Sen 595 vs Sen 555

[Dennis]

would it be worth the upgrade?

[GearSlave]

I'm grappling with this very concept. From what I've read they are very, very similar. So much so, that the drive units are the same. The 555's are the 'B' batch and the 595's the 'A' batch. Things like channel balance and conformity are manually verified on the 595, I believe. This does bring with it a R1k increase in SA, although I'm very tempted to get the 595 on special here in Europe, so my 555's might just be available for cheap

[u235]

I sold my 595's recently on this forum - they were brilliant sound-wise (better than anything I've had through a speaker) but my big skulls found the ear pads a bit tight behind the ears. Never tried the 555s. Ask xumbug.

[Dennis]

I'm grappling with this very concept. From what I've read they are very, very similar. So much so, that the drive units are the same. The 555's are the 'B' batch and the 595's the 'A' batch. Things like channel balance and conformity are manually verified on the 595, I believe. This does bring with it a R1k increase in SA, although I'm very tempted to get the 595 on special here in Europe, so my 555's might just be available for cheap

I am getting a pair this afternoon, so another set of 555 will be up for sale soon, what will be an good price for a used (as new) pair of 555?

[Dennis]

Got the 595's, will have a listen over the weekend and give my opinion between it and the 555.

[naughty]

most parts on both those sets are user replaceable - so considering that both use the same drive units its easy to actually modify the lower model to sound more or less the same as the higher one - you just need to open the unit and remove a foam backing that is attached to the grille and voila a more dynamic presentation and a larger more open soundstage which gets the sound closer to the higher model )identical actually according to the guys doing the mods)  - then there are mods you could do to improve either ie cutting a bit of the inner steel grilles (not for the fainthearted) and then strategically placing foam between specific gaps and edges between the two grilles on those - not really easy but it can pay huge dividends if executed properly

then theres also the fact that Sennheiser have just released a new range overseas ie the 518. 558, and 598 to replace the 515. 555 and 595 - these will be here shortly enough ie in less than 6 months i would assume so that an upgrade should logically entail going to a newer model line IMHO

[Dennis]

Had a quick listen to the 595 and 555 last night, driven by Dacmagic and Linn Wakonda pre.

The 595 is much more comfortable.
The sound more controlled and with better detail.

I asked my wife, who does not really care, to also have a listen and give me her opinion.
She confirmed my opinions, but her eyes almost popped when she saw the price tag on the box of the 595's, R2999.

I however did not buy them new, 4 months old, as good as new, for less than half the price.

Now, I just have to wait for master Gert! 

[BigWoodenSpoon]

Were they run in during those 4 months by the previous owner ? if not run them in while you wait on Mr B 

[Dennis]

Were they run in during those 4 months by the previous owner ? if not run them in while you wait on Mr B 

Don't think so, the guy said that he used them three times.

[GearSlave]

Damn, Megapool and MediaMarkt were sold when I went past yesterday. They could get it for me in 24hrs, but it was a little late. Going rate? R1500 a set, almost half the price of the units here. Grrrr!!

[Scrat]

I see the 555's goin for R1200 from take2.co.za, by import form the US (click on "More USA" and do a search for them)

[GearSlave]

I paid R1400 locally for my 555's. Less worries about importing and instant gratification

[Scrat]

Last time I looked around, they were about R1800, but I see you get them everywhere now for around the R1400 mark. Interesting.... new model coming out perhaps? Or is this just rand strength coming through now?

[GearSlave]

Must be heh. It still grinds me as I can get them in Europe for around 90 Euro.

[naughty]

Last time I looked around, they were about R1800, but I see you get them everywhere now for around the R1400 mark. Interesting.... new model coming out perhaps? Or is this just rand strength coming through now?

did you not read my post up above - i did mention that the 515, 555 and 595 are being replaced by the 518, 558 and 598 respectively - the new ones will be here soon