The JT7 and the HD560S are both sub-200 USD headphones. Both are full-size designs tuned quite neutrally, but they’re certainly not alike. The JT7 is a planar magnetic headphone, while the HD560S uses a dynamic driver, and the overall design is quite different.
The JT7 is typically priced around 109 USD, while the HD560S usually costs about 199 USD.
FiiO JADE JT7 SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back headphones
- Driver: 95x86mm planar magnetic
- Impedance: 18 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 92 dB/mW = 109 dB/Vrms
- Frequency response: 7Hz-40kHz
- Cables: 2 x 1.5m – no mic
- Headphone connector: Dual 3.5mm TRS
- Cable Termination jack: 1 x 3.5mm and 1 x 4.4mm
- Adapter plug: 3.5mm to 6.35mm
- Weight: 318g (excluding cable)
Current price and availability:
SENNHEISER HD 560S SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back graines
- Driver: 38mm dynamic driver
- Impedance: 120 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 6 Hz – 38,000 Hz
- Sensitivity (SPL): 110 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.05 %
- Weight: 240 g (without cable)
- Cable: Detachable 1.8 m cable with 3.5 mm jack, 6.35 mm adapter included
- Ear pad material: Velour
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: HD560S
BUILD AND COMFORT
The HD560S is built mainly from plastic and is very lightweight. It uses velour pads with a proprietary attachment mechanism and a single-sided detachable cable.
The JT7 is a blend of metal and plastic and is also quite lightweight. It is significantly larger than the very compact HD560S, but it does fold. It uses hybrid pads with a lip-and-groove attachment system, making it very easy to use third-party pads. The cables are detachable and use dual-sided 3.5 mm connectors.
I find both headphones comfortable, but the compact size of the HD560S can be a major advantage depending on how you use the headphones.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
Farlig Norsk Hengebru by Maridalen
On this jazz piece, the HD560S sounds very natural and snappy. The JT7 is actually quite similar, but it lacks a bit of the warmth of the HD560S.
Africa by Tingvall Trio
On this piano trio piece, the HD560S offers excellent tonality and timbre on every instrument, along with good dynamics. The JT7 has a bit less warmth, but it sounds more three-dimensional and the bass is more detailed.
Murmurations by Vega Trails
The bass sounds fantastic on the JT7 and everything is well balanced, with good instrument separation. The bass is less impressive on the HD560S, with less detail, and instrument separation is also weaker. However, midrange timbre and detail are even better than on the JT7.
I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling
Guitar and female vocals. The HD560S sounds good but a bit flat. The JT7 sounds much more dynamic, with clearly better instrument separation and a blacker background. It is also crisper and clearer, with everything feeling more articulate. This track definitely sounds better on the JT7.
Calle 7 by Vincius Cantuaria
Guitar and male vocals. The JT7 is again excellently articulate, slightly crisp, very snappy, and fast sounding. The HD560S sounds flatter in comparison, but remains very natural and smoother than the crisper-sounding JT7.
Drums of Death by FKA Twigs
The drums are punchy and tight on the JT7. There’s plenty of detail in general. It sounds articulate and dynamic without being overly crisp. The HD560S is quite different. It is smoother and still sounds very good, but it certainly does not impress as much in terms of bass detail and extension. The bass is fairly one-dimensional compared to the planar magnetic JT7.
Stay On These Roads MTV Unplugged by a-ha
This recording has become one of my favorites among the many great MTV Unplugged albums. Morten Harket’s vocals sound very natural and lifelike on the HD560S, with everything else nicely balanced and intimate. Moving over to the JT7, instrument separation is much better, with more space between the vocals and the band, making the vocals stand out more. I prefer the livelier sound of the JT7 here, which offers superior imaging and a larger soundstage.
Dive by Olivia Dean
Technically, the JT7 is better, offering superior instrument separation and more detail. However, it can sound a bit too crisp, which makes me prefer the smoother, less upfront HD560S.
Vicarious by Tool
Time for some metal. The HD560S sounds smooth and rich, with good dynamics and clear vocals. The JT7 is crisper, with tighter bass and better separation, but it does not sound as coherent as the HD560S.
Don’t Stay by Linkin Park
This also sounds great on the HD560S. It is smooth and rich, with a very natural and pleasant tone. The JT7, however, can sound a bit shouty here, too hard and overly crisp.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
I think both have good instrument timbre, but they are different. The HD560S is more laid-back and darker, while the JT7 is more forward and crisper in a pleasant way. The JT7 is initially more engaging, though less smooth.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Even though both headphones aim for neutrality, they are quite different. The HD560S is midrange-focused, with neutral mids and treble, but the bass rolls off and lacks detail. The JT7 offers much better bass quality and extension, even though it is not a bass-heavy headphone. Its midrange is somewhat brighter and more upfront.
Treble
The treble is the most similar aspect of the two headphones. Both are quite good for their price, with neither being overly harsh nor too laid-back.
Midrange
The midrange is where the HD560S truly shines, sounding very natural and neutral with good detail. The JT7 also has a fairly neutral midrange with good detail, but brighter and a bit crisper. Which one feels more “true to life” can depend a bit on the track.
Bass
The bass is where there is no contest. The JT7 consistently delivers better bass quality and much linear extension.
Soundstage and Imaging
I think the HD560S has a good soundstage with adequate, though not overly impressive, imaging. The JT7 consistently offers a larger soundstage and more precise imaging. There’s a greater sense of space between instruments and more three-dimensionality, especially depth.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
Treble detail is quite similar between the two, and midrange detail is also comparable, while bass detail is consistently better on the JT7. Dynamics are usually stronger on the JT7, though this can depend on the track. Sometimes the JT7 can sound a bit busy, whereas the HD560S often handles crowded tracks with more effortlessness.
When it comes to timbre, it depends a lot on the track. Generally, the midrange timbre of the HD560S is more consistent and true to life, but the brighter JT7 often surprises by sounding more alive and organic. It really depends on the track. The bass is always better on the JT7, sounding more natural, while the treble is fairly equal in quality overall – although there’s track dependent differences there too.
CONCLUSION
The JT7 and HD560S are both excellent headphones for their price. The HD560S delivers a smooth, natural, and neutral sound, though its bass lacks definition and extension, typical for dynamic drivers in this class. The JT7 consistently provides better bass, a brighter and crisper midrange, a larger soundstage, and more precise imaging, though it can sometimes sound slightly strained on busy passages.
Although both have their limitations, headphones in this price range are all about compromise, and both perform very well for what they are.
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- Amazon: HD560S
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