New Drop Customers: Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones Expired

Picked these up the last time they had this offer and I couldn't be happier with them. Easy to drive and they sound fantastic.

Compared to the other headphones I own or owned:

Philips SHP-9500 - I've had these headphones the longest and still own a set since they can't be beat for sound stage and makes a great gaming headphone (just attach a V-Moda boompro mic and off you go) but The 58X are the perfect upgrade. The 58X doesn't have the sound stage but they sound so natural and effortless in music reproduction. I now understand when reviewers say that the SHP-9500's sound grainy and thin. Compared to the 58X they are. I'll continue to sing the praises of my beloved SHP-9500's but when it comes to music I keep reaching for my 58X Jubilees.
Grado SR125 - These and the SR80s were my first bigger purchase when it came to headphones and they are treble and detail machines. It seems like as you climb the Grado product line the low end becomes more recessed and the treble becomes more harsh. The 58X is just smooth and relatively neutral (although the bass may be ever so slightly bumped up)

I own(ed) quite a few other headphones but couldn't put them in the same category for proper comparison.

In the end if you want one of the best headphones that doesn't require, but would benefit from, an amp get the 58X Jubilee's. If you have to have the best of the best you may want to spring for the 6XX as it is supposed to have slightly more detail. Just keep in mind you would likely also want to invest in an amp to make the best use of the 6XX which will likely run another $100 or more.

That's my two cents. I hope it helps someone.

For those with no hi-fi experience, I'd easily recommend the HD 58X Jubilee. The HD 6XX is the better headphone, but more suited as your second/upgrade headphone, and here's why:

1.) HD 58X has more sub bass and liveliness in the upper mids, while the HD 6XX has more of a dry, neutral sound.
For new enthusiasts, this is more of the signature they expect, and it will still be a big upgrade from most off-the-shelf headphones, computer speakers, and TV speakers.

2.) The HD 58X is easier to drive well.
Both headphones usually get "loud enough," but without including a DAC/amp into the HD 6XX's budget (so it's not really a $50 difference, I'd say it's more like a $150 difference so you can also get a good amp), the HD 6XX may actually sound more congested and veiled than the HD 58X straight from a tablet or smartphone.

With that said... once you get the gear that stops holding the HD 650 back, it has the smoother, cleaner, more refined sound that you can listen to for 8 hours and still enjoy it's more subtle but beguiling sound. I have the HD 58X Jubilee, HD 650 (= HD 6XX), and a bunch of other headphones.

For over $100 more, I would hope so too, but some people say otherwise, like rtings.com gives the AirPod Pro's a 6.5 rating (for sound) [rtings.com] and the 58X Jubilee's an 8.1 rating [rtings.com]. But these are 2 different types of headphones for totally different things. So to me they don't really compare, sound wise or functionality.