[mix4fix]

I have a pair of Sennheisers headphones that are falling apart. The band just started to crack. The foam padding is gone. But, for some reason, I don't wanna give up my hooptie headphones. I should get some new ones.

Should I keep em, because I should stick with what works?

or

I work hard, and I deserve a new pair!

[FullRangeMan]

This brand usually have replacement parts, if the price is low it is worth. However there is cheap brand new HE400SE (stealth magnets) for $109 in stock:
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he400se.html

[toocool4]

If you like them and are happy with them, just order replacement part and continue enjoying your headphones. 

[SteveFord]

The AC crowd is letting the side down.
We're here to enable one another so:
Fix the old ones
and
Buy something different so you can switch back and forth.

[mix4fix]

I want new headphones.

I just don't know which ones to get.

[FullRangeMan]

I would like a HifiMan Edition X used or Arya 2020 Non Stealth Magnet, not a fan of these new Stealth Magnets.
Checkout some reviews:
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews

[GeorgeAb]

I want new headphones.

I just don't know which ones to get.

It would help if we knew which model of Sennhesier you have. If you like the Sennhesier sound or want something a tad different. If you want open or closed headphones. Also what you drive them with as some of the headphones I like have high impedence as do some high end Senns.  Not knowing any of these things we are just spitballing, so let the spitballing begin. For open back traditional transducers and classic German quality, I like Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser. Most of their models are also comfortable which is something I value. I loved my Beyer T1.2s but decided to go back to Sennheiser just to change things up. Their flagship T1.2's now T1.3 are not horrible expenseive, but their modest price DT990 for $160 are excellent. For a modest price I like the Senn 660S which I use for casual listening. They are like $400ish new on sale. Much cheaper on used market. I use Senn 800S for dedicated listening, but they are flagship and are priced accordingly. The 800S are high impedance so really need a quality headphone amp to get the most out of them. The 600S are more comfortable and easy to drive. 

[dB Cooper]

Agree, helpful to know which you have now.


Sennheiser used to have replacement parts for just about everything they ever made. Headband pads, earpads, drivers etc. Up until a few years ago you could still get drivers for the 414- a '60s model. Can't get those now but you could still get the earpads last I heard. I don't know if that's still true since they sold off the consumer line a couple years back.


If it is something 600 series, and you like it, get a Massdrop (excuse me, 'Drop') HD6xx if you can't find parts or decide repair isn't cost effective.

[dB Cooper]

I would like a HifiMan Edition X used or Arya 2020 Non Stealth Magnet, not a fan of these new Stealth Magnets.
Checkout some reviews:
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews

Do you own stock in Hifiman?

[mix4fix]

Agree, helpful to know which you have now.


Sennheiser used to have replacement parts for just about everything they ever made. Headband pads, earpads, drivers etc. Up until a few years ago you could still get drivers for the 414- a '60s model. Can't get those now but you could still get the earpads last I heard. I don't know if that's still true since they sold off the consumer line a couple years back.


If it is something 600 series, and you like it, get a Massdrop (excuse me, 'Drop') HD6xx if you can't find parts or decide repair isn't cost effective.

HD-515
I believe I got them from Tweeter years and years ago.

Who has used Drop before?

[GeorgeAb]

HD 515 which are open back and low impedence (easy to drive). Would be good to know you budget; pardon, I should of asked when I asked what headphones you have. As long as I'm asking what are you driving them, a receiver's headphone output, deciacted headphone amp, or do you use an iphone or want to use both (like for travel)?

You could replace the HD515 for around $60 used which is likely what the replacement parts will run you. If you are going to replace, then I would step it up in performance. If you stick to Senn the HD660S would be a significant step up. 150 ohm output impedence so could still drive with a iphone, but a receiver's amp would be preferred. Super comfortable and approach the performance of the Senns flagship HD800S (I said approach). Beyerdynamic are IMO the best performance for the money. The Amiron Home is comparalble to the HD660S and the DT990 pro can be had for under $160 new. A significant performance increase over the 515 in detail. They do have a slightly V shaped frequence response, but reasonable. All the models I mention are are higher impedence from 150 to 250 ohms compared to the 50 ohms of your 515's. 

This is the fequency response of your 515's, you can look at heaphones that have similar response or maybe you may want some more bass. The link I am sending you to is for equalizing the Harmon curve, but it provides the baseline response for pretty much all headphone models so you can compare. You will notice how bass shy your 515's are.   https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/referenceaudioanalyzer/referenceaudioanalyzer_hdm1_harman_over-ear_2018/Sennheiser%20HD%20515
DT990's for comparison: https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/oratory1990/harman_over-ear_2018/Beyerdynamic%20DT%20990%20250%20Ohm
All headphones: https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/referenceaudioanalyzer

[mresseguie]

Would you be interested in a pair of barely used HD800s?

Michael

[SteveFord]

I've got the Amiron Home headphones, they're okay, little bass heavy for my tastes.
Guess I'm really part of the Stax Army at heart.

[rocker9999]

Try this!

[dB Cooper]

HD-515
I believe I got them from Tweeter years and years ago.

Who has used Drop before?

I have, They were fine to deal with but I think most of their items are returnable only if defective so no buyer's remorse returns. This might apply to group orders only, not in-stock items, but check first. Bought two different Etymotic IEMs. They do stock some products (of which the HD6xx is one) for immedaite delivery; others they gather enough customers to do a 'drop' (group bulk order) over a specified time period. I believe mfr warranty applies on what they sell; definitely for Etymotic and Sennheiser.

[mix4fix]

I was randomly looking at Senheisers at Crutchfield.

What is the difference between:

HD-XXX"S" and HD-XXX?

[FullRangeMan]

Black paint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkZPj9F0y18

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/sennheiser/hd-800-s

[mix4fix]

Opinions?

HD-559
$99.95

HD-569
$149.95

HD-599
$199.95 - $50.00 = $149.95

HD-560S
$199.95 - $20.00 = $179.95

[GeorgeAb]

Opinions?

HD-559
$99.95

HD-569
$149.95

HD-599
$199.95 - $50.00 = $149.95

HD-560S
$199.95 - $20.00 = $179.95

Per Rtings.com

"The Sennheiser HD 599 and Sennheiser HD 560S are closely-matched in regards to neutral sound. The HD 599 are more comfortable, have a better-balanced treble range, and a more spacious soundstage. The HD 560S offer a more stable fit, a more neutral bass and mid-range, better stereo imaging performance, and demonstrate slightly less distortion at high volumes."

HD-560S is what I would go for based on newest Sennheiser transducer and what I read on Rtings as mid-range is where most of the music is. Both are slightly bass shy, but compared to what you are used to on bass compartment either the 560S and 599 will be a big step up. Both will be a big step up in virtual all areas compared to your 515s. Not real fond of the way the HD-599 look and for me aesthetics count.

[mix4fix]

You ever bought something, and you forgot you bought it?

Well, I bought Sennheiser HD558 some time ago from Best Buy. I just found them. Still in the box. Still in the bag.

 

Plus, today I ran to Best Buy today and got HD560S on sale.