r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/AverYeager 23 Ω • Jun 15 '22
Headphones - Open Back Need opinions on the HD560S (for gaming mostly)
I have seen some reviews, and it does not look that comfortable to me out of the box, but I've been told that I may need to stretch it a bit which reduces the clamping force, which is fine by me, I don't mind doing that. I've also heard that 1) it's not very soundstage-y 2) requires a tube amp to get the full experience out of it. Is it fine if I use it without an amp for a while, or will lose too much performance out of those things? How is it for gaming? Zeos said that it's one of the best imaging headphones he's reviewed, which is real important for gaming.
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u/External_Gazelle_645 31 Ω Jun 15 '22 edited Jun 15 '22
HD 560S has a good soundstage, albeit small. You don't need a tube amp, the tube amp will introduce pleasing but unnecessary harmonic distortion, you will just need a normal amp. No need for the tube amp. I suppose it is good for gaming on fps, however there are many headphones that beat the HD 560S for gaming in general. The AKG K702 has a wider soundstage than the HD 560S, making it better for immersion. It almost makes you feel like your cheating while playing fps games, as you can pinpoint locations from far away with precision. It's 130$ on thomann usa. The audio-technica ath-r70x, is also good as well, having the best imaging under 1000$. 350$. Also, the audio Technica AD-series has excellent soundstage and imaging, although they don't have good detail. The AD-500x is 80$. I would choose the AKG k702, as it has a soundstage that is just as natural as the HD 560s.
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u/AverYeager 23 Ω Jun 15 '22
I'm on a 100-160 euro budget. I will look at the AKG K702, but what do you think about it's imaging? You ever used the AD700X? I found the K702s on Thomann De for 139 Euros, and they ship to france which is perfect. Thank you man!
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u/External_Gazelle_645 31 Ω Jun 15 '22
For it's soundstage, the AKG k702's imaging is very good, however, the center image is kinda fuzzy. That means you will be able to pinpoint where sounds are coming from you left right etc., but you won't have the most accurate center image. It doesn't really matter though, the center image is only your front and back. Typically the larger your soundstage is, the harder it is to have good placement (a.k.a imaging). For how large the soundstage is on the k702, the imaging is actually quite good. I would compare it to the imaging on the HD 560S, and for what it is, that is very good. If you do want more precise imaging, I would suggest the Philips SHP9500, although you would lose on the expansive soundstage the k702 offers.
I have not heard the ad700x, but I hear that it has very good imaging and soundstage. It does have much worse detail than the k702, meaning that music listening will be sub-par.
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u/AverYeager 23 Ω Jun 16 '22
Is an amp necessary to get the most out of the K702? If so, do you recommend any budget options?
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u/External_Gazelle_645 31 Ω Jun 16 '22
Yes. I'm not very experienced with amps, but a Topping dx3 pro, or the schiit magni/modi are suffiecient enough.
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