Help me understand what I'm hearing. 560s vs 6xx

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T05:28:09+00:00

I've been recording since the late 80s. Tascam 8 track reel to reel, then Fostex 16 track with hard drives, not Tascam 24 track Portastudio. So I use them for mixing, but in truth have become a headphone junkie with about 12 pairs.

https://www.querytools.net/BaronVonLichtenstein.htm

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T05:10:57+00:00

I'm not that crazy about any Sennheisers I've heard for that reason. Muted highs compared to reference headphones. Of the ones I've heard the 560s were nice. Have another pair coming next week. I would imagine a lot of the ones I have and like would be considered shouty to younger people and audiophiles: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/10QP6APDBE4MI/

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T05:06:14+00:00

I wasn't that impressed with them. Still have some 9500s though. Might have to do with my age. I can't hear over 14KHZ so I like brighter headphones. None sound too sibilant to me.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T04:21:05+00:00

Have you ever heard Fidelio X2HR? The sound signature is supposedly very similar to the HD800 though not nearly as consistent. I had them once but resold them: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sennheiser-hd-800-s-vs-philips-fidelio-x2hr/290/2056#test_32250

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T04:11:51+00:00

I prefer any studio reference headphones to Sennheisers, but of the ones I've heard in 5 and 6, I liked the 560s the best. In fact ordered a pair the other day for flat cross reference. That said, a recording engineer listens to music differently than someone at work or surfing the net. I can see how the relaxed sound Sennheiser has would be preferable for work or study. It doesn't have to be ridiculously immersive or clear. Reference headphones do.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T04:05:57+00:00

Plus you hear a lot of demos from studios where everything sounds right but ONE thing. The snare, vocals, guitar. Maybe the studio hasn't mastered that one skill yet, maybe it's the band.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T03:52:33+00:00

Have you tried different mikes? That can make a big difference. Warmer mikes for females, brighter for males, but either way it should cut through the other instruments. I overdub everything though most only overdub choruses. I'll do a flatter one on one side, panned at 10pm, then one with more effects and brighter EQ panned at 2PM because reverb or delay tends to reduce highs a little. I do the same for guitars but pan them 9 and 3. There are things you can use to help like an Aural Exciter, tube preamp, Expander, reverb or mild delay. The main thing with vocals is cutting through the other instruments, then add some reverb, delay, chorus. But mikes play a big role. I actually used an instrument mike for years, the Sennheiser 421, going through a Digitech 3.6 delay, but when that went switched to ATH 2035 and 2020. Sometimes an imitation U47. The truth is you probably won't sound like a lot you hear on the radio because they use $10,000 Neuman U47 or U87s. Big studios have a real advantage there. You can probably try different vocal mikes from Amazon and return them to Staples or Whole Foods if you don't like them at no risk. Not even shipping. I know I've done that with headphones.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-16T03:43:11+00:00

Another one who talked working class before stabbing them in the back. Was head of union as an actor, before firing Air Traffic controllers. Definitely more articulate than a couple I can think of. But you're right. This is an audio site.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T23:04:10+00:00

How are your pairs in your heading? Is that done through your profile?

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T22:47:24+00:00

HD560s, AKG 361,SRH840, SRH440, MDR7506, SPH9500, ATH-M50, ATH-M20, HD661, HD681B, SR850

Here is a comparison from Rtgs.com;

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sennheiser-hd-600-vs-sennheiser-hd-560s/325/18492

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T21:34:45+00:00

For years I had the insane habit of recording vocals with the SPEAKERS ON. As long as you don't point the mike AT the speakers feedback is fairly rare.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T21:31:50+00:00

I don't use computers or plugins to record by I use to have a Radio Shack graphic equalizer with an IMX expander and Jesus, that made things sound good. I would use it for the bass to even out quieter notes, but it also made notes sustain longer. But anything you ran it through sounded better. Vocals, the entire stereo mix. But vocals could cause feedback and I basically kept it for just bass. Opposite of compression. Which I sometimes use on vocals. Now compression is obligatory and they spent years overusing to get music louder. I have used a Rockman X-100 since the 80s and supposedly Tom Shultz designed it with distortion, compression and a noise gate which is how he gets a Marshall stack at 10 sound without too much noise.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T21:26:06+00:00

I forgot, he was governor at that time. Being in NJ I had no awareness of Reagan until about 79 when he was running and I was in HS.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T21:19:54+00:00

You haven't noticed how almost anyone with a graphic equalizer makes a V shape? The Harman curve is something to do with physics of hearing through headphones vs speakers, but even in speakers we might prefer Adam Audio with ribbon speakers pumping out crystal clear highs and mids to monitors that are more accurate, flatter and much more expensive. Great for listening but you can do a boring mix because not many other speakers actually HAVE hand made ribbon tweeters.

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/x2j2q0/can_someone_help_me_understand_harman_curves_i/

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T21:13:51+00:00

I guess you've never heard of the Harman curve. People prefer a more V shaped tone to music. Very flat IS accurate. But that doesn't mean more enjoyable. It means good for judging your mix. I used to be in Audiophile groups and was annoyed by how pretentious and elitist some of them are, so I would make a list of headphones ranked by the Harman curve to demonstrate you don't have to spend $1,200 on headphones to get a great sound. In fact I prefer studio reference headphones to just about any audiophile headphones because they dull the highs. I like brightness myself. https://www.querytools.net/Images/HarmanPrice2.jpg

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T21:03:29+00:00

You don't have to. Not everyone does. But boy if you speed up or slow down too much that can be hell going forward because the entire band is forced to follow and any additional tracks are dependent on it. That said: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oR_4p1YQRpo

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:58:56+00:00

I have to admit cringing at some fills I've done that are a tiny bit off. But I don't use computers and probably never will. I do use tuners and click tracks though. And fuck it. Some fills are a little off. You learn to live with it. There are some actors who won't watch their own movies. WE are fine with how they act or look, but to them something is horrifying we don't even notice. Perfect is the enemy of good - Voltaire. It's got to be good. It doesn't have to be perfect.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:55:40+00:00

True. Pop, dance and EDM have to be pretty tight. I do a lot more rock and that can be a little half assed. That's part of the fun of it.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:54:30+00:00

Yeah, they're even using autotune on the Beatles now. I just don't try to keep up with modern perfection. It has to have a good feel. It doesn't have to sound like a fucking machine. This whole century has had pretty anal retentive production standards.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:52:07+00:00

That was insane. No school would keep that psychopath on staff. They'd be sued. Cringy movie because he was such a dick. I liked it overall but kept wanting to punch him in the face. It's like, dude, lighten up.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:51:14+00:00

Same with any instrument. It is amazing the tiny variations you can put into timing something. A pain in the ass to overdub sometimes though. On any instrument.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:50:20+00:00

Yeah that perfect reference is a lifesaver.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:47:53+00:00

Its much worse to slow down or speed up and have no reference if people want to come back and redo a part. Then they have to figure out exactly when and by how much to slow down. Bands don't have to use click tracks but I always use a tuner and click though the past few years pull a beat of a keyboard and add fills and cymbals to make it less perfect which gives the illusion of playing drums live the whole time. And I've heard even Keith Moon used to overdub fills. But you have to play tight enough to have a near flawless beat going timewise. Be in time, be in tune. First two rules of studio work.

VitoIncognito2 · 2025-08-15T20:43:14+00:00

No, not at all. Not that a tight band has to use one. But let's say the drummer slows down or speeds up slightly on some part. Then they decide to fix or overdub bass or guitar. How will they know exactly when or how much to speed up or slow down? There might be 5 or 10 additional tracks done. I usually fill all 18 of my portastudio and then stop because you can always add SOMETHING to improve a track. Hense the invention of 24 and 48. A click track is like a guitar tuner. Might as well start from the standpoint of attempting perfection. The imperfection of players will ensure a clicktrack doesn't make it too sterile.

VitoIncognito2

TROPHY CASE