Massdrop x Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee

Morning Musings: part ii

I thought that I'd update my impressions now that the new has worn off these a bit and I've burned them in for the past week.

1. I like these headphones. Initially I was worried that they would not be complementary enough to justify owning them. Well, they are complementary and I quite enjoy listing to them. Even despite the "retune" that they got before shipping, just the absence of the mid bass hump and a little extra sub bass makes these a good listen. There is a bit more air to the signature and the stage sounds a little less restricted.

2. While I don't see myself ever giving up my 650, there are some things that I like about the 58x even more. Strings instruments and especially guitar has a touch more crunch and resonance that gives it a more natural tonal character. The 58x is great for folk, Americana and acoustic pieces.

3. While I prefer the 650 on the Gilmore Lite mkii, the 58x sounds best on the lyr 3 with the Ken Rad.So tubes seems to provide the right synergy IME for the 58x.

4. The 58x is very much non-fatiguing and I can listen to it for hours on end.

5. I really don't see any more room for variation in this family of headphones. I think that they've covered the entire spectrum and there is something here for everyone. And again, for the price of admission ($150 shipped), this is an insanely good deal. Some might call this a "fun" headphone, but I say that it's got more chops than you'd expect from a "fun" headphone. There is a real ability to resolve layers of music and microdetail. Not to the same degree as the 650 but still better than many. It has that sweet Senn signature that, for me, engages me effortlessly. I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

 

Have you tried some classical tracks on them? I was wondering how they are for complex orchestra music.

 

It's funny that you should ask that. I just had a long classical session this morning. These headphones actually work pretty well for classical. I was very happy much better than the 6 5 0.

 

That's nice to know. One thing I never liked about the 650s was their rather poor rendition of classical music. The details were lost due to slightly subdued treble. I liked 600s more than 650s for classical, but I could never appreciate 600's 'too forward' midrange. Your impression is now pushing me towards the 58x.

 

Been listening to mine with a Fulla 2, this is a kick ass setup for $250.

I took apart my pair to see what changes they made with the new tuning. Looks quite a bit different.






The back of the driver looks very different and the grill now has some foam dampening.

 

Thank you @CEE TEE and crew for getting these made. I am really appreciating the final product here. Reminds me of a COPA Camaro or other factory hot rod where the builders rummage the parts bin and make something for themselves.

 

I’m really digging mine as well. It almost seems like there was more R&D put into these than the 660S, and I think it sounds much more cohesive as a result. I’ve been listening to them a lot with my ZX300 SE, and while it might not be the most dynamic or give me much volume headroom it sounds pretty damn good for lounging around on the couch.

 

Just noticed there are two threads for these.

Got mine in today. If you are expecting a "mainstream" headphone like the 59X family these aren't like that. The sound signature is in some ways less smooth then the 650 but the bass is better.

On these two songs(FLAC just youtube for reference) the 58X hit harder. I realize the 58X is a bit louder then the 650 but even matching best I can the 58X has more bass on the Asgard 2:



These have more in common with the 650 then the 580. The 580 were my first "real" headphones paired with the original Gilmore Lite and were my daily driver for years and years so I can say that with some authority but YMMV.

Enjoying these immensely and my LCD-2s are just sitting lol.

 

I just wanted to add that unless you are a computer don't try and volume balance between the 58X and a Audeze LCD-2. Its not possible. Just don't.

 

Thanks for the photos, this is exactly what I was looking for.

It looks like the 58X also has some modding potential. There are no spider cage or foam discs over the magnet to remove, but a thin foam covering the grill. Maybe we can start by removing that dampening to let more air out? Is the foam dampening glued to the grill, or can it easily be detached and re-attached (reversibly)?

 

I'm coming from having fed a regular 2-channel addiction for decades, and never having heard any of the other Sennheisers, i think i listened to a pair of Stax for 30 seconds back in the mid-90s, when i was a kid, but only watched reviews of the others in modern times.

One thing i'll say now and try to keep is i won't buy another pair of headphones for the purpose of home listening, unless they totally blow my 58X out of the water.

Would be cool if @CEE TEE could chime in and elucidate what Sennheiser did(if he knows/is willing to share) to the pre-production model compared to what we are enjoying at home right now. To perhaps guide the community through the next evolutionary step in getting even sweeter midrange timbre and all around kick-assness out of these seemingly capable cans.

 

The foam on the grill is not glued, it can be removed and put back in easily.

 

Just as I assumed, haha! HD555/595 driver! they just put there drivers that they had left from past models, good move sennheiser (Also thank you for revealing photo)

 

@vampula I reckon the jury is still out on the issue of this being a surplus/old driver. But even as a complete noob(6 mo.) to the HP hobby, i firmly believe the sound has a lot to do with factors outside the driver in how the cans end up sounding.

From what i've heard they started with a 660S-style driver and Sennheiser did an iteration, MD + golden ears did one and the lovechild born was the 58X.

 

I said no word about sound, and enclosure makes sound as much as pads and drivers. I personally love my hd555 more than my hd545(grandfather of hd600 with similar enclosure and identical drivers) due to angled driver aspect, that makes superior soundstage on hd515/518/555/558/569... in comparison to hd600 series. I would place 5xx series closer to hd800 than 600(again, because of that angle). And man, i would really love to have hd600's looking headphones with 5xx's angled drivers and with hd569 unique earpads.

 

Not sure how much I can say but changes were made to the diaphragm as well...

 

Did I mention how much I love the bass on these?