Massdrop HD58X (revised) Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Jun 25, 2018.

  1. spronkey

    spronkey New

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    These do sound pretty good from tubes. If you're the type that likes more analytical and sparkly headphones you'll probably prefer them on solid state though.

    They benefit from tubes probably more than the HD650. Tames the slight harshness of the highs that the 58X has (where the 650 doesn't need any taming around there).
     
  2. Baten

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    I would expect the HD650's to play much better with tubes considering the 58X's lower 150ohms..
     
  3. RiddleyWalker

    RiddleyWalker Friend

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    I would be cautious making such assumptions. I assume you’re referring to OTL amps with high output impedance. IMO 120 ohms is too high for the 58X, but I also think that’s too high for the 650. Amps around 8-30 ohms output impedance sound great with both the 58X and 650 IMO.

    Needless to say, it ultimately comes down to finding good synergies. For example, simply changing the tube(s) on the ZDS or Sonett 2 can shift the tonal balance in favor of one headphone over another.
     
  4. Baten

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    Absolutely some tubes will drive down the output impedance quite a bit, but still I would think the 58X's 120 ohms would be harder to match to an OTL tube amp but maybe I'm overestimating the difference with the HD650, I'm not sure!
     
  5. I_want_all_the_tacos

    I_want_all_the_tacos Friend

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    Keep in mind not all OTL amps are created equal. My OTL Schiit Valhalla 2's output impedance is 3.5 Ohm on low gain and 14 Ohm on high gain. Either way, both would satisfy the 1/8th rule of thumb. In my experience with Valhalla 2 it never seems to bloat the bass. It does very well with HD650 and I'm guessing it wouldn't cause any issues with HD58X.
     
  6. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    Can the stock cable be reterminated to balanced?
     
  7. donunus

    donunus Friend

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    So I finally ordered a Vali 2 on the day that they were supposed to be back in stock then schiit happened, backordered til the 23d again. Looks like they are going to arrive at the same time as my NOS tube and I just have to be content with the ifi nano bl for now.

    These cans do sound pretty darn decent out of the ifi but I have a feeling that I'm going to get a more spacious experience with the vali 2 and reflektor tubes.
     
  8. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    From what I gather, the lower impedance of the hd58x means they don't scale as well as the 650s with higher end gear. So I ask this. Does the hd58x play better or 'get more' out of lower end gear than the 650s? In other words, does it reach it's '100%' more cheaply than a 650, even if the 650's '100%' is still better?

    If so, I would actually consider that a plus since I already own a Vali 2 (which I guess I would consider low end) and don't plan on expending any more cash on say a Mjolnir 2 any time soon. Thx in advance for any help!
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2018
  9. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    That's somewhat of a difficult answer. But the short answer is the 650 is still better with lesser gear. I've been listening to the 650 (for many years) and the 58x since it's release. I like them both quite a bit. Here are a few things to consider:

    *the vali 2 is not low end. It punches way above it's weight class provided you swap out the stock tube with something NOS. I would really call the mjolnir 2 the spendy upgrade to the Vali 2, as I think that the lyr 3 is the better amp and upgrade path

    *preferences will always come into play with a question like this

    *when I'm using just a DAP, the 58x and it's ability to be driver somewhat easier does in fact win out over the 650 for me. So in this particular instance, the answer to your question is yes
     
  10. Ice-man

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    That's somewhat of a difficult answer. But the short answer is the 650 is still better with lesser gear. I've been listening to the 650 (for many years) and the 58x since it's release. I like them both quite a bit. Here are a few things to consider:

    *the vali 2 is not low end. It punches way above it's weight class provided you swap out the stock tube with something NOS. I would not really call the mjolnir 2 the spendy upgrade to the Vali 2, as I think that the lyr 3 is the better amp and upgrade path

    *preferences will always come into play with a question like this

    *when I'm using just a DAP, the 58x and it's ability to be driven somewhat easier does in fact win out over the 650 for me. So in this particular instance, the answer to your question is yes
     
  11. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    If you have a Vali 2, just get the 650/6xx; hell I have a friend that loves his 6xx powered by a Fulla 2. The easier drive for the 58x really only comes into play with sources with low voltage drive (like a phone).

    Sidebar: I wouldn't say that Lyr 3 is the "better" amp overall, but it's quite competitive with the Mjolnir 2 (they both do different things well) for a lot less cost, so I would say it's better value for sure.
     
  12. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    Heh, sometimes SBAF feels like a great customer service hotline or something for headphone stuff :) Love it! The feedback is appreciated muchly.
     
  13. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    For what it's worth, I actually auditioned the 650s for an extended period of time. I appreciated their weight and comfort, how they play so well with especially trebley tracks (or just treble period), and just their overall comfiness owing to both how they fit and their overall sound signature. Like hugging a big snuggly pillow by a campfire before you take a nap.

    At the end of the day though, the he4xx's I already owned won out. In comparison to them, I just couldn't get away from the cramped soundstage, woolly mid-bass, and that excessive warmth and veil that would make me feel like I was missing something. I'd find myself reaching for the Chifiman's to get that sense of clarity back. That, and with my budget I couldn't justify owning both, positives notwithstanding. Thought about modding, but I was essentially 'renting' them for 30 days from Amazon so I couldn't really do that. And besides, surely it wouldn't make that much of a difference anyways, right?

    This is all IMO of course. I mean, I'm sure those with more penetrative sonic abilities are able to appreciate things I don't, like how how I've heard they so 'seamlessly transition from midrange to treble', their overall coherence and resolving nature--golden ears and all that. And maybe I just didn't give myself enough time to get used to them, hard to tell.

    Whew! Anyway, back to the hd58x's. Is it foolhardy to think they're that much different than the 650s? I dunno, I'm not honestly sure how interested in them I really am anyways--but the $150 price point, reports of them sort of 'splitting the difference' between the 600 and 650s, and their improved bass and such definitely got my ears perked up. If they could successfully keep all the things I liked about the 650s while improving (to a reasonable degree) what I disliked about them, I'd be highly interested. Am assuming they'd play nicer with my V20 too as well. Thx again for the feedback!
     
  14. Outerspace Wasabi

    Outerspace Wasabi Friend

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    I just received the HD58X....listening to it, now...

    At this point, my thoughts are ...

    Although the 650 is my original sweetheart, producing a sound that makes love to me, the 58X -- having an upper-end with a bit more bite and a lower-end with a bit more growl -- is, to me, a bit more naughty and a bit more adventurous ....


    ... and...

    ---I gotta say...

    ... I like it...

    @chrolls the HE4XX, ... I love it, too (not as much as the 650) but it plays a little too rough, sometimes... it gets a little stabby.
     
  15. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    Good to know! Its nice having a common point of reference for comparison purposes. Also in line with what I've heard from other people.

    Just out of curiosity, did u ever mod your he4xx's? I don't necessarily like feeling as if I need to mod to get where I want (although it is kinda nice being able to tune them one way or another), but fwiw a pad swap w/Ori's seemed to mostly smooth over the occasional unpleasant sibilance. I do sometimes find they have a little TOO much 'clarity' though as you say which might make the hd58x's a good complement. Appreciate the help!
     
  16. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

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    I haven't had the 58X long enough to say much more than this, but they are really enjoyable, and largely fatigue free. If the 660S was just a 58X with better technicalities, they really would have had something.
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2018
  17. Outerspace Wasabi

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    Mine is unmodded... Regardless, factoring in price, the HE4XX is an exceptional headphone. And I feel that if you really like the 4XX, then you're really going to like the 58X--it's not a bright headphone but it is brighter than the 650, and therefore shouldn't exhibit the so called veil. I say "should," however, because I personally don't detect this reputed 'veil,' so I'm not certain. I think many people misconstrue the 650's warmth and euphonious character as a veil. I also think "veiled" might be a reference to the original 650 but not applicable to its most recent iteration. And I also also think that lots of people aren't adequately amping their 650s--they like some juice.
     
  18. donunus

    donunus Friend

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    Just curious if anyone knows whether the pads these hs58x come with are identical to the new ones that the hd660s uses or if they have their own slightly different one. I am asking because now I am getting paranoid for the time that I need to replace these lol. I wouldn't want to change how these sound unless it's all for the better with different pads.
     
  19. Baten

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    Exact same spare part from sennheiser although I think the earpads have gotten a little stiffer over the years, I believe they take longer to get "worn out" because of this. No new spare part has been made available for the HD660 except for the new pentagon 4.4mm cable which is something new.

    From Sennheiser: Annular ear cushion with disk (pair), suitable for: HD 545, HD 545 II, HD 565, HD 565 II, HD 580, HD 580 Jubilee, HD 600, HD 650, HD 660 S.
     
  20. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

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    The earpads feel different to me. Maybe the foam was firmer on the 660S pads, compared to the 58X. They're basically the same though.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2018

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