Sennheiser HD560S Review: The New Standard - NOT!

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Oct 18, 2020.

  1. michty_me

    michty_me New

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    Hmm thats not what I want then!
    The SHP9500 are just left at work, I use DT990/K702 at home which I'm happy with.
    Can you say in what way the HD560S are worse than the SHP9500?
     
  2. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    560S has a particularly nasty form of brightness, both in tone and timbre. The SHP9500 can be rather bright as well, but not quite so bad as the 560S.

    I’d also argue in favor of the SHP9500’s comfort and ergonomics. The 560S is good here as well, but not as good.

    That said, if you are OK with or even fond of brightness, you might find the 560S brings other refinements to the table over the SHP9500. I personally was about ready to take a sledgehammer to the 560S…
     
  3. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    I once had the K500 / K501 as my gaming headset, and I'd argue it was probably a better headphone for gaming, tie for comfort, win for resolution and timbe, loss for 'fun out of an iphone dongle'
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    A less bright 560S would be the HD558. PC37X and PC38 (which seem related to the HD558) are very good gaming headphones.
     
  5. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Another vote for PC38X. I think them pretty good choice for generic purposes. Maybe the best tonality among what are mentioned.
     
  6. michty_me

    michty_me New

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    Thanks folks. I'll have a look to see if I can get them reasonably easy in the UK.
     
  7. dante21

    dante21 New

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    i have a 599

    is it worth getting a 560s?

    their use is only for gaming (single-player, immersive games)
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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  9. dante21

    dante21 New

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    sadly, getting stuff from Drop in my country is a chore and pretty much out of question. Taxes would bring the total cost to like 250-300

    the only thing i could get from Drop is a brand new 58x from one of those ebay equivalents, for 175 bucks
     
  10. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    If this is the case, stick with the HD599. I have a HD599 and when the loaner HD560S came around to me it was so bad I wanted to throw it out my window.
     
  11. dante21

    dante21 New

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    isn't there a big difference in soundstage, clarity and/or detail?
     
  12. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    It's always about the totality of the package. The HD560S has decent stage yes. But holy crap do its weaknesses suck. It's like taking one step forward and 3 steps back.
     
  13. dante21

    dante21 New

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    alright then, gonna forget about the 560s and look for something else
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    To be honest, you will get slightly better headstage. However with respect to technicalities, the HD560S is not an improvement to the HD599. YouTubers will tell you otherwise, but the HD560S driver is in the same class, probably closely related. I would consider the HD560S really only if you want something with more upper mids and lower treble - basically something brighter sounding. Now the HD560S does have lower bass extension than the HD599, but in all honesty you won't notice it much because the bass quality isn't any better. Just up the bass with EQ if you want lower - just do it in moderation. Sorry for convincing you otherwise, but welcome to SBAF where we will advise you NOT to upgrade (or what we call "sidegrade") most of the time.

    The best path for you or anyone else is up: HD600 or HD650, not sideways.
     
  15. dante21

    dante21 New

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    thank you

    i've had the 599 and the AKG K702 for two years, but the K702 broke a few months ago.I really liked the sense of space and clarity that it provided over the 599. it was clearly a league above

    so now i wanted something similar to the K702's clarity/detail, but more reliable. no more "elastic" headbands for me

    so far i have the 560s and the Hifiman 400se on my wishlist (maybe the Deva as well). is the 400se also considered a sidegrade?
     

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