The Sennheiser HD560S and Jade Audio JT3 are both dynamic driver open-back full sized headphones, typically priced at 69 and 199 USD respectively.
The price difference is significant, yet it remains an interesting comparison. First, the Jade brand is intended to deliver exceptional value for money. Second, both are full sized dynamic driver headphones, and third, both use similarly sized velour pads.
JADE AUDIO JT3 SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back headphones
- Driver: 50mm dynamic driver
- Impedance: 80 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 97 dB/mW
- Frequency Response: 10Hz–35kHz
- Cable: 1.5m – with mic
- Cable connectors: 3.5mm dual plugs
- Cable termination: 3.5mm TRRS jack
- Microphone: On the cable
- Adapter: 3.5 to 6.35mm
- Ear pad material: Velour
- Weight: 330g (without 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 has a very lightweight plastic construction and uses a padded headband. The JT3 features a headband arc with a suspension strap, uses both metal and plastic components, and is larger and heavier, though it is still relatively lightweight. Both headphones use velour pads with a special locking mechanism, and interestingly there are user reports of successfully fitting HD560S pads on the JT3 (link). The JT3 pads, however, sit very tight and are very hard to remove (even if they are designed to be removable), so I have not tried it myself.
I find both headphones very comfortable to wear. The JT3 has an advantage thanks to its suspension strap, while the HD560S is smaller and more compact.
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
Berlin by Vincius Cantuaria
The HD560S is well balanced and natural sounding with this guitar and vocals focused track, with good detail level. The JT3 sounds nice too – but vocals are darker, the music a bit thicker, though they’re not miles apart.
Dyna I by Karl Strømme
Electronic bass and a trumpet: The JT3 has more bass presence and bass detail. It generally sounds darker and thicker. The HD560S sounds cleaner and more neutral, while still slightly warm.
KJZ by Photek
On this electronic track, the HD560S offers better instrument separation and a more neutral sound. While slightly warm, it is not as dark and thick as the JT3. That said, the JT3 sounds very good on its own, especially the bass.
Spark of Life by Marcin Wasilewski Trio
On this quiet piano trio piece, the JT3 sounds a bit too dark for my taste – very lush and thick. The HD560S sounds much more natural. The piano is brighter and clearer, there’s more space between instruments, and the overall balance is very natural, as is the instruments’ timbre.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The HD560S again impresses with its natural overall tonality. The JT3, however, is also very good. It portrays the strings in this string quartet in a very engaging manner, revealing detail and textures combined with a thicker, lusher tonality.
VCR by The XX
Time for some quality indie pop. The HD560S sounds natural and open. The JT3 has significantly more dynamic bass, along with a darker and lusher mid-range.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
On this classic electronic indie track, the JT3 delivers an impressively dynamic kick drum – it is very solid. The bass is not only dynamic but also rich in textures. Vocals are clean but slightly dark. Instrument articulation and separation is pretty good here.
The HD560S sounds a bit boring in comparison, lacking the low end presence and punchiness.
Rambling Man by Laura Marling
I really like this version of the Bob Dylan classic. Marling has beautiful vocals, and the HD560S presents them in an intimate way. The JT3 is a bit disappointing, and when the track gets busy it falls apart compared to the HD560S.
Limit to Your Love
Here the JT3 sounds much better. Vocals are nice, the bass is impressive, and the percussion is quite snappy. The HD560S is brighter and obviously more neutral, but the bass feels tame.
Jambi by Tool
They are very different here. The JT3 is much darker and richer, which suits this track well, but the HD560S is still quite good on its own, but less bold and punchy.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The sound signature is pretty different. The HD560S is very neutral and natural, but with a quite lean, rolled-off bass. The JT3 has a darker mid-range and a much thicker, bolder, and importantly: significantly punchier bass.
Treble
The treble is the least different part of these headphones. It is quite clear and pretty clean on both.
Midrange
The midrange of the Sennheiser HD560S, like that of the “big brother” Sennheiser HD600, aims for “natural neutrality” and it succeeds. The JT3 is much darker and also less nuanced in the mids.
Bass
The bass is the major selling point for the JT3. It is in a different league than the HD560S. While the HD560S is lean and rolls off, the JT3 is full and rich, with slam, punch, as well as texture and detail.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage is more open with the HD560S. It is still relatively intimate, but not as intimate as the JT3. Imaging is also better with the HD560S, especially in complex passages. However, I’m often surprised by the JT3’s abilities, on its own it’s not bad at all – especially considering the price point and tuning.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
In general, the HD560S comes off as cleaner sounding. However, the treble is pretty clean on both. The mid-range has more detail on the HD560S, while the bass is more detailed and substantial on the JT3. The JT3 also has significantly better dynamics, mostly because of the much punchier bass.
When it comes to timbre for vocals and most instruments – in other words the midrange – the HD560S is much more natural and correct sounding. The bass, however, is much better and more natural with the JT3, while the treble is more even between them.
CONCLUSION
If you are after general neutrality and a natural sounding mid-range, the HD560S is hard to beat. However, it lacks low end punch, and that is something the JT3 certainly can offer. The trade-off is a darker sounding mid-range. For acoustic and vocal oriented music, I would always reach for the HD560S. With most electronic music and rock – music where low end punch and dynamics are vital – I’d reach for the JT3.
Headphones, especially in this price class, are about compromises. I can recommend both headphones for what they are – both deliver very much for the money at their respective price points.
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- Amazon: HD560S
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