on a Fiio K3, which sounds pretty good to me but is IMO underpowered for the 58X. BTW I greatly enjoy these videos so keep up the good work.
I paid like $45 for the SHPs like 3 years ago and they're still as good as new. Something not mentioned in many reviews is how the SHPs loosen up after multiple hours of use and drop much of the sibilance. Another thing is if you're gaming they're a perfect partner to the V-Moda Boom Pro.
@@pseudonyme3872 Depends on how you angle the mic and how loud you have your input volume. If you crank it then people on the other end will be able to hear what's coming from the headphones.
@@pseudonyme3872 My Discord buds once mentioned that they could hear the YT vid that I was watching; they couldn't make out what was being said but could hear voice/music. Adjusting the mic volume took care of it.
Personally, I like a mix of casual and formal presentation style, depending on the content. A comparison video like this, which includes a lot of subjective content, works well in a more casual presentation. That said, I like to see your intro (this one) every time. It helps me distinguish it as your content, especially if I’m playing multiple video reviews in a series while doing other work at my computer. I mean, I’m not going to mistake you for Zeos or anything, but I still appreciate the intro.
I’ve tried about a half a dozen headphones since getting my 558s and I keep coming back. They’re nothing crazy but they’re extremely comfortable and are really good at dynamics in music (the quietest and loudest parts of the song). For me they’re perfect. I’m looking into securing a second pair for when this one dies.
You forgot to mention that 58X has any part easily removable and replaceable, while on 9500 you have to rip apart the pads to change them, so you can't even wash them. I think that should be a big point to build quality. As for sound, it looks like 9500 is a more common-consumer oriented, whereas 58X is neutral enthusiast oriented. I would say that the price tag of 58X is absolutely worth it for anyone that cares deeply about music. 2x higher price makes it sound like a lot, but it's still pocket change compared to the overall quality of the package.
@@IsraelCruzJr I think it's safe to assume that if you are a common consumer and pick SHP9500 just because it's cheaper you won't care about headphone mods. That is an enthusiast thing, they won't shy away from spending a bit more cash on headphones.
Just warm water cleans them with a damp cloth, if they are rally dirty, just a foamy can of carpet cleaner for cars works great. Many have changed the pads to almost everything, but you do have to destroy the fabric ones to do it. But at $75? I think the 9500 actually have better build quality, you can stretch and bend them almost every way, the cups swivel two ways nicely, and they would definitely survive a drop on concrete or a hard bend better than the sennheisers. Having said that the Sennheisers are modular, and easier to take a part and put back, but for the price of an official cord, or pads, or one drive, you can actually buy the whole sph9500.
@@Tigerex966 Those parts prices are definitely an exaggeration. For these models, the parts won't be more expensive than 25-50$, as long as you don't want some insane XLR balanced whatever cable.
I own the SHP9500, the SHP9600, the Senn 555, the Senn 660S and the Drop 58x Jubilee headphones. I prefer the SHP9600 for podcast conversations & videos such as this youtube review where it is imperative that I can hear what someone is talking about. The SHP9500 is also very good for that, but the SHP9600 is more comfortable on my noggin than its predecessor. The Senn units are better at presenting music. The Jubilee, I owned and used before the 660S and I preferred it over the HD555 for music. The HD555 was my first headphone and it satisfied my eardrums for everything from 2008 until the left channel died in 2020, when I obtained the Jubilee to replace it. I purchased the SHP9500 in 2017 and gifted them to my father who is very hard of hearing and he's enjoyed them tremendously. I'll soon have them back, as he's being gifted the SHP9600 soon. Having listened to both of the Philips headphones - they exel at straight up speech - but they aren't bad at musical reproduction especially at their price points - they're just not as luscious as the Sennheisers. All of them are open back, allowing for many continuous hours of wearing - while listening to your chosen audio.
@@sal8697 SHP9500s sound way better when I use them with K1 and Shanling M0 DAP (some onboard DAC sound better than k1). Shanling M0 kinda helps the SHP9500s from the bass roll-off.
@@sal8697 They are efficient on paper but they scale with power well. They really wake up with some quality juice. Bass response is super surprising with a bump to the low end.
@@swaguel Love them for the price, I recommend dac/amp with the SHP9500S, though I would not recommend the Fiio K1. The pads are fabric and that might get itchy sometimes but overall it's a really comfortable headphone, fits even biggest of heads.
I have the SHP9600’s, HD58X, and the Sennheiser Game One’s essentially the HD558’s with a good mic. I’d say HD58X, SHP9600, HD558/Game One’s in that order. I use the Game One’s the most as I game and listen to music, Dolby Atmos, EQ’d and they sound pretty amazing for the $70 I paid for them new. 👌🏼 The SHP9600’s are really good, but the HD58X is just a little better in my opinion, for the money and on a budget though I recommend the SHP9600’s over all headphones.
bought some 558s for $30 off a college kid, and was going to just flip them for maybe double, but wound up keeping them since they sounded better than I expected. Was going to buy the 58x, but after listening to these for a couple months, I don't see...hear a reason to do so.
It's funny you brought up the 558's. They are a great sounding and enjoyable headphone. I've had mine for several years and if I'm not mistaken, I got those on sale for 110 or 120 dollars.
For anyone coming across this video, once you get your pair of SHP9500/SHP9500S, make sure you replace the stock cable; they'll sound terrible (thin, grainy) if you don't. I bought a pair off of Amazon and almost returned mine before trying them out with another cable. The Philips included cable sounds like something straight out of the 80s and made my ears hurt.
Thank you for this. I own the 9500's and just ordered the 58x's from eBay for $159 so this was perfect lol. Actually couldn't believe someone did it. I personally think the 58x's will crush my 9500's running off of my Schiit Stack (Heresey/Modi black) but it will be fun to find out.
Hey did you buy them from cymbal communications on eBay? They had a bunch for $159 and I saw a bunch of people bought. I bought them but wondered how they were able to sell for $10 less than massdrop.
Ergo 1 or 2 are the headspeakers to get! I got the HD 558 new for 120euro...Score!! I love the wide soundstage and warm signature. More tuned towards male vocals but not a detailed sounding headphone. 9500 is not for sale in The Netherlands or on German Amazon. I also bought the Creative Labs Aurvana Live! 1 for 60euro. And it sounds better than my HD 558. It's ridiculously good.
Believe it or not, the same day i watched this video (like a month from this post) i found a pair if 558s in a pawn shop which was an hour drive from my home. And man, it was totally worth the 60dls i pay. Now, i didn’t have an open back headphones before, but i have compared them to anything else i had around (even the most expensive steel series) and they triumph.
The craziest thing about this video is comparing a 70 bucks 9500 with these more expensive ones. Here in Brazil in 2024 the price of the 9500 is 70 bucks and the senheisers is unavailable even used. But the last time they were available it was 230 dollar. Insane.
IMO the 58x walk all over the 9500 in terms of imaging for gaming. the 58x have a more narrow sound stage like you said but the imaging is miles better especially vertically.
Hazzmati to my recent knowledge if you were to get them only get amp, a dac isn't worth it for this headset for the price UNLESS you are future proofing and going to upgrade but if you're just getting into real headphones like me, then you don't need a dac, and I've heard an amp will make it sound better, but it's not a waste wether you do/don't get an amp to pair with it. If you want my opinion I'd say get an amp with it if you can afford about an extra 100 bucks if not Ive heard it's still great on its own and that it takes a couple months anyways to really realize how unbelievably these headphones are
@Tino cabral thanks for the heads up. Glad to hear they still sound great on their own because atm I am not planning on getting additional equipment because the 58x is quite pricey but I am willing to pay for the quality. I just want good open ear headphones which also look nice. I will have to order these from Drop so I hope international import costs won't screw me over.
Had the 558's for 6 years now. Love them to bits. I have been watching so many review wondering if their is a something else i should upgrade too. Would buy a dedicated headphone amp be a better purchase?
I picked up my HD 558s refurbished for 50$. Holy shit, insane value for the cost. Ended up upgrading to the HD6XX but the 558s Are a good backup when my girlfriends steals my 6XXs =]
Have both and prefer SHP9500 overall (gaming, web, music with a lot instrument, confort and spacious). 58x it's better in my digital piano and music with few instruments. Jus't my opinion. 58x have more low end, but 9500 you hear very well what the base do ( more analytical).
Thanks for discussing the 558's. I am even more confused what to get next. My fiancee has grabbed my 558's and I am left with the Momentum Over Ear v2's which hurt my head for long listening sessions. Am thinking the 6xx's but want some deep and accurate bass.
I had bought the HD598 brand new about 8 years ago for $120 CAD (about 90 US dollars) for a black Friday sale. They still work fine to this very day, except i have replaced the ear pads once. The 5x9 series now is so overpriced at like 330 Cad(252 USD) for a 599. It's actually cheaper to ship a HD6xx from the USA than to buy a brand new 599 or even 579. Too bad the Sundara is $500 over here while the HD600 is about $450.
I like this casual style just as much as the slick flashy productions. Come here for your opinions. You really need to work on your t-shirt game if you want to improve your Metal571 impressions. Black would be a good starting point.
I chucked a pair of Yaxi pads onto my 58X, made it more comfortable and elevated the bass a little without losing any detail (at least as far as I remember)
I never buy used speakers of any sort. You never know how hard someone pushed them. They may not be blown, but on the verge without you ever knowing at the time of purchase. Speakers are delicate and I have trust issues
Halfway throught the video, the only good thing i head about shp9500 is "i dont know if hd58x is worth double the price" with nothing good comes out of shp9500. It basically produce sound, but always with a but.
Josh, I appreciate your production values and that's a big reason I watch your videos. You also are very open to learning, which is really important when others like DMS have much deeper electronic and production backgrounds. I like your "formal" reviews as I like this one. Honestly this felt as formal as your others, but had more light. I really dislike very dark backgrounds in videos. Your others are well made and balanced, but God I hate the cave look, it's very depressing! Zeos makes good use of his window light. DMS and you should. I know that folks need dark walls for their vid production, but that's not good in gear videos! Your sound is very good, as is Z's and DMS's. Actually just a lav or headset mic works fine, they have fewer volume variations when you speak off-axis. I have two more strong recommendations. Please note, I designed and built very high end playback gear for several years and did some production work as well, so this isn't just a layman's POV (valid though that is). First, go to an AES Convention and talk audio with the designers. Last time (admittedly over 10 years ago) the top designer at Sennheiser gave me all the time I wanted: his favorites were HD25s (which he designed). The best people in the business share like crazy and are a wonderful community! Second, check out videos from Uncle Doug, who makes *extremely* fun videos of rebuilding vintage guitar amps and other gear. He has 3 cats and a dog whom he incorporates in delightful ways. But he's also an excellent electronics teacher. Another very competent audio tech (probably an EE) is "Mr Carlson's Lab." Another excellent teacher, the guy designs, fixes, and calibrates audio gear of all kinds. The most *pleasant* audio reviews I've seen on youtube are John Darko's, but geez he pays for a cameraman. But *notice* his use of natural light, it makes a huge difference for the better. Also Currawong (Amos Barnett) mixes pleasant visuals with concise information, and gives good technical info on products. But he often speaks too quickly and softly. Good luck, Sam
Wonder if you could compare the KPH30i to these as well? I've got them recently together with the KSC75 and been wondering for which open-back upgrade (if I'll ever even need one!) I should go for in the future? I'd like to game and overall use the pair for everything from youtube browsing to spotify listening on a motherboard soundcard, also planning to get some budget/starter amp/dac.
I had the 558 which I got off Amazon UK. It's still pretty cheap there AFAIK and definitely worth it. As for the 9500 - its current pricetag vs how much it used to cost is a major sticking point for me. My personal opinion is that the Hifiman Edition S is superior sounding, similarly wide, for around the same money, but with the caveat of the brand's infamous lack of build quality. The 58X, more so than the 6XX, is just pure value because it truly is an all-rounder in terms of application. It's great for music, movies, games, and even production.
3 years ago when the SHP9500 was still discontinued and selling for $150, there was also the Monolith 560 going for the same price. I saw it as a fancier looking version of the HiFiMan Edition S. They’re both planar headphones with 56mm drivers, removable magnetic lids that convert the soundstage from open back to closed back, and 3.5mm stereo connectors. I remember once deciding whether to get the M560 or HiFiMan Edition S, and decided on the former. Without knowing how the Edition S sounds, I thought the M560 sounded better than many more expensive cans I tried at local HiFi and music shops including every Grado, some HiFiMan headphones, some MrSpeakers headphones and sound just as good as the Sennheiser HD800 (which is about 10x the price.)
really like your videos but in this one i gotta know where you got your hat - very hard to find plain good fitting dad caps - waiting on a HD58x i just ordered this morning and watching your reviews in anticipation thanks for the content!
So...NOT for music, but for mostly gaming and a bit less movies, you should buy the SHP9500? Right? Or not? It's confusing for me. I have a headphone for music, but I don't like it for games (mostly open world rpg/action) and movies. Edit: I could have posted this on a lot of other forums etc, but the SHP9500 comparison of this vid and the opnion of people reacting to this vid, is really what got my priority. And the stuff at the end of my reaction, is all based of watching and reading an unbelievable and weird amount of reviews. comparisons, user experiances and opions from all around the web. First of all, I am not a bass head, but I do appreciate a little more 'oemph and thumb' , then a really neutral headphone delivers. To me it makes games and movies kind of empty and dull. Gun shots, the slamming of a door, a car crash, they need to have the sound impact, which goes with what you see. So what I don't like with games and movies, is this neutral sound where nothing stands out. What I also don't like is when the highs are to clear and crisp. It tires me like crazy. Really really a lot, which also gives me a headache. Little big side note here is, I have a real good hearing, but due to an accident, I always have a headache. On a good day a little. On a bad day a lot. This is also tires me a lot. So I'm really senstive to: Bad comfort (clamping force), Bad directional or surround sound, where everything seems everywhere (instead of this shot is from there, the jeep drives there and the river is over there. If it all blends to 'somewhere in the back', it's like my brain is working to hard to pin point the sound) Crisp and clear high's and 'sssss' in sounds But...bad sound annoys me. Giving me a Beats is like swearing in church.
So I did my homework and the headphone I seem to need and want, is the AKG K712 Pro, but where I live, it will cost me $231.77. The SHP9500 will cost me $70. Yeah. That's a diffrence of 160 dollars. But I have also taking in to cosideration: The DT990 pro, but the highs and sharp V shape scares me (open world gaming has a lot of sounds in the mids) Sennheiser Game One, not so much in fact, because of the neutral sound, but it's the praised HD 598 with a mic, so hey...for a good price Sennheiser HD 599. More then the above. The 599's are just a bit less neutral and have a bit more 'oempf' then the 598's. These seem to be everything I want, but with everything just a little bit worse then the AKG K712. Still really good though and cheaper. Phjlips Fidelio X2HR . These are really comfy, have a real good soundstage, if they are considaret neutral, they really are up the boundary, because of the bass and they are tested as a real allrounder. So yay!! But where I live, they don't sell them and the old X2 REFRUBISHED cost $177,44. So they have to come overseas and they also become real pricey. Also the Audio Technica Ath-Ad700X and the 900X, but to many different opinions and if they win from an AKG, it's alway because of the lower price. I really can't make head or tail of these. Also they have the same headband/clamp as a pair of Superlux I own and I hate this system. So the Audio Technica Ath-Ad?00X doesn't feel safe for me. And here is where it gets weird. I am researching this for more then 2 weeks now, so you can imagine how many vid's, reviews etc I have watched and read and I forgot why I have taken out the AKG K701, 702 and Q whatever out of the equation :( Edit: And then there still is massdrop's line-up. They make the Hifiman HE-400i (which I haven't looked up) also affordable for me. But some of the massdrop's have a cable going to EACH earcup and I gladly pay 50 dollars more for the same headphone, with only one cable. Then there are some which don't have the dual cables, but just as the Ath-Ad's, they make it so hard to form a well balanced outcome of comparsions, it will take me another 4 days to line up the massdrop's with the ones mentioned above. But I did just find out the Massdrop's Sennheiser PC37X wins from the Game One, but that aside. The reviews of the massdrop's are almost always positve, but it seems that if a comparison is won, it's because of 'they are almost the same, but it's lower priced'. I can't buy a massdrop on sale however, but I do can buy one of the above on sale. So the 'lower price' criteria, doesn't go that well for me. Only exception here is the SHP900, because they seem to be THAT good for 70 dollar. So anyone out here who can advice and help me?
me looking for headphones in 2024 as an upgrade to my HD 558's (ive had them 15 years) but literally nothing warrants spending hundreds of dollars when my 558's still work perfectly fine, MAYBE the HE400SE? in fact im seriously considering buying a backup pair of 558's
To me the timbre on the 9500 is unbearable alongside the grain and sibilance whereas even though I don't usually like headphones with small soundstage the 58x is more than fine for the price.
There is one thing you NEED to do to bring up the anemic bass and bring down the piercing treble of SHP9500: use a pair of pleather/leather earpads. Bonus: solves irritating old couch fabric ori ear pads problem. I recommend Brainwavz sheepskin =)
JOSH MY MAN. I arrived to the "compare/contrast junction" regarding these two headphones! Why? ..you guessed right, I'm a fps gamer. Why would anybody else want to compare these two is lost on me which brings me to this question/statement. When will you make a fps gamers footsteps video?!?! Download CS GO for free, Take your audiophile knowledge and apply. That would be a 100k viewed vid in 30 days! Anyway. Great vid, much obliged.
9500 imo due to not only it's sound but also versatility. I'm not talking just about how it does really well with music, movies and gaming. They respond fairly well to EQ, dont require an amp and if you buy modhouse ring along with other earpads (HM5, shure velours) you can essentially have many different sound signatures in one headphone for under 100 USD. Hell, maybe even less if we consider buying any of these used you can get the 9500 open box on Amazon for 48 USD. On top of that, don't like the weak clamp force? Extend the headband all the way and bend the metal inward carefully. Need a headset? Buy a boom pro and stick that mofo in. Dont like the goofy af L and R on the metal grills? Sharpie that sht out. Only thing it cant do well is be a closed headphone.
Hey Josh, have you ever tried any of the Audio Technica Air Dynamic series headphones? or any Audio Technica future reviews? I been using the ATH-AD900X for a couple of years, so I'm looking for something new. I recently bought the Philips SHP9500 and I was quite disappointed, but can understand why people buy them. I'm scared to purchase the 58x because I'll hate to be disappointed.
I’m coming from a razer headset and I am want an accurate, natural, and detailed set of cans. I have an amp and dac stack in mind but I am debating on these two headphones.
Yes! I put Brainwavz XL Velours on my SV007. (Some thin, soft padding keeps the over-sized pads from coming off.) I also carefully removed all of the coverings over the driver... and added some dampening material on the inside of the wooden earcups. (Had to remove the driver housings first.) Even without these mods - and only a pad swap - these are giant (HD58X) killers!
I have the 558 and had the 598. Honestly prefer the cheaper set, so much that I sold the 598. And I refuse to get into all of the newer versions. They just strike me as a money grab by flooding the market.
Hi mate, as I had 558 and 598 at same price used mint condition, I bought the 598 based on reviews (some says tighter but less bass, 598 more refined ...) But Yoshua specifically mentions 558 and your comment made me think ... Really sounds better for you the 558 ? Thinking to get those and compare ... Obsessed with the 'best' headphone under 100€ ... Best regards !!!
@@dankof If you have a 598, you don't need to take the 558, they are the same headphones. It will be a waste of money. If you want to get the most out of your ears, find an amplifier with an output impedance of 100-300 ohm and get very good bass.
@@dankof on it FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 2I4 check with the manufacturer how much the output resistance gives. If less than 100 ohms, it will not the good bass on the 598 headphones.
All the velour pads for the 500 series are the same, as far as I know. There are also some microfiber closed ones for the 569 and 598cs, but those should be the only ones different.
SHP9500 vs. HD600 www.rtings.com/headphones/1-2/graph#371/2031/325 - and the difference is...? (U can change the SHP9500 compared headphone on the right side HD598, HD650 etc.) I'd them both & I'll go with SHP9500 every time. So I sold the HD600s with a really good offer. Believe the hype, SHP9500 is unbelievable !
I'm currently rocking 518s (very similar to 558s,) and considering upgrading to 58Xs + a dedicated amp (rather than just straight into my PC.) That said, just saw a local FB ad for $25USD 558s, so I might check those out just for fun. Sell em on if nothing else.
Geat comparison of two affordable underrated and (often looked down upon by owners o higher priced models) "LEGENDS" The SPH9500 and second gen 9500S will go down as one of the best buy per dollar in headphone history. Easily outperforming models 5 to 10 times as much in certain areas, and they are highly moddable, allowing you to sculpt your sound, for open or closed, more bass or more treble or more mids of less of it. Truly a bargain and great beginner foray into quality sound, and even good for diehard audiophiles, because no one can does everything right no matter what amp dac, cable, or headphone you use.. Keep up the good works. And the HD58X is not bad either, just different. YMMV.
Thanks. Have you reviewed any Audio Technica headphnes? The ATH-R70x is the studio reference monitor. Would love to know how it compares with the DT 1990, and various Sennheisers.
Did you modify the 58X? No foam? - you can see the driver on yours not on mine.. and on the "Drop" site they promote them without foam.. which is weird.. making them look like 6XX.. do you know?
@@Tripokaridos22 the drivers that are most vulnerable to dust is paper. I own a pair of hd58x without the foam because it expands the sound stage and I had it like this for years and no dust entered and like I said MOST OF THE DRIVERS IS COVERED BY A MAGNET AND PAPER
@@solsthiem3329 Foam infront and behind the drivers on ALL headphones is there not only for tunning the sound but for protecting the mebrane from dust, hair , sweet or anything else... 90% of headphones are with mebranes dynic or plannar all of them have mebranes For example HD660 have mebrane and Sundara also have mebranes and very thin also. There are some Headphones that DONT need any foam protection like the Focal Elex or BW p5 p7 these headphones use other materials. Thats why If u see focal Elex doesnt have any foam in front of it. Taking off the foam in front of HD58x or back and let the mebrane exposed its not a good thing. And thats been proved all these years. If u want to have your HD58x without Foam then good for u... But we are talking about whats corrwct and what not . Also buing an HD58x and mod them for bigger soundstage its just stupid, the reason is that these HD58x like HD6 series are using a close to ear driver everything its done on purpose the thin pads the none angled drivers are there for a reason... If u mod them with bigger pads or dynamat or ring mod or no foam mods then ....U just bought the wrong Headphone mate . If u needed bigger soundstage just buy K7 series or DT990 or HD5 series etch etch. HD58x and HD6 are knwon for that innyour head soundstage. You dont improve anything... Also taking off the foam doesnt observe any reflections from them sound and making them sound harh . Trust me i know i am on this over 25 years. All the mods that u have done or u will make i have already done and not only with Sennheiser headphones.
@@solsthiem3329 HD58x DOESNT covered by paper and secondly exposed mebrane all theae yeara and no dust inside? U kniw that this is not possible done...U dont have dust in the air ? Where u leave inside a shield air home ? U know that what u said doesnt make any logiacal sense and other than that people wearing headphones always have 😓 on the ears so this is also a problem with the mebrane. If u meassure your HD58x vs a new one Guess what... U will have different messurements and uneven L and R channel compared to the new one .
Do they make a headphone that has the HD598's huge soundstage and the HD58X sound signature? Is that what the HD660S is all about? I have never heard the HD558 but for reference I love the Sennheiser "sound" and own the HD598 (Open and Closed versions), HD58X, HD600, and the HD6XX. They all possess something I like but at the same time each one is lacking in a particular area. The HD58X has my favorite sound signature but lacks the resolution and imaging that you get from the HD600 and also could be a tad more spacious like the HD598 (Open). I don't even know if a headphone like that exists but it's something I would see as my endgame. Looking forward to seeing what your upcoming video has to say about modding the HD58X and how it changes the sound.
Hello, kind question to Josh or to someone who owns HD558 and Ananda. I am aware of the technology and price differencies but I would like to know if the difference between them in reality is like night & day ? Worthy 700$ (640euro) in sale. 2nd question - would be a dac/amp like FiiO KA3 an improvement for HD558 ? Hopefully someone will reply. Thank you in advance.
Bought hd 599 as my first set of open backs. I was highly dissapointed. They do sound great. But the whole "soundstage" that I've been hearing that open backs are supposed to have is complete BS to me. I've done side by side comparisons with closed backs and "soundstage" is the same. In your opinion is soundstage something that's overblown by people or am I missing something?
Been going through reading these posts and keep coming up with the same answer to which headphone sounds best... the one that fits your own needs and hearing characteristics meaning everyone's hearing is different to some degree as the varied opinions connected to hands on experience shows so you need to hear them first... except that due do to the brain filling in gaps (as the brain does with vision as well) you need to also spend time with them listening. People will swear up and down certain sound equipment needs to break-in but research shows it's often just the brain repossessing the sound information which takes time as well.
Please guys: NARROW SOUNDSTAGE IS NOT BAD. Extremely Wide soundstage is not always a good thing. Narrow soundstage means that you can focus better on istruments and visual representation of the soundfield. That apart, consider that in mixing, almost never instruments are putted total Left or total Right in the panning. And even if they are, some ambience effects such reverb and delay, are panned in the opposite direction. So, extremely wide soundstage: NOT GOOD
Value is a pain in the ass to evaluate. Another person could come in and say both of these are a waste of money when PortaPro exists. The other thing that broke the pricing model is the excessively expensive new 579 and 599. The original pricing model was 100 for 558 and 150 for 598 which made way more sense. I hardly see the 5x9 series come down to those prices nowadays. It's also worth repeating that the 559 is like the 518, not the 558. I heard the 559 579 and 599 at Z's a long time ago. No idea why Sennheiser decided to confuse everyone. Wasn't the SHP9500 like $50 or $60 at some point? That's back when I reviewed it and thought it was fine at that price. $80 is asking too much when the 558 existed and wasn't discontinued at the time. Looks like you agree. PS died at that intro
Is the HD 579 the replacement for the HD 558, would you say?
Also, I actually recall that the original price for the HD 558 was $179, not $100, and the 598 originally was over $200 ($249?), and the prices you’re remembering I think are what they fell to a year or two on the market before the newer models were introduced.
(I paid $99 I believe for my HD 558.)
Everything is a waste of money when the KSC75 exists. /s
aethertech I have the KSC75 and they’re ridiculously good for the price but they’re not comfortable because those annoying clips start to hurt after a while and soundstage and bass aren’t as good as on HD558.
@@trellusg it's not me saying the 579 is the replacement - it just is. 518, 558, 598, is now 559, 579, 599 with similar sound signatures analogously. Well regardless what they used to cost, compared to the Drop Sennheisers the 5x9 line doesn't make a lot of sense right now lol
@ROMERO { 115 } no that's ridiculous. The 558 is just a 598 with perhaps less carefully matched drivers, and a piece of foam in the way, and some different colors and materials used. I don't think much of a difference has been proven otherwise between them
Wow, what a great comparison! Love my 58xs! One of the best values in headphoneland
Can't wait till mine arrive!
@@SussyBaka-em9rq I hope you enjoy them immensely
9500 were my first, replaced with the 58x. Think I still prefer the 9500 tbh because it's much more comfortable for long sessions. but love both
I have Shp9500, wanna upgrade and order 58x. Do they worth extra money??
@@towsifshahriarshovo the 58x are less comfortable because of a harder clamping pressure but I'm sure it will break in. They also sound less harsh which is nice for music but indistinguishable in games. But I don't regret buying them. There not like a pair of beats you'll replace in 2 years, you can easily have these 20 years
@@codylucente thanks for the reply
@@towsifshahriarshovo Amogus
i guess clamping force depends on your head size, but you can bend a lil bit the metal arms outwards to make ‘em clamp less, yet not too much to not make the stems slide into their housing
I own both of these headsets and use them every day. Heres my quick take. The Phillip's are far more comfortable with the looser clamp force and the bigger ear cups. They sound clear and I use them for general PC use and movies. They are a bit harsh for music and that's where the 58x wins. More pleasant sounding and musical. So I use them exclusively for music. I use an audioengine d1 dac.
I was never bothered by the harsness, some people are just sensitive to that. and you know that that actually just depends of what music you're listening to right? as long as it doesn't hit the slightly sibilant frequencies it's okay even if you are really sensitive. plus, what does more musical even mean, don't you mean more natural?
I own SHP and was thinking of buying the 58x. I will no longer buy it after reading your take.
@@rodrigo3509 I bought 58x and i like my Shp 9500 much more.I do not like 58 x at all
Habout for gaming tho which one do you find better!? If you are a gamer of course xD
Alex xx Actually after more testing i realized that 58 x has great imaging in fps games. I bf4 and Bf1 i am much more aware of my surroundings.I can tell where enemies are coming from much better that with my Shp 9500. Shp has better soundstage than 58 x but 58 x is really amazing for positioning. So if you want to have more advantage 58 x does better than Shp in bf1 and bf4.
As an owner of the SHP9500 and the hd58x Jubilee, the hd58x is more of well-rounded headphone. The tight and clean bass is good. The clean sound and treble, along the imaging is what makes them great. The SHP9500 is great. Airy and ambient soundstage. That treble with the sibilance can be rough on my ears, depending on what I'm listening to. It's not, TOO harsh, but it is there. At times, I brace on those s,t, and z sounds.
I've had the 9500s for a couple years now. I highly recommend replacing the stock cable that comes with it. And yes I'm aware this is about the 9500 but I'm sure there's little difference. They are very good for the price. I use them on console with vmoda mic.
I did pick up my pair on newegg for $50 at the time
Why change the stock cable?
@Alma bit over the top that m8
@@jasonemanuel9070 noticed an improvement in the audio. It was a little more full and what not. It just felt like they used a basic 3mm cable.
Nah,that's just in your head,it won't improve the sound just by replacing a cable,that's a myth & a marketing thing!
@Alma whatever
Try a pad mod on the 9500s. Modhouse sells ring adapters for $10 and get some Shure 1840 pads on Amazon for like $20. Low end gets brought up just enough and the highs are tamed. After years of listening and trying new headphones I still go back to my 9500s.
Great advice
Will the Shure 1840 pads go directly on the 9500?
@@ryanjarrell4359 if you dont care about the pads it comes with then you dont need the ring adapters. It takes about 15mins to remove them. I put the 1840 pads on mine and they're so much better now. here is a link to modify th-cam.com/video/VW2txDV5UNQ/w-d-xo.html
i wonder how the HM5 hybrid pads would go, since they have the leather liner.
@Immortal i don't listen to a whole lot of classical admittedly, but I'd say they're good all around the board. You won't be disappointed
I had to “rewind” to the metal571 impression because I thought my brain had malfunctioned processing the audio 😂
Thanks for wedging the HD 558 into this review - it was my first “serious” headphone and I still love it because it’s super comfy, easy to drive relatively speaking vs my other good headphones, and has a pleasing sound signature and soundstage.
had the same impression LOL!!!!!
I do plan on buying a pair Philips but can’t buy them now since I’m about two weeks away from moving to another house so I don’t want to waste space in my suitcase (my parents live in separate states and I’m flying) so I’m gonna wait until then.
Really great video, your videos always sell me on philips but it wasn’t until now that I have enough money to actually buy them. Just starting to get into audiophile headphones and I want my first pair to be open back so this helped a lot
A little after I watched this video I bought them and threw them in my bag for the plane trip, three weeks later(almost four) I absolutely love these headphones
For a moment there Josh, I thought you were going to talk about the star of the show when it came to the 558s, their phenomenal soundstage for gaming and live recordings! Nice reviews!
The 9500s are like Street Fighter 2 for Super Nintendo. It's a respectable but inferior conversion. The 58x is like the PS1 version, basically flawless. And the 6xx is the Arcade
That makes a lot of sense lol
Lol you've said it in a better way than most reviewers
hahaha, that metal571 impression. subbed :D
Thanks!
still got my 558, first pair of headphones i got going into this hobby, and they still hold up. GREAT set of cans for anyone trying to upgrade on a budget.
same, right now I'm just wondering what would be the next step up. I was thinking 58x but now after this video I am not sure
@@nhatlam96 thanks, I'll check them out
I'm so glad I jumped on the 579's when they had a $99 msrp
Just got my HD 58X today and they are the first set of headphones I have that I can actually feel the bass. I have been ripping myself off all these years, my first open back cans. I love em.
Ooh you have a very smooth, deep narrator-like voice
Subbed only for that
The quality reviews are a addon really : )
ive been daily driving the shp9500 for years and was looking at buying the 58x. this video is perfect.
Haven't heard the HD58x but I do own the SHP9500 and I adore those for their openness and relaxed but present bass they sound so clear and are great for certain types of music - Michael Jackson sounds amazing on these to be fair.. I would also argue the SHPs are great for immersion gaming due to the openness works great for stuff like Resi 2 remake.
Wow metal really stepping up your production quality! Keep up the good work :)
Metal doesn't need the fancy production, he gets straight to the facts !
T. Metal needs b-roll though! Sometimes I want to know how a headphone looks like close up on video.
@@t.7527 That's why we love him as well haha
I have the 58X, 6XX and the 598SE and 598CS. Love them all.... different signature between them... but...... The 58X is the one I use much more often.....
Hi Pleiadian..!! Can u guide me which sounds better for the games and movies for better sound stage between hd598 and hd58X. Planning to get one among these.Thanks a ton...
@@v_tourer5713 58X all the way. There is not comparison. The 58x Bass, resolution and details retrival are in my opinion outstanding. Having over 20 different headphones I can say that the 58X is the best bang for bucks paid hands down. It is a open back headphone so people around you will listen what you listen also so if you need to play at night around people that are sleeping I would go more for a close back model but if it is not your situation then you will be very happy with the 58X.
Thanks Pleiadian..!!! for the advice and quick reply. Since you said u have over 20 phones, I would like to know How does HD58X compares with AKG7XX, does the extra 40 bucks of 7XX makes it real worthy?
Are the drivers of 701 and 702 the same?? Some reviews say 702 offer better with vocals and nice soundstage than 712., yet some claim 702 is unnaturally wide...ooh..sometimes I feel these reviews confuse me than clarifying... Is it better that I choose K712 or more flat k702 but with wider soundstage??
@@v_tourer5713 from what ive heard the 598 has much bigger soundstage but ive never tried then so what can I say
I got the hd558 on sale at bestbuy a few years back for $50. With some modding, paired them with a 3.5mm adapter and Vmoda boom pro, then removed the back foam. Been my favorite since. I tried the SPH9500 and found their clamp force to be too little for my small head and also not as breathable, they actually made me sweat, and did not prefer their sound signature. Gave them to my Dad and they were perfect for his line of work and head size. Whats great about the SPH9500 is cost and the detachable cable. Just buy them w/ VMODA boom mic and you got yourself a sweet gaming setup for cheap.
my buddy bought the phillips over the hd58x. I let him hear my 58x, he immediately shipped the phillips back and bought the 58x. its definitely worth it.
Lmao The SHP9500's are great, but it's something about how clean and crisp the sound of the HD58X are. I own both, so I could make a great comparison.
@@1Dub79 the hd58x stock doesnt sound good at all, not clear, muddy and muffled. You gotta take out the foam pads and eq in the top end a bit. Dont touch the midrange or bass, those are absolutely solid.
@@Jeffdachefz Well, I use them for gaming. I push them with a Astro A40 Mixamp. I'm gonna see how they sound by removing the foam.
Do you need a dac or amp?
@@tycoonmaster4606 For the SHP9500, you do not because they have a low impedance of 32 ohm. However, you do for the hd58x Jubilee. Their impedance is 150 ohm.
I have all 3 headphones and others and for some reason I always go to my HD558's. It just sounds right to me.
Best upgrade from the 558/559 imo is the 6xx, nice v shaped but not so v shaped where the mids don't exist, but just enough to have great bass and treble
I kinda dig this mic over the other..
I agree with the 558 comments you made. In fact, I may be an absolute lunatic, but I enjoy the 558's more than the 6xx. Crazy huh? I have had both now for over 2.5 years and in terms of just a dynamic, very fun sound with beautiful mids, a nice tight thumpy bass section as well as terrific soundstage, the 558's make me much happier when listening, I forget about being analytic and just have such a ball listening to the music. No fatigue, harshness or lack of anything really. If you can find 558's on the secondary market that you can afford, buy them. Forget about modding them as they are perfectly fine. peace.
Perfect timing, I've had the SHP9500 for a couple months. I just ordered HD58X yesterday. If only I had waited till today and watched your video! Great channel btw.
I own both. Both are great, but the hd58x Jubilee is a bit better.
@@1Dub79 I agree that the HD58X sound better.
Cats and Dogs am I able to use the vmoda pro w the hd58x?
I have the 558, 599 and 660s. The 558 is easily one of the best bargains out their at their current price($50-80). I bought them brand new in 2012 for $179(retail) as my first major audiophile purchase. I didn't even know that the 598 existed so I thought the 558 was the best headphone that sennheiser made. Especially since they were the best headphones i had heard up to that point and it wasn't until I got online and went to sennheisers website that I realized I bought a mercedes C-Class relatively speaking when I saw the 600, 650, 700 and 800.
I got the Koss KSC75 and KPH30i for under $50. Now I'm selling my SHP9500, Audio Technica M50X-BT, and Steel Series Siberia V2. I like using the KPH30i for gaming as well.
Hey there! Love your review on the KSC75. Wonder if you could also review the KPH30i and compare them to the SHP9500 for gaming?
BTW do you have plans to get the 58x in the future as well?
Well, my humble opinion, based on owning the HD600 and the HD598, which are pretty close to the HD58X and HD558 respectively, is that the HD600 blows the HD598 out of the water, for my they are not in the same level, not in sound or built quality, maybe the HD598 is more comfortable, though. I have a pair of HD58X coming my way, so soon I will see if those are close to the HD600 as I think they are. Also, to me the HD600 is the best sounding headphone I have ever heard, is like you said about the HD558, it just sound natural to me.
If you want rain?...then the UK especially, Wales, the Lake District and Scotland are recommend...Headphones, DAC's and amps etc are also readily available 👍
I WOULD... but I still got family in the states, west coast specifically.
I own both 9500 and 58X, at first I liked the 58X but I wasn't impressed, I expected more.
After some months only using the 58X I noticed how it's superior to the 9500, the 9500 is too grainy nowadays for me also it lacks some body and intimacy on the mids.
The 9500 is great and I reccomend it but 58X is better and also another great bang for your buck.
Great comparison I agree with most points.
Same feeling here. But for my situation, the transition is from HD681 EVO to MSR7.
I own both, as well. I agree with you 100%.
Lol it was same for me too but i had m40x and tin t2. At first i thought t2 were better but after using them m40x were clearly better
Interesting thread and your post confirms the term meaning of psychoacoustics. Been going through reading these posts and keep coming up with the same answer to which headphone sounds best... the one that fits your own needs and hearing characteristics meaning everyone's hearing is different to some degree as the varied opinions connected to hands on experience shows so you need to hear them first... except that due do to the brain filling in gaps (as the brain does with vision as well) you need to also spend time with them listening. People will swear up and down certain sound equipment needs to break-in but research shows it's often just the brain repossessing the sound information which takes time as well.
Good example is what HOODedDutchman said: "Returned my 9500 because the high end was harsh af. Honestly one of the worst headphones I've ever used for just piercing my brain with treble."
I have heard the 558's use the same driver as the 598's, is that true?! I consider the 598's better than the 600's, so the 558's for $40 is a REAL bargain.
Yes, 558 and 598 use the exact same driver.
So glad I got my 598's new for $120, I'll never let go of it, it's amazing!
Got my 598 for 100 USD in the black friday deal 3 years ago, I love it........
I couldn't resist getting the 58X at the current price of $135 plus tax minus the $20 first purchase discount. I decided to upgrade from some cheap but fairly decent Aiwa phones that were about 20 years old and started by getting a Status Audio CB-1 which I was really impressed with. I then got the 58X because of the perceived value and to have a basis to start doing some comparisons. So far I have to say that I prefer the CB-1s. My first impression of the 58X is that it is perhaps more analytical than I'm used to, but seems colder as well. By comparison I find the CB-1s buttery smooth and balanced, with somewhat more assertive but not overbearing bass response and slightly less treble resolution. The soundstage though, while not wide on either, seems more smooth and even on the 58X, while it is more left, right, middle, with the CB-1. I think I'm going to reserve final judgement until I see how they both respond to a better amp. I'm currently running on a Fiio K3, which sounds pretty good to me but is IMO underpowered for the 58X. BTW I greatly enjoy these videos so keep up the good work.
I paid like $45 for the SHPs like 3 years ago and they're still as good as new. Something not mentioned in many reviews is how the SHPs loosen up after multiple hours of use and drop much of the sibilance. Another thing is if you're gaming they're a perfect partner to the V-Moda Boom Pro.
When you use the boom pro do we hear sound coming from the headset ?
@@pseudonyme3872 Depends on how you angle the mic and how loud you have your input volume. If you crank it then people on the other end will be able to hear what's coming from the headphones.
@@Stagmuffins ok thanks ! And did you ever had that issue ?
@@pseudonyme3872 My Discord buds once mentioned that they could hear the YT vid that I was watching; they couldn't make out what was being said but could hear voice/music. Adjusting the mic volume took care of it.
@@Stagmuffins 45$? Best bang for your buck. Currently retailing at 75$ on Amazon
Personally, I like a mix of casual and formal presentation style, depending on the content. A comparison video like this, which includes a lot of subjective content, works well in a more casual presentation.
That said, I like to see your intro (this one) every time. It helps me distinguish it as your content, especially if I’m playing multiple video reviews in a series while doing other work at my computer. I mean, I’m not going to mistake you for Zeos or anything, but I still appreciate the intro.
Thanks for the input on the intro Sarah! I hadn’t thought about that aspect.
Bought 558 based off this video. First audiophile headphone. Can’t wait to try them out.
Nice
How was it?
I’ve tried about a half a dozen headphones since getting my 558s and I keep coming back. They’re nothing crazy but they’re extremely comfortable and are really good at dynamics in music (the quietest and loudest parts of the song). For me they’re perfect. I’m looking into securing a second pair for when this one dies.
Sorry for the late reply
Finally the video we all wanted
You forgot to mention that 58X has any part easily removable and replaceable, while on 9500 you have to rip apart the pads to change them, so you can't even wash them. I think that should be a big point to build quality.
As for sound, it looks like 9500 is a more common-consumer oriented, whereas 58X is neutral enthusiast oriented.
I would say that the price tag of 58X is absolutely worth it for anyone that cares deeply about music. 2x higher price makes it sound like a lot, but it's still pocket change compared to the overall quality of the package.
Mod House Audio sells adapter rings so you don't have to damage the original pads.
@@IsraelCruzJr I think it's safe to assume that if you are a common consumer and pick SHP9500 just because it's cheaper you won't care about headphone mods. That is an enthusiast thing, they won't shy away from spending a bit more cash on headphones.
Just warm water cleans them with a damp cloth, if they are rally dirty, just a foamy can of carpet cleaner for cars works great.
Many have changed the pads to almost everything, but you do have to destroy the fabric ones to do it.
But at $75?
I think the 9500 actually have better build quality, you can stretch and bend them almost every way, the cups swivel two ways nicely, and they would definitely survive a drop on concrete or a hard bend better than the sennheisers.
Having said that the Sennheisers are modular, and easier to take a part and put back, but for the price of an official cord, or pads, or one drive, you can actually buy the whole sph9500.
@@Tigerex966 Those parts prices are definitely an exaggeration. For these models, the parts won't be more expensive than 25-50$, as long as you don't want some insane XLR balanced whatever cable.
I own the SHP9500, the SHP9600, the Senn 555, the Senn 660S and the Drop 58x Jubilee headphones. I prefer the SHP9600 for podcast conversations & videos such as this youtube review where it is imperative that I can hear what someone is talking about. The SHP9500 is also very good for that, but the SHP9600 is more comfortable on my noggin than its predecessor. The Senn units are better at presenting music.
The Jubilee, I owned and used before the 660S and I preferred it over the HD555 for music.
The HD555 was my first headphone and it satisfied my eardrums for everything from 2008 until the left channel died in 2020, when I obtained the Jubilee to replace it. I purchased the SHP9500 in 2017 and gifted them to my father who is very hard of hearing and he's enjoyed them tremendously. I'll soon have them back, as he's being gifted the SHP9600 soon. Having listened to both of the Philips headphones - they exel at straight up speech - but they aren't bad at musical reproduction especially at their price points - they're just not as luscious as the Sennheisers.
All of them are open back, allowing for many continuous hours of wearing - while listening to your chosen audio.
this style of reviewing is better that the other one
I've been watching a lot of your reviews lately, your intros sound amazing :D
I use SHP9500s with a Fiio K1 to power the SHP9500 a little bit.
the SHP9500s is only 32 ohms why you should use Fiio k1 power ?
@@sal8697 SHP9500s sound way better when I use them with K1 and Shanling M0 DAP (some onboard DAC sound better than k1). Shanling M0 kinda helps the SHP9500s from the bass roll-off.
@@sal8697 They are efficient on paper but they scale with power well. They really wake up with some quality juice. Bass response is super surprising with a bump to the low end.
VARUN U how much do you like them? Thinking about getting them
@@swaguel Love them for the price, I recommend dac/amp with the SHP9500S, though I would not recommend the Fiio K1. The pads are fabric and that might get itchy sometimes but overall it's a really comfortable headphone, fits even biggest of heads.
558s are great!
I have the SHP9600’s, HD58X, and the Sennheiser Game One’s essentially the HD558’s with a good mic. I’d say HD58X, SHP9600, HD558/Game One’s in that order. I use the Game One’s the most as I game and listen to music, Dolby Atmos, EQ’d and they sound pretty amazing for the $70 I paid for them new. 👌🏼 The SHP9600’s are really good, but the HD58X is just a little better in my opinion, for the money and on a budget though I recommend the SHP9600’s over all headphones.
bought some 558s for $30 off a college kid, and was going to just flip them for maybe double, but wound up keeping them since they sounded better than I expected. Was going to buy the 58x, but after listening to these for a couple months, I don't see...hear a reason to do so.
It's funny you brought up the 558's. They are a great sounding and enjoyable headphone. I've had mine for several years and if I'm not mistaken, I got those on sale for 110 or 120 dollars.
For anyone coming across this video, once you get your pair of SHP9500/SHP9500S, make sure you replace the stock cable; they'll sound terrible (thin, grainy) if you don't. I bought a pair off of Amazon and almost returned mine before trying them out with another cable. The Philips included cable sounds like something straight out of the 80s and made my ears hurt.
Can I use my philips fidelio x2hr cable for philips shp9500 🤷♂️
Damn this was great!
Not as great as the Oticas tho :D
Thank you for this. I own the 9500's and just ordered the 58x's from eBay for $159 so this was perfect lol. Actually couldn't believe someone did it. I personally think the 58x's will crush my 9500's running off of my Schiit Stack (Heresey/Modi black) but it will be fun to find out.
Hey did you buy them from cymbal communications on eBay? They had a bunch for $159 and I saw a bunch of people bought. I bought them but wondered how they were able to sell for $10 less than massdrop.
@@RLTrane yes I did and they are fantastic 👍
@@m4nc1n1 that's a relief. I get mine early next week.
Any comparison for the SHP9500 and 58x? What do you recommend in terms of gaming and music? Planning to buy one 😁
Ergo 1 or 2 are the headspeakers to get!
I got the HD 558 new for 120euro...Score!! I love the wide soundstage and warm signature. More tuned towards male vocals but not a detailed sounding headphone.
9500 is not for sale in The Netherlands or on German Amazon.
I also bought the Creative Labs Aurvana Live! 1 for 60euro. And it sounds better than my HD 558. It's ridiculously good.
Believe it or not, the same day i watched this video (like a month from this post) i found a pair if 558s in a pawn shop which was an hour drive from my home. And man, it was totally worth the 60dls i pay. Now, i didn’t have an open back headphones before, but i have compared them to anything else i had around (even the most expensive steel series) and they triumph.
The craziest thing about this video is comparing a 70 bucks 9500 with these more expensive ones.
Here in Brazil in 2024 the price of the 9500 is 70 bucks and the senheisers is unavailable even used. But the last time they were available it was 230 dollar. Insane.
I love music in Headphone reviewer's videos. Especially yours.
IMO the 58x walk all over the 9500 in terms of imaging for gaming. the 58x have a more narrow sound stage like you said but the imaging is miles better especially vertically.
Moon Messiah would I need to use a dac and/or amp with the 58x? Or is the difference negligible
I would like to know this as well
Hazzmati to my recent knowledge if you were to get them only get amp, a dac isn't worth it for this headset for the price UNLESS you are future proofing and going to upgrade but if you're just getting into real headphones like me, then you don't need a dac, and I've heard an amp will make it sound better, but it's not a waste wether you do/don't get an amp to pair with it. If you want my opinion I'd say get an amp with it if you can afford about an extra 100 bucks if not Ive heard it's still great on its own and that it takes a couple months anyways to really realize how unbelievably these headphones are
@Tino cabral thanks for the heads up. Glad to hear they still sound great on their own because atm I am not planning on getting additional equipment because the 58x is quite pricey but I am willing to pay for the quality. I just want good open ear headphones which also look nice. I will have to order these from Drop so I hope international import costs won't screw me over.
Had the 558's for 6 years now. Love them to bits. I have been watching so many review wondering if their is a something else i should upgrade too. Would buy a dedicated headphone amp be a better purchase?
i'd recommend watching his other video about the $10 dac/amp... which is actually an iphone dongle! it's amazing actually with 558 or even 58x
I picked up my HD 558s refurbished for 50$. Holy shit, insane value for the cost. Ended up upgrading to the HD6XX but the 558s Are a good backup when my girlfriends steals my 6XXs =]
Have both and prefer SHP9500 overall (gaming, web, music with a lot instrument, confort and spacious). 58x it's better in my digital piano and music with few instruments. Jus't my opinion.
58x have more low end, but 9500 you hear very well what the base do (
more analytical).
@Hersey Berry did you do this mod? my question is if the mod is permanent or if I could still use my aftermarket pads for other headphones.
Good job man. This was helpful.
Thanks for discussing the 558's. I am even more confused what to get next. My fiancee has grabbed my 558's and I am left with the Momentum Over Ear v2's which hurt my head for long listening sessions. Am thinking the 6xx's but want some deep and accurate bass.
The 6xx has deeper bass, just less of it.
I had bought the HD598 brand new about 8 years ago for $120 CAD (about 90 US dollars) for a black Friday sale. They still work fine to this very day, except i have replaced the ear pads once. The 5x9 series now is so overpriced at like 330 Cad(252 USD) for a 599. It's actually cheaper to ship a HD6xx from the USA than to buy a brand new 599 or even 579. Too bad the Sundara is $500 over here while the HD600 is about $450.
I like this casual style just as much as the slick flashy productions. Come here for your opinions.
You really need to work on your t-shirt game if you want to improve your Metal571 impressions. Black would be a good starting point.
Yeah and not enough blocking of the mouth with giant pop filters
I chucked a pair of Yaxi pads onto my 58X, made it more comfortable and elevated the bass a little without losing any detail (at least as far as I remember)
I never buy used speakers of any sort. You never know how hard someone pushed them. They may not be blown, but on the verge without you ever knowing at the time of purchase. Speakers are delicate and I have trust issues
Halfway throught the video, the only good thing i head about shp9500 is "i dont know if hd58x is worth double the price" with nothing good comes out of shp9500. It basically produce sound, but always with a but.
Josh,
I appreciate your production values and that's a big reason I watch your videos. You also are very open to learning, which is really important when others like DMS have much deeper electronic and production backgrounds. I like your "formal" reviews as I like this one. Honestly this felt as formal as your others, but had more light. I really dislike very dark backgrounds in videos. Your others are well made and balanced, but God I hate the cave look, it's very depressing! Zeos makes good use of his window light. DMS and you should. I know that folks need dark walls for their vid production, but that's not good in gear videos! Your sound is very good, as is Z's and DMS's. Actually just a lav or headset mic works fine, they have fewer volume variations when you speak off-axis.
I have two more strong recommendations. Please note, I designed and built very high end playback gear for several years and did some production work as well, so this isn't just a layman's POV (valid though that is). First, go to an AES Convention and talk audio with the designers. Last time (admittedly over 10 years ago) the top designer at Sennheiser gave me all the time I wanted: his favorites were HD25s (which he designed). The best people in the business share like crazy and are a wonderful community!
Second, check out videos from Uncle Doug, who makes *extremely* fun videos of rebuilding vintage guitar amps and other gear. He has 3 cats and a dog whom he incorporates in delightful ways. But he's also an excellent electronics teacher. Another very competent audio tech (probably an EE) is "Mr Carlson's Lab." Another excellent teacher, the guy designs, fixes, and calibrates audio gear of all kinds. The most *pleasant* audio reviews I've seen on youtube are John Darko's, but geez he pays for a cameraman. But *notice* his use of natural light, it makes a huge difference for the better. Also Currawong (Amos Barnett) mixes pleasant visuals with concise information, and gives good technical info on products. But he often speaks too quickly and softly.
Good luck, Sam
Wonder if you could compare the KPH30i to these as well? I've got them recently together with the KSC75 and been wondering for which open-back upgrade (if I'll ever even need one!) I should go for in the future?
I'd like to game and overall use the pair for everything from youtube browsing to spotify listening on a motherboard soundcard, also planning to get some budget/starter amp/dac.
I had the 558 which I got off Amazon UK. It's still pretty cheap there AFAIK and definitely worth it.
As for the 9500 - its current pricetag vs how much it used to cost is a major sticking point for me. My personal opinion is that the Hifiman Edition S is superior sounding, similarly wide, for around the same money, but with the caveat of the brand's infamous lack of build quality.
The 58X, more so than the 6XX, is just pure value because it truly is an all-rounder in terms of application. It's great for music, movies, games, and even production.
3 years ago when the SHP9500 was still discontinued and selling for $150, there was also the Monolith 560 going for the same price. I saw it as a fancier looking version of the HiFiMan Edition S. They’re both planar headphones with 56mm drivers, removable magnetic lids that convert the soundstage from open back to closed back, and 3.5mm stereo connectors.
I remember once deciding whether to get the M560 or HiFiMan Edition S, and decided on the former. Without knowing how the Edition S sounds, I thought the M560 sounded better than many more expensive cans I tried at local HiFi and music shops including every Grado, some HiFiMan headphones, some MrSpeakers headphones and sound just as good as the Sennheiser HD800 (which is about 10x the price.)
Now with HE400SE/X4 out this topic should be renewed with HE400SE and KPH30i
really like your videos but in this one i gotta know where you got your hat - very hard to find plain good fitting dad caps - waiting on a HD58x i just ordered this morning and watching your reviews in anticipation thanks for the content!
So...NOT for music, but for mostly gaming and a bit less movies, you should buy the SHP9500? Right? Or not? It's confusing for me.
I have a headphone for music, but I don't like it for games (mostly open world rpg/action) and movies.
Edit: I could have posted this on a lot of other forums etc, but the SHP9500 comparison of this vid and the opnion of people reacting to this vid, is really what got my priority. And the stuff at the end of my reaction, is all based of watching and reading an unbelievable and weird amount of reviews. comparisons, user experiances and opions from all around the web.
First of all, I am not a bass head, but I do appreciate a little more 'oemph and thumb' , then a really neutral headphone delivers.
To me it makes games and movies kind of empty and dull. Gun shots, the slamming of a door, a car crash, they need to have the sound impact, which goes with what you see.
So what I don't like with games and movies, is this neutral sound where nothing stands out. What I also don't like is when the highs are to clear and crisp. It tires me like crazy. Really really a lot, which also gives me a headache.
Little big side note here is, I have a real good hearing, but due to an accident, I always have a headache. On a good day a little. On a bad day a lot. This is also tires me a lot. So I'm really senstive to:
Bad comfort (clamping force),
Bad directional or surround sound, where everything seems everywhere (instead of this shot is from there, the jeep drives there and the river is over there. If it all blends to 'somewhere in the back', it's like my brain is working to hard to pin point the sound)
Crisp and clear high's and 'sssss' in sounds
But...bad sound annoys me. Giving me a Beats is like swearing in church.
So I did my homework and the headphone I seem to need and want, is the AKG K712 Pro, but where I live, it will cost me $231.77. The SHP9500 will cost me $70.
Yeah. That's a diffrence of 160 dollars.
But I have also taking in to cosideration:
The DT990 pro, but the highs and sharp V shape scares me (open world gaming has a lot of sounds in the mids)
Sennheiser Game One, not so much in fact, because of the neutral sound, but it's the praised HD 598 with a mic, so hey...for a good price
Sennheiser HD 599. More then the above. The 599's are just a bit less neutral and have a bit more 'oempf' then the 598's. These seem to be everything I want, but with everything just a little bit worse then the AKG K712. Still really good though and cheaper.
Phjlips Fidelio X2HR . These are really comfy, have a real good soundstage, if they are considaret neutral, they really are up the boundary, because of the bass and they are tested as a real allrounder. So yay!! But where I live, they don't sell them and the old X2 REFRUBISHED cost $177,44. So they have to come overseas and they also become real pricey.
Also the Audio Technica Ath-Ad700X and the 900X, but to many different opinions and if they win from an AKG, it's alway because of the lower price. I really can't make head or tail of these. Also they have the same headband/clamp as a pair of Superlux I own and I hate this system. So the Audio Technica Ath-Ad?00X doesn't feel safe for me.
And here is where it gets weird. I am researching this for more then 2 weeks now, so you can imagine how many vid's, reviews etc I have watched and read and I forgot why I have taken out the AKG K701, 702 and Q whatever out of the equation :(
Edit: And then there still is massdrop's line-up. They make the Hifiman HE-400i (which I haven't looked up) also affordable for me. But some of the massdrop's have a cable going to EACH earcup and I gladly pay 50 dollars more for the same headphone, with only one cable. Then there are some which don't have the dual cables, but just as the Ath-Ad's, they make it so hard to form a well balanced outcome of comparsions, it will take me another 4 days to line up the massdrop's with the ones mentioned above.
But I did just find out the Massdrop's Sennheiser PC37X wins from the Game One, but that aside.
The reviews of the massdrop's are almost always positve, but it seems that if a comparison is won, it's because of 'they are almost the same, but it's lower priced'. I can't buy a massdrop on sale however, but I do can buy one of the above on sale. So the 'lower price' criteria, doesn't go that well for me. Only exception here is the SHP900, because they seem to be THAT good for 70 dollar.
So anyone out here who can advice and help me?
me looking for headphones in 2024 as an upgrade to my HD 558's (ive had them 15 years)
but literally nothing warrants spending hundreds of dollars when my 558's still work perfectly fine, MAYBE the HE400SE?
in fact im seriously considering buying a backup pair of 558's
Awesome description, .... You get correct headphones.👍
I have both, you can replace the pads on the shp9500s and it makes a huge difference.
To me the timbre on the 9500 is unbearable alongside the grain and sibilance whereas even though I don't usually like headphones with small soundstage the 58x is more than fine for the price.
There is one thing you NEED to do to bring up the anemic bass and bring down the piercing treble of SHP9500: use a pair of pleather/leather earpads. Bonus: solves irritating old couch fabric ori ear pads problem. I recommend Brainwavz sheepskin =)
JOSH MY MAN. I arrived to the "compare/contrast junction" regarding these two headphones! Why? ..you guessed right, I'm a fps gamer. Why would anybody else want to compare these two is lost on me which brings me to this question/statement. When will you make a fps gamers footsteps video?!?! Download CS GO for free, Take your audiophile knowledge and apply. That would be a 100k viewed vid in 30 days! Anyway. Great vid, much obliged.
9500 imo due to not only it's sound but also versatility. I'm not talking just about how it does really well with music, movies and gaming. They respond fairly well to EQ, dont require an amp and if you buy modhouse ring along with other earpads (HM5, shure velours) you can essentially have many different sound signatures in one headphone for under 100 USD. Hell, maybe even less if we consider buying any of these used you can get the 9500 open box on Amazon for 48 USD. On top of that, don't like the weak clamp force? Extend the headband all the way and bend the metal inward carefully. Need a headset? Buy a boom pro and stick that mofo in. Dont like the goofy af L and R on the metal grills? Sharpie that sht out. Only thing it cant do well is be a closed headphone.
Hey Josh, have you ever tried any of the Audio Technica Air Dynamic series headphones? or any Audio Technica future reviews?
I been using the ATH-AD900X for a couple of years, so I'm looking for something new. I recently bought the Philips SHP9500 and I was quite disappointed, but can understand why people buy them. I'm scared to purchase the 58x because I'll hate to be disappointed.
I’m coming from a razer headset and I am want an accurate, natural, and detailed set of cans. I have an amp and dac stack in mind but I am debating on these two headphones.
You're going to want to compare the Sivga SV005 and SV007 to the 9500 and 58X.
*and I'd suggest velour pads on the 007.*
Yes! I put Brainwavz XL Velours on my SV007. (Some thin, soft padding keeps the over-sized pads from coming off.) I also carefully removed all of the coverings over the driver... and added some dampening material on the inside of the wooden earcups. (Had to remove the driver housings first.) Even without these mods - and only a pad swap - these are giant (HD58X) killers!
I have the 558 and had the 598. Honestly prefer the cheaper set, so much that I sold the 598. And I refuse to get into all of the newer versions. They just strike me as a money grab by flooding the market.
Hi mate, as I had 558 and 598 at same price used mint condition, I bought the 598 based on reviews (some says tighter but less bass, 598 more refined ...) But Yoshua specifically mentions 558 and your comment made me think ... Really sounds better for you the 558 ? Thinking to get those and compare ... Obsessed with the 'best' headphone under 100€ ... Best regards !!!
@@dankof If you have a 598, you don't need to take the 558, they are the same headphones. It will be a waste of money. If you want to get the most out of your ears, find an amplifier with an output impedance of 100-300 ohm and get very good bass.
@@МужиксМарса should I be fine with my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 2nd gen ?
@@dankof Bass will not be enough with this card, it has an output impedance of
@@dankof on it FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 2I4 check with the manufacturer how much the output resistance gives. If less than 100 ohms, it will not the good bass on the 598 headphones.
Can I get new pads for my HD558 somewhere ? I have a pair but they are totally worn out, both the top and the pads have evaporated xD
All the velour pads for the 500 series are the same, as far as I know. There are also some microfiber closed ones for the 569 and 598cs, but those should be the only ones different.
I got the shp9500's about two weeks ago. They're great. I prefer them over my dt990 premiums any day of the week
shp9500s are simply incredible.
shp9500 vs dt990 in gaming?
Tough to say. DT990 Premium have a bigger soundstage, but overall I prefer the sound of the SHP9500s.
@@iSaudixKSA Having Both, I like the SHP more for gaming than the DT990. BUT the 58X are better than both IMO
@@nicolasaudy6250 for gaming or music and why?
I love my hd558's, do wish I had a dac/amp to drive them a little better and I bought them new for$80, but they're great
If you still don't have one than the Fosi Audio Dac Q4 is great for a very low price (compared to other Amp/Dac Combos)
SHP9500 vs. HD600 www.rtings.com/headphones/1-2/graph#371/2031/325
- and the difference is...? (U can change the SHP9500 compared headphone on the right side HD598, HD650 etc.)
I'd them both & I'll go with SHP9500 every time. So I sold the HD600s with a really good offer.
Believe the hype, SHP9500 is unbelievable !
I'm currently rocking 518s (very similar to 558s,) and considering upgrading to 58Xs + a dedicated amp (rather than just straight into my PC.)
That said, just saw a local FB ad for $25USD 558s, so I might check those out just for fun. Sell em on if nothing else.
For use with a semi low power DAP, I think the 9500 may be the better option
Geat comparison of two affordable underrated and (often looked down upon by owners o higher priced models) "LEGENDS"
The SPH9500 and second gen 9500S will go down as one of the best buy per dollar in headphone history.
Easily outperforming models 5 to 10 times as much in certain areas, and they are highly moddable, allowing you to sculpt your sound, for open or closed, more bass or more treble or more mids of less of it.
Truly a bargain and great beginner foray into quality sound, and even good for diehard audiophiles, because no one can does everything right no matter what amp dac, cable, or headphone you use..
Keep up the good works.
And the HD58X is not bad either, just different. YMMV.
@Hersey Berry which pads did you use? And what are your other two headphones?
Thanks. Have you reviewed any Audio Technica headphnes? The ATH-R70x is the studio reference monitor. Would love to know how it compares with the DT 1990, and various Sennheisers.
im still using 558's with no problems after 11 years... cant ask for any better quality control/ build quality :)
Did you modify the 58X? No foam? - you can see the driver on yours not on mine.. and on the "Drop" site they promote them without foam.. which is weird.. making them look like 6XX.. do you know?
U need foam on 58x for the dust.
No
@@solsthiem3329 yes ask Sennheiser unless if u know bettee
@@Tripokaridos22 the drivers that are most vulnerable to dust is paper. I own a pair of hd58x without the foam because it expands the sound stage and I had it like this for years and no dust entered and like I said MOST OF THE DRIVERS IS COVERED BY A MAGNET AND PAPER
@@solsthiem3329 Foam infront and behind the drivers on ALL headphones is there not only for tunning the sound but for protecting the mebrane from dust, hair , sweet or anything else... 90% of headphones are with mebranes dynic or plannar all of them have mebranes For example HD660 have mebrane and Sundara also have mebranes and very thin also. There are some Headphones that DONT need any foam protection like the Focal Elex or BW p5 p7 these headphones use other materials. Thats why If u see focal Elex doesnt have any foam in front of it.
Taking off the foam in front of HD58x or back and let the mebrane exposed its not a good thing. And thats been proved all these years.
If u want to have your HD58x without Foam then good for u... But we are talking about whats corrwct and what not .
Also buing an HD58x and mod them for bigger soundstage its just stupid, the reason is that these HD58x like HD6 series are using a close to ear driver everything its done on purpose the thin pads the none angled drivers are there for a reason... If u mod them with bigger pads or dynamat or ring mod or no foam mods then ....U just bought the wrong Headphone mate . If u needed bigger soundstage just buy K7 series or DT990 or HD5 series etch etch. HD58x and HD6 are knwon for that innyour head soundstage. You dont improve anything... Also taking off the foam doesnt observe any reflections from them sound and making them sound harh . Trust me i know i am on this over 25 years. All the mods that u have done or u will make i have already done and not only with Sennheiser headphones.
@@solsthiem3329 HD58x DOESNT covered by paper and secondly exposed mebrane all theae yeara and no dust inside? U kniw that this is not possible done...U dont have dust in the air ? Where u leave inside a shield air home ? U know that what u said doesnt make any logiacal sense and other than that people wearing headphones always have 😓 on the ears so this is also a problem with the mebrane.
If u meassure your HD58x vs a new one Guess what... U will have different messurements and uneven L and R channel compared to the new one .
Watching this with my SP9500
58x actually will sound more muddy and boomy as they have too much emphasis in certain high bass ranges.
Liked the video man. Well spoken and coincise in your opinions. Quite enjoyable to watch. Sub'd
Do they make a headphone that has the HD598's huge soundstage and the HD58X sound signature? Is that what the HD660S is all about? I have never heard the HD558 but for reference I love the Sennheiser "sound" and own the HD598 (Open and Closed versions), HD58X, HD600, and the HD6XX. They all possess something I like but at the same time each one is lacking in a particular area. The HD58X has my favorite sound signature but lacks the resolution and imaging that you get from the HD600 and also could be a tad more spacious like the HD598 (Open). I don't even know if a headphone like that exists but it's something I would see as my endgame. Looking forward to seeing what your upcoming video has to say about modding the HD58X and how it changes the sound.
Hello, kind question to Josh or to someone who owns HD558 and Ananda. I am aware of the technology and price differencies but I would like to know if the difference between them in reality is like night & day ? Worthy 700$ (640euro) in sale. 2nd question - would be a dac/amp like FiiO KA3 an improvement for HD558 ? Hopefully someone will reply. Thank you in advance.
Modded 9500 are totally awesome but than again almost any headphone can be missed to address it's weaknesses.
Josh's profile pic looks like he was posting for E-Harmony 😂. Everytime I see the pic I think of one of those damn commercials.
... this isn’t E-Harmony?
Bought hd 599 as my first set of open backs. I was highly dissapointed. They do sound great. But the whole "soundstage" that I've been hearing that open backs are supposed to have is complete BS to me. I've done side by side comparisons with closed backs and "soundstage" is the same. In your opinion is soundstage something that's overblown by people or am I missing something?
Been going through reading these posts and keep coming up with the same answer to which headphone sounds best... the one that fits your own needs and hearing characteristics meaning everyone's hearing is different to some degree as the varied opinions connected to hands on experience shows so you need to hear them first... except that due do to the brain filling in gaps (as the brain does with vision as well) you need to also spend time with them listening. People will swear up and down certain sound equipment needs to break-in but research shows it's often just the brain repossessing the sound information which takes time as well.
599 =/= 598/558
Please guys: NARROW SOUNDSTAGE IS NOT BAD. Extremely Wide soundstage is not always a good thing.
Narrow soundstage means that you can focus better on istruments and visual representation of the soundfield. That apart, consider that in mixing, almost never instruments are putted total Left or total Right in the panning. And even if they are, some ambience effects such reverb and delay, are panned in the opposite direction. So, extremely wide soundstage: NOT GOOD