Best Value Headphone

[hottyson]

@Rhodey

58X or the 580

You all may have seen this already, but below is a link to someones detailed contrast of HD58X Jubilee to a number of similarly related Sennheiser HD series headphones. The highly detailed pdf file contains multiple subjective appraisals that I completely disagree with, and try to just ignore them. However, the graphs and specifications provided are insightful to understanding differences between different models of Sennheiser HD headphones.

HD58X evaluation

[pennstac]

I’m referring to the HD-580. In fact it’s the Precision, and I bought it in 1994. You’ll note that I said I had it since the 1990s, so it can’t be a Drop/Massdrop VARIANT.

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_{You have watched Loki, haven’t you?}

[Rhodey]

I wasn’t responding to you… look who I replied to… I’m aware when it was released.

Still stand by what I said tho.

Yeah, same one…

[pennstac]

Massdrop Sennheiser HD58X - Official Thread

Shangri-La (Kinks) is the HD-580 a mini-review of this venerable headphone This evening I put some things together - Balanced Hart Audio Cables. The new Sabaj DAC/AMP, ROON, and my original Sennheiser HD-580 headphones with the replacement pleather pads from Yaxi. This is a much better setup than these entry-level hi-fi headphones usually get. I’m listening in balanced mode. The pad-roll - well I think it’s better than my original pads, but it’s been years since those originals weren’t crushed…

And I stand behind what I said, yes I see you responded to @generic but I’d be highly surprised if he feels differently about the originals. And yes, I’ve been surprised before, and yes, by @generic.

[Rhodey]

Lmao I get that. I was responding to generic regarding the 580 / 58X, stating they’re not the same.

You can see when someone replies to you. There’s a little arrow that points to the avatar of the person it’s directed towards.

[Rhodey]

Then why did you mention what you’re referring to? I think that was pretty obvious when I said 580, not 58X.

[pennstac]

We all get a little careless sometimes. I’m glad you appreciated my Kinks theorizing.

[generic]

Honestly, this involves more concern than I ever had for either the 580 or the 58X. Yes, they are different products and many reports indicate the 580 is better. I may agree with @pennstac or not about the lack of scaling, but doubt I’ll ever have a 580 to perform the testing required. To continue a theme, I also stand by my dissing of the 58X too!

The only thing I care about is saying BOO BOO BOO!!! to surprise @pennstac. He seems delirious in his Kink’s commentary, and needs a shock to return to this planet.

@pennstac

I’d be highly surprised

[tmarshl]

There is an interesting wrinkle to the cost per hour of use argument.

I have a number of headphones, but the ones that I reach out for most often are the ones that end up having the most value to me, regardless of the cost vs. performance ratio. My headphone selection will also depend on what kind of music I will be listening to, as each headphone tends to excel in a different category of music.

[chrisnyc75]

Exactly. Sure, Sundara is a really solid cost v performance “value”, but if you could reach for Arya or Utopia every day for the rest of your life and know that you have nearly or THE BEST sound that money can buy isn’t that a better “value”?

Or maybe I’ve completely missed the point of this thread. Either is 100% possible. lol

[Rhodey]

But if you reach for the HD650 or Sundara everyday then isn’t it a better value? I love my Utopia and HD800S but both have diminishing returns.

And I don’t know if everyone thinks the Arya or Utopia is the BEST. Especially if you don’t have a solid chain behind something like the Utopia.

[chrisnyc75]

Sure, If you’re happy with them Beats are the best value. But if you could reach for Arya or Clear or a used Utopia isn’t that a better “value”?

[Rhodey]

You’re saying 650 is close to Beats?

If we’re going that route, AirPod Pros are the best value. No chain required. Under $200 new.

And yeah, sure a used Clear or 800 is a solid pickup but still not Best value. They’re at least triple the cost of a 650 or Sundara.

[pk500]

@chrisnyc75

but if you could reach for Arya or Utopia every day for the rest of your life and know that you have nearly or THE BEST sound that money can buy isn’t that a better “value”?

The best sound money can buy is all subjective and not tied to expenditure. Example: I’ve listened to the Utopia and Stellia, and I far prefer the Stellia even though it’s $1,000 less.

Plus, there also are budget considerations. Some people don’t have or want to spend four large on a pair of headphones. So, their best will be what they can or want to spend.

[pk500]

Not if you’re pleased as punch with your Beats. You’re applying your preferences to others, which usually doesn’t work unless they are solicited by others.

[generic]

@pk500

The best sound money can buy is all subjective and not tied to expenditure. Example: I’ve listened to the Utopia and Stellia, and I far prefer the Stellia even though it’s $1,000 less.

Yep.

I’ve tried and tried to find a way to tolerate the Utopia’s piercing treble on a dozen systems in all price tiers. No luck. Similarly, I was deeply shocked by how much better the OG Clear sounds on my Decware amp than my other amps. With this setup I prefer the cheaper Clear to the 800 S with any genre that calls for definition and punch.

I say this as I retest my HD 600 with the ZenDAC. Genuine value here for about $500 total.

[pk500]

@Rhodey

And yeah, sure a used Clear or 800 is a solid pickup but still not Best value. They’re at least triple the cost of a 650 or Sundara.

You’re on to something that is shaping my audio direction in 2024, Rhodey.

As I continue my climb up the headphone and gear chain, I like to place value propositions on my potential purchases, and it usually comes down to this, whether fair or not: “Headphone A is $600; Headphone B is $1,200. Is Headphone B really twice as good, because I’m paying twice as much!”

I know many scoff at correlating price and quality. Why? If I’m paying twice as much, shouldn’t the entire package – sound, build, appearance, durability – be twice as good as the other model? And if you don’t think that’s the case, then is the more expensive can really a value?

Look at the HD 6XX, for example. An insane value at $220 – I think everyone agrees. Is a mid-centric can like the HD 6XX that costs five times as much five times better? Probably not. So, that’s what defines value for me, using the HD 6XX as an example.

Now, I still may buy that HD 6XX on steroids (oooooh, ZMF Aeolus, I lust after you), but it will be for the increased fidelity, beautiful appearance, quality materials, Zach’s service and build quality. But do I expect it to be five times better than the 6XX? Nope. I still will enjoy it immensely, but I won’t consider it a value can.

That’s why the true values today in this hobby are in low-cost IEMs. It’s f*cking insane what you get for less than $50 in an IEM these days. Units like the $20 Salnotes Zero would have cost $100 just four or five years ago.

Interesting discussion. Eager to read more feedback! Thanks.

[tmarshl]

@generic

I’ve tried and tried to find a way to tolerate the Utopia’s piercing treble

Since my high end hearing has deteriorated with age, I don’t have that problem with the Utopias. Just give it a few years.

[generic]

What was that? Tonight I’m driving my motorcycle to a rock concert where I will use a chainsaw to clear the stage area, as they are having a machine gun shoot after the show. The show is near the airport too.

[SenyorC]

To steal a line from Josh “The best value for money earphone is the one that you are given for free. The difference between no music and music is greater than any differences between other earphones ever can be”

(or something like that)