Advice on new headphones - don't like DT770's with new set-up

[D00M]

I own Sennheiser HD560S ($150 USD) and Hifiman Sundara ($300). I don't get all the technical talk on the turntable setup. So I cannot say whether these are good match for your setup.

HD560S is a great value at $150. Neutral, slightly bright. Nothing like DT770s bright trebles. Decent detail and soundstage.

Although Sundara cost 2x, I do like it more and it is worth the cost to me. Also neutral. It is also a bit bright, but warmer in comparison to 560S. More detail and instrument separation than 560S. Soundstage is similar to 560S, maybe just a tad bigger.

The downside of Sundara is the timbre. It sounds analytical and dry compared to 560S. If you like vocal and timbre, then 6XX is better for that.

 

[ADUHF]

I think the HFM Sundara was recently revised in either 2020 or 2021. If you can find the newer version for $300 or less, that might be better than either the HFM 400SE or X4, in terms of sound quality. Comfort could still be an issue though on Sundara.

I haven't tried any planars yet btw. HFM or otherwise. But am interested in all the above.

I'm tempted to try both the HD 560S, or the HD 6XX as well, since I don't currently have any open headphones or Senns right now (and can't afford the HD 800S! ). I prefer double-sided cables, like on the 6XX. But the HD560S looks like it has better bass extension, which is also very high on my list of priorities, especially for an open dynamic headphone.

 

[ADUHF]

We haven't talked much about other closed headphones.

Someone mentioned the new Beyer DT 700 Pro X. And I still tend to think that the 250-ohm Beyer DT-770, with some EQ (which is important with this model imo!), is maybe one of the better and also more comfortable options there.

But there are several new options that also look somewhat promising, from a variety of different manufacturers including AKG, Denon, Shure, and Austrian Audio, to name just a few.

I wish Sennheiser would upgrade its old closed HD 380 Pro as well. Those were a bit too withdrawn in the mids and higher treble, as I recall. And maybe a bit too large and unwieldy in terms of their fit. But they had very comfortable earpads, and great sub-bass extension! And probably would have sounded just great with a little EQ to fix some of their other (minor imo) tonal balance issues.

The pads would flap like crazy on those 380's though, if you turned up the volume, due to their strong bass and spacious earcups!

 

[pevsfreedom]

This sometimes makes my head spin Especially the 600/650/6xx thing. I went with the HD600 to try. I did a ton of research and 560S never popped up on my list, nor did "Pro X" lol. Today I'll be testing out the ones I ordered, namely HD600, DT770 250ohm, HD25, and DT880 250ohm. I do wear glasses, so comfort is a big thing. Just trying on the HD600's I actually like more than the DT770s, solely comfort wise.

My problem with open headphones for my set-up, I guess if it's a problem, is I have big tower speakers in the room, so if I want to play out loud well, I'd probably use those. I'd use whatever set of headphones I end up with for guitar playing, recording, listening, and the turntable. I just think closed "MIGHT" be better for me, but if Open just sounds way better I'll go with those.

 

[pevsfreedom]

I did a little headphone shootout that I'll write up on, but the HD600's won by a mile. Will be keeping these.