Since I just posted that Spotify does not offer uncompressed music the universe thought it would be a good time for…
Spotify announces uncompressed 24/44.1 will be available to its Premium tier subscribers ($11.99/mo). Details at Spotify Uncompressed Music Announcement
I have never listened to the Sigva. They look nice, but I have zero experience with them. Same with Denon.
I got out my HE-560 last night and listened for a few hours. PLEASE NOTE that as @generic says, HiFiMan has had some quality control issues in the past. Mine have been fine, and I’m not aware of any issues with 5xx, but it’s best to treat these with some care.
The issues I recall people having is a driver going out after a period of months. I can’t vouch for how people may have used them. Mine have been fine, but in good light I can’t see what appears to be some deterioration on the planar membranes. No idea if it portends issues, but mine are a good 5 years old.
As far as sound, I was happy last night. I listened loudly, but not at extreme volume.
Thank you. Being from India, I now know that we can’t point you to places like DROP that are popular in the US. Nor do I know the used market there.
Sound isolation is important if you need it. The design considerations are easier for open back. You don’t have to - as stated elsewhere - need to deal with the reflected sound. Also closed backs can give the feeling of pressure on the ear and can be hotter and sweatier, probably a consideration in India.
Getting a D or F grade isn’t an advantage. You don’t want to be one of those guys that has a card that says Electrical Engineer Delhi University - failed.
You’re not wrong however im not yet at that step. Im preparing for college and have been for a long time. I’ve started to realize that I can focus for more hours on studying if I just have some music playing in the background and currently my hours aren’t nearly adequate for even civil engineering much less electrical😅. I aspire however for aeronautical.
I hadn’t considered that yet but you’re right it would be awful.
Could you please give me an idea about some options for open backs at the 200 250$ range because the only headphones thats ive considered yet are the fiio ft1’s. Diwali is right around the corner that would give me some money so perhaps then I could spend like 300 dollars. Especially now since spotify is offering lossless. It costing 11.99$ in us is absolutely insane tho in india the subscription is about 1.40$ so ig we do have some benefits. Unfortunately those benefits dont include a used market for wired headphones😭.
Because that’s about the floor for buying a good DAC/amp. Plus the JDS Labs Atom+ stack will last you a lifetime and power just about anything you throw at it with clean, uncolored power for YEARS. It could be the only stack you ever own, and that’s fine.
The HE-400se is an entry-level headphone, period. It’s not a “giant killer.” But it’s pretty much the best entry-level can I’ve heard, and it’s also planar-magnetic, which requires the power of a dedicated DAC-amp combo to sound its best.
I fully expect you to upgrade from the HE-400se at some point. You’ll want more, want better. But the JDS stack could last you a decade or more. I bought mine in 2020 or 2021 – can’t remember – and it remains my only amp/DAC.
I know all about HiFiMan’s quality control problems. But I have owned two of the company’s models – HE-400se and Edition XS – and both worked just fine.
I think @pk500 is making sense. The HiFfiman HE400se is okay for entry level. Their pricing has been aggressive recently and you might be able to afford the HE560 which is a few steps better. Both require a DAC/amp setup.
I don’t know the India market for headphones. Perhaps @Lothar_Wolf or someone else does. In the US we would point to Sennheiser HD-600 or HD-650 or the HD-6xx that is sold by DROP. Another possibility would be their HD-460 Pro which is in a different lineup. The 500 series is probably not worth your money.
I have plenty of experience with consumer audio, and I don’t think the difference is THAT huge. Yes, I once owned Bose headphones, Beats IEMs, and a couple Sonys advertised to have “Extra Bass.”
Again, they are better than some in this class and respond to different amps. Class A. Tubes. Class A. Tubes.
My issues are listed here, but search for other similar experiences:
Just curious which version HE560 you had. I remember that photo from when it happened. I don’t recall if you took it up with HiFiman.
That was a HE-560 V2 Premium purchased for Black Friday in November 2018. They died a few months out of warranty (1 year). I bought my OG Focal Clear just after they died (March 2020). The Clear is still functional.
Never underestimate Ebay buyers, for I sold the cables and the chassis (parts only). I made back about half of the purchase price.
Exactly the same as mine. And I think possibly the same day. I gave mine heavy use at first also but they got less and less when I picked up the Hive estat and the Rosson RAD-0. Listened to them last night on iPad to L&P W4 and they still have that airy refined sound and can jam out nicely when I cranked them to an indicated 90 on the scale of the W4 ( not linear I think) to some rockabilly and then Rodrigo y Gabriella.
I was into hours-long marathon listening sessions back in the day. Perhaps the metal weakened as it warmed up? They started to draw more and more power from my amps to produce the same volume over the ~15 months that they were functional. They also developed a “hollow” or “ghostly” tone and body around the 12 month mark. Given the many cracks in the traces, additional power seems to have been necessary to jump across the numerous micro gaps.
I’ve actually been looking at the senshiener hd 600 alot and they seem flawless tho i am wondering since they are used as reference headphones could I like using eq or smth make them sound a bit more punchy, warm, etc. Also im wondering what would be a basic amp dac i could get thats also atleast a bit portable for at most 100$(ideally 50).
These look very intriguing and ive already started saving up for them by next year around this time ill definitely look into them.
For now however id prefer some mediocre amp dac that I would feel bad about not using after like a year and be able to sell them so that at present I can focus on the headphones.
Yea, you can do that. It’s what I do with my HD 600 and is the only change I make to them.
Nothing is flawless.
Yes you can EQ. You will want an amp. With either of the headphones you are considering.
Get an amp for the HD 600. Absolutely. The 6 series works without external amps, but sounds relatively weak and scratchy.
For this price bracket and model I favor the iFi line, as the house warmth offsets the HD 600’s brightness. I own the ZenDAC V1, but the ZenDAC Air is their cheapest current model and may suffice. You might also consider the warmer entry-level options from Schiit.
I don’t think Schiit is an option in India. I agree on the iFI recommendation.
Hi everyone.
I was wondering about which would be better to buy as a first pair of headphones with a pretty limited budget. The hd560s, hd600(im stearing away from these coz they are quit a bit more expensive than the rest), the aune audio ar5000 (these also) and the fiio ft1 pro. Im looking for slightly warmer sound signature something that emphasizes vocals however as enough of a separation(im not sure if this is the right term) so that I can enjoy individual instruments. I focus on vocals while listening to music however depending on the mood I do zone out and vibe to some beat. I listen to alot of rock, older hip hop and some pop. To run these headphones i dont have much of a budget so taking inspiration from crinacle ive been thinking about getting the moondrop dawn pro. However i really don’t know much about dac and amps and if u guys have other recommendations id love to know.
Thanks.
Welcome Saturn, thank for ringing us up.
First headphone. It won’t be your last.
So give us an idea of your budget.
Are you in the US? Would you consider used? Chances are you will eventually move on to other ones and maybe sell off.
What do you think about IEMs or earbuds? What do you plan to use as your source? These things all make a difference. Have you heard any of the headphones you mentioned?
Im not in the us and would prefer buying headphones first hand. My budget is at most like 250$ however if the cheaper options have comparable performance id rather not spend the extra. I dont like iems or earbuds I dont know why but I never get a good fit in my ears with them. My source would be my phone with Spotify lossless(it hasnt released where I am very however they estimate it will by octoebr). I haven’t heard any of the headphones.
Thanks
Thanks for the additional info. Where are you? Some here know what is available in specific areas. What phone? Apple, android?
In your price range, IEMs are more cost effective. I don’t like the feeling of having IEMs inserted but some are better than others and I usually like Crinnacle’s tuning. Fit is very dependent on tips, and sound on fit. Many people try quite a few tips before finding the right ones @Lothar_Wolf for example.
I’m not impressed with 500 series Sennheiser and the 600 series all need amps or DAC/Amps. Outside the US iFI has some nice inexpensive DAC/Amps.
