A legend reports back
frequency range: 12 - 38500 Hz | sound pressure level: 100 dB | impedance: 150 Ohm | dynamic
Whoever wants a little more liveliness from the HD6XX besides a balanced sound, can risk an ear and gets an absolute price-performance hit.
Sound 8.5
Bass Mids Trebles Stage Imaging
8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5
Handling 8.5
Processing Comfort Earpads Headband Weight
9 8 8 8 260 grams
Total 8.5
Price 145 €
Quickcheck
Pro Contra - good wearing comfort - somewhat high contact pressure
- energetic mids - slight shrillness
- good, natural bass - sub bass rolloff
- price-performance ratio - treble extension
Intro
In addition to the HD6XX, DROP also offers the HD58X Jubilee as a revised version of the HD580, the veteran of Sennheiser's dynamic high-end models, which was released almost 20 years ago and later replaced by the HD600/650. The HD580 gave SENNHEISER a very good reputation in the audiophile world and was, so to speak, the starting signal for the success story. The HD580 and the HD650 were not too far apart in terms of sound (judging by the graphs) at the time, nor are the HD6XX and the HD58X (based on real listening comparisons). They are even very similar.
Handling
There is not too much to add to the description of the HD6XX, because besides the sonic similarities they share the structural ones.
The HD58X, consists of a good 80% of plastic. Only the reinforcement at the headband, with which the headphones can also be adjusted to the head shape, and the back grills of the ear cups are made of metal. The HD58X does not make a cheap impression, because the workmanship is of high quality and no production errors or rough tolerances can be detected. Compared to the HD6XX, you can't see the inside through the grid on the backside, but this is hidden by a thin foam inside.
The earpads have a velour cover (which crunches a bit with glasses), which encloses the complete ear and fits very secure due to the (a bit too tight) contact pressure of the case.
On the headband there is a foam padding, which prevents pressure pain as far as possible and allows wearing the headphones for a long time.
The wearing comfort is therefore good, but somewhat limited by the high contact pressure and the somewhat spartan padding on the headband. I prefer a flexible headband.
The accessories are reduced to a minimum, i.e. the same 3.5mm cable (1.8m) as with the HD6XX, plus an adapter to 6.3mm jack. The cable consists of two quite thick strands (left/right), which are led parallel. The connection to the headphones is done via a 2-pin connector (both sides).
So we don't get much, but the most necessary things, which is also quite sufficient with regard to the price. Here, the headphones themselves are clearly in the foreground, and even without accessories, the price would justify itself for me. The HD58X is even 40 € cheaper than the HD6XX.
Due to the open construction, one cannot speak of an isolation, which makes the HD58X only limited suitable for the public, whether on the street or in the office.
Sound
Bass
In the bass we have a quantitative increase to the HD6XX. But this increase does not turn the whole signature upside down, but provides a somewhat stronger punch compared to the HD6XX. Qualitatively, the two don't take much, it's just a bit more present, which could please one or the other, but also scare off others. In the subrange I still miss a bit of pressure, but nevertheless I have the slightly higher expansion on the HD58X.
Mids
The mids have a good presence and play clearly and directly. However, I find them a bit demanding in the upper range with a slight shrillness in some songs. But they have the desired energy, which I sometimes miss on HD6XX. Vocals are a bit more in the foreground and have mostly a natural timbre, but are sometimes a bit garish, which can lead to symptoms of fatigue. Qualitatively they are however in sum quite high, both in resolution and tonal. However, you should keep an eye on the volume. This midrange presentation can be a curse and a blessing at the same time, especially if you love vocals. But for me the (upper) mids are still absolutely in the tolerable range.
Trebles
As with the HD6XX, the high frequency of the HD58X could be a bit more intense. It avoids the sibilants very well and has a good resolution, but I see some quality advantages with the HD6XX, which are not decisive. In comparison, the lower trebles are a bit more reduced, so that the upper mids are more effective than on the HD6XX.
This makes the HD58X a little bit more mid-focused, which is nothing bad per se, but the balance and naturalness is lost a bit. Concerning the level of detail, both meet at eye level with a slight advantage on the HD6XX, which doesn't fire a spectacle either, but acts a bit more defined and leaves a more mature impression.
Stage
Despite the open design of the HD58X, the stage does not set any standards and moves on the same (good) level of the HD6XX with slight subjective advantages in all directions on the side of the HD58X, which certainly creates more tension, but is only a nuance.
Imaging
The separation appears a bit sharper than on the HD6XX due to the more direct response and voices come more to the fore, which also creates a more distinct depth, but there are no worlds in imaging between the HD58X and the HD6XX. The result is a clean 3D image, but this can by no means compete with the imaging of an AKG K812. Appropriate to the price is the right description.
Outro
This review is not intended to be a shootout between the HD6XX and the HD58X. Both have their right to exist. point. Nevertheless the comparison is obvious. The HD58X radiates more energy and also has the slightly better extension in the low frequency range. Due to the clearer focus on the upper mids due to the somewhat restrained lower treble range compared to the HD6XX, the absolute balance gets a bit lost, but still, the HD58X strives for a neutral sound with a slight warmth.
However, the mids are a bit glaring and not as deep relaxed as on the HD6XX. In return, the HD58X sounds more lively and direct in its response, but I would attest the HD6XX a slightly better resolution, even if it doesn't have the clarity of the HD58X in comparison.
In the end it depends on the personal preferences. If the HD6XX already brings you too much bass, you shouldn't orientate to the HD58X, but rather to the HD600. But if you want a little more liveliness from the HD6XX besides a balanced sound, you can risk an ear and get a competent headphone at an absolute price-performance hit. For me the HD6XX is the more mature and natural one of both, but the more fun and clearer one is the HD58X.