Hello, I have recently purchased my first set audiophile headphones, I went with HD 560s after reading tons of reviews to clarify it was a great choice for gaming and music , As I’m also playing videogames and I wanted a headphone that would suit for both needs, I’ve had Hyperx Cloud 2’s Before for 5 years, they did suit my needs and got what I wanted but it was time for an upgrade , And so far I really don’t like my experience with HD 560’s, It’s really uncomfortable on my head for long sessions, the grip is too much like it actually HURT me on the first day, Songs do not sound as enjoying, pleasing and soulful like it was, I have tried different EQ profiles, the one that Oratory posted aswell but I just simply cannot get the same enjoying experience from same songs, it just steals away all the musical experience and joy, it’s missing sharpness, Treble sounds kind of grainy, Soundstage is… off, Is it my ears that don’t like “analytical” Or what’s going on? Sounds is not as warm as it was on my last headphones, I’m running them with my FiiO K3 which I think is enough for running those headphones Its’ been quite uncomfortable and disappointing experience so far unfortunately, I have seen subreddits people comparing HD 6XX’s with HD 560s and why/how hd 560’s are better, Should I get rid of them? If so , what kind of headphones would you recommend me buying? I just can’t believe that my Cloud 2’s sound better and enjoy music way better than HD 560’s, I was expecting vice versa.
Neutral open back headphones can take some getting used to, it’s a whole different world than the mainstream staples which tend to be V-shaped, sort of overbearing sometimes bloated bass and very forward highs to compensate which can leave the mids mostly inaudible or bled into. These aren’t BAD headphones, they’re just different and the hobby is all about neutrality these days. The downside of V-shapes is that an enormous amount of detail and separation, imaging, etc is in the mids and you don’t get much mids I’m from them.
You might like the 599 SE, it’s inexpensive and has a V shape signature that’s less neutral than the 560. The emphasis is on mid bass and treble in an open back which is sort of unique.
The Philips X2HR is another option to consider, it’s a neutral listening headphone but emphasizes high bass with impeccable mids to give a sense of a stronger low end. Great musical headphone, it’s a popular choice for people transitioning into neural listening because it retains some “fun”.
You can check Crinacle’s rankings here and look for cans noted as a V-shape or U-shape, or ones he complains about it being too bassy because he’s a neutrality and Harman diehard. I wouldn’t pay attention to the actual rankings as much because of this if that sound just isn’t for you at present time. If you strike out on open backs, there are many closed back options that are more dynamic without the primary focus on being flat or on Harman.
https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/
I’ve heard or owned many, many permutations of open and closed back $100-$300 headphones, including every gaming headset under the sun. I have never heard the hd 560 personally but nothing comes anywhere close to the hd 650/6xx in this price range. They are an absolute steal.
I would go so far as to say I’ve been disappointed with every headphone and gaming headset in this price range *but* the hd 650/6xx and Hifiman Sundara. Especially closed backs in this price range are ‘meh’ IMO.
The only issue comes down to comfort and isolation. Maybe that’s not working for OP?These days my living situation is too loud to enjoy open back so I’ve been daily driving IEMs for the isolation… Truthear Hexa is great for $80USD, Moondrop Blessing is similar sound profile but better imaging.
I could see if your room is just too loud, not enjoying open-backs. I’ve moved to IEMs for this reason. Honestly you get way more bang for your buck with chi-fi IEMs… Truthear Hexa kills any cheaper closed-backs.
Just my two cents.
The 6XX at its price (I’d throw the 600 in as well) and Sundara at any of its prices just wipes the floor with everything else in Mid-Fi as well as a lot of headphones higher up the ladder.
There’s some other notables like the Audio Technica ATH-R70x which is just a warmer 600 and the Shure headphones being textbook technical examples of their respective types, but outside of that you can skip everything else up through maybe the Aurorus Borealis, Focal Clear and not miss much. I have yet to hear a Hifiman headphone outright better than Sundaras minus the Susvara I haven’t heard though the Edition XV2 was close. I like the X2HR when it’s $100, the 599 when it’s $80 but for another $100-$200 you can get a headphone a person could easily retire on.
The 6XX at its price (I’d throw the 600 in as well) and Sundara at any of its prices just wipes the floor with everything else in Mid-Fi as well as a lot of headphones higher up the ladder.
There’s some other notables like the Audio Technica ATH-R70x which is just a warmer 600 and the Shure headphones being textbook technical examples of their respective types, but outside of that you can skip everything else up through maybe the Aurorus Borealis, Focal Clear and not miss much. I have yet to hear a Hifiman headphone outright better than Sundaras minus the Susvara I haven’t heard though the Edition XV2 was close. I like the X2HR when it’s $100, the 599 when it’s $80 but for another $100-$200 you can get a headphone a person could easily retire on.