Sennheiser HD560S Review: The New Standard - NOT!

Another nice mod to your HD 600s is a Norne Draug 3 all copper headphone cable. Less than $300.

 

I thought I would add another short comparison to this thread in case others are looking for headphones in the $200 price range (like I was). I've been using the Drop + Hifiman HE5XX for a while now and comparing them to the 560S. Obviously the headphones have many differences, but they share a similar "entry level" price -- $200 for the 560S and $220 for the HE5XX.

Friends who are far more experienced than me have done a great job reviewing the HE5XX here.

I've been using various sources (CD player, iPhone, Apple TV) feeding a Modi 3+ into a Vali 2+. From my perspective as a newcomer to headphones, with every source the HE5XX has a substantially larger soundstage, has much better instrument separation, and is much clearer / more detailed than the 560S. The 560S may have slightly better bass on certain tracks, but I find that the HE5XX is pretty close. After a few weeks comparing the two, I've been gradually listening to the HE5XX more than the 560S because of the wider soundstage and more detailed presentation. With the HE5XX, it's been fun to hear aspects of certain recordings that I've not picked up on before (i.e., feet moving on piano pedals, performers breathing, etc.). That said, the 560S is a more relaxing listen when I don't want all the additional detail/clarity because the 560S has a more subdued presentation with an intimate soundstage. The HE5XX also has cables that are more easily upgradeable if you want to use a balanced amp (I've been having a hard time finding a balanced cable for the single-entry 560S).

Just some initial thoughts and impressions from a noob in case anyone is thinking about spending $200 on a pair of headphones.

 

Got one of these for a digital piano that didnt have the most powerful amp. Big soundstage, tho a bit unfocused/fuzzy sounding. Not bad for the price for this style of headphone for amp that cant drive 300ohm, other than the build quality which is meh. Worked really well for this specific application tho.

 

I just got these because they were finally back in stock, I have an absolute love/hate relationship with my HD 650s (mostly bordering on hate these days), and my curiosity got the best of me.

They really aren't that bad. They were clearly Sennheiser's response to their reputation of the veil. They are open and clean. They are on the brighter side, but not offensive. I consider myself treble sensitive, and the HD 560S don't bother me. In contrast, the Philips Fidelio X2HR can sometimes be a murder box and the HD 650 being driven off the Modius can upset me.

I like the space they produce vs. the HD 650 while at the same time not being as polite, either. Sometimes the HD 650 are too polite and boring, as well as crowded and rounded off.

I consider these to be their attempt to put the veil behind them, perhaps trying to approach some of the Grado sound, and maybe mimic a horn speaker a bit.

Not bad for $200. Would I pay $250 for these? Maybe, maybe not. $300? That's a no from me, dawg.

The HD 560S do Pink Floyd quite well, and that's an important measuring stick for me. Daft Punk fans may not be as impressed.

 

Is this felt disc also in the dt880 pro models? Since you mentioned modern, are you talking about the changes since the mid 2000s when they made the cups round or is this tuning a more recent thing?

 

My old Beyers were a 2010 set purchased used (I was the third or fourth owner), an email conversation with a Beyerdynamic rep confirmed date of production and as far as I'm aware the only mods were replacing the stock pads with cheap aftermarket velours— @Bill-P purchased a DT880 Premium much more recently and found that these felt discs appear to come stock now, which is great since the measurements and listening without aren't grand.

 

Thats good news because I really wanted to like my old dt880s but the highs were just a little too much. I guess its time to try again.

 

When'd you get em? If it's any time in the last 10 years in guessing it might have already been the "modded" version. Could always hope your sensitivity to highs will have reduced in the time since though

FWIW the HD600 feels like a categorical upgrade other than in sub-bass lows and headstage width, would be interesting to get your thoughts on both compared (... never mind that I've already poisoned the well).

 

It was before 2010 hehehe. I was thinking of getting them or the hd560S to add to my few cans including the 6xx which I do love. I am wishing to get something more spacious sounding that can be used as an alternative to speakers for mixing for my ipad synths and vocals. I have the el cheapo shp9500s and if either the 560s or 880 pro can do the space the philips does plus some refinement, I will be good.

 

Aye, looking forward to impressions! That was you selling the Senn HD25 locally yeah? Curious how these'd compare to those but I'm already sorted more or less sorted for compact gear else I'd have picked those up. I sold my DT880s to a friend that DJs and he finds they work really well for that purpose (I personally found them really warm sounding besides the mild treble tizz), but I found that the headstage was really odd, like it was very flat but extremely wide and bisecting my head. Might be fine for EDM and the like but I think anything that aims for proper imaging might be left to dry.

 

Yup thats me selling the hd25 plus with dekoni jerzees extra.

 

By the way, I got these hd560s and I feel that the main issue with them is more about the 4.8khz decay than the extra treble around 8khz. Lots of people look at frequency response graphs too much but its that unnatural noise not disappearing in the 4-5khz area that make these sound gray IMO.

Believe it or not this 4.8khz area improves with lots of burn in. I can't believe it but I'll say that it is still improving in the 100 hour or so mark. I can tell its not brain burn in because I cleanse my palette with other cans with focused comparisons. These are sounding really nice now. I'm keeping them for sure.

 

OF all the Sennheiser 5 series headphone, HD580 is no doubt the best, and HD58X is the second, they are quite close to 6 series.

 

HD580 is not a 5 series though. It is basically an hd600

 

I work away from home so have a laptop with me with a small USB amp/dac which currently powers a pair of SHP9500, I'm thinking of getting rid of them and going for the HD560s to try for gaming only. I had heard they would be a bit better but unsure of the hype created.