Anyone audio veterans know which is the better headphone?

[REDALiCE]

These are the two open back headphones within my budget. I like to ask which is the better one for music listening, gaming, and movie watching. Also does these need any form of amp to drive them?

Sennheiser HD 558 or AKG K702

[mycarsavw]

I'm far from an audio veteran but....

What are you connecting them to in order to listen to music, game and watch films? You don't need an amp to drive them, but you will benefit greatly from having one, especially as you're in the high(er) end of the price range.

As for which is better, whichever feels the nicest on your ears/head, headphones are a very personal choice.

[DanceswithUnix]

As for which is better, whichever feels the nicest on your ears/head, headphones are a very personal choice.

Totally agree, heaphones and speakers are very individual. You could really do with trying some one. Lucky for me last time I bought some headphones there were still highstreet hi-fi shops in towns, now long gone. I suppose there is still Richer Sounds that may audition some for you if you have a branch near.

[Jowsey]

I suppose there is still Richer Sounds that may audition some for you if you have a branch near.

Couldn't agree more. I have a small Richersounds and they had there entire range of headphones that they had in stock on display for your listening pleasure! They also had some they no longer stocked but kept for reference (or until they sold them as ex-display as I believe). They even offered to let me use one of there audio sources to test apples for apples in a best case scenario, so highly recommended!

In reply to OP's question, it's different strokes for different blokes. Both are well received apparently. I own a pair of HD518's and my opinion is that they are great. VERY light on head to wear but they clamped far too tight for my liking. I folded an old pillow in half and popped it in the headphones to stretch them out over night and job done, they sat snug but not tight.

Best piece of advice, as mentioned before, try and test them first if at all possible.

[MrRockliffe]

The better ones are the the ones you prefer. You might find that a 100 pound pair sounds better than a 300 pound pair, because the sound they produce better suits your needs. There's no way of telling until you've owned them unfortunately.

[g8ina]

Nowt between em for sound, it's going to be all down to comfort. I'd probably put my money on the Senns, as I already use HD580s. I can wear them for 8 hours at a stretch with no discomfort whatsoever.

[MrRockliffe]

If you're anywhere near the south of England, HiFi headphones are brilliant. I spent a few hours in there trying out headphones. They just give them to you and you sit back and listen to music. Brilliant in there.

[yamangman]

I favor a £40 pair of headphones to both of those. Creative aurvana live! Extremely comfortable brilliant sound.

[herulach]

Honestly I'd recommend the SR125s over either, I find them a lot more comfortable, but I suspect I'm a bit weird.

That being said, unless you can guarantee a more or less silent listening environment I'd hazard a guess that an equivalent set of closed headphones will sound better or at least you'll lose the extra detail you get from having an open set to background noise.

[REDALiCE]

Thank You all for the reply and advice.

Can you guyz tell me which of the two headphones has a sound signature which are more suited to a broader music genre type, as I listen from music varying from orchestral, rock to electronic etc. Coz I don't live near any local shop which I can test them

[REDALiCE]

That being said, unless you can guarantee a more or less silent listening environment I'd hazard a guess that an equivalent set of closed headphones will sound better or at least you'll lose the extra detail you get from having an open set to background noise.

I got a closed back headphone for listening on the go or public listening. The open back headphone will be used at home where it's pretty much a quiet environment and i would like to try a sound stage type sounding headphone.

[g8ina]

Again, Id point you more to the Senns, the AKGs are a tad more lively - not always what you want in classical.

I listen to classical, synth, folk, and prog rock, all sound great.

[Amargorojo]

does anyone know how good the Creative mp3 players are? Im thinking about getting an mp3 player and Creative has caught my attention. Very small which i like.

[abaxas]

Random musing....

Just remember that headphones and glasses tend not to mix....

[krazy_olie]

Random musing....

Just remember that headphones and glasses tend not to mix....

depends...
I have next no issue with my hd598 and glasses. They are pretty flexible for over ear headphones, mind.

[Madman monkfish]

I would personaly say sennhiser (or however it is spelled)
They are a very reliable brand but i have never tried open back headphones want a pear tho.

But the design of the sennhiser ones are great i prefer the look of them