I've only had these headphones for a few days, so these can be considered preliminary impressions.   Using Spotify Extreme with Equalify plugin -> Schiit Bifrost Multibit -> Violectric V200 -> HD800 S   Build quality seems as good as I would expect from Sennheiser for the price.  Comfort is very good, though the fit isn't quite as good as HD600.   I'd rather see them make the balanced cable optional if that would lower the price a bit.   Without EQ, I find the bass and upper mids both to be just a little lacking and prefer the sound I get...

At the time of this writing, these headphones cost less than $100 on Amazon.  At that price point, they are an incredible value.  For some reason, these headphones seem to be damned with faint praise in many reviews on the web.  What the 558 offer: -Beautiful, natural, relatively neutral sound overall -Forward, engaging mids (what I like best about these) -Non-fatiguing highs -Rich bass with good bass impact but not exagerrated bass (look elsewhere for "bass monsters") -Wide soundstage -One-sided, replaceable cable -Good looks  -Easy to...

I have the DT-880 Pro (250 Ohm) model and also own and regularly listen to a Hifiman HE-400, Sennheiser HD600, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (80 Ohm), V-MODA M-80, and others. The DT-880 is really the only one that I find to excel at all genres from rap to classical and everything in between. None of the others have this much bass extension and impact, detailed highs that sparkle (a little bit sibilant though), and an overall neutral sound signature. For that reason, and because they are lighter and more comfortable than the HE-400, the DT880 are my...

I've got 3 pairs of these - two came with iPhones (mic version) and one with an iPod Touch (no mic version).  All sound the same.   The EarPods sound much better than I expected they would, and despite owning many more expensive headphones, these have a regular place in my rotation.   Sound is natural and nicely balanced - very pleasing signature.   For the most part, I use them in the office, where I want to be able to listen to music but also to hear others around me.  My other headphones are either too big and bulky or too isolating.   The...

First things first, there is a simple trick that solves all the complaints about the cable connectors - simply rotate each 720 degrees counterclockwise to build up some torque before you screw each one on clockwise.  Since you only need to screw 540 degrees clockwise to fasten them, the extra twist remaining in the cable keeps them securely fastened without having to overtighten.   The build is nothing special.  Yes the R/L markings rub off.  Also the screw placement is oddly asymmetrical.  Materials are not luxurious, and comfort is just average...