"Robert Morein" wrote in message


It's not inconceivable that later model 580's might have higher
sensitivity.

It's possible.

A friend of mine and I mutually reached the conclusion
that the Sony MDR-V600 is a better choice for portable apps.

As close as I've gotten to those is my Sony 7506 which are from the same
family of products, but not the same product. I believe that the common
component is the driver which is among the flattest on the market.

It has much higher sensitivity than our 580 samples, and a closed
back, which is useful if you're on a noisy train.

It's definitely brighter. Depending on your tastes, that's either the good
news or the bad news. IME none of the Sony MDR V600/MDR V6/MDR 7506 family
are as comfortable in the long haul as the Sennheiser 580s.

For portable listening, the value/performance/isolation leaders are IME the
Sony EX-70 ear buds, which provide a similar kind of sound. Reasonably
smooth, strong bass, pretty bright.

One hidden agenda item in any discussion of headphones and ear buds is that
the structure of the individual ear very much affects their frequency
response and comfort. A headphone that sounds smooth and balanced for one
person can easily be peaky and harsh for the next. Personal taste explains
part of it, but in fact the equipment is performing significantly
differently as well.