[jakeusticus]

What did yours first sound like?
I have just bought a pair of Senn HD595's and if I'm honest, I'm a little underwhelmed.
They sound very muddy, not particularly focused, and are lacking mid-range. Considering every review I read pointed to these as being very good, is it just that they need running in? How much running in?
I hope they will grow better in time

[chippyteaforme]

Originally Posted by jakeusticus

What did yours first sound like?
I have just bought a pair of Senn HD595's and if I'm honest, I'm a little underwhelmed.
They sound very muddy, not particularly focused, and are lacking mid-range. Considering every review I read pointed to these as being very good, is it just that they need running in? How much running in?
I hope they will grow better in time

I think mine sounded A LOT better after about 50 hours - they need a lot less time to 'burn in' than, for example, the AKG K701.

However, I found with the HD595 it was easy just to burn them in by using them as much as possible. You'll hear the headphones improve within quite a small timeframe.

Also, what are you using as a source? If you are stepping up from cheaper headphones, be aware that these will expose flaws in any recordings / equipment

[jakeusticus]

Originally Posted by Bencrest

Also, what are you using as a source? If you are stepping up from cheaper headphones, be aware that these will expose flaws in any recordings / equipment

I've been upgrading my equipment as well hence the change of 'phones, so I hope its not the source
I am listening to a NAD C525 CD through a Sony DG910 Amp.
Let's hope they just need running in, I can manage 50 hours

[Mat-Pecker]

Hi,

I would advise you to get an amp for the headphones.

They sound so much more detailed and have deeper base when played through a amp.

I used to use a C&C box +.

[jakeusticus]

Originally Posted by Mat-Pecker

Hi,

I would advise you to get an amp for the headphones.

They sound so much more detailed and have deeper base when played through a amp.

I used to use a C&C box +.

Thanks for that, something I may well look into in the future. However, just that post has reminded me of this thread- I should let you know, having had almost a weeks use of the 'phones, they are completely different. I wasn't expecting there to be that much of an improvement- but like Bencrest found above there was, now I can actually compare them to the comments made in all those positive reviews. Very pleased with them now.

[anthonylei]

get an amp + decnet DAC + burn in

I am currently using little dot MKIII amp + Beresford TC-7510 dac

[tugboatbill]

anthonylei, I have recently added the amazing Beresford to my setup

next on my list is the SqueezeBox and a pair of HD 595's. I have read that the headphone amp on the Beresford is a mighty big added bonus, giving a superb detailed sound, my question is do you find that the Little Dot adds anything extra to the sound?

[Naqv]

I still remeber the first day I tried HD595 on Battlefield to be precise. Previously, I had used £10< phones and never had expensive headphones.
The first time I used them, I was VERY dissapointed and felt as though I was robbed. I experienced the exact symptons that you have mentioned (muddled sound/crap mid sound), however, after a couple of days, they transformed completly and sound absolutely amazing. Now I can never use cheap cans again.

Truthfully, I know exactly how you are feeling, but they WILL improve.

EDIT: Just read your last comment, and see that you have changed your mind like I did. I wrote the above^ before i read you last comment, so I must have been right :D

[jakeusticus]

Originally Posted by Naqv

Truthfully, I know exactly how you are feeling, but they WILL improve.

EDIT: Just read your last comment, and see that you have changed your mind like I did. I wrote the above^ before i read you last comment, so I must have been right :D

Indeed you were! feeling 'robbed' describes my initial feelings exactly- but not now . No, I can't go back to cheap headphones anymore, which is probably a bad thing