I have used HD 560S for 8 months now. I don’t care about built I care about sound.
These were my first Open Back studio headphones. Before I have used dt770 & ath m50x. I’m owner of Adam A7X & Yamaha HS5. I got these because I produce electronic music and I have read a lot about the benefits of Open Back compared to closed back which is really many steps ahead “at least for the experience”. I was between DT 990 & HD 560s. In my experience this headphone gives you a nice overall sound or listening experience. After so many months I can say:
The bass region is very problematic because starts rolling off too soon, which for electronic music is very important to listen it accurately. Maybe because I was used with closed back sound and the ath m50x for me have a 9/10 bass accuracy, hd560s made me struggle with mixing or getting an accurate bass, if you can’t hear it you try to push it more than necessary. After couple of months now I have a better idea of how bass should sound or be mixed with 560s and the lows should sound “thin” on them to be well balanced in a mix. In my opinion it’s better to listen certain regions in audio reproduction equipment more than it should rather than not at all. HD 560s made me make harsher high frequencies which still I believe in their Frequency Response they have some very big dips, as I said you better hear it rather than not at all which I mean -6 to -10 db dip. The most critical region for me is 4-12khz. If I get it right than everything will sound good below that.
Now what they Improved to my mixes.
The midrange feels well balanced. Midlow to midhigh has become more advanced in my mixes. Vocals, Instruments that go doen to around 100hz I have a better idea with Hd560s on how to make a fuller midrange.
Now I have to focus more on the stereo and mono. HD560s indeed sound very spacious and give a better imaging of elements. They sound big and I always try to balance big stereo with well balanced mono to stereo ratio.
With hd560s you get what you are paying.
Now I have to share this also. I have listen a couple of times to DT990 pro 80&250ohm. The DT990pro do not sound flatter than Hd560s, indeed they are harsher on the high frequencies, but they are tuned different and feel like have elevated frequencies rather than dips. Bass - you can mix more accurately.
Mid - same as hd560s
Highs - Elevated, ugly to listen to, good to mix to (prone to dull mixes if not monitored).
HD560s sound beautiful but for me as music producer which mixes & masters by myself maybe I need some “ugliness” to well balance with the rest.
I will not sell HD560s as I said they are a beautiful equipment. Paired with good studio monitors you will be fine.
Will I buy DT 990 Pro? For mixing only.