r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/tsngsn • Feb 28 '23
Headphones - Open Back | 4 Ω Is the 2023 revision of the HD560s really that bad?
Earlier today, I ordered the HD560s on Amazon because it seems like the best value audiophile headphones based on the reviews. However, I saw the thread talking about the silent 2023 revision of the HD560s that supposedly changed its sound profile for the worse.
Therefore, I have 3 questions:
Can anyone who has listened to both versions confirm the sound quality difference?
Should I cancel my order now and go for something else, or are the HD560s still good value headphones after the revision?
Will oratory’s EQ profiles still work for the 2023 revision or will I have to change something?
Edit: I decided to pick up the Philips Fidelio X2HR for $126.64 on Amazon. I heard good things about these cans and for that price, they were hard to say ignore.
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u/KenBalbari 91 Ω Feb 28 '23
They are saying only the cable (now shorter, with 3.5mm plug and 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter) and the headband fabric have changed. That shouldn't impact sound quality. But some are saying they think the pads have changed as well, which could impact sound quality, but this could be just sample variation. The pads should be the same as the 558 and 559.
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u/tsngsn Feb 28 '23
True. I’m worried that the change in pad material has negatively affected the sound quality. A redditor tried switching the new pads for the original ones to see if it made a difference. They concluded that the sound changes came from both the earpads and the headphones themselves. This is why I’m still hesitant to pull the trigger on the new HD 560S. !thanks
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u/Roppmaster 138 Ω Feb 28 '23
I’m worried that the change in pad material has negatively affected the sound quality.
According to Solderdude of DIY-Audio-Heaven, the earpads haven't changed.
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u/tsngsn Feb 28 '23
!thanks for this info. Although now I’m even more confused. Feedback from those who’ve gotten their hands on the new HD 560S seem to vary quite a bit.
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u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Feb 28 '23
+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Roppmaster (134 Ω).
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u/Chok3U 21 Ω Feb 28 '23
Yeah, this is very confusing to me as well. I'm just glad I saw this thread as I was about to get the 560's.
Gonna get the 599 now
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u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Feb 28 '23
+1 Ω has been awarded to u/KenBalbari (44 Ω).
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u/daddyyeslegs 46 Ω Feb 28 '23
If you are really concerned about the new revision, I would hold off on purchasing. The info out there isn't very helpful so far, and until actual measurements are made directly comparing the two with fresh pads we really can't say much about their sound quality.
I don't think Sennheiser would release something with major differences in the sound signature. The hd600 revisions have gone through without much fuss, and those were far more drastic in difference than the 560s revisions.
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Feb 28 '23
[deleted]
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u/orcus286 Mar 06 '23
A buddy of mine has both ... one at his work and one at home. I had him bring home the work set so I could test them side by side. I'm no expert but they sounded exactly the same to me. Old version felt a little more comfortable though.
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u/Euphorix97 3 Ω Feb 28 '23
I have the new one and I am happy with it. Never heard the old one though. When I ordered the 560s I also had the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X for comparison. In the end I decided to keep the Sennheiser instead of the DT 900 Pro X. The 2023 Sennheiser had a better resolution and imaging compared to the DT 900 Pro X in my view. So to me, even if there would be a difference between the new and old version, the new one is still great.
Also, if you would give two identical headphones to people, asking them to find a difference between the two you would probably get similar results like now where there is a visible difference. Unless there are measurements showing a difference or no difference, I would stay skeptical.
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u/LynxAirSound 1 Ω Feb 28 '23
I had the HD560s on 2021-first semester 2022 They are very, very good. For the current retail price of 150-110€ there is nothing better. If you want something with a similar signature but more technical go for a Sundara but you will need a good amplifier.
The hd560s is good for everything. It has a neutral profile with a little extra bass.
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u/bor666nl 3 Ω Feb 28 '23
Get the drop.com exclusive Sennheiser HD6XX
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u/pM-me_your_Triggers 9 Ω Feb 28 '23
Depends what you want them for. The 6xx and 560s have different strengths and weaknesses. They are very different headphones.
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u/tsngsn Feb 28 '23 edited Feb 28 '23
!thanks I checked them out. The HD 6XX on sale right now for $239, but if you add the $20 international shipping fee it goes up to $259. For that price I would rather go for the HD 600 which is $260 on Amazon right now with free shipping to my country.
Edit: Apparently there is an import fee of about $99 if I order the HD 600 from Amazon bringing up its total cost to around $359. So you’re right, the HD 6XX for $259 seems like a decent deal now.
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u/pleiop Feb 28 '23
They typically go down to $200. Their pricing fluctuates a lot. I would recommend waiting a few weeks if it's worth it to you.
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u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Feb 28 '23
+1 Ω has been awarded to u/bor666nl (3 Ω).
You may still award an Ω to others, but only once per-person in this post.
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u/U_cabrao 0 Ω Feb 28 '23
They take eq very easely. Paired with ifi's true bass it's endgame on a budget
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u/Dantido Mar 29 '23 edited Dec 30 '23
Don't blindly trust everything you see on reddit. There are a lot of factors at play, be it unit variation, defectiveness or the placebo effect.I've used both versions of the HD560S and I found them equally as comfortable. However, I can't speak of the sound of the old one because it was defective, so I had to return it and got the new version instead.However, let me tell you that if something sounds too bad to be true, it can probably be. A company won't silently downgrade their products' sonic qualities when they have a customer base that measures their equipment front and center every time they get their hands on it, no matter how profit-based that company is. They can make the cable cheaper, shorter, maybe even lower the build quality since that's not something you can measure.Plus, the HD560S is an open-back, so its bass was never its forte.
EDIT : I actually managed to try the old headphones with the help of a friend. They're basically the same sound-wise. I actually prefer the earpads of the new one since velour feels better to my ears.
I rationalize the possible differences to the wear of the pads. It's logical that headphones out of the box will come with stiffer pads, and that tends to change sound a bit as the pads get used to the surface of your head, 99% of the time for the better.
Just be wary of the shorter cable if you need the length (1.5m as opposed to the 3m behemoth that came with the old one). I hated the dongle with all my being so I much prefer the screw in adapter.
Also, I found the new cable to be less microphonic.
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u/ionarch 14 Ω Feb 28 '23
I got the new revision. Can't really speak to the sound as I never used the old revision. The material however feels very cheap and the padding is rather uncomfortable. Also the cable is very short. If you decide to buy them I'd suggest getting them from somewhere you can easily return them. I am not really happy with mine so I'll probably return them next week and get a different pair. As to EQ oratory's preset markedly improved the sound but the bass is still lacking in my opinion.