[medleyman30]

Hey guys,
 
I've just recently decided to get into headphones after a home theater guy forever.  I've always appreciated good sound quality, so after researching on here quite a bit picked up some he560s and a lyr headphone amp.  The lyr came with mullard tubes from the previous owners, and everything has been thoroughly burned in IMO.
 
I also own sennheiser momentum 2s and listened to my flac collection through a decent DAC on my pc and thought they sounded great, but figured the he560s and lyr had to be a huge step up, right?  Well, it could be I'm just not as much an audiophile as I thought but I just don't hear much of an improvement considering the money I've spent.  I know there is a point of diminishing returns, but I thought that would at a higher price point, like in the multi-thousands.  
 
So, I'm now thinking of selling the 560s and going with maybe a lower priced headphone like the AKG k712 or even the he400s, although the clamping force seems a bit much with hifimans in general for me, so maybe another brand my be more up my alley.  
 
So am I missing something?  Could it be that $300 headphone sounds barely better than my $900 he560s?  Maybe another brand would "wow" me and really suck me into this hobby?

 

[d4rkch1ld]

Never listened momentum's but had HD 600 few years to me HE 560 sounds significantly better, and significantly better then my other phones (DT 880, Philips X2). Today i sold HD 600 and i will probably sell other phones also.
I guess sound signature is not to your liking?

 

[Russian1]

 
Hey guys,


 


I've just recently decided to get into headphones after a home theater guy forever.  I've always appreciated good sound quality, so after researching on here quite a bit picked up some he560s and a lyr headphone amp.  The lyr came with mullard tubes from the previous owners, and everything has been thoroughly burned in IMO.


 


I also own sennheiser momentum 2s and listened to my flac collection through a decent DAC on my pc and thought they sounded great, but figured the he560s and lyr had to be a huge step up, right?  Well, it could be I'm just not as much an audiophile as I thought but I just don't hear much of an improvement considering the money I've spent.  I know there is a point of diminishing returns, but I thought that would at a higher price point, like in the multi-thousands.  


 


So, I'm now thinking of selling the 560s and going with maybe a lower priced headphone like the AKG k712 or even the he400s, although the clamping force seems a bit much with hifimans in general for me, so maybe another brand my be more up my alley.  


 


So am I missing something?  Could it be that $300 headphone sounds barely better than my $900 he560s?  Maybe another brand would "wow" me and really suck me into this hobby?

Actually I had the same problem as you. 


That was more than a year ago - I bought HE-560 and did not see noticable difference with my good old Bayers DT-990 Pro. I mean, the signature was different but I just could not understand what I did pay such money for. 


 


I also wanted to sell HE-560, but was advised to let the cans burn in. I do not believe in headphones burn in, but I do believe in 'brain burn in". 


In a few months my brain burned in, got accustomed to the HE-560 and now I hear huge difference between them and my DT990 (250 Om). 

I mean sound quality of HE-560 is much higher

*still love, keep and often use DT990 though, they are fun and forgiving

 

[SSL443]

  Actually I had the same problem as you. 
  That was more than a year ago - I bought HE-560 and did not see noticable difference with my good old Bayers DT-990 Pro. I mean, the signature was different but I just could not understand what I did pay such money for. 
 
I also wanted to sell HE-560, but was advised to let the cans burn in. I do not believe in headphones burn in, but I do believe in 'brain burn in". 
 
In a few months my brain burned in, got accustomed to the HE-560 and now I hear huge difference between them and my DT990 (250 Om). 

I mean sound quality of HE-560 is much higher
  *still love, keep and often use DT990 though, they are fun and forgiving

 
Same deal here with DT 880 Pro, although it only took a few days. The HE-560 is clearly in a different league, and the difference isn't subtle.
 
A phrase I've heard is "mid-fi purgatory", often in reference to the mid-priced cans like the DT-series and other stuff in the $200-500 range. I know what they mean, now.

 

[tvnosaint]

Improvements are minor and sometimes taste related. I can still go back to my portable set up and older rig without missing a lot. Except for my dac, it's golden. But I put on my old q701s every once and a while and I still like them a lot. Same for the focals and amperiors. Usually i sweat a tiny upgrade to suit my preferences or tailor the sound because i just want to. If you're happy , why waste the money?

 

[Rdrcr]

  Never listened momentum's but had HD 600 few years to me HE 560 sounds significantly better, and significantly better then my other phones (DT 880, Philips X2). Today i sold HD 600 and i will probably sell other phones also.
I guess sound signature is not to your liking?

 
Agreed.
 
I also own the HD650's and much prefer the sound of the HE560's.
Personal taste.
 
Mike

 

[wahsmoh]

There is more grain in the mid-fi headphones category and less sub-bass rumble that you get from a good planar. When listening to the bass transients in really complex and fast attacking music can cause distortion and muddy sound.

 

[Haris Javed]

  Hey guys,
 
I've just recently decided to get into headphones after a home theater guy forever.  I've always appreciated good sound quality, so after researching on here quite a bit picked up some he560s and a lyr headphone amp.  The lyr came with mullard tubes from the previous owners, and everything has been thoroughly burned in IMO.
 
I also own sennheiser momentum 2s and listened to my flac collection through a decent DAC on my pc and thought they sounded great, but figured the he560s and lyr had to be a huge step up, right?  Well, it could be I'm just not as much an audiophile as I thought but I just don't hear much of an improvement considering the money I've spent.  I know there is a point of diminishing returns, but I thought that would at a higher price point, like in the multi-thousands.  
 
So, I'm now thinking of selling the 560s and going with maybe a lower priced headphone like the AKG k712 or even the he400s, although the clamping force seems a bit much with hifimans in general for me, so maybe another brand my be more up my alley.  
 
So am I missing something?  Could it be that $300 headphone sounds barely better than my $900 he560s?  Maybe another brand would "wow" me and really suck me into this hobby?

I see your problem. It is "lyr" + 560. I had the exact same combo and thought my Philips X1 were superior - that was until I moved to IFI IDSD Micro. I know that Lyr has tons of power but it fails to pair well with the 560. I even replaced the tubes on the Lyr, but it didnt help much. The IDSD has lower power but the sound is extremely tight, and controlled - Also as mentioned above you are still probably getting used to the 560 sound - give it a few weeks, and you will see how much better it is.

 

[ksb643]

I see your problem. It is "lyr" + 560. I had the exact same combo and thought my Philips X1 were superior - that was until I moved to IFI IDSD Micro. I know that Lyr has tons of power but it fails to pair well with the 560. I even replaced the tubes on the Lyr, but it didnt help much. The IDSD has lower power but the sound is extremely tight, and controlled - Also as mentioned above you are still probably getting used to the 560 sound - give it a few weeks, and you will see how much better it is.

 

I say try the Chord Mojo!

 

[gHeadphone]

  Hey guys,
 
I've just recently decided to get into headphones after a home theater guy forever.  I've always appreciated good sound quality, so after researching on here quite a bit picked up some he560s and a lyr headphone amp.  The lyr came with mullard tubes from the previous owners, and everything has been thoroughly burned in IMO.
 
I also own sennheiser momentum 2s and listened to my flac collection through a decent DAC on my pc and thought they sounded great, but figured the he560s and lyr had to be a huge step up, right?  Well, it could be I'm just not as much an audiophile as I thought but I just don't hear much of an improvement considering the money I've spent.  I know there is a point of diminishing returns, but I thought that would at a higher price point, like in the multi-thousands.  
 
So, I'm now thinking of selling the 560s and going with maybe a lower priced headphone like the AKG k712 or even the he400s, although the clamping force seems a bit much with hifimans in general for me, so maybe another brand my be more up my alley.  
 
So am I missing something?  Could it be that $300 headphone sounds barely better than my $900 he560s?  Maybe another brand would "wow" me and really suck me into this hobby?

Definitely give the 560s timer to burn in. The packaging recommends 150 hours, i know after 100 hours my 560s sound like totally different headphones (i was a little underwhelmed when i opened them first too)

 

[KetchupNinja]

I'm really tempted to pick these up.  I loved the bass on the HE400 but hated the treble.  The HE-500 were absolutely astonishing to me but I had to sell them a while back.  I currently have an HD-800 and while I love the large soundstage and detail, it doesn't really have that intimacy that I had with the HE-500.
 
I've been hearing that the HE-400i was supposed to be based off of the HE-500 and the 560 is the successor.  Is the HE-560 for me? 

 

[Midgetguy]

  I'm really tempted to pick these up.  I loved the bass on the HE400 but hated the treble.  The HE-500 were absolutely astonishing to me but I had to sell them a while back.  I currently have an HD-800 and while I love the large soundstage and detail, it doesn't really have that intimacy that I had with the HE-500.
 
I've been hearing that the HE-400i was supposed to be based off of the HE-500 and the 560 is the successor.  Is the HE-560 for me? 

Based on that short description, I'll say yes. To my ears, the HE-560 has quite a good sound stage (though not as large as the HD800 I'd imagine) and is very detailed. It's got satisfying but not overdone bass as well. I really like my set.

 

[Dithyrambes]

  Definitely give the 560s timer to burn in. The packaging recommends 150 hours, i know after 100 hours my 560s sound like totally different headphones (i was a little underwhelmed when i opened them first too)

 

  I see your problem. It is "lyr" + 560. I had the exact same combo and thought my Philips X1 were superior - that was until I moved to IFI IDSD Micro. I know that Lyr has tons of power but it fails to pair well with the 560. I even replaced the tubes on the Lyr, but it didnt help much. The IDSD has lower power but the sound is extremely tight, and controlled - Also as mentioned above you are still probably getting used to the 560 sound - give it a few weeks, and you will see how much better it is.

I found the treble to be brittle and dry through the ifi unit, though bass was extended. I remember getting the he560 and thinking it wasn't great at first, but you really have to give them some time. Also please try focus A pads before thinking of selling them. I found the sound of the focus pads not so great. I makes the 4k peak strong, and the bass is more one note type of texture.

 

[legcramp]

I found the treble to be brittle and dry through the ifi unit, though bass was extended. I remember getting the he560 and thinking it wasn't great at first, but you really have to give them some time. Also please try focus A pads before thinking of selling them. I found the sound of the focus pads not so great. I makes the 4k peak strong, and the bass is more one note type of texture.

Where can I purchase some focus A pads?

 

[raybone0566]

Where can I purchase some focus A pads?

They are on the hifiman website. I believe accessories it listed under. Or just google them