Hmm. For me energetic midrange is kinds important. For that reason I for instance preferred the MA900/K612 to the X1 as they were simply too smooth and subdued relative to the other two.
For me a headphone has to be relatively even across the whole spectrum and have sufficient energy in the midrange. I hate overblown bass (the X1 is not like that IMO) or super edgy treble.
The K612 is very close and is probably my recommendation for anyone looking for an all-rounder, followed by the MA900, each having its pros and cons. The X1 is more bassy and less balanced than the two but it has the best treble and deepest and punchiest bass IMO.
As for now, the 560 is currently my favorite all-round headphone. Even sounding, great extension, sufficient tight as and very extended bass, if a bit punch soft at times. Exquisite imaging... Although it does not have the soundstage awesomeness of a K612 (what planar does?) it is spacious enough, especially coupled with the great imaging.
As a pure gaming headphone, I probably wouldn't recommend it though I'd give it an 8+ for competitive and immersion... There are better strictly gaming headphones and the K612 and MA900 are comparable if noticeably less accurate and refined.
The MA900 is more immerssive and bigger soundstage wise, while the K612 is less or about as fun but wins competitive wise due to great soundstage. The X1 is the most fun but least competitive of the bunch but still not too shabby.
The greatest advantage all have over the 560 is soundstage size but the 560 manages to portray the cues better, more speaker like in the space, if limited scale wise, with great imaging and cue accuracy.
With music, the 560 easily outshines the three though they still hold out respectively. Same with movies with a more consistent and balanced experience, like with games.
So purely for games no, but as an all-rounder, they're a great headphone and although expensive, they compete with some headphones twice the price. HiFiMAN being very competitive in general
My 2c.
For me a headphone has to be relatively even across the whole spectrum and have sufficient energy in the midrange. I hate overblown bass (the X1 is not like that IMO) or super edgy treble.
The K612 is very close and is probably my recommendation for anyone looking for an all-rounder, followed by the MA900, each having its pros and cons. The X1 is more bassy and less balanced than the two but it has the best treble and deepest and punchiest bass IMO.
As for now, the 560 is currently my favorite all-round headphone. Even sounding, great extension, sufficient tight as and very extended bass, if a bit punch soft at times. Exquisite imaging... Although it does not have the soundstage awesomeness of a K612 (what planar does?) it is spacious enough, especially coupled with the great imaging.
As a pure gaming headphone, I probably wouldn't recommend it though I'd give it an 8+ for competitive and immersion... There are better strictly gaming headphones and the K612 and MA900 are comparable if noticeably less accurate and refined.
The MA900 is more immerssive and bigger soundstage wise, while the K612 is less or about as fun but wins competitive wise due to great soundstage. The X1 is the most fun but least competitive of the bunch but still not too shabby.
The greatest advantage all have over the 560 is soundstage size but the 560 manages to portray the cues better, more speaker like in the space, if limited scale wise, with great imaging and cue accuracy.
With music, the 560 easily outshines the three though they still hold out respectively. Same with movies with a more consistent and balanced experience, like with games.
So purely for games no, but as an all-rounder, they're a great headphone and although expensive, they compete with some headphones twice the price. HiFiMAN being very competitive in general
My 2c.
Prost all together!
