This was my exact experience.. Along with some "thinness" to the sound and a somewhat lacking low end, the brightness is my main complaint with these.
Even today, I just got my new O2+ODAC combo in and while proper amping has helped with the sound for me (having only been running it out of my laptop and Sony A17+Fiio A3 before), the changes were not all that drastic.
Improved bass response and a slightly better "fullness" to the sound were the main benefits, but I found myself having to turn them down to avoid some rather bright highs. I've broken them in for hours as well, but it's not enough.
Although my opinion has improved on the M560s now that I've tested them with some more power, they're still not for me. In the end I'm still going to give them to my girlfriend because she likes them a lot.
One way to describe the M560s for me is how I described them to her earlier today:
"They're like a movie that you get hyped up for because of the trailers and the cover art, but when you finally see it in theatre, it's just not as good as you expected. You probably don't feel like you outright wasted your money, because you did still enjoy the experience, but you feel like you could have spent it better elsewhere and come away happier."
The build? Superb. The efficiency? Really good. The sound? ....Notttt quite there imo.
As a side note, one of the songs I tested today with the new amp and the M560s (and my T40RP MK3's that I'm deciding if I want to keep) was Glass Animals' 'Flip' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BPPSoo0A7c).
The bass in this song is simply fantastic, and while the M560s got a bit more ummmph to them with the O2+ODAC, they could not compete at all with the T40RPs. With all the reports coming in about the M1060's bass response, I want to hear this track on those now
I don't have access to either of those, unfortunately. This is yet another moment where I wish I knew more audio enthusiasts (yes, purely for their gearjk).
I can see the truth of your words though; even with my other cans, I can hear some brightness coming from the O2+ODAC. Not in a bad way, but I can see how it would "boost" the M560s already bright sound sig.
This was my exact experience.. Along with some "thinness" to the sound and a somewhat lacking low end, the brightness is my main complaint with these.
Even today, I just got my new O2+ODAC combo in and while proper amping has helped with the sound for me (having only been running it out of my laptop and Sony A17+Fiio A3 before), the changes were not all that drastic.
Improved bass response and a slightly better "fullness" to the sound were the main benefits, but I found myself having to turn them down to avoid some rather bright highs. I've broken them in for hours as well, but it's not enough.
Although my opinion has improved on the M560s now that I've tested them with some more power, they're still not for me. In the end I'm still going to give them to my girlfriend because she likes them a lot.
One way to describe the M560s for me is how I described them to her earlier today:
"They're like a movie that you get hyped up for because of the trailers and the cover art, but when you finally see it in theatre, it's just not as good as you expected. You probably don't feel like you outright wasted your money, because you did still enjoy the experience, but you feel like you could have spent it better elsewhere and come away happier."
The build? Superb. The efficiency? Really good. The sound? ....Notttt quite there imo.
As a side note, one of the songs I tested today with the new amp and the M560s (and my T40RP MK3's that I'm deciding if I want to keep) was Glass Animals' 'Flip' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BPPSoo0A7c).
The bass in this song is simply fantastic, and while the M560s got a bit more ummmph to them with the O2+ODAC, they could not compete at all with the T40RPs. With all the reports coming in about the M1060's bass response, I want to hear this track on those now
Hey, thanks for your description, which was very helpful for me. I do own the Fidelio X2 and the T50rpmkIII for music and gaming. I do prefer the X2s for gaming and the Fostex for music. On my upgrade list are the Beyerdynamic DT1770 or 1990 pros. Now I am wondering, if the M1060 could be an cheaper alternative for me than the DT1990s. Could you please post your subjective opinion in a few days, if you prefer the X2s or the M1060 as gaming/allrounder cans? How big is the sonical difference between these two? Would the M1060 be an upgrade or a sidegrade for me?So I just got my M1060 and listened to Chesky Records CD for testing high end HIFI systems. (The ultimate Demonstration Disk, 1995). you can find a youtube version (not as good as the version I have but will give you an idea). the record is guided selection of 14 songs that test different aspects of sound quality and reproduction. very informative I believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IoRwr4DD0&index=1&list=PLdZhik4dyFHr4kncCtr024E2IfP330dP2
I want to share my first impressions here.
Build
The M1060 has no cracks or connector major issues. I swapped the cable with my Shure SE215 cable and it has the same fit as the M1060 stock cable (both plugs move/wobble slightly when you try to check the connection firmness unlike my Shure IEM connection). sound quality and connection reliability, however, is not impacted in my case. I did the opposite and connected the M1060 stock cable to my Shure IEM and it had a "firmer" connection to the the IEM female connector. I think the female connectors of the M1060 have more give and slightly looser tolerance. again, sound quality/connection is not impacted. The cable is short but I have my Micca Origin+ DAC/AMP on my disk and it is close enough. I have to be careful though when I reach for things on the other side of the desk or on the floor because how sort the cable is. I wish it was a couple of feet longer though.
The leather smells like getting into a luxury car at the dealership ...M1060 look, smell and feel like the "higher end" expensive headphones (probably high end need to be redefined now).
My X2 wins in the build quality (like a tank) and I would say even comfort. the M1060 is comfortable but not like X2 where I leave it on for hours.
My Micca Origin+ drives them just enough to painful level at MAX. I got the vegan pads delivered today also but I will wait on swapping the stock pads until I read more impressions.
Sound Quality
I am new to the audiophile world and only started investing last year in better systems. I believe when you start, you have a limited number of "wow" moments when you first hear quality sound that blows you out of the water compared to what you are used to hear from low quality equipment. I already had two of those wow moments; when I first heard the Philips Fidilio X2 (currently my daily driver) and when I first hooked up my KEF LS50 and listened to Lydia Gray's "sorry seem to be the hardest word". As your ears adjust to quality sound reproduction, you seem to get less WOW'ed by higher quality gear since it is not a major step up to your "burned in" ears (but surely low quality gear will sound crappier than you remember). I was worried that the M1060 would not wow me compared to the excellent X2's BUT it did. at least in some parts of the sound spectrum were the X2 dynamic driver was physically limiting. I am not even sure if it is possible to reproduce sound "much" better than this honestly with a headphone. Anything more will have probably minor impact on the listening experience IMHO. I tried the LCD-2, LCD-X and HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 recently where I played DSD music on high end amplifier and they were excellent. The M1060, however, is right there. I may not remember the exact sound differences between them and the M1060 but I do remember the experience and that's what matters to me at least. They are all excellent and the M1060 is in the same league in SQ, IMHO. If those where on top of the "sound quality" hill having fun, then the M1060 has just joined the party. where it probably falls short is in the build quality given what others are experiencing. I have not seen any issues yet but time will tell.
Bass ? it is hitting my sweet spot for my taste. vocals are clear but tad recessed compared to my X2, not by much but I noticed it while A/B them. I will wait and reserve judgment until the cans are burned in to make a final judgment. Treble is just great and balanced (I don't like bright cans and find them too sharp and fatiguing for my ears, talking about you DT-770
overall
Monoprice has really hit a home run with the M1060 when it comes to sound quality. if they pay more attention to the build quality without impacting the price, they will have a game changer and will surely dominate the market of $300+ headphones ( Audeze and HIFIMAN should be very worried!). Anyone who is in the market for buying quality headphones should try the M1060 first and see if it is worth it to pay three times that (or more) for high end ones. yes, they are that great and I second those who think that it could be an end game cans. Monoprice, don't screw this and focus on build quality now.
Isn't it though?It's been one of my test tracks for a while now.
Yeah, I can agree. I like it so far though, although I haven't tried a Schiit Stack or any other Schiit gear, so I don't know what I'm missing.
I'm liking the T40RPs more and more, but the issue is portability.
I have some 400i's coming in tomorrow and those will most likely end up being my home cans. If the T40s were more portable, then they might be my "portable Hi-Fi" cans, but they require too much power; my portable amp can't power them to satisfaction (volume yes, resolving sound no).
As it stands, they may end up being my home closed cans for the time being, but I keep wondering if there's better (but still affordable) out there.
Does that mean no pad rolling though?
Grrr
But seriously, I'm glad it sounds good to you too!
