@Wildcatsare1
, the k7xx are pretty easy to drive (sensitivity: 105 dB/V, impedance: 62 Ohms). for my normal listening volumes, volume pot on the lyr 2 is like 9 o'clock for the k7xx and 11 o'clock on the HE-560. the k7xx are terminated with a 1/8" plug with screw-on 1/8" to 1/4" adapter.
overall, the k7xx and he-560 have extremely similar sound signatures. Both very well-balanced natural sounding headphones (imo). I tend to think of the K7xx as a budget HE-560. the k7xx has a crispy airy treble similar to the he-560's presentation. Great treble detail and clarity and clean midrange that sounds tonally correct to my ears.
some of the more noticeable differences is that the bass is much tighter on the HE-560 and the HE-560 has lower bass extension. The HE-560's bass is more linear as well. There is a lil more bloom and reverb with the bass on the K7xx and the really low sub-bass is a bit recessed in comparison to the rest of the bass on the K7xx. A subtle mid-to-upper bass emphasis on the K7xx while the HE-560's bass does not have any particular regional emphasis. The HE-560 is faster with better transient response, more spacing between notes. The K7xx has subtly longer decay times when compared directly to the HE-560. I'd say that it has extremely good speed for a mid-fi dynamic headphone, but will notice improvements in that area on the really nice planars. Detail resolution is better on the HE-560 of course. Sound stage and imaging is pretty comparable on both, though the HE-560 would have the edge. The K7xx does sound just a tad bit grainer than the HE-560 in a direct side-by-side type comparison (edit: though this is extremely source dependent, I find the K7xx less forgiving and more prone to picking up noise/distortion with poor source files. on the biforst+lyr 2 combo, the k7xx sound extremely clean). In a direct comparison between the K7xx and HE-560, you can definitely notice the superior technical abilities of the HE-560, but the relative differences between them is not that large.
There isn't really any instance where I prefer the K7xx over the HE-560 and I do think the HE-560 wins in overall sonic performance. However, the performance per value on the K7xx is off the charts, so for people on a budget, I would highly recommend them. Extremely competitive sonic performance for its price tag. Hard to point out any flaws on the K7xx unless you do direct comparisons against some flagship headphones.
Though if you still have the HE-560, the K7xx may be redundant imo as they share a very similar presentation. I've personally found that I hardly use my own K7xx as I my primary headphones are the HE-560.
also, have some more detailed impressions of the he-560 vs lcd-x vs k7xx for metal in particular in my sig.
hope this is helpful. cheers
