Guttenberg has dozens of sets of headphones (over 40 at last count) & he has owned many Sennheisers.

The SENNHEISER HD 560s (US$200 / NZ$339) is his new low-priced 'reference headphone.

- Open back.
- Easy to drive (120 Ohm 'medium' impedance).
- 2 year wty

" REALLY transparent, REALLY neutral, super accurate. "

" comfortable... 240 grams "

" The bottom (end) is so good, it's so fast, it's so tight, it is deep, it's got balls! It's really impressive. "

" Colour me impressed. "


Compared with the SENNHEISER HD 6xx / HD 650 (US$220):

" The 560s is far more transparent, pure, clear... a clear winner. "


Compared with the Grado SR325e (US$295):

" (the HD 560s's) resolution is way better, no contest. "


Compared with the HiFiMan Deva (US$350, $219 Amazon price, wired version):

" (The HiFiMan Deva) is a better sounding headphone, in every regard. "

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

DMS also likes it

560S flat response, analytical listening for studio monitoring, more extended bass and treble than 6XX.
6XX more for sitting back and relaxing to listen to the music, lush warm midrange, vocal presence and timbre. But only 6-8% difference between them

Amazon's price for the HiFiMan Deva is rather tempting ')

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

OTOH Headphones.com says that the HD 650 'scales' better.

(ie. I guess they mean that the latter sound better when partnered with a better headphone amp - but note that these guys are retailers.)

I'm finding the HD 6xx / 650 a little frustrating sometimes when I'd prefer more 'kick' & liveliness. Hence the HD 560s appeal to me.

However, I am looking forward to trying more headphone amps with the HD 6xx (as soon as Jeremy gets around to doing more h'phone amp building )

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

My 650s are lush, comforting and familiar sounding, like a favorite pair of well worn slippers!
But sometimes you just need a new pair of Nikes...

Yes the 6xx / 650s have a certain 'listen-into', low distortion 'magic', that makes them inviting & always 'familiar' - hence their popularity I guess.

They lack some 'excitement', 'snap', 'bite'.

As the saying goes, their sins are of 'omission', rather than 'addition' (distortions, etc.) - aside from a slight upper-bass hump. ie added warmth & downward tilting-off top end.

And of course, the open-ness & comfort.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com

Headphones.com in-depth review:

" for the most part, a fantastic sounding headphone "

" a 'reference' class headphone with a 'reference' kind of tuning "

Can be had in NZ for around NZ$339.

DarkLantern blog - darklanternforowen.wordpress.com