I think you should listen to these without EQ for a couple of days before you decide to EQ them to taste. My theory is that you are bringing over the sound memory of 598' which is not really helping with listening these new headphones. 560's probably will not sound the same as the 598' due to the difference in transducers.
Using the ON/OFF switch on Peace will not give you a fair result if you are using the preamp setting, because the volume will be lower with EQ then. When you switch off the EQ, the general volume will go up, and higher volumes usually sound better. If you don't use the preamp setting, then you can experience clipping. Also keep in mind that the new EQ settings could sound better over time when you get used to the new sound. Then again, this is all subjective anyways.
I like my 560S a lot with EQ, but without EQ I would not use them.
EQ generally removes a lot of the "atmosphere" from the sound of a headphone for me, almost regardless of which headphone I apply it to. I don't hear the 560s as being particularly sharp-sounding, probably because I have old ears.
For gaming purposes I don't think it's ideal to use a Harman EQ, oftentimes games introduce their own ambience so they have sound effects and reverberation characteristics of different rooms or even the outside - depending on where the game setting is taking place, so I don't think applying the Harman room sound to gaming is a positive step. Your HD560s will be best used without EQ for gaming as you don't want too much bass for gaming and I think the increased treble is a positive when it comes to gaming worlds. For music the Oratory EQ should be better.
Yes, I am using the -5,4db preamp setting and the Q-values from the pdf. I don't think the problem is being too quiet as I can crank the volume to max and still perceive the sound being the same, just louder. I'm not an audiophile / high-endist, so these things are kinda hard for me to explain. The best I could put into words was the explanation I gave with the experience I had while gaming. In music listening the effect wasn't as emphasized.
Does this mean that I will remove the bands 1,2,3 altogether from the config file or leave them at default in the Peace GUI or just put the gains on those to zero or match the gain with the preamp value?
You could do either. Either you could remove bands 1,2,3, or you can set them to 0dB, the effect is the same - as in those bands won't be having an effect. Running with the Oratory treble EQ whilst leaving the bass at stock might give you the best option if you are definitely getting fatigued by the stock treble when gaming - it seems that you are, so I'd just go ahead and try removing those 3 bands rather than seeing if you can get used to stock sound.
Did you remember to tick the "add pre amplifying" box? I forgot that when I first downlowaded peace and started using it.
Some HD560s sound better than others at stock, I've got 3 units, my latest unit (received a few days ago) sounds pretty darn mellow in comparison to my second unit....I hardly ever listen at stock and haven't done an intensive "let's compare these 3 units at stock" session, but I know I've ended up at different places when EQ'ing the second unit in comparison to the 3rd. Still some more work to do as I haven't optimised my 3rd unit to the best effect yet.....it's hard to do for me, I have to be in a relaxed attentive focussed & alert mood without any narcotic influences (alcohol for me) as I don't think I can do it justice without that kinda optimal mood. But for sure some HD560s sound better than others at stock, my 3rd unit is probably closest to perfect out of all 3 without EQ, so much so that I think the latest Oratory EQ's don't work as well (with this third unit of mine) as his first HD560s EQ he released - I believe he incorporated less perfect HD560s units into the measurement, so at the moment his first EQ that tallied closely with headphones.com & Crinacle measurements seems to be the best for this 3rd unit that also sounds the best at stock. I must do some more proper comparisons to compare all 3 at stock though, and more finetuning to be done, but there are still differences to be experienced between different HD560s units.
You could try the passive filter available here https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brands-s-se/hd-560s/ I built one, and while it's not perfect for my taste, it's very very close and what I'm sticking with for now. I had the same complaints as you before adding the filter, and also came from a set of HD598.
Same. After two days of listening to 560S, I ended with my old Beyers DT880 for daily use. Much better spatial qualities.
Yes, I wouldn't call these to be comfortable at all. Fitting alright on my head, narrow earcups are heating up my ears though and tight headband keep squishing my dome with strength of angered Hulk.
Just quoting part of your post here, I think you're unfairly exaggerating here - I own a number of headphones and by no means are they uncomfortable in comparison to the others and the manufacturing quality / feel is not poor - which your "wiggly plastic" comment implies. They also do not heat up my ears even after long sessions. I wouldn't normally reply to someone's subjective comment on these types of things, but I think yours is an exaggeration when I see it in reference it to my own experience of them whilst also owning a number of different headphones which I can compare against: HD560s / K702 / HE4XX / NAD HP50 / HD600.
I didn't comment on my feels, just stating that cost of material and manufacturing of 560S is objectively lower than Beyer's. That's a fact, plastic is cheaper than steel and aluminium, plus there are accessories such as polstered carrying bag added to DT880 package for lower MSRP.
That's fine, I'm just providing a counter point based on my experience vs what seemed like a bit of an exaggeration in your first post.
560S has better, likely more expensive drivers that can handle much higher dB SPL without distortion than old Beyer models.
I have DT 880 and 560S and Beyer feels less comfortable for me and it also feels like getting more hot with DT 880. Do you use custom earpads with 880?
True. Higher sensitivity is one of things I noticed immediately, these cans play very loud with L30 without any hearable distortion. Can't play DT990 that loud without lower frequencies going bonkers.
Nope, sticking with stock EDT990V velour earpads replaced every two years.
