Hello!
I have two HD599 pairs, which I enjoy quite a bit.
I also have a pair of HD560S, which I tried to like but to no avail..
So, I went ahead and swapped the HD560S 120Ohm drivers with the 50Ohm drivers from one of my HD599 pairs.
You just unscrew the baffles from both pairs, desolder the drivers and then solder and screw the HD599 ones in the HD560S housing.
NOTE: You can use the HD559 as a 'donor'. They're using the exact drivers/baffles.
Here you see the HD5699 'hybrid'!
Basically it looks like a typical HD560S.
Until you put them on and notice that something HAS audibly changed.
---------
From here on I attest my personal opinion (and rant), so please bare with me:
The 'HD5699' doesn't sound 'sterile' and/or flat anymore..
HD560S, while it's measuring good, I think it lacks body and impact. It has soundstage and is not grainy, I'll give it that.
But some important parameters for real music enjoyment, namely body, pace and impact, were missing.
When you create a headphone simply to look good on papers, based on whatever current 'target response', you might end up with a 'flat' sounding pair.
Sorry Sennheiser but this is still an HD5xx series headphone and folks enjoy them for their laid-back, full-bodied character that gives life to music.
For uber-technical 'neutrality' and 'follow the graphs' orthodoxy, there are myriads of other models out there. I have an HD600 for that I think..
My point is, who cares if it measures great but it hurts your ears after 10 minutes, or you need a graphic equalizer to enjoy music?
-End of rant-
-----------
How does this 'hybrid' sound?
In a nutshell, a bit better than the good old HD599.
Probably due to the slightly different shell of the HD560S (wider grill holes and no plastic overlay).
It gives more focus and impact to the sound.
Lows are better articulated and go deeper, mids keep their presence but are better controlled and highs become less grainy.
Soundstage increased a bit, both in width and in height.
Separation of instruments and sense of depth also improved.
Maybe, it has to do with reduced resonances resulting in better driver control?
I don't know, but the result is good (to my ears at least). 🙂
So folks, if you enjoy the sound of your HD599/598 but feel your HD560S falls short of your expectations, you might want to give the 'HD5699' a try.
You can always revert back to stock, if you are not impressed.
Have fun and thanks for reading!
I have two HD599 pairs, which I enjoy quite a bit.
I also have a pair of HD560S, which I tried to like but to no avail..
So, I went ahead and swapped the HD560S 120Ohm drivers with the 50Ohm drivers from one of my HD599 pairs.
You just unscrew the baffles from both pairs, desolder the drivers and then solder and screw the HD599 ones in the HD560S housing.
NOTE: You can use the HD559 as a 'donor'. They're using the exact drivers/baffles.
Here you see the HD5699 'hybrid'!
Basically it looks like a typical HD560S.
Until you put them on and notice that something HAS audibly changed.
---------
From here on I attest my personal opinion (and rant), so please bare with me:
The 'HD5699' doesn't sound 'sterile' and/or flat anymore..
HD560S, while it's measuring good, I think it lacks body and impact. It has soundstage and is not grainy, I'll give it that.
But some important parameters for real music enjoyment, namely body, pace and impact, were missing.
When you create a headphone simply to look good on papers, based on whatever current 'target response', you might end up with a 'flat' sounding pair.
Sorry Sennheiser but this is still an HD5xx series headphone and folks enjoy them for their laid-back, full-bodied character that gives life to music.
For uber-technical 'neutrality' and 'follow the graphs' orthodoxy, there are myriads of other models out there. I have an HD600 for that I think..
My point is, who cares if it measures great but it hurts your ears after 10 minutes, or you need a graphic equalizer to enjoy music?
-End of rant-
-----------
How does this 'hybrid' sound?
In a nutshell, a bit better than the good old HD599.
Probably due to the slightly different shell of the HD560S (wider grill holes and no plastic overlay).
It gives more focus and impact to the sound.
Lows are better articulated and go deeper, mids keep their presence but are better controlled and highs become less grainy.
Soundstage increased a bit, both in width and in height.
Separation of instruments and sense of depth also improved.
Maybe, it has to do with reduced resonances resulting in better driver control?
I don't know, but the result is good (to my ears at least). 🙂
So folks, if you enjoy the sound of your HD599/598 but feel your HD560S falls short of your expectations, you might want to give the 'HD5699' a try.
You can always revert back to stock, if you are not impressed.
Have fun and thanks for reading!
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I love Sennheiser. I have 650 which I use every day.... my wife has 600, the kids have two 599, and just recently - a 560S.
Here's my impression:
650 vs 600: 650 have lower distortion. I can hear it. 600 have a more natural sound, but lack in the bass region.
599 vs 560S: 560S have lower distortion, provide less colouration and are more comfortable. Amazing comfort, especially for people with small heads.
However, 599 are more specious and warm-sounding.
I'd rank them in this order:
650
600
560S
599
650 sound really good connected to my ACA little class A amp. Superb! I connect them straight to the speaker binding posts. They also sound amazingly wide and natural, connected to my May DAC - straight to the RCA's - no amplification (of course, the bass region is not that prominent, but still there nevertheless).
I completely get what you did and why. I agree with you 100%.
Here's my impression:
650 vs 600: 650 have lower distortion. I can hear it. 600 have a more natural sound, but lack in the bass region.
599 vs 560S: 560S have lower distortion, provide less colouration and are more comfortable. Amazing comfort, especially for people with small heads.
However, 599 are more specious and warm-sounding.
I'd rank them in this order:
650
600
560S
599
650 sound really good connected to my ACA little class A amp. Superb! I connect them straight to the speaker binding posts. They also sound amazingly wide and natural, connected to my May DAC - straight to the RCA's - no amplification (of course, the bass region is not that prominent, but still there nevertheless).
I completely get what you did and why. I agree with you 100%.
Big Sennheiser fan here too!
My first pair were HD565's bought new back in 1995. Both drivers have since failed and I replaced the cushions a multitude of times but the chassis has survived well and they are now reborn with new HD565 drivers, cushions and a selection of my own hand-made cables and are a very 'fun' headphone to use, especially with Walkmans.
One of the great things about the Sennheiser chassis design philosophy is that they use a lot of common components, especially the driver 'capsules'. To that end I use a hybrid HD565 chassis with HD600 drivers for monitoring duties, another HD565 chassis with HD650 drivers for extended listening periods paired to an Audio-GD DAC/AMP with a balanced cable as well as a few more pairs in the mid-90's HD range.
I compared my hybrid HD565/650 headphones to a 'proper' pair of HD650's and to me at least mine actually sounded better, especially in the low end of the FR. Possibly due to the slightly more enclosed nature of the HD565 capsule enclosure. The overall sound seemed more dynamic and intimate if not as open as with the normal HD650's.
My first pair were HD565's bought new back in 1995. Both drivers have since failed and I replaced the cushions a multitude of times but the chassis has survived well and they are now reborn with new HD565 drivers, cushions and a selection of my own hand-made cables and are a very 'fun' headphone to use, especially with Walkmans.
One of the great things about the Sennheiser chassis design philosophy is that they use a lot of common components, especially the driver 'capsules'. To that end I use a hybrid HD565 chassis with HD600 drivers for monitoring duties, another HD565 chassis with HD650 drivers for extended listening periods paired to an Audio-GD DAC/AMP with a balanced cable as well as a few more pairs in the mid-90's HD range.
I compared my hybrid HD565/650 headphones to a 'proper' pair of HD650's and to me at least mine actually sounded better, especially in the low end of the FR. Possibly due to the slightly more enclosed nature of the HD565 capsule enclosure. The overall sound seemed more dynamic and intimate if not as open as with the normal HD650's.
That's a collection!
You really enjoy those HD565!
Does it share the same driver shape (or baffle) with the HD600?
You really enjoy those HD565!
Does it share the same driver shape (or baffle) with the HD600?
Yes, as stated the driver capsules are fully interchangeable between the HD series of that era. Very easy to swap in and fit baffles and cushions but needs a particular technique.
So one of those 565 chassis contains 650 drivers (black headband), 600 drivers (grey headband). The others are refurbished 565's. There is also a 545 in that lineup and I have since acquired a 535.
Afaiac the 565 chassis is the most comfortable headphone ever made, period. I can wear it for hours, possibly even days and not get fatigued 😆