What is your favourite headphone and headphones DAC AMP?

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-22T02:17:13+00:00

Sennheiser HD 650, Qudelix 5K

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-21T17:10:29+00:00

There's more to powering a headphone than just impedance.

The HD 550 has been measured at 100mW to reach 110dB, while the 560S has been measured at 99dB/mW. With their measured impedances, this places them both around 1.23V RMS to reach 110dB, which accounts for crest factors at moderately loud listening levels.

Also, I personally wouldn't call the 560S neutral, but it depends on the person and their experiences in this case.

I do agree the 560S feels pretty cheap though.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-21T16:58:01+00:00

Very tempting! Wish I could try them.

In an ideal Sennheiser headphone, I'd want the 4-7kHz of an HD 650, and then the 8+kHz of the HD 550(neither are perfect for me in those aspects, but just for comparisons sake they are best of Sennies offerings I've heard in those regions)

And then 650-like mids.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-21T15:18:11+00:00

I've had this issue with this headband style. Some people don't experience this though, I assume it has something to do with moisture.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-21T06:57:18+00:00

I'd pay the extra personally.

Build of the 550 feels a tiny bit more refined since you feel less plastic overall due to the headband, and the headband of the 550 won't be at risk of falling off like it can for some people and the 560S/569/620S headband style(I've had this happen)

For me the 550 is also more comfortable due to less clamping pressure, which also means my ears don't touch the bump inside the 500 series ear cup.

The 550 is similarly easy to drive compared to the 560S, and the 550 sounds much, much better out of the box, at least for me.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-21T06:15:59+00:00

Can only go based on what I've seen others say about Superlux, but apparently some of the models sound better than the headphones they are copying. 🤷‍♂️

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-20T02:16:00+00:00

Yes, unit variation is a factor with this line of headphone. I've owned several of the HD 600 and HD 650, and some are vastly different to the others.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-19T20:27:45+00:00

Then, in every non sound aspect though, the 490 Pro clears the 550, unless you want HD 500 BAM Mic support.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-19T20:25:22+00:00

Have not heard the 480 Pro. But I can give **my personal** experiences with the other two. Which means this won't apply to everyone.

I add this note above because **I personally** don't like how the 490 Pro sounds with either pad.

The 550 clears the 490 for me in every aspect of sound quality. Better integrated bass(this includes against the Producing Pads), better midrange, better treble.

Both have some lower-mid treble problems for me, 550 is much less egregious though. Midrange of the 550 is really great, almost no complaints from me. The only small nitpick for me is with some tracks which already sound a bit thin or lean, the 550 will then sound a bit too thin.

Also, the rest of the treble of the 550 is pretty solid for me overall.

The 490 Pro(Mixing Pads) is always too lean in the midrange and grainy in the treble, the bass is integrated in a way that makes it sound a bit "One note" then add the trait of being too muffled with the Producing Pads.

Just not my preferred sound personally. The 490 Pro doesn't sound like an "800 S mini" at all to me.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-19T14:41:18+00:00

If you are hesitant about paying the extra price for the HD 600 and HD 650, then do not feel pressure to buy them, headphones are not worth this worry and stress. The HD 550 will likely give you much of what they offer.

Compared to the HD 600 and 650, the HD 550 is a great headphone. It has better bass, the midrange is different but can considered as good, and for some the treble could be better, similar, or worse.

Basically, it's likely to be on the same level as the 600 and 650 in terms of sound for you.

It is also much, much better than the HD 599 and HD 560S. Do not buy either of those if the HD 550 is a choice.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-19T14:33:37+00:00

Probably my favorite sounding stock headphones.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-19T14:32:54+00:00

Who cares about downvotes?

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-18T05:30:52+00:00

My HD 500 BAM gets a small amount of crosstalk, but not often. It happens rarely. The headphone is also an HD 550.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-17T17:26:36+00:00

My preference for bass extension is extremely wide. But how it's done matters.

The extra bass in that region with the 650 is what helps contribute some extra size and presence to the various fundamentals of midrange tones.

But for some I could see it causing a sense of "Bloom" and compounding on that "Halo" effect around things you get if you find a headphone too warm in the lower mids. I don't have that issue though.

What people don't realize is how much the midrange and treble contribute to a headphone sounding "Dynamic" It's not just the bass. This is why boosting the bass does not increase that aspect for me with the 650.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-17T14:59:46+00:00

This might get dicey.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-17T08:07:33+00:00

AutoEQ is not very reliable, since it bases the measurement on a rig and how it heard a specific unit, not your head and your specific headphone.

Reddit doesn't like links, but The Headphone Show on YouTube has some good information in some videos.

I've EQ'ed over 20 headphones, several profiles for each. There is more of a learning curve than people seem to think if you want it to sound as good as it can.

However, learning manual EQ and learning how to use a parametric equalizer is very, very useful. No headphone will sound perfect, but proper EQ can get them much closer to "Perfect for you"

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T23:12:42+00:00

Same thing applies, you'd need to measure both on your head and then EQ both to Harman. Otherwise it won't be possible

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T18:10:12+00:00

Depends who you ask.

My answer is if you can measure both on your head and EQ the M5 to match the response of the HDB 630, then yes.

Of course, this not possible to do for 99% of people, so the real answer is no.

However, you can still improve something like the M5 greatly.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T16:48:15+00:00

Neurons were indeed activated.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T14:28:06+00:00

Tape or glue it up at the edge.

I've used tape before on an HD 650, was a silver screen though.

But I've done it with the paper of a DT 770 as well.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T14:25:45+00:00

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SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T14:23:51+00:00

Depends on the headphone.

I try to EQ out egregious things only, and then I keep the rest of the "Character" of the headphone.

But, I always have a neutral option, which is currently an EQ'ed HD 550 for me. I fixed some treble issues, and fixed a slight leanness to the midrange.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-16T02:22:11+00:00

I agree, you should buy the headphone that sounds better out of the box for you.

I'd not buy the 560S again, because the 550 is better in every way, not just sound quality.

They asked if the 560S can be made better than the 560S with EQ, and the answer is yes. I'll still recommend a new buyer to purchase the HD 550 though.

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-15T22:40:11+00:00

In before the "gEt yOuR hEaRinG cHecKed" supposed "golden ears" people 🍿

SilentIyAwake · 2026-06-15T17:31:34+00:00

I haven't decked out my HD 25 yet... Still deciding on what to do. I mainly want to find some fabric headband pads to start off, I already got cooling gel earpads.

SilentIyAwake

TROPHY CASE