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Both the Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee and AKG K7XX are excellent headphones, but they serve different purposes. This comparison covers:
- HD58X Sound Signature: Neutral, dry, with better sub-bass extension and resolution
- K7XX Sound Signature: Laid-back, comfortable, perfect for movies and gaming
- Build Quality: Both are mostly plastic — the HD58X feels narrower than the HD600 line
- Value: HD58X at $150 vs HD6XX at $200 — the 6XX is worth the extra $50
- Verdict: HD58X for music, K7XX for general media consumption
Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee — the headphone that Massdrop and Sennheiser released in collaboration to remember the HD580 Jubilee which came out in the 1990s as a 50-year anniversary celebration for Sennheiser. They retail at around $150.
Sennheiser HD58X Jubilee Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ear coupling | Over-ear (circumaural) |
| Transducer principle | Open, dynamic |
| Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Frequency response | 12–38,500 Hz (-10 dB) |
| THD + N | < 0.1% at 1 kHz, 100 dB |
| SPL | 104 dB at 1V, 1 kHz |
| Connector | ⅛ in (3.5 mm) gold-plated stereo jack |
| Cable | 6 ft (1.8 m) OFC, detachable |
| Weight without cable | Approx. 9.2 oz (260 g) |
| Made in | Ireland |
But you have to wait quite some time for them unless you happen to be one of the people that got in early into this drop — which I did — and only had to wait about 2-3 weeks.
Build Quality
These are made of plastic for the most part. The only metal is present in the bridge between the cups and the headband. It's a very, very good plastic — very nice. Here you have some grey grills which also look very nice.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Materials | Mostly plastic, metal bridge |
| Grills | Grey, good looking |
| Cup size | Slightly narrower than HD600 line |
| Comfort | Very comfortable despite narrower fit |
| Driver view | Not visible — foam between grill and driver |
The size of the cups look very similar to the HD600 line, which these are part of. However, compared to the 6XX, these cups — the cup plus the pad altogether — are a tad bit narrower. Not noticeable enough to make them less comfortable, but noticeable enough to feel a difference when putting them on and off.
Unlike the HD600 where you can see the driver, with the HD58X you can't — not only because of the grey color scheme of the grill, but because there's a bit of foam in between the grill and the actual driver which does something to the sound.
I really don't think the foam prevents sound leakage because these leak a little more than the HD600. I don't know exactly why it's there, but it's there for a reason and it makes them sound good.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the 58X is absolutely delicious. It's very, very nice — a very neutral sound signature overall. A little dryer than the average HD600 sound signature.
| Aspect | HD58X Jubilee |
|---|---|
| Overall signature | Neutral, slightly dry |
| Warmth | Less warm than 6XX |
| Mid-bass | Less than 6XX |
| Sub-bass | More than 6XX — better extension |
| Mid-range | Less present than 6XX, still good |
| Resolution | Very good for $150 |
Compared to HD6XX
In comparison to the 6XX:
- Less warm — less mid-bass
- More sub-bass — better bass extension (how low it goes)
- Mid-range — not as present as the 6XX
- Vocal separation — decent, part of the HD600 line, but not as good as 6XX or 600
It's like that steak you order at a restaurant — you could be a well-done kind of guy or medium. The 6XX is more euphonically rich and juicy. The 58X is closer to dry, but not stale in any way.
AKG K7XX Comparison
In comparison to the AKG K7XX — a headphone I've had for a little more than a year — these have a similar sound signature, but not so similar to say they're the same headphone.
Sound Signature Comparison
| Aspect | HD58X Jubilee | AKG K7XX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Neutral, dry | Laid-back, comfortable |
| Mids | Stronger vocal presence | Less forward |
| Sub-bass | More presence | Less quantity |
| Treble | Neutral | Smooth, non-sibilant |
| Resolution | A little better | Good |
| Soundstage | Intimate, airy | Wide, spacious |
My take: You take the AKG K7XX, give it the Sennheiser house sound signature twist, add a little extra sub-bass in terms of quantity, and put them in a Sennheiser package. That's more or less what these are.
More mids, stronger vocal presence than the K7XX, about as much treble presence, and a little more sub-bass than the K7XX.
Despite this probably not being a popular opinion — the HD600 line is very, very neutral — I feel these can be a bit more neutral because of the overall dryer presentation. But the K7XX's laid-back nature makes it perfect for movies and gaming.
Overall Enjoyment
For Movies and Gaming
The AKG K7XX's sound signature — nothing forward, nothing back, nothing recessed — makes them perfect for watching videos, movies, playing games, or listening to music. Absolutely nothing will be sibilant or too loud or too quiet. Nothing is missing. Everything is there. Plus the extra sub-bass rumble is very good for watching movies.
HD58X vs AKG K7XX — Which Would I Keep?
I would rather keep the AKG K7XX over the HD58X despite the 58X feeling like it has a little better resolution. The K7XX is just more comfortable for general media consumption.
HD58X vs HD6XX — Which Is Better?
The HD6XX has a little better resolution than the HD58X — it's just a tiny bit more. Those extra $50 you pay for the 6XX are worth it for the slightly better resolution. But the $150 you pay for the 58X is also worth it because they're also very good.
| Comparison | HD58X | HD6XX | K7XX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $200 | ~$200 |
| Resolution | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Warmth | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sub-bass | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best for | Music | Music (+$50) | Movies/gaming |
In my personal opinion, I like the 6XX a little better than the 58X Jubilee, but the 58X Jubilee is still a very, very good headphone. If only one from the Sennheiser HD600 line existed, I would love that one regardless of which it was — the 600, the 6XX, or the 58X Jubilee.
Between 600 and 6XX
I still can't decide which I prefer between the 600 and 6XX. It just happens that I have the 6XX. The 6XX, despite not being as good for power metal or less bass-heavy music, feels like a more correct, more neutral, yet juicy and delicious sound signature.
Price Comparison
| Headphone | Price | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| HD58X Jubilee | $150 | ~2-3 weeks |
| HD6XX | $200 | Similar |
| AKG K7XX | ~$200 | Similar |
If we're talking $150 vs $200, it all depends on the weight you put on that $50. Between these two, I recommend the 6XX over the 58X Jubilee. But if for some reason you can get the 58X at a very good price, go for the 58X Jubilee.
Conclusion
| If you want... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| Best music headphone under $150 | HD58X Jubilee |
| Best all-around under $200 | HD6XX (worth the extra $50) |
| Best for movies and gaming | AKG K7XX |
| Neutral, dry sound signature | HD58X |
| Warm, juicy sound signature | HD6XX |
Whichever one you get, you'll be happy with. But if you have a perfect choice, a month waiting time, and those extra $50 — go for the 6XX. They're worth it.