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Sennheiser HD560S Review (Headphone)

Rate this headphone:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 5 1.1%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 26 5.5%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 179 37.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 264 55.7%

  • Total voters
    474
I once brought home the HD560S, but because the speaker would quickly distort from the bass EQ, I returned it. I really don't like this feature of Sennheiser(
 
I use +12.5 dB bass EQ and -12.5 dB preamp - no issues with electronic bass music and there is no distortion for very loud volumes
 
I once brought home the HD560S, but because the speaker would quickly distort from the bass EQ, I returned it. I really don't like this feature of Sennheiser(
Most likely you did not use negative pre-amp.
I don't feel it needs a sub-bass boost at all but when I do there is no distortion.
 
I once brought home the HD560S, but because the speaker would quickly distort from the bass EQ, I returned it. I really don't like this feature of Sennheiser(
That doesn't tally with my experience and my measurements of my various units of HD560s, nor does it tally with other peoples measurements - they're good headphones in the bass, and particularly so for open backed headphones. Well, Amir's measurement of distortion for HD560s is not that great if you look at the green 114dB line, but Oratory measured one of my units and distortion was really very good in the bass and still good at 114dB as seen in following graph:
HD560s Distortion.png


Maybe you hadn't put in a Negative Preamp like solderdude suggested in the previous post, or maybe you got a bad unit, or something else causing it but don't know what. It's not an inherent problem with the HD560s though, they're good in the bass.
 
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I own the HD560S and listen with PEQ.
I've wondered, read and been tempted by the call of "better" headphones.
I'd asked here some months ago and was wisely advised to stay with the HD 560S.
I recently ignored that advice and Amazon provided the HD600. I listened for 2-weeks with PEQ,

The HD560S are staying, the HD600 are being returned. This is entirely based upon my sound preference.
The HD600 are great, feel slightly different on the head and smelled new. I can afford to keep both, but not sure why or when I would use the HD600 over the HD560S.

Just my subjective view, but (I think) supported by the measurements for HD560s, HD600, HD6XX, Hifiman units etc.
 
Most likely you did not use negative pre-amp.
I don't feel it needs a sub-bass boost at all but when I do there is no distortion.
That doesn't tally with my experience and my measurements of my various units of HD560s, nor does it tally with other peoples measurements - they're good headphones in the bass, and particularly so for open backed headphones. Well, Amir's measurement of distortion for HD560s is not that great if you look at the green 114dB line, but Oratory measured one of my units and distortion was really very good in the bass and still good at 114dB as seen in following graph:
View attachment 329868

Maybe you hadn't put in a Negative Preamp like solderdude suggested in the previous post, or maybe you got a bad unit, or something else causing it but don't know what. It's not an inherent problem with the HD560s though, they're good in the bass.
This is probably because I like more low frequencies. The “Harman” curve is probably my own, I never aspired to it.
 
Ordered one more time hd 560s to compare with 660s.

660s sound more full, except recessed treble. And gives more natural sound. But even after equalization it's timbre is mellow and soft. When listening to hard rock and dynamic heavy metal, I wish more readable sound, more sharpness. Even being equalized, 660s provides soft pleasant treble.

Contrary, hd 560s is giving sharp and readable sound with more deep bass and less mid bass. But when listening to jazz, acoustic pop, voices are sharper and thinner because of raised up-mid and low treble and (i guess) 3 blob effect... Even after equalization sound character doesn't change to mellow and soft.

So 660s is feeling more pleasant and consistent for ears anyway. A class up from 560s.

Searching through internet about good headphones for a digital piano, I've found many recommendations about 560s. And I agree that 560s are great for synths and piano even while having brighter then neutral sound signature. 660s are dark and natural sounding so timbres will be mellower/darker then they are in reality. For pianists it doesn't really matter.
tbh i feel like hd560s is much better . I like neutral sound
 
HD560s down to £139 at Amazon UK, pretty much the lowest price it ever gets to, apart from a few momentary blips at lower prices:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HNFV61M?tag=camelweb-21&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_GB
HD560s price history.jpg


Got mine from the Sennheiser Online Outlet Store. But they send me brand new ones :)

69,99€ and they were sold out in like 5 minutes. No Brainer for that price!

Really like them! I guess i don't need to watch out for the HD600 anylonger :)

I never saw them under 105€ (Outlet). You can find the HD599 for 69,99€ (new) from time to time, but not the 560S, no were near that price.

I guess they are quiet popular, so they don't need to selll them with high discounts.
 
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Got mine from the Sennheiser Online Outlet Store. But they send me brand new ones :)

69,99€ and they were sold out in like 5 minutes. No Brainer for that price!

Really like them! I guess i don't need to watch out for the HD600 anylonger :)

I never saw them under 105€ (Outlet). You can find the HD599 for 69,99€ (new) from time to time, but not the 560S, no were near that price.

I guess they are quiet popular, so they don't need to selll them with high discounts.
Fantastic deal! I'm guessing it was the one with the short headphone cable that end in a 3.5mm jack & comes with a 6.5mm adapter? In other words I'm just checking you got the New Version of the HD560s.
 
Fantastic deal! I'm guessing it was the one with the short headphone cable that end in a 3.5mm jack & comes with a 6.5mm adapter? In other words I'm just checking you got the New Version of the HD560s.

It's 3,5mm and comes with a 6,5mm adapter. Cable is 1,8m long. I don't want and don't need longer cable than that :)
And adapter to 6,5mm is fine , too. Because i have a DX3Pro+ DAC with 3,5mm plugin.

It got in the Outlet Store but was never used by a customer and returned.
It's not the first time i noticed that in the Sennheiser Outlet Store. Sometimes they are customer returns with very minor marks or the are completly new.

MY HD660S1 (don't have them anylonger) were completly new and my HD599SE a return in almost new condition.

I have very good experience with their Outlet Store!

What a steal for 69,99€ :cool:
 
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It's 3,5mm and comes with a 6,5mm adapter. Cable is 1,8m long. I don't want and don't need longer cable than that :)
And adapter to 6,5mm is fine , too. Because i have a DX3Pro+ DAC with 3,5mm plugin.

It got in the Outlet Store but was never used by a customer and returned.
It's not the first time i noticed that in the Sennheiser Outlet Store. Sometimes they are customer returns with very minor marks or the are completly new.

MY HD660S1 (don't have them anylonger) were completly new and my HD599SE a return in almost new condition.

I have very good experience with their Outlet Store!

What a steal for 69,99€ :cool:
Yep, that's the New Version of the HD560s. Yes, great deal, enjoy!
 
What's the difference? Old had longer cable and 6,5 -> 3,5 ?
Difference is that they have slightly different tuning mostly due to softer pads on the New Version, see following post of mine showing the differences:
On the plus side the New Version should sound a bit better (& does to me) than the Old Version when both are used without EQ.
 
I don't like headphone listening. Changes to the opportunities to listen to my stereo system meant I listen into the small hours when others are sleeping.
I've tried a few makes, borrowed or bought and ended up with two Sennheiser models, the 660S2 and the 560S to choose between. I listened to the 8xx which sounded good but not one and a half grands worth of good.
I've made some pretty ropey out of the box headphones sound listenable with equalization and again once the 560S were equalized I didn't think the S2s sounded better, just a bit different.
For me the most important aspect of any headphone is comfort. If they've not comfortable I won't use them, no matter how they sound.
I find the 560Ss to be very comfortable and at one hundered and thirty nine UK pounds compared to the four hundred and fifty UK pounds for the 660S2s the 560S stayed and the 660S2 went back.
I've equalized somewhere inbetween Amir's set and jakkopasanen's set and I very happy with their performance, particularly at the price.
 
Oh lord. Love the 560S!

Such a good headphone <3
You got the New Version or the Old Version? Do you use with EQ or stock?
 
I paid $99.99 refurbished from Sennheiser. One of the best deals I have ever had. I use Qudelix with them. Another good deal. The great sound I am getting got around $200 all in is amazing.
 
You got the New Version or the Old Version? Do you use with EQ or stock?
hey man I've got a pair of these the new version and I'm very new to this but ive got these paired with a Fosi K5 pro and i've moved onto these from the 599's for sound stage and imaging accuracy mostly for gaming and im struggling to figure out if these should be EQ'd or if they should be left at stock and im not sure if its just because im use to the heavy base boosted EQ of my 599's but i do get a almost tinny experience when listening to rock music. ive tried having the base boosted by using the K5 Pro EQ dials but then it feels like i lose that imaging accuracy. think you could help me with this?
thanks in advance

just wanted to clarify i am asking Robbo99999 specifically as they seem to have the most similar use for them as me but any input would be apricated
 
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