New version of Sennheiser HD 560S (!)

[Robbo99999]

Oh it was your EQ! I appreciate you for posting it! You can really get all kinds of different flavours of sound from this headphone and EQ. I liked the sense of space and openness your EQ creates, it also gives some really nice snap, I think the correct term is a good sense of attack/decay, to things such as snare drums. And it was also one of the best for improving that sense of layering too out of the 20+ I currently have. The sense of layering is my biggest gripe stock, but after yesterday and today, I wouldn't describe it as bad stock, having really listened intently some more, it really does depend on the song from what I can tell. I guess the "Analytical" aspect from the advertisements of this headphone are accurate, lol. Because some songs now just sound bad and messy, which I've never experienced before. Whereas well mixed/recorded songs sound outstanding and everything is heard clearly in its own position. That's another thing, the imaging is fantastic.

I've heard that term "Resolving" to describe the overall detail/resolution, and texture. All of these different EQs do improve those aspects to a degree, like you said.

I don't have any better headphone to compare with, and my ears are new to this level of sound quality. I've already been getting the bug to buy something new, lol. But you are saying there's not much better? Surely headphones like the HD 800S or and HE1000 absolutely blow this thing away? Even an HD 600/Sundara I was assuming would be a clear improvement. That's what I've read/heard from reviews at least.

Sorry if I just spewed a bunch of nonsense, I am trying to understand all of this better as the weeks go by haha.

No worries, good that it improved things for you, yes that's my EQ - they're all Peak Filters just to clarify, no Shelf Filters used in that EQ in case you accidentally assumed the bass filter would be a shelf filter, they're all Peak Filters for my EQ there just to make sure you inputted it right. (I think you probably inputted it right anyway)

Yeah, I don't think there's that much better than a well tuned HD560s. You mention HD800s, well I've got the HD800 and with EQ I wouldn't really describe it as better than an EQ'd HD560s, indeed the bass is worse on the EQ'd HD800. So I suppose HD800 is the highest tier headphone that I've tried/own, and in my own experience I wouldn't expect you to have a better experience with that than the EQ'd HD560s. EQ'd Hifiman HE400SE is really good though, and could be my best headphone experience to date, as that seemed really reliable with an Oratory EQ right off the bat, but again EQ'd HD560s is really good so I'm hesitant to even advise you to try the HE400SE.

 

[Robbo99999]

I have an HD6xx for music and HD 599 for games and other medias (before that AT M50x which was not terrible as first HP). I only listen an album or two per week so I rarely use the HD6xx to keep it in good condition but recently out of curiosity I watched few film trailers with it and I was in shock how much cleaner the sound is and the soundstage more precise but I wish for more bass.

I bought many years ago the HD599 on sale because it was recommended for games. Until now I thought that this muddiness was because of the compressed audio in games and YouTube and Netflix but now I looked up for measurements and the midrange is indeed muddy. I don't want EQ rather a different HP and I was out of the loop of the newer options and discovered the HD560S which seems to be a much better option where all these problems are solved and has better bass too. My problem is with the 5 series is that it's really cheap squeaky plastic just by moving my jaws it's making plastic noises, they are really comfy though.

I always wanted to try out different sounding headphones, would like to check out beyerdynamic because they tamed the treble on the new ones, but the DT 900 X Pro is also nothing special. Is there any other options for games,films than the HD560S under 300 euros without ear piercing treble? No need to be totally neutral like Sennheiser but if this is the only decent then I would make peace with the noisy plastic build. Good bass I really want however closed options are maybe not ideal for my application.
I really liked the HD 490 Pro until I read Amirs review, based on the ratings review I almost picked that but seems pricey just for the better build.
Anyway, 560S or should I still keep searching? Thanks in advance

For use at stock I can't think of a better over ear headphone than New Version HD560s, not for sensible money anyway that puts DCA E3 out of running. If you don't mind using IEM's (so sticking them in your ear), then IEM's are probably the cheapest & highest quality/most accurate sound you can get if you choose some of the recent IEM's Amir has reviewed that stick well to the Harman Curve. I don't like sticking stuff in my ears though due to wax disruption, so I don't use IEM's even though I bought and tried the Truthear Crinacle Zero Blue and that was some excellent sound quality hence me recommending IEM's to you if you can stand having the things in your ear.

 

[Ste_S]

For use at stock I can't think of a better over ear headphone than New Version HD560s, not for sensible money anyway that puts DCA E3 out of running. If you don't mind using IEM's (so sticking them in your ear), then IEM's are probably the cheapest & highest quality/most accurate sound you can get if you choose some of the recent IEM's Amir has reviewed that stick well to the Harman Curve. I don't like sticking stuff in my ears though due to wax disruption, so I don't use IEM's even though I bought and tried the Truthear Crinacle Zero Blue and that was some excellent sound quality hence me recommending IEM's to you if you can stand having the things in your ear.

I prefer my 7hz Zero 2 to my HD560 (new version). If you don't mind IEMs, it's definitely the way to go.

 

[Robbo99999]

I prefer my 7hz Zero 2 to my HD560 (new version). If you don't mind IEMs, it's definitely the way to go.

The Truthear Blue did blow me away, I think some good measuring IEM's are certainly the way to go if you don't mind or instead like sticking stuff in your ears!

 

[HeebieGenie]

No worries, good that it improved things for you, yes that's my EQ - they're all Peak Filters just to clarify, no Shelf Filters used in that EQ in case you accidentally assumed the bass filter would be a shelf filter, they're all Peak Filters for my EQ there just to make sure you inputted it right. (I think you probably inputted it right anyway)

Yeah, I don't think there's that much better than a well tuned HD560s. You mention HD800s, well I've got the HD800 and with EQ I wouldn't really describe it as better than an EQ'd HD560s, indeed the bass is worse on the EQ'd HD800. So I suppose HD800 is the highest tier headphone that I've tried/own, and in my own experience I wouldn't expect you to have a better experience with that than the EQ'd HD560s. EQ'd Hifiman HE400SE is really good though, and could be my best headphone experience to date, as that seemed really reliable with an Oratory EQ right off the bat, but again EQ'd HD560s is really good so I'm hesitant to even advise you to try the HE400SE.

Yes, they are all peak filters. and I added those tilting high shelf filters. Also, that is quite interesting how you say the HD800 is not better than an EQ'd HD 560S. That has a hard time processing in my head, but I have no frame of comparison either. I've found my personal favourite EQ for the HD 560S just today, and it really transformed the headphone for me. So the upgrade bug has been staved off for now. I've also seen the HE400SE around the same price as the HD 560S on Amazon Canada. Higher end HIFIMAN headphones are more expensive here in Canada, sadly. The 400SE might be as well actually. Adversely, the HD 560S brand new in Canada seems to be cheaper than it is in the U.S/Britain when converting the currency, which is odd since other Senns are stupidly expensive. The HD600 is over 3x the price here of the HD 560S. Planar headphones are a tempting prospect as they seem like they have qualities which I seek, but I have heard horror stories about HIFIMAN headphones. Though it wouldn't be bank shattering if a 400SE broke, it would be very annoying.

 

[Robbo99999]

Yes, they are all peak filters. and I added those tilting high shelf filters. Also, that is quite interesting how you say the HD800 is not better than an EQ'd HD 560S. That has a hard time processing in my head, but I have no frame of comparison either. I've found my personal favourite EQ for the HD 560S just today, and it really transformed the headphone for me. So the upgrade bug has been staved off for now. I've also seen the HE400SE around the same price as the HD 560S on Amazon Canada. Higher end HIFIMAN headphones are more expensive here in Canada, sadly. The 400SE might be as well actually. Adversely, the HD 560S brand new in Canada seems to be cheaper than it is in the U.S/Britain when converting the currency, which is odd since other Senns are stupidly expensive. The HD600 is over 3x the price here of the HD 560S. Planar headphones are a tempting prospect as they seem like they have qualities which I seek, but I have heard horror stories about HIFIMAN headphones. Though it wouldn't be bank shattering if a 400SE broke, it would be very annoying.

HD800 is an iconic flagship headphone dating all the way back to 2009, so it's got a massive following & reputation, but that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be better than an HD560s, and of course if you're using both headphones without EQ it's not even a contest - the New Version HD560s is miles better. But overall, I think I have a slightly better experience with EQ'd HD560s vs EQ'd HD800, but it does flip flop sometimes my preference there, but for sure HD560s is better in the bass, even after both been EQ'd. I think I can say that EQ'd HD800 has more potential for more realistic treble above 10kHz (things like cymbals) than HD560s but that frequency response area is not quite as significant as other areas.

HE400SE, I think you should just buy that in a sale if you do indeed buy it at some point - just because I was hesitant to recommend it earlier simply because EQ'd HD560s is already very good & there's not much to gain beyond that in my experience, even if EQ'd HE400SE is my current best headphone experience.

 

[unknownuser]

For use at stock I can't think of a better over ear headphone than New Version HD560s, not for sensible money anyway that puts DCA E3 out of running. If you don't mind using IEM's (so sticking them in your ear), then IEM's are probably the cheapest & highest quality/most accurate sound you can get if you choose some of the recent IEM's Amir has reviewed that stick well to the Harman Curve. I don't like sticking stuff in my ears though due to wax disruption, so I don't use IEM's even though I bought and tried the Truthear Crinacle Zero Blue and that was some excellent sound quality hence me recommending IEM's to you if you can stand having the things in your ear.

In my region the HD560S is about 130 euros, DT770 Pro X is 180ish, DT 900 Pro X is 240ish, HD 490 Pro is 370ish. The HD560S is a no brainer I guess and have to accept the same design as my HD599, at least the color is black
I'm the type who is not sitting for long so I put the headphones on and down often which would be inconvenient with IEMs so I stick to the over ears.
Thanks for the help

 

[Robbo99999]

In my region the HD560S is about 130 euros, DT770 Pro X is 180ish, DT 900 Pro X is 240ish, HD 490 Pro is 370ish. The HD560S is a no brainer I guess and have to accept the same design as my HD599, at least the color is black
I'm the type who is not sitting for long so I put the headphones on and down often which would be inconvenient with IEMs so I stick to the over ears.
Thanks for the help

Yep, HD560s seems like a good option for you. As I said, at stock I can barely think of a better over ear headphone for reasonable money.

 

[unknownuser]

Yep, HD560s seems like a good option for you. As I said, at stock I can barely think of a better over ear headphone for reasonable money.

Thanks, I put this on hold as I'm wondering that I should find some budget EQ solution like WiiM Ultra to experiment with my HD6xx. Also I discovered that there are "cheap" Dan Clark headphones not just expensive.

 

[Robbo99999]

These are down to £99 in the UK right now, excellent price!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HNFV61M?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

 

[HeebieGenie]

These are down to £99 in the UK right now, excellent price!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HNFV61M?psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Nice! It's great to see that others can experience our price that we get this headphone for in Canada.

Sadly, they didn't drop all the way to $150CAD this time around. Still the usual $179.

 

[alexandru 2705]

Hi! I haven't read all the thread - maybe it's been covered already - but I hope the new version of Senn 560s is less strong clamping on the head/ears than the previous one. I returned one 3 years ago for this reason and now am contemplating ordering the new version. I liked the sound very much (on symphonic music, coupled to a iFi Audio Zen Dac V2), but my daily headaches (which I have for some 20 years) got much worse, and I couldn't relate this to anything other than the high pressure of the pads on my ears.

It's true that I also didn't bother to put them on an extension (books or something else) over night for at least a week (I think I did it only for one or two nights)...now I will do that, of course. I admit it may have been a rushed/nervous returning of both items at the time, but I guess I was convinced (a bit panicked by the worsening of the headaches) that I was not going to listen to them anymore, given the situation.

 

[Robbo99999]

Hi! I haven't read all the thread - maybe it's been covered already - but I hope the new version of Senn 560s is less strong clamping on the head/ears than the previous one. I returned one 3 years ago for this reason and now am contemplating ordering the new version. I liked the sound very much (on symphonic music, coupled to a iFi Audio Zen Dac V2), but my daily headaches (which I have for some 20 years) got much worse, and I couldn't relate this to anything other than the high pressure of the pads on my ears.

It's true that I also didn't bother to put them on an extension (books or something else) over night for at least a week (I think I did it only for one or two nights)...now I will do that, of course. I admit it may have been a rushed/nervous returning of both items at the time, but I guess I was convinced (a bit panicked by the worsening of the headaches) that I was not going to listen to them anymore, given the situation.

Theoretically the clamping force should be the same, but the New Version pads are a bit softer than the Old Version pads, so I suppose they would compress a little more which could reduce clamping force slightly as well as potentially spreading the force over a wider area as the pad compresses to be more flat. That's just theorising though, and you shouldn't use a headphone that gives you headaches. I've never really liked the idea of relaxing headphone clamp by placing them wide on books overnight as I just imagine that to potentially change the shape of the pads and potentially makes them age faster.

 

[alexandru 2705]

Thank you for your thoughts, but I thought (after reading earlier pages of the thread) that the new version has, on the contrary, harsher, not softer pads. I may be wrong though. You are correct about the possible effect of changing the shape of the pads if placing the headphones overnight on something to widen them, but I was thinking at placing only the ribbons/arms of the headphones on the widener (books or something more narrow), not directly the pads.

 

[Robbo99999]

Thank you for your thoughts, but I thought (after reading earlier pages of the thread) that the new version has, on the contrary, harsher, not softer pads. I may be wrong though. You are correct about the possible effect of changing the shape of the pads if placing the headphones overnight on something to widen them, but I was thinking at placing only the ribbons/arms of the headphones on the widener (books or something more narrow), not directly the pads.

Both me & solderdude noticed that the New Version has softer pads. I've had two units of New Version (still own one of them) & can compare them directly against 3 units of Old Version that I own, the difference is very clear to me. Solderdude has experienced even more units of New Version and he thinks they're softer too, I'm not sure if he still owns an Old Version headphone to compare against for all his New Version units that have gone through his possession, but for sure at one point he has had both versions to compare.

I think your idea of stretching the headband by not placing the force on the pads is a good way of doing it. How much you can loosen a plastic headband like this I'm not sure though.