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Author Topic: HD518 Measurements and stuff  (Read 9633 times)

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ultrabike

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HD518 Measurements and stuff
« on: February 07, 2014, 09:46:22 AM »
A friend lent me these for a few days. IMO these are a great deal for $70 something. This particular set is pristine and well taken care off.

Sound

Awesome. These sound very close to my HD558s. Perhaps a little more bass slam and darker, but fairly close. That said, IMO this is not a basshead phone (the owner is a proud bottom note luver that prefers his M-50s, and is planning on a DIY >= 18" sub). Like the HD558, these are not analytical nor huge detail extractors. However, I feel these offer great balance, and are easy on the ears.

Comfort

Pretty comfy... However, my HD558 stock cushions seem higher quality and softer than what came with these. Pads are replaceable tho, and I think HD558 pads fit these.

Presentation

I prefer the presentation of my HD558s better, but these look K to me. Many might not agree w me, but I like how these ones look better than the HD598.

Price

When I got my HD558s, they where cheaper used than the HD518 (used or not). Now it's the other way around, so if I was on the market for mid-fi stuff, these would be at the top of my list. For ~$70 these should be kicking ass and taking names at every local store stand. However while Dubstep Girl agrees, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus don't. Proly needs moar bling.

Overal

Awesome.

Measurements

Frequency Response



CSD Right



CSD Left



Distortion Right



Distortion Left



Impedance

« Last Edit: February 08, 2014, 04:18:06 AM by ultrabike »
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ultrabike

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2014, 10:01:07 AM »
Frequency response comparos

HD558 (white) vs HD518 (red)



HD600 (blue) vs HD518 (red)



HD600 (blue) vs HD558 (white)

« Last Edit: February 08, 2014, 04:20:30 AM by ultrabike »
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riker1384

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2014, 12:07:06 PM »
Thanks for the measurements. I bought these as a gift for someone so it's good to see that they're competitive with the other Senns I've heard.

Why the 20db scale, though? It makes the phones you measure look better than purr in's at first glance. Why not match his 10db scale?
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ultrabike

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2014, 05:42:33 PM »
Quote from: riker1384 on February 07, 2014, 12:07:06 PM
Thanks for the measurements. I bought these as a gift for someone so it's good to see that they're competitive with the other Senns I've heard.

Why the 20db scale, though? It makes the phones you measure look better than purr in's at first glance. Why not match his 10db scale?

EDIT: I see what you mean. I don't think the grid resolution is that important, but the y-scale range is about 60 dB instead of 36 dB. I'll correct that tonite.
« Last Edit: February 07, 2014, 06:01:39 PM by ultrabike »
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OJneg

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2014, 08:01:13 PM »
Even the lower end models on the HD series are excellent in terms of neutrality. This is why I've been a Senn fanboy for so long I suppose. :)p1
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jerg

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2014, 08:38:33 PM »
Indeed the 20 dB grid makes things look nicer than they might be, most of us here are entirely used to Marv's 10 dB grid with regards to evaluating the FR patterns.
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donunus

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2014, 10:48:58 PM »
Are they about as refined as the hd598? But with a slightly different tonality? That would be a great value indeed
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ultrabike

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2014, 12:47:35 AM »
I think they are somewhat close to the HD558s. I only have limited experience with the HD598s. That said I listened to this particular set (HD518) before making measurements for a reasonable chunk of time, and at least this particular sample is definitively darker and has more bass than my HD558s and HD600s.

They are relatively fairly smooth to my ears though. That is commendable given the price point. I also find them elegant and comfortable. IMO they have a lot of things going for them.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2014, 12:58:04 AM by ultrabike »
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ultrabike

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2014, 04:20:56 AM »
Plots updated! :)p4
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jerg

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Re: HD518 Measurements and stuff
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2014, 05:11:47 AM »
What a fat bottom!  headbang
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