[rocksteady65]

  Just testing four HD560II headphones before I put them up for sale. The HD560II is a very good headphone. It has the same neutrality and transparency as the HD540II but the stereo imaging of the HD560II is a bit more withdrawn and distant than the HD540. Apart from this though, they're excellent and make the HD600/HD650 seem mediocre.

 
Very much agreed. Apart from the fact that my HD560s were the original version (Ovation), my experience with both models echo and reflect yours. And yes, they both make the HD600/650 seem mediocre in comparison!

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

I shall put the four HD560II towards a second hand HD800, so that I can assess the HD540 performance. I fear that my expectations of headphones are so high now that even the HD800 won't be enough. AKG K1000, which will have some distance to the ear, will be where it's at. Speakers where I don't have to worry about room signature.

 

[daltonlanny]

If anyone out there has any spare HD 540 Reference II parts such as headbands/headband pads, velour earpads, other parts, in good condition, a pair that doesn't work for spare parts, or even a pair in good working order, please shoot me a PM.
Also, has anyone tried the stock HD430 earpads on their HD540 Reference II?
If so, how do they sound?
Thanks.

 

[pkshan]

Get the first version(not II) of 540s/560s/430s/540 gold, the earlier production,the better .
get them all lol (they aren't expensive,why not?)
don't waste your breath on the 800s
 
one of my friend is going to sell his hd800s & the pricey OCC silver cord,
after he got the 430s & the early production 560 Ovation (transducers are black)

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

Using a silver cable with a HD800 doesn't sound like a particularly good idea... >_< No wonder he must prefer the vintage Sennheisers.

 

[pkshan]

Using a silver cable with a HD800 doesn't sound like a particularly good idea... >_< No wonder he must prefer the vintage Sennheisers.

 
Vintage Sennheisers are much more musical than the HD800s
the original cable sounds even worse,
He doesn't want to listen to the hd800s for more than 10s after heard the hd560s (early production)
 
and hd560s sound quality is very close to the 800s

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

HD560 may have better sonic balance than the HD800 (not sure but probably) but I'm confident that the HD800 stereo imaging decimates what you get from a 560.

 

[pkshan]

HD560 may have better sonic balance than the HD800 (not sure but probably) but I'm confident that the HD800 stereo imaging decimates what you get from a 560.

 
 
hd560 early production has better imaging.
& get touched by music  is more important than imaging or some hifi sound effects
we both agreed that when we listen to hd560s,we feel more pleasure,satisfied,happier, than listen to hd800s
 
 
early production:

 
mid & late production

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

From my listening experience, when I auditioned the HD800 side-by-side with my reference HD540II through the same DAC/amp, the HD800 projected a slightly larger sense of scale and space IMO. At home, with HD540II and HD560II playing side-by-side from the same DAC/amp, the HD540II projects a greater sense of space than the HD560II. HD560II has a distant and withdrawn stereo image in comparison that is less engaging and less immersive.
 
I consider HD540II and HD560II equal on resolution and tonal accuracy though. They are spot on in that regard and the HD800 doesn't perform any better in tonality. HD800 either matches the HD540/HD560 tonal accuracy or it is inferior. Not sure yet but it certainly isn't superior in tonal accuracy.

 

[rockfan1972]

I have a question.
I already own a K701, DT880 * 600, HD600, MS1, HE500
Which headphones from serie HD540, HD560, HD540II and HD560II would represent something different and would attract my attention?
 
Don't tell me HD800, K812, T1, LCD3 .... Want just one old senn for $100 in my collection

 

[rocksteady65]

Using a silver cable with a HD800 doesn't sound like a particularly good idea... >_< No wonder he must prefer the vintage Sennheisers.

 
Agreed. It is probably a very bad idea using Silver cabling with the already bright HD800. And I have great difficulty believing that the original cable is that bad...

 

[vid]

  I have a question.
I already own a K701, DT880 * 600, HD600, MS1, HE500
Which headphones from serie HD540, HD560, HD540II and HD560II would represent something different and would attract my attention?
 
Don't tell me HD800, K812, T1, LCD3 .... Want just one old senn for $100 in my collection

 
My HD 530 sounds fairly similar to the K 701, just a bit less bright, so assuming as it seems that there aren't large differences between the old HD 5x0 models, not sure how much different it gets with those models. Where you might find differences is between one unit of e.g. HD 560 and another unit of HD 560 - so get multiple ones for your collection. (But I'd probably recommend you get the vintage DT 990 instead - it has a darker signature while sounding a bit more refined than the HD 600 and K 701.)

 

[pkshan]

  I have a question.
I already own a K701, DT880 * 600, HD600, MS1, HE500
Which headphones from serie HD540, HD560, HD540II and HD560II would represent something different and would attract my attention?
 
Don't tell me HD800, K812, T1, LCD3 .... Want just one old senn for $100 in my collection

If you want just one, get the hd560 Ovation (non II)
it's an all rounder headphone.
 
You can sell the 701s/880s/600,MS1 to refund
(560 has sweeter,smoother mids than 701s, clearer & better highs than 880, better in classical music than 600s)
 
then you may consider one more, the 430's, it's very cheap, very underrated
the vocal emotion,texture are top-notch. very engaging sound, classic sound of 1980's, better then most Grados

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

Even though I have several HD540II and HD560II, I do discourage collecting just for the sake of collecting. Many people become consumed by materialism and a need to own things and end up forgetting about the music; the whole point we do all of this?

I have pursued vintage Sennheisers because I wanted a modular construction and a lack of sonic signature. HD540II and HD560II certainly tick both criteria. Their boxes both say: "balanced, full frequency reproduction for fatigue-free musical enjoyment." and you certainly get what is on the box...

I encourage you to try a cheap HD520, HD530 or HD430 as they may also give similar results.

 

[Hairspray]

 
Also, has anyone tried the stock HD430 earpads on their HD540 Reference II?
If so, how do they sound?
Thanks.

 
Yes, and, in my humble opinion, the 430 pads sound way better (imaging, articulation)  than shallow worn-out Ref II velour pads.
But then again, I haven't had the chance yet to listen to 540s with thick, clean and confortable Ref II DIY pads.
 
430 pads are definitely a good (and inexpensive) mix between Linear II pleather and Ref II velour pads.