I think the most recent Topping hardware is very good. I recently picked up a DX9 Discrete, and the performance from this is quite remarkable. A excellent all in one option. The new PSRM DAC really sounds great. The headphone amp has plenty of power.
It also has PEQ built in, which can uploaded to the unit from the computer.
Something possibly interesting, I’ve found a trustworthy listing of the HD550 open box for $199, so I’m curious how that would compare to the HD6XX or the HD560S.
Hi Jenna -
I haven’t seen many posts about the DX9 here, but if you ask if anyone has heard them and can recommend similar headphones you might get some replies.
The sound leakage is a common dilemma. Closed back headphones are a different experience from open backs. Some people like closed-backs but others experience pressure and can’t use them. Once again the only way to know for yourself is to be able to listen for a couple of hours continuously to see if they would work for you.
A relatively inexpensive solution would be to use iem’s (sometimes called buds or earbuds) when you don’t want sound leakage and open back headphones for when it’s not an issue.
Iem’s now are quite good in the $20-$50 range and if they are comfortable for you then it not only solves the leakage problem but also opens up listening away from home.
I’m not current on what models are good values these days but there are folks here who are, so ask away if it sounds like it’s something you would consider.
Most phones now don’t have wired headphone connections and use bluetooth instead. It’s an extra thing to consider since a pair of wireless iems/headphones is very convenient but using standard wired iems/headphones requires more gear (a bluetooth or usb dac/amp).
It would be great if there was a simple answer to cover all the different uses but it ends up you have to do some research to find the best answer for you.
Hopefully the posts here are helping you along.
The atom/JDS is well regarded, but I have not heard it.
Would not consider the 550 in the same category as the 600, 650,6xx. Those are the standards for a reason. Even if they are not your endgame, it is good to learn exactly how they sound as they are a yardstick in the industry. They also scale with better equipment in a known fashion.
The 500 series is positioned below the 600 series. Even though the 550 may be slightly more advanced than other 500 models, that is what it is. I’ve had the HD580 Jubilee since it came out 30ish years ago. And have replaced pads as needed. Even did a review of it here a year or two back. (Search and ye shall find). That’s the same as Drop’s 58x. Not as good. Entry level.
The other headphone often mentioned as a top starter headphone in the same sentence as the 6xx is the Hifiman HE-400. However Hifiman has some well documented quality issues so I would not recommend it as a first good headphone. I have the Hifiman HE580 and it is a definite step up, often found discounted. But a bit fragile.
@jennachaplin, NickZ is another of the old farts guard around here and knows whereof he speaks. I didn’t go into this detail because you had a good idea about what you were looking for in your excellent first post.
By the way, most people think the ZMF are beautiful, but I can understand not liking the aesthetic. They are large but not especially heavy.
I like three headphones for classical, the ZMF I referenced, the Rosson RAD-0, which is no longer available, but similar in sound to Audeze LCD-4, and my Nectarsound Hive, which is electrostatic and requires a different type of amplifier than your FiiO.
Sennheiser frequently discounts their products. And some vendors recently had the HD550 for $200, and the HD560S went as low as $140. That is the lowest I’ve seen them go new in the box. Most vendors are now charging the MSRP, which is around $350 and $280 respectively. (There is one still offering the HD560S for $145 though.)
Both headphones are worth a try at the discounted prices imho. I have a harder time recommending them at the MSRP though. Because both headphones have some strong and weak points imo.
I have not personally compared them with headphones like the HD600, HD6XX, and HD650. Some of the reviewers here have though, and their impressions of the HD550 have generally been pretty favorable…
I think they should give the post-2022 HD560S a listen and some new measurements as well. Because I think most of their impressions of this headphone are probably still based on the older version with the 3 meter cable. I doubt they’d knock the newer HD560S with 1.8 meter cable down as easily as the previous version. But could be wrong about that.
I have a few gripes with both the HD550 and HD560S. I don’t really like the fit, feel, and pleather headband (sans divot) on the HD550 as much as the HD560S, which is quite comfortable. But the HD560S seems to trap more heat around my ears and head. I also don’t like the single-sided cable on both headphones.
Sound-wise, I think they’re both decent. But I also have some minor gripes there as well. Main thing I don’t like about both headphones is the lack of sub-bass. They have decent extension in the low frequencies for lower-cost open-backs though. And the sub-bass can be increased a bit with EQ on both.
The HD560S is more forward in the upper mids. And gets a little strident there. Some listeners might like that though. Maybe some older listeners who’ve lost some of their midrange hearing, for example.
The HD550 has better extension in the treble. However, I think the treble is probably a little overdone in some spots. So it can get a bit sibilant at times, and overshadows the mids and bass a bit too much.
Both headphones have some sibilance btw, but in different spots. It is probably correctable though with some careful EQ.
I can’t really say which headphone is closer in sound to a neutral loudspeaker. Both are likely in the general ballpark though. Sound-wise, I think the difference boils down to whether you like more upper mids, or more treble. Because that is the real tradeoff on these two headphones imo.
I strongly but respectfully disagree. Waste of money. Someone buying on the cheap will always want what they should have gotten in the first place. 500 series does not scale. It will not sound better with better equipment. Dead end.
Someday when @countdown_6 has spare cash to throw away, he can either try one of those or maybe go to a headphone event. I suggest that if he has spare charge he should go to some live concerts and listen to music as the performers want it to sound.
I’m am a Financial Advisor, and I say you only live once, pay for the good seats.
Note @ADU, you’re different. You have other headphones, you have the two 500 series ones, and more. You are an audio guy and you are listening critically to headphones and comparing them. I’m trying to look out for the questioner’s money, and gently guide toward known standards. And ones that I know will stand up for years.
And I’ve had decent headphones since um… 1972. I compared HD580 and HD600 when the HD600 was released. In the 1990s. I still listen to the 6xx a few times a year, even though I need to unplug my ZMF Auteur Classic from the amp to do so. They are my work backup headphones.
Thanks for the reply, pennstac.
It is true that I’m interested in more budget-friendly headphones. I’ve tried to give a brief, but balanced perspective though on some of the headphones the OP asked about. And can provide additional details, if needed.
And I’m sorry if you didn’t like my particular take on things.
Nothing wrong with your take, your point of view. Mine is different.
It’s hard to put yourself into the shoes of a new user. Most of us started budget and work up over years. But we probably didn’t have the headphone budget that could buy 6xx DAC and amp at once. I remember having to justify the HD 580
Hi NickZ,
I tried some B&W in-ear phones several years ago, just before Covid, but I could not get them all the way into my ears, using all the available rubber attachments, so I gave up on them. As it was Covid time I could not sell them and they ended up in the e-waste on a trip to the recycling centre.
Since the only issue with my B&W P9s is comfort, especially with reading glasses, and I’ve had them for over 8 years, I’m actually looking for the next step up with closed-back phones and may revise my budget upwards, even to US$2K or so.
Thanks.
I live in a place where there is no Audeze dealer nearby, so it is difficult to test them.
For me comfort is very important, Currently I have headphones that cover my long ear (The Composer):
The challange with Audeze LCD-5S is:
Only 5.5 cm
So it is more “on-the ear” than “over-the-ear”.
Not sure if it is comfortable?
Torben
6XX series > HD 550 > HD 460S
The 5XX series feels more cheaply built and isn’t as comfortable for me. It’s a noticeable downgrade in every way. YMMV.
Since you listen to a lot of hip hop, the FIIO FT1 (closed-back, which is the non-pro) might be the better choice. Better bass extension and a more v-shaped sound compared to the 6XX. The 6XX is a better headphone for the music I listen to most, but I don’t think I’d buy it if I mostly listened to hip hop.
I’d go JDS or Schiit over Topping. Better support and nicer products in that price range IMO.
Yeah, for a closed back I actually planned on getting an ft1 non-pro. The open back would be additionally used partially for gaming, as I play FPS games and would like a larger sound stage and better imaging. Also, it would be used for listening to not as bass-heavy music. I had previously been pointed toward the edition XS and the 6XX.
Respectfully disagree about Topping. Their most recent products are better quality than in the past. I’ve had Schiit products, and the recent Topping gear is better value (IMHO).
You’re free to disagree. No skin off my back!
Edition XS and 6XX are both some of the best options in your price range IMO. XS has better bass extension and is brighter, while 6XX has a better midrange and better overall timbre.
The Atom stack is good (I had one), but the Element IV is better… also pricier, but worth every penny, imho.
Do you have any thoughts on, for my purposes of gaming and music listening, HD6XX vs edition XS vs HD550 vs AR5000? The use for FPS gaming is the main concern I have with the two sennheiser pairs, especially sense I don’t have the money to be throwing around $200 dollars just to use a pair as a reference and then buy another pair. Any info would be helpful, I’m trying to get as many people’s input as possible.
For long gaming sessions, comfort would be my primary criteria, and then probably imaging capabilities after that.
I’ve not heard the Aune, but the Edition XS and HD 550/505 are very comfortable on my head. I’ve also never had a comfort issue with the HD 6XX series headphones, but some people find the clamp force to be too strong.
If I had to choose one headphone from only that list for gaming and music, it would be the HD 6XX. But that’s me, and your tastes may be different. Do you have any local shops that carry some of the headphones you’re interested in? There’s no replacement for auditions.
Edit: Have you watched this video yet? It’s a headphone showdown, and some of the headphones you’re interested are in it. Might be good to get the perspective of three professionals in this hobby. They’re certain more experienced than I am
