This is a very interesting hypothesis. Increased sensitivity to sharp sounds, which sibilance is, could be definitely either due to tiredness (when we're more sensitive to mental stimulants in general) or alert (listening critically, etc.).
I got to say my experience mirrors that. There are days when I love the overall sound of a more treble focused headphone, though they're less common than the days I would dislike that headphone for sibilant reasons.
There are also obviously other factors such as how much your gear attenuates said harshness or the mastering of a given piece of music but in general that is the region we're most sensitive too.
Like many here, I am watching both this and the 560S thread and from what I've gathered so far, the 560S is closer to a more extended, spacious 6xx series headphone while the X3 is more of a better behaved X2. Nothing wrong with either, but having owned the X2 and listened to the Senns, I am more likely inclined to enjoy the Senns long term, much like I do smoother, balanced headphones compared to initially exciting sounding but long term disappointing headphones.
They're also cheaper
I got to say my experience mirrors that. There are days when I love the overall sound of a more treble focused headphone, though they're less common than the days I would dislike that headphone for sibilant reasons.
There are also obviously other factors such as how much your gear attenuates said harshness or the mastering of a given piece of music but in general that is the region we're most sensitive too.
Like many here, I am watching both this and the 560S thread and from what I've gathered so far, the 560S is closer to a more extended, spacious 6xx series headphone while the X3 is more of a better behaved X2. Nothing wrong with either, but having owned the X2 and listened to the Senns, I am more likely inclined to enjoy the Senns long term, much like I do smoother, balanced headphones compared to initially exciting sounding but long term disappointing headphones.
They're also cheaper
Last edited: