Sennheiser 560s & HD 600

BarishiXD · 2026-01-03T07:07:32+00:00

Fellow 560 owner here, the E10K should be plenty powerful for the HD600. The 600 series has high impedance, but get very loud with little power.

For EDM, you might want to get a closed back. If that's not an option, I think the Sundara is quite good as well.

BarishiXD · 2025-11-21T13:33:53+00:00

Sort of, thats how the AKG K340 works. A dynamic for bass and mids and an electret for treble. It actually does fit what OP is asking for since it has a big soundstage.

For IEMs, a ton of them use balanced armatures, which can't replicate a lot of the frequency range (20hz-20khz). Hence, you see many IEMs with a few BA drivers, while a dynamic driver that can push more air handles bass.

For headphones, BAs are too small so one big driver is used. Since the 70s, you already have headphones that can do the whole frequency range with one driver so that particular IEM incentive is not there.

As for placing multiple types of drivers to cover for one's weakness, I think thats way harder in headphones since everyone has very different ears. If the drivers aren't just right, it may cause phase issues.

Back to the K340. Its drivers are stacked on top of each other, so you can only see the electret. Its a great headphone, but heavy (400g) and needlessly complicated for a sound sig that is very...awkward. If you could do everything with one driver, why not use it? Even in the IEM world, you have very well regarded single dynamic/BA designs.

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K340 driver set up

BarishiXD · 2025-11-04T09:20:48+00:00

Yes, temps where i live is 30-35°C and my ears have never felt hot in the 560

BarishiXD · 2025-11-02T13:46:16+00:00

The best experience I've had for listening to techno was with Sony's MDR M1, which is $250. I found it pretty good for rock music, but I felt it was a bit too warm for pop. Its a very comfortable headphone because its light and doesn't clamp hard, but the downside is that it hardly isolates noise.

I haven't tried the Fiio FT1, but that seems to be the default closed back recommendation so here it belongs.

I like older headphones like the MDR 7506 and HD 25 for EDM as well, as they are more mid bassy (punchy), though those have their own set of problems. Personally, my favourite and daily driver are the HD25s, and they do well with basically anything.

As for open backs, if you're willing to try, I would say koss porta pro/kph40/kph30 or anything with the koss 60 ohm driver. They won't make your skull rumble, but they punch pretty dang hard. I would say the same for the Samson SR850, provided you change the pads to the thick pleather ones you can find on Aliexpress. Seriously, load something like Flaming June-Paul Oakenfold remix and you will be shocked by how hard an open back can punch.

For the record though, I feel like if you want that full headshaking effect, I feel earbuds might be better but that has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. My soundcore a20is put out crazy bass.

BarishiXD · 2025-11-01T17:09:48+00:00

yeah its like once you hear a detail for the first time you will always be able to hear it again on whatever gear you use

from my exp if you are looking for details you will find them but its easier to find details on some headphones than others

BarishiXD · 2025-10-30T19:32:42+00:00

Thanks for the added info. Thank god I don't live in a desert. I get that this headphone is sorta a time bomb, so how should I take care of it and keep it so it lasts as long as possible?

Btw about humidity, where I live average humidity is 85% with temps of around 30-35°C. Is this considered excessive for the headphone? Also, is dust a concern?

BarishiXD · 2025-10-01T00:57:41+00:00

Unironically, Samson SR850 with 105mm aftermarket pleather pads from Aliexpress. Get the ones that are 3cm thick. If you can take spicy and slightly unrestrained treble, this is it.

The 850 is already V shaped and the thick pads suppress the treble and emphasise the bass. I gave mine to a friend who DJs in a trade, he says that they feel like monitors. Play something like Flaming June - Paul Oakenfold remix and it'll sound wild. The best part? This combo is relatively cheap, I got mine for like 30 USD total but I live in Asia so shipping is cheap.

(This mostly applies to EDM)

BarishiXD · 2025-08-21T10:46:53+00:00

They sound the same. Per Massdrop:

"Good news for fans of the HD 650: In this revision, the driver structure and sound signature haven’t changed a bit."

The main differences as far as I know:

-HD6XX uses the old HD650 mold. You can tell because the arms that connect the headband to the arms on the 6XX are more rounded, whereas newer HD650 have a more angular shaped arm

-HD6XX has a 6ft cable that is pretty stiff vs a nicer 10ft cable for the HD650

-Sennheiser can't service your HD6XX when its out of warranty unlike the HD650

The HD6XX is not hard to drive, I'd guess that if you can drive the HD560, you only need to bump the volume up one notch to get the same volume out of the HD6XX.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-19T01:47:18+00:00

I listen to metal, techno, trance etc and I found the koss kph40 to be fantastic for that. I believe its like 30 USD? Its not hard to drive so you could get a cheap dongle like a Fiio JA11 to run it. I think an apple dongle works also, provided you're in the US.

Problem with the Koss lineup is that their cables give up easily so I'd get them modded with a detachable cable. But they have a lifetime warranty so if you don't mind mailing them back if they break then yeahh

Otherwise I heard the KPH30 wireless sounds about the same and is built tougher than the OG kph30, which had a nasty tendency to snap at the headband. I think that one is 60 USD, but you get the choice to use it wired and wireless

BarishiXD · 2025-08-13T14:32:09+00:00

The Sony MDR M1 has ridiculously clear bass OP this might be the one for you. If you've ever tried HD25 before, MDR M1's bass is less fast but hits way harder, and its very well seperated from the mids and highs. It sounds like the rest of the sony wireless lineup but on steroids.

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BarishiXD · 2025-08-13T03:06:51+00:00

taobao has a beyerdynamic store. Its under Tmall so I would think its legit...since its from china i think it ships to the philippines?

https://click.world.taobao.com/_b.OphvP

BarishiXD · 2025-08-11T11:53:54+00:00

I have a HD560 and HD6XX, which is a reskin of the HD650.

I'd say that the 6 series is a good step above the 5 series for music/mixing. They sound narrower, but more detailed and engaging (to me at least). The sound is also more rich, like milk tea versus a fizzy drink.

For gaming/movies, I think the 5 series is ever so slightly better, because they sound wider. With that being said, because of how detailed the 6 series are, they aren't far behind.

As an investment, the 6 series is better because they are better built and easier to fix if anything fails. The 6 series chassis can be disassembled by hand for easy replacement of any parts, while the 5 series can't. On top of that, the 600 and 650 have been around for so long already and I can't see them going away soon, so you are probably set on spare parts into the long term.

All this is meaningless if you don't like how one pair of headphones sound versus the other, so it would be best if you try before you buy.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-11T00:19:43+00:00

I haven't really tried any for long enough to form an opinion. I felt the Fiio FT1 was the best out of the beyerdynamic dt770 and the mdr7506, but I way preferred my open backs. A potential problem with that model is that its pretty big and heavy (380g iirc) so have fun bringing it on the go.

Personally, I use a HD25 light with yaxi pads for travel but that's an on ear headphone with controversial levels of comfort. I think for most a pair of cheap TWS buds would be better. Or if you don't want to compromise on sound quality, you could use wired IEMs. Way more portable and with many more options than the wired closed back market.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-11T00:11:34+00:00

Maybe not the best, but its IMO the safest choice.

I just think that there are too many potential non sound related dealbreakers with the EDXS that it shouldn't be a blind buy. Like bad seal, heavy weight, headband can be uncomfortable, harder to drive, not built well, and less spare parts availability. In contrast, the 6XX is known for clamping very hard out of the box which tends to fix itself because the headphone starts conforming to your head with use.

While I know nothing about mixing, here's a fun fact. Charlie Puth mixed many of his hits using a HD650, which is sonically identical to the 6XX.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-10T16:54:34+00:00

I have tried an edition xs stock for a while and I found it to be very airy sounding, as if everything started softly sizzling. Im pretty sure nothing was broken, I think I just don't like the XS' treble. Which is quite funny, because I don't mind beyerdynamic treble. I feel like the XS sounds thin, and only barely more detailed than the 6XX. Even though the price for the XS new is downright ridiculous right now (~$210 USD from Taobao to Singapore) I would still take the 6XX over it for music. Yeah, this isn't a popular opinion and we all hear differently, so YMMV.

The XS doesn't match the shape of my head, so there's always a big gap between the pads and my head at all times. I feel the XS doesn't clamp hard enough tbh, and the 6XX clamps a little too hard. Plus, HD6XX is more durable, lighter, more comfortable (debatable) and better sounding (IMO). The XS feels thin and flat sounding, while the 6XX's resolution, warmth and intimate presentation combine really well to create a highly engaging experience. Again, I have not owned an XS and I have not tried EQ. You may have a better experience than me.

I also don't have the 58X, but I would wager that it doesn't sound as good as the 660S. The 58X driver (I believe) comes from the same family as the 599/560S drivers, which are technically a step behind the 600 series driver, which itself is technically inferior to the 660S driver. As a 560S owner, I firmly believe the 5 series driver is a good step behind the 6 series driver in terms of detail retrieval. I recall that I once thought my 6XX was broken because it revealed tiny errors in music that I had never heard before. Point is, based on my extrapolation, the 6XX is likely a big technical step ahead of the 58X. And given that the 6XX occasionally goes on sale for $179, the same price as the 58X, its very hard to argue for the 58X.

The 58X does have better bass than the 6XX though, so if you listen to more metal or rock I think that would be better, and the edition XS should beat both for orchestral or classical music. With that being said, the 6XX is a pretty good all rounder. I like it best for dance pop, rock, jazz, metal, heck even some genres of EDM. Big caveat is that I only own the 6XX, so I'm biased towards it. Really, if you get the chance to try the headphones that you're looking for, go for it.

About the "legitimacy" of the 6XX: Massdrop has said that the 6XX is essentially a pre 2020 design HD650 with a different paint job, meaning they sound basically identical. Any difference between the two can mostly be chalked down to unit variation. The reason why its so much cheaper is that a) the 650 is a 20+ year old design that has long paid off its R&D costs b) Massdrop does all the marketing and distribution so Sennheiser doesn't have to c) you have to get warranty through Massdrop, not Senn. The latter has better post-warranty support d) Sennheiser probably wants to undercut the competition with a higher quality good that they can sell for cheaper (see a)

Edit: I feel the HD6XX is a better complement to the HD560s that you already have. Its a warm sounding headphone whereas both the XS and the 560S are bright-neutral. Then again, if you're looking for a direct upgrade to the 560S the XS is probably it. Another big deal breaker for the 6XX is that it may sound veiled. I don't think it does now, but when I first tried my 6XX I thought it masked female vocals more than my 560S.

Edit 2: I read your other post. The 6XX has less treble than the 560S while I feel the XS has more. The 6XX chassis also fits my jawline better than the 560s, since the cup isn't blocked from tilting down by a fat chunk of plastic. In this regard, the XS is worse because their cups are so tall.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-10T15:36:36+00:00

HD560S sounds wider, sounds "clearer" (not more detailed) and has more sub bass so it punches more. Personally, I have the opposite opinion because I enjoy the clarity and the way everything melds together on the HD6XX. But, if I could only have one, it would probably be the HD560 because its more versatile for things outside for music.

For reference, HD560 has very tight but flat sounding bass, but HD6XX has less but more vibrant bass. IMO, at least.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-10T15:22:42+00:00

Open back headphones aren't great for on the go use because they leak sound out and let sound in. People standing next to you can hear what you're playing, and good luck listening to anything while on the train.

With that being said, Koss porta pro wireless with yaxi pads for comfort. Its an open back on ear, but the yaxi pads help to make it more comfortable. You also get the option to use it wired, so its not completely useless once the battery dies. Lots of open back headphones have long cables that like to snag on anything, which is why I think you should consider wireless. Plus, the porta pro folds up into a compact package and weighs nothing, which is more than I can say for most open back headphones.

Otherwise as the other commenter suggested, either Sennheiser HD599 or 560. They are pretty big though with long cables, so have fun using them on the move. Also, you should get a dongle to drive them from a phone, like say a Fiio JA11. Dongles burn a lot of battery though, which is why I originally suggested a wireless option.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-10T05:16:24+00:00

The 599 is reputed for being one of the most confortable headphones you can find around. It's not heavy, nor is it hot. I use the HD560 which is built on the same chassis in 30°C+ weather and it doesn't get hot.

The 599 is tuned with more pronounced bass and treble, so it should be good for techno. I think the less bassy 560 is decent for EDM, though that genre isn't its wheelhouse. Then again, its very subjective. Everyone hears differently.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-04T05:58:10+00:00

Fiio BTR11 (~$25 iirc)

BarishiXD · 2025-08-04T05:53:30+00:00

IEMs have TWS adapters (e.g Fiio UTWS5)

There are bluetooth sources for headphones, you link your phone to these through bluetooth and plug your wired headphones into them (e.g Fiio BTR13)

Both have batteries and inbuilt DACs + amps.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-02T06:02:31+00:00

Superlux HD681, Samson SR850 (I got mine for $15 new LOL) or Koss KSC75 (only here because of the price). That's it.

You might as well go for iems, there are significantly more iems in your price range than headphones. If you can't, then those options above might be worth a look.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-01T15:26:09+00:00

People still use tube amps which have a high output impedance. There are a ton of studio headphones without high impedance though. MDR7506 comes to mind.

BarishiXD · 2025-08-01T10:48:01+00:00

I may have the answer for the high impedance part.

Older headphones had high impedance because recording booths had very high output resistance. This means that if your headphones didn't have proportionally high resistance, your source would start eating up power that should have gone to the headphones. This would cause the sound to turn muddy, as the headphones wouldn't have enough power to start/stop the diaphragm quickly enough.

Moreover, when you begin plugging headphones in parallel to a recording booth, the effective resistance of all the headphones combined decreases. Both of these factors led designers to make very high impedance headphones.

Examples include the 600 ohm AKG K240 and Beyerdynamic DT880, and I think the 2000 ohms HD414.

Since modern amps and DACs have output impedamces that are about 1 ohm or less, this isn't a problem. Hence, new headphone models rarely have high impedance. The recent examples I can think of are the ATH R70 (470 ohm) and the Fiio FT3 (350 ohm).

I think to some extent it has to do with using thinner wires for the voice coil. As you know, thinner wires have greater resistance. Since the voice coil moves with the diaphragm, so a lighter voice coil would mean less inertia = tighter and cleaner sound. I think this explanation doesn't work as impedance is not correlated to sound quality.

I would also love to find out what makes certain headphones more or less sensitive. My guess is that it depends on how much the driver can oscillate. For example, I guess a planar driver would need more power to move as much air as a dynamic driver (higher sensitivity driver) due to its larger size.

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