Well all, I've been listening to the HE-560, and initially had some reservations, particularly regarding female vocals. But just listening to iTunes streaming Fleetwood Mac Tusk Expanded Edition (2015) put me over the edge on keeping these beauties. Vocals aside the drum beat of "Sister of the Moon" is hypnotic. I have since ordered the import CD version for AIFF ripping.
The sound reproduction of this album is what I would call tight and crisp. I'm going to call the female vocals haunting via the HE-560. The articulation of the vocals and instruments (electric guitars are great) makes me feel like I'm in the first row in relatively smallish room. Though I'd probably prefer a slightly larger sound stage, this is really working for me. The background vocals are rich and airy. Makes me wish for my not long forgotten ProAc speaker system
where I could literally point at the placement of the instruments and vocals with those speakers. Now I've got to tell you I'm very nostalgic on this particular CD having ripped it from vinyl to my TEAC Reel to Reel in the 70's and relegated to listening to it via some Koss Pro 4A's( because I could not afford a full blown amplified/speaker system " back in the day"-newly married). I'm actually a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac the original bluesy band, but I've got to hand it to the female vocals and drums on this album of the reconstituted band.
Do I get this kind of ecstasy from all of my music using these headphones? No I do not. I do not know why.
I just received the Oppo PM-3's. and I am going to use this album as my "litmus" test on my iPad Pro/iPhone 6+. Granted, this is a little unfair regarding I'm driving the HE-560 with a dedicated amp. and DAC. But, if the Oppo PM-3 don't do justice to this recording then back they go. I might also give them a chance with some early Clapton.
But back to the main topic of the HE-560's. As much as I like the Senn. HD-650, I've got to hand it to these Hifiman HE-560's. If you strapped me to a chair for marathon listening I'd probably give the tip of the hat to the Senn's knowing that they would be less revealing and less dynamic AKA less tiring and a bit more comfy than the HE-560's..Granted I have Moon Audio Blue Dragon cables on the Senns. which might not be the best match. I've got to say these Hifiman speakers remind me of the legendary AKG K-1000 I had driven from my Krell integrated amplifier a few years back. I never should have sold that rig!
At the sale price I purchased the HE-560's I've got to say I am one happy puppy!