Using HD555 with 128>320 kbps mp3? I've bought most of my songs from iTunes and the quality isn't too great. Would you recommend using these headphones if these are the only things I'll be listening to? Using HD555 with 128>320 kbps mp3? I've bought most of my songs from iTunes and the quality isn't too great. Would you recommend using these headphones if these are the only things... » Read More Using HD555 with 128>320 kbps mp3? I've bought most of my songs from iTunes and the quality isn't too great. Would you recommend using these headphones if these are the only things I'll be listening to? « Show Less
1091330
The Patient is right. I had Grado SR80i cans hooked up to my computer without an amp. I played "White Noise" by Mogwai in 256kbps mp3 and at 1025kbps FLAC. The difference is incredible. I did this to illustrate the value of good cans to my room mate and he is convinced. I plan on getting the 555s as soon as I can, just to compare the Grado and Sennheiser sounds. You won't be disappointed with these if you play high quality files. Also, invest in cds of your favorite groups. That way, you can rip the cd at WAV or FLAC using a (free) program like Exact Audio Copy.
664273
These are a bit overkill for iTunes mp3 songs, though you certainly won't be disappointed. If you get them, try listening to a CD and then the same song as low quality mp3. You'll be surprised. Keep in mind that the better the headphones, the better source has to be. You will notice white noise, some clipping, and generally a muddy sound with an mp3 compared to a CD or a FLAC/WAV.
1189549
The DAC is fine. What will limit sound quality in this case is not the DAC but rather the upsampling that pandora is guilty of - at least when i sampled music streaming services. I compared spotify, pandora, and mog, and hands down - Mog was the winner in file quality - dont get bogged down with numbers and listen first. I cancelled both pandora and spotify immediately.
1622642
My opinion is that you may be disappointed if you hook the HD 518 directly to a small MP3 player. I use mine connected to my computer through the Fiio ALPEN E17, and the QOGIR E09k... they sound pretty good like that
1087694
I'm not sure on the mp3. I know for sure i5 does not work. Overall a great unit for office or background music. Very clear sound. Yes on the FM radio. Don't buy it if you are looking for sound comparable to $75 headphones. Not quite as much base however for the size of the unit and the small speakers it sounds really nice for what I'm using it for. Hope that answers your questions. I was a little confused also when looking at contradictory specifications.
1814479
The limiting factor will the DAC (digital-to-analog-circuit) of the device you are using. You can have a pair of top-notch headphones, but if the DAC on the device is sub-par, then you will not get the sound quality potential out of the headphones. When I use these on my hacked Kindle, they sound great. Used with my Huawei phone, definite difference, even with use of the EQ. Also, these cans are 40ohm impedance. You might needs to consider a pair with a lower impedance rating (my MDR-X10's are 25ohm). Hope this helps!
1089683
I just wanted to make a quick correction. iPods can certainly play 192kbs files (and higher) as well as Apple Losseless, unprotected mp4s and a few other things I've probably forgotten. The iTunes store, at this moment, only sells 128 kbps protected AAC files (though that should be changing soon) which may be the source of the confusion.
325331
That's all I do is burn from my MAC using iTunes. Burn it at a slower speed like 16x. I have had 100% success and the sound quality is phenomenal. I won't buy anything else but these anymore.
7716
Ipods and iphones use a 1/8 inch jack. Some headphones are terminated in a 1/8 inch jack, and some are terminated in a 1/4 inch jack. The HD600 I had was an older version that had an 1/8" jack, and for that you don't need an adapter. If you have a 1/4" jack, then you can get a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter, which are commonly available on amazon or radioshack or anywhere. The other issues is that an iphone or ipod really doesn't have the necessary power to drive the HD600. I would suggest taking a look at the HD598 instead. But, if you're dead set on the HD600, then you can get one, just be mindful that you may need to get a headphone amp for it, and that out of an iphone it may not be the best value for dollar headphone you can get. The HD600 is really made for professional and stationary desktop systems, with a high-quality source and a headphone amp of some sort, or at least an integrated receiver. That's where it really shines. On the other hand, it's one of a handful of headphones under $1k that I would whole-handedly recommend. The headphone hobby has really gone to the dogs, and there are lots of overpriced, under-performing headphones out there on the market. But, the HD600 is not one of them, and it's one of the best value for dollar deals out there - the others being the Koss ESP950 and Stax SR-207, if you're building a stationary, desktop-based system, and Sennheiser HD598 and Momentum if you're building a portable-based system. On that note - if isolation is important, the Sennheiser Momentum is worth a good look. While not as good as the HD600 in terms of absolute fidelity, it's a quality closed headphone and is easy to drive by just about anything.
669295
I use mine with an Ipod, not an Iphone, so I don't know if my results will be the same as yours. The volume control on my headphones will only allow volume to go as high as inputted on the Ipod and won't go higher unless I raise the volume physically on the Ipod. Easy fix, just have the volume turned up on your phone before you start and you can always adjust down with the headphones. This has never been a problem for me. I only need the volume to be at approximately 1/4 level on my Ipod to get enough out of the headphones, and even with that I have to adjust the volume down on the earphones, even while using them in noisy areas. Hope this helps. I use mine with an Ipod, not an Iphone, so I don't know if my results will be the same as yours. The volume control on my headphones will only allow volume to go as high as inputted on the Ipod and won't go higher unless I raise the volume physically on the Ipod. Easy fix, just have the volume turned up on your phone before you start and you can always adjust down with the headphones. This has never been a problem for me. I only need the volume to be at approximately 1/4 level on my Ipod to get enough out of the headphones, and even with that I have to adjust the volume down on the... » Read More I use mine with an Ipod, not an Iphone, so I don't know if my results will be the same as yours. The volume control on my headphones will only allow volume to go as high as inputted on the Ipod and won't go higher unless I raise the volume physically on the Ipod. Easy fix, just have the volume turned up on your phone before you start and you can always adjust down with the headphones. This has never been a problem for me. I only need the volume to be at approximately 1/4 level on my Ipod to get enough out of the headphones, and even with that I have to adjust the volume down on the earphones, even while using them in noisy areas. Hope this helps. « Show Less
246744
Hey. I have never owned the HD 650 but I can tell you that they are very commonly used in the studio and therefore have very flat sound. That's why you get that veil in the vocals (especially female vocals). The HD598 was made with audiophiles in mind but they are very enjoyable to listen to. The vocal and acoustic part of the midrange is the best I've heard in that price range. It's clear, spacious, and full without being heavy. I personally use my Hd598s to edit female vocals and piano and I am very happy with them. Many audiophiles say that the 598s are more enjoyable to listen to than the 650s or 600 despite the cheaper price. Hey. I have never owned the HD 650 but I can tell you that they are very commonly used in the studio and therefore have very flat sound. That's why you get that veil in the vocals (especially female vocals). The HD598 was made with audiophiles in mind but they are very enjoyable to listen to. The vocal and acoustic part of the midrange is the best I've heard in that price range. It's clear, spacious, and full without being heavy. I personally use my Hd598s to edit female vocals and piano and I am very happy with them. Many audiophiles say that the 598s are more enjoyable to listen to than... » Read More Hey. I have never owned the HD 650 but I can tell you that they are very commonly used in the studio and therefore have very flat sound. That's why you get that veil in the vocals (especially female vocals). The HD598 was made with audiophiles in mind but they are very enjoyable to listen to. The vocal and acoustic part of the midrange is the best I've heard in that price range. It's clear, spacious, and full without being heavy. I personally use my Hd598s to edit female vocals and piano and I am very happy with them. Many audiophiles say that the 598s are more enjoyable to listen to than the 650s or 600 despite the cheaper price. « Show Less
792278
I dont know if they have "superior sound quality" but what i do lnow is that they have very different uses. The QC 25 are intended for traveling while the SEN HD8 are for djing. Sennheiser (in their higher range headphones) has way better quality making different instruments and sound in general clearer and easier to identify therefore better to dj with. They are pretry good traveling and listening headphones. They do not have noise canceling but still do a pretty good job at isolating as long as its not VERY noisy. NOW! i would NEVER buy Bose cans...they break, period. bose has great marketing bit their crap breaks. Dont waste your money, go Senn. They are solid and confortable. I dont know if they have "superior sound quality" but what i do lnow is that they have very different uses. The QC 25 are intended for traveling while the SEN HD8 are for djing. Sennheiser (in their higher range headphones) has way better quality making different instruments and sound in general clearer and easier to identify therefore better to dj with. They are pretry good traveling and listening headphones. They do not have noise canceling but still do a pretty good job at isolating as long as its not VERY noisy. NOW! i would NEVER buy Bose cans...they break, period. bose has... » Read More I dont know if they have "superior sound quality" but what i do lnow is that they have very different uses. The QC 25 are intended for traveling while the SEN HD8 are for djing. Sennheiser (in their higher range headphones) has way better quality making different instruments and sound in general clearer and easier to identify therefore better to dj with. They are pretry good traveling and listening headphones. They do not have noise canceling but still do a pretty good job at isolating as long as its not VERY noisy. NOW! i would NEVER buy Bose cans...they break, period. bose has great marketing bit their crap breaks. Dont waste your money, go Senn. They are solid and confortable. « Show Less
1607784
I just bought my first apple product and talked to the sales person about that very thing. From what I understand you can only use itunes downloads on apple product. However, if you can make CDs from your itune files you can turn around and load them on your computer and put them on an MP3. I have every CD I every bought on my computer and put them all on my MP3. However, I can not recommend buying this product because mine never worked right. I can't turn up the volume enough to hear it well through headphones or speakers. I have bought one of these brand new and they are a good product but this one is reconditioned and it must not have been done right. :/ I just bought my first apple product and talked to the sales person about that very thing. From what I understand you can only use itunes downloads on apple product. However, if you can make CDs from your itune files you can turn around and load them on your computer and put them on an MP3. I have every CD I every bought on my computer and put them all on my MP3. However, I can not recommend buying this product because mine never worked right. I can't turn up the volume enough to hear it well through headphones or speakers. I have bought one of these brand new and they are a good product... » Read More I just bought my first apple product and talked to the sales person about that very thing. From what I understand you can only use itunes downloads on apple product. However, if you can make CDs from your itune files you can turn around and load them on your computer and put them on an MP3. I have every CD I every bought on my computer and put them all on my MP3. However, I can not recommend buying this product because mine never worked right. I can't turn up the volume enough to hear it well through headphones or speakers. I have bought one of these brand new and they are a good product but this one is reconditioned and it must not have been done right. :/ « Show Less
1769715
Your welcome. Open headphones such as these HD555's have sort of a metal mesh grill on each outer side where the speakers are located, sort of like a boom box has on each speaker. On a boom box or stereo the speakers face out to let out the music, in the case of open headphones the speakers face the ear but air and sound is released through the metal grill. This is done so that the music has more room to develope more richly. Therefore some sound leaks out (its a good thing) but it allows people around you to hear what you are listening to. Closed headphones such as the HD202 do no have any metal grill on the sides, just closed plastic, therefore there is no sound leak, only you hear the music. Most people prefer to use open headphones at home for the great sound quality but others use the closed headphones outside and take a hit on the sound quality a bit because they don't want anyone to hear what they are listening to or they don't want to disturb anyone on planes or at work. Ipod earbuds are pretty bad earphones in my opinion and mostly only certain over the ear headphones are considered open and most in ear earphones are considered closed. These HD555's will destroy the ipod earbuds in sound quality, like night and day. Sennheiser is a very respected audio company, especially with audiophile people who love headphones and music. I hope that helped a bit.
91693
I'm sorry, but can't help you with this question. But know that none of these devices are going to give you top quality (Bose like and above) listening pleasure. It really depends on the speakers you are using to listen the download from (hopefully not the device you download the music from.
417556
I own these headphones and i hook them up to my mac laptop and computer all the time and the sound quality is fantastic. I also have a fiio e5 and that really doesn't do much. These headphones are very sensitive and only 50 ohm so therefor you will not need an amplifier. People say you need a headphone amp for high end headphones, but that is only if you have 300 ohm headphones. Most high end headphones are much higher than these. SO you should be fine hooking them up to your pc speakers or just directly into your pc.
1961972
Well I jut use them with my Band and Olufsen H6 that are high fidelity headphones. They improve the performance of my headphone for sure its a complete difference. I use as source my Mac book pro and a optical cable. I love it but be careful not to get the volume to high you can damage your headphones. So buy it but, be careful of not pushing your headphones to the limit.
591295
More refined, better quality bass. Better mids and hights. I will quote this reviewer who heard a cheaper and not as good pair of Ultrasone's, "I have the ultrasone hfi 580s and am borrowing my friends beats pro over the weekend and i have compared them. The beats suck. They have decent bass but the music lacks mids/ highs, clarity and depth. Ultrasones kick the crap out of beats in th bass catagory. The ultrasones have a deeper and tighter bass. It sounds great. In the beats, the bass is only ok, it sounds flat and artificial. My sennheiser hd 238 has about as much bass unamped an they are half th size!" Hope this helps.