[AmericanSpirit]

Sad to see Sennheiser selling their consumer wing off. I think covid really did a number on a lot of businesses, especially those that are considered "discretionary spending" such as this audio hobby. I think Sennheiser, other than selling IEMs/headphoines, pre covid, they also were involved with a lot of stage equipment and setups for performances, concerts and stuff, which understandably is non existent in this covid climate. I saw some reports of Sennheiser retrenching staff too, sad news.

I do think the Sennheiser headphones, some of them are timeless gems, but have they had new innovations in recent years? Some of their headphones are decades old (but old is gold I would concede, and newer is not always better). Though in the IEMs department, I have tried a few Sennheiser IEMs, and I gotta say, CHIFI has got them beat. CHIFI has probably eroded into their sales, the price to performance ratio that CHIFI gives is much better than some of these western brands (for IEMS at least).

Sennheiser’s innovation level was slow, and HD800 was simply too expensive choice for me back in time, they used to sell $3-500 range and suddenly doubled that up. I lost trust with Sennheiser for headphones since then. For IEM, yes Sennheiser simply lacked commitment, simply outsourcing production to lower waged countries could not solve their IEMs to stay competitive. It’s natural selection taking place. Never the less HD560S was a good buy! If anyone still interested in Sennheiser sound, this is well representing it, forget about momentum series that’s something else.

 

[Dsnuts]

How good/bad is IA's pressure relief/vacuum effect?

No vacuum effect as it seems to be all solid resin design. No room for air in the shells. No vents as it is all BAs. I don't get driver flex or vacuum for their SG-03 either.
As good as the Insects awaken is their value earphone is the SG-03. In fact just a gut feeling I have but wait till more folks chime in but these are gonna gain some attention.

Don't recommend using a $400 cable on a $69 earphone, no need for it. No rule against this however.

 

[Barusu Lamperouge]

Sad to see Sennheiser selling their consumer wing off. I think covid really did a number on a lot of businesses, especially those that are considered "discretionary spending" such as this audio hobby. I think Sennheiser, other than selling IEMs/headphoines, pre covid, they also were involved with a lot of stage equipment and setups for performances, concerts and stuff, which understandably is non existent in this covid climate. I saw some reports of Sennheiser retrenching staff too, sad news.

I do think the Sennheiser headphones, some of them are timeless gems, but have they had new innovations in recent years? Some of their headphones are decades old (but old is gold I would concede, and newer is not always better). Though in the IEMs department, I have tried a few Sennheiser IEMs, and I gotta say, CHIFI has got them beat. CHIFI has probably eroded into their sales, the price to performance ratio that CHIFI gives is much better than some of these western brands (for IEMS at least).

Totally agree with Sennheiser's subpar performance in IEM space. My momentum and CX series earphones make me feel like a fool now considering as I spent a fortune on them as a student with nonexistent income. Chi-fi simply blows them away for performance at less than half the price.

I am very much intrigued by HD560S and maybe if they're still available till Black Friday then I will definitely purchase them as my first and only Senn can

 

[peter123]

For that I got myself “maybe the last of pure-Sennheiser’s attempt on good value headphone”, HD560S

As a guy enlightened by Sennheiser’s PX100 when I was young, it’s sad to see they decided to choose “focus” strategy rather than staying competitive with Chifi/Apple trend, but I still hope someday Sennheiser to come back to consumer segments! I personally own world’s first electrostatic(electret type) headphones that is Sennheiser’s beginning of legendary Orpheus, and owning their last release HD560S, the neutral HD600’s modernization, is somewhat sentimental feeling.

HD560S is light, and one-sided connector(like HD5xx series and HD25 series), so it’s better of handling around compared to HD650/HD6XX.

It also can be modded as LDAC wireless with BTR5, so you happened to find your BTR5 is on a vacation after purchasing upgrades, this may be a good opportunity for you to try Wireless that you hardly could tell difference with wired type of neutral( a bit colored) reference style listening I use it for watching TV past midnight or after bathing of which IEMs are not the option due to wet ear canal.


/end of fanboy passionate promotion

As a Sennheiser lover myself (HD558, 569, 598SE, 58X, 650, 700 and 800S) I'm intrigued by your comment about using the HD5XX series with the 5K. May I ask what connector you use between the headphones and the 5K in this setup, or are you using it with the cable?

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Totally agree with Sennheiser's subpar performance in IEM space. My momentum and CX series earphones make me feel like a fool now considering as I spent a fortune on them as a student with nonexistent income. Chi-fi simply blows them away for performance at less than half the price.

I am very much intrigued by HD560S and maybe if they're still available till Black Friday then I will definitely purchase them as my first and only Senn can

Good luck! surely they do, it’s not that Senn is gonna be out of business in anytime sooner, probable segment reorganization and cuts off unprofitable line ups, we still can expect some new line ups on audiophile product, under other capital partner’s management.

So that HD560S is something Senn could spin out with last of pure Sennheiser’s breath As a personal unit owner of both HD650/HD560S, I prefer HD560S for its neutrality and extremely wide diffusion field, it will wow you Many studio monitors are made flat but they usually comes with non-existing sound stage, not for the case of HD560S, flat & wide is a welcoming can that can be used for any purposes

 

[AmericanSpirit]

As a Sennheiser lover myself (HD558, 569, 598SE, 58X, 650, 700 and 800S) I'm intrigued by your comment about using the HD5XX series with the 5K. May I ask what connector you use between the headphones and the 5K in this setup, or are you using it with the cable?

It’s this one, cheap and it does its job

NewFantasia HiFi Cable with 2.5mm Trrs Balanced Male Compatible with Sennheiser HD598 / HD598 SE / HD598 Cs / HD599 / HD569 / HD579 Headphones and for Astell&Kern AK240 AK380 AK320 onkyo DP-X1 FIIO https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075C9HXW...abc_WEMHBWM9ZASQFX2X5T68?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

here is a closer look, I somehow managed to simply tie those together using the cable Not the sleekest look, but it’s the thing that exists.
Great point is that it’s 2.5mm balanced, so BTR5 can run the HD560S with 250mw(vs SE 80mw) with dual DAC, headphones do need power and this is how we can run LDAC or AptX HD with balanced power Many wireless headphones does not have volume control but with this, you can adjust volume, play/pause/skip/back, change lowpass filter without touching the main device which is wonderful.

-Lightweight compared to HD6xx series due to its plastic body; made it easier to use as wireless can
-Newly developed 120-ohm transducer used, easier to drive with smaller daps/amps
-Single-sided connector,compared to double-sided connector with HD6xx series, made it easier to mod to wireless

 

[claud W]

If you are going to buy the last of the original Sennheisers, then I would recommend the HD 600s or the HD 650s if you want a darker sound.

 

[peter123]

It’s this one, cheap and it does its job

NewFantasia HiFi Cable with 2.5mm Trrs Balanced Male Compatible with Sennheiser HD598 / HD598 SE / HD598 Cs / HD599 / HD569 / HD579 Headphones and for Astell&Kern AK240 AK380 AK320 onkyo DP-X1 FIIO https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075C9HXW...abc_WEMHBWM9ZASQFX2X5T68?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

here is a closer look, I somehow managed to simply tie those together using the cable Not the sleekest look, but it’s the thing that exists.
Great point is that it’s 2.5mm balanced, so BTR5 can run the HD560S with 250mw(vs SE 80mw) with dual DAC, headphones do need power and this is how we can run LDAC or AptX HD with balanced power Many wireless headphones does not have volume control but with this, you can adjust volume, play/pause/skip/back, change lowpass filter without touching the main device which is wonderful.

-Lightweight compared to HD6xx series due to its plastic body; made it easier to use as wireless can
-Newly developed 120-ohm transducer used, easier to drive with smaller daps/amps
-Single-sided connector,compared to double-sided connector with HD6xx series, made it easier to mod to wireless

Thanks! I've got a balanced cable for them already (possible the same as yours). I was looking for a solution like this that I use with the Fidelio X2s and the Onkyo H900M:


I was hoping that you've found a solution

 

[AmericanSpirit]

Thanks! I've got a balanced cable for them already (possible the same as yours). I was looking for a solution like this that I use with the Fidelio X2s and the Onkyo H900M:


I was hoping that you've found a solution

Same I was looking for that sleek balanced 2.5mm trrs short solutions...it will be awesome if some genius 3D print the amp holder that sleekly fits with each type of headphones, that’s a insta buy. I joticed When the amp is sticking downward, it interferes with my shoulders, so my ideal position would be somewhere on the side of headphone.

 

[peter123]

Same I was looking for that sleek balanced 2.5mm trrs short solutions...it will be awesome if some genius 3D print the amp holder that sleekly fits with each type of headphones, that’s a insta buy. I joticed When the amp is sticking downward, it interferes with my shoulders, so my ideal position would be somewhere on the side of headphone.

Yes, that would be the perfect solution. The hunt continues

 

[RikudouGoku]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002007484281.html

So ehm, anyone going to get this? Its like...half the price for some reason right now.

Its usually at 250 usd and at 200 during sales.

Looks pretty damn good as well.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002007484281.html

So ehm, anyone going to get this? Its like...half the price for some reason right now.


Its usually at 250 usd and at 200 during sales.

Looks pretty damn good as well.

Interesting...looks like mid-centric? The chart is skewed but it looks like a somewhat Harman curve. YinTao (桜桃）means Sakura-cherry blossom and peach.

Let me ask the shop why they are discounting if the reason sounds reasonable I may try. I was looking for a mid-centric one.

 

[RikudouGoku]

Interesting...looks like mid-centric? The chart is skewed but it looks like a somewhat Harman curve. YinTao (桜桃）means Sakura-cherry blossom and peach.

Let me ask the shop why they are discounting if the reason sounds reasonable I may try. I was looking for a mid-centric one.

It definitely doesn't look like a mid centric iem with that bass it has. More like a U-shaped iem.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

It definitely doesn't look like a mid centric iem with that bass it has. More like a U-shaped iem.

Hmm, maybe I’ll skip then

Just looked up on youtube and something weird happened: I wonder why the youtube account owner got banned for YTAO Crystal review

 

[Asakurai]

Thanks!
I thought kaguya is not something around120USD(777CNY) more like 7777CNY ;1200USD for open-box used?

Your insight seemed very chinese domestic market knowledgeable and I appreciate that!

Thanks for the correction, my bad
Yeah it's 7777 rmb