Hifiman options

[SilentChannel]

Legend, tysm <3

 

[ianovic69]

So I've narrowed it down to two, neither of which are Hifiman.
Sennheiser HD560s
Fiio JT7
Not sure which would be better without EQ?
Also have concerns with the JT7 QC, unless that's sorted now?
I do like the idea of trying planars...

 

[solderdude]

It may be just me but I sold the HD560S and kept JT7.

Some have issues with the 'lack of brilliance/air' with the JT7.
The JT7 I have had no QC issues. The HS-FT1B pads are an interesting variation in sound and comfort.
Does require a decent amplifier where the HD560S can be used without an amp in most cases.
As you can see in the bottom graph the HD560S has a few dB more treble.

JT7

back to Jade Audioback to measurementshome Published: Nov-27-2025, updated Aug-13-2026 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons fl…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

HD560S also is a great sounding headphone b.t.w.

HD560S

back to Sennheiserback to measurementshome published: Sep-24-2020, updated: Nov-24-2024 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons f…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

 

[ianovic69]

It may be just me but I sold the HD560S and kept JT7.

Some have issues with the 'lack of brilliance/air' with the JT7.
The JT7 I have had no QC issues. The HS-FT1B pads are an interesting variation in sound and comfort.
Does require a decent amplifier where the HD560S can be used without an amp in most cases.

JT7

back to Jade Audioback to measurementshome Published: Nov-27-2025, updated Aug-13-2026 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons fl…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

HD560S also is a great sounding headphone b.t.w.

HD560S

back to Sennheiserback to measurementshome published: Sep-24-2020, updated: Nov-24-2024 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons f…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

View attachment 546649

Thanks so much for getting back to me, I'm really deep into research now and this is a great baseline.
I didn't realise at first but originally you mentioned that the Hifiman Edition XV is quite different in sound to the other models.
As there's no review here yet, could you comment a bit more on that please? It's at the very top of my budget so maybe some comparison with these other two would be useful.

 

[solderdude]

That's because no one has send one in for review.

The XV does not have the treble peaking the XS has (as far as I can see from measurements out there).

 

[SilentChannel]

That's because no one has send one in for review.

The XV does not have the treble peaking the XS has (as far as I can see from measurements out there).

Hi again Solderdude, I ended up going with the Sundaras for £104! Am I supposed to get the Topping DX1 II to compliment them? I heard most of the cheaper portable DAC+AMPs with the Cirrus Logic CS431xx have defects such as "Cirrus hump", artifacting and with dynamic range enhancement turned off the noise floor is increased and could be audible? Any DAC+AMPs that are cheaper/better value than DX1 II that might be worth taking a look at? )

 

[solderdude]

The DX1-II is still 'under development' as they are using the buyers to find bugs.
Probably fine in 1 or 2 months or so,

CS431** are fine when the DRE can be switched off.

I recommend an amplifier that can reach 1W in 32ohm IF you occasionally want to play loud and never want to reach clipping levels.

 

[davmol]

I think as long as you NEVER pay full retail for hifiman then they're about as good as it gets from a value proposition. I have the original Ananda (bought used for £250) still going strong after a few years regular use. Later I bought the Sundara Closed for £80, open box from hifiman, and you should ignore the hate, they are decent with the right EQ. More recently I pulled the trigger on open box Deva Pro, wireless pack with the bluemini R2R DAC, for £109! Another excellent sounding set, although the build not quite as good but nothing to argue with at that price. As expected the R2R DAC wasn't great and seems to throw out quite a bit of distortion in the bass at medium high volumes, vs the Qudelix 5k or any other wired amp.

Either way, at those prices I don't think you can go wrong, I hear good things about the edition XS, and whatever you choose there's not a lot to lose on resale, should you not like the sound. I love planars and don't think I could go back to something like my old DT1990 or HD6XX, as they now just seem a bit underwhelming for my personal taste.