HD562
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published: Feb-18-2015, updated: Mar-8-2015
NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘wiggles’. I do not use smoothing because some info about sound quality is lost when plots are smoothed.
Aside from a small correction of the microphone itself also some correction in the lowest frequencies is applied to the plots to compensate for the perceived loss of bass when using headphones. This is described HERE in more detail.
A ‘horizontal‘ frequency response curve on the shown frequency response plots on this website thus indicates a perceived ‘flat’ tonal signature.
ALL measurements are made with a good SEAL on a flatbed measurement rig.
The shape of your head, bone structure, pad size, pad ‘softness, (compliance), hair or no hair and or wearing glasses may (drastically) change the frequency response of some headphones, so… your personal experience may differ substantially from these plots.
Frequency response (tonal balance) is the most sound-determining aspect of headphones. A horizontal line shows audible neutral response in the plots on this website. Deviations in different severities at different frequency bands have an effect on the sound character.
The bigger the deviation the stronger the effect.
Below an aid to help determining the sound character of headphones with relation to the frequency response.
Superlux HD562
The Superlux HD562 is a Sennheiser HD25 clone in almost any sense of the word. It is available with white, red and black accents.
It comes with a carrying pouch, a 6.3mm adapter and a set of velours pads + foam disc inserts.
A far more detailed article about this headphone can be found HERE
It has a similar functionality like the HD25…. the headband can be pulled apart to get a more secure ‘fit’ on the head. One of the cups (the rght one) can turn 90 degrees to the front and back. The cup’s swivelling and sliding mechanism and headband itself seem almost an exact copy of the HD25. Even the ‘Sennheiser connectors‘ are copied. Haven’t checked if they are interchangeable though.
I can’t say much about the durability of the construction, the Sennheiser HD25 looks and feels high quality and durable.
The HD562 appears to be similar but when you handle a HD25 you ‘feel’ the quality.
The Superlux shouts … CHEAP…. the plastic accents are cheap looking and so do the pleather pads.
Those pleather pads are soft and comfortable though.
For in a studio 3 colours make sense when they are lying close together but are monitoring different sources for instance or for hygienic reasons where a few persons can recognise their headphones immediatly.
The cable of the Sennheiser feels (and is) rugged, the Superlux cable is much softer/pliable/thinner and probably not nearly as rugged, but can be replaced as easily as the one in the HD25.
The clamping force is high. Painfull for those wearing glasses ! Isolation is quite good.
Below the frequency response of the HD562, left, right channel.
It shows a mild bass hump and clear (as in thin) mids as the 300Hz to 3kHz part is sloping upwards.
The treble is not exaggerated and thus not piercing as well. The steep drop-off makes the treble less ‘Hi-Fi’ and is audible as such.
There is no treble extension and thus cymbals, strings etc. lack detail and air.
For this reason alone the HD562 isn’t anywhere near the better sounding headphones.
For listening to Hi-Fi the other Superlux models mentioned below are MUCH better suited.
Below the frequency response of the original HD25 and the HD562 in one plot.
They are sort-off ‘average’ level matched to get a better impression of the similarities and differences.
However, if one would level match the area between 200Hz and 3kHz then it becomes obvious the HD25 has more bass and a higher treble peak.
The measurements do show some striking similarities. The HD25 has about 4dB more ‘bass’ relative to the mids (200Hz – 3kHz).
Because the drop from 150Hz is ‘steeper’ the accentuated lows of the HD25 do not ‘bleed’ that much in the mids but may sound somewhat dis-attached because of it.
The HD562 slowly drops down from 100Hz bottoming out around 350Hz. Well into the ‘warmth’ zone.
The bass thus isn’t as pronounced nor as disconnected but alas, it does ‘bleed’ into the mids. This makes the sound not very bassy but rather ‘fat’ and warm sounding with voices having ‘bloom’.
The bass lacks ‘punch’ or ‘dynamics’ and isn’t nearly as realistic. The mids of the HD25 are more forward and dynamic.
On top of that the HD562 doesn’t have a treble peak that gives that extra sense of (fake) detail which the HD25 shows. The HD562 thus doesn’t sound as splashy/lively/ vibrant sound the HD25 shows but is more ‘polite’.
Below the CSD plot of the HD562 left, right channel. It shows quite some ringing around 5kHz that is rather long lived. This will have impact on the sound.
Compare to the CSD of the HD25 below it is clear HD25 driver is much better damped. (right channel only)
Where the HD25 can be described as forward, very dynamic with a prominent bass and while having a ‘rough’ and present kind of treble it lacks the fine nuances. This lack of treble extension is masked by the treble peak and is only obvious on direct comparison.
The HD562 can be described as warm and a bit congested and not very dynamic sounding headphone with a polite amount of treble as well as lacking details and finer nuances. Because it lacks the treble peak there also is no ‘masking’ going on so the HD562 sounds more rolled off than the HD25 does, even though they have the exact same steep drop-off above 13kHz.
Some people like the HD25 for Rock music and certain pop genres. Also quite good for voices and it sounds quite neutral for this. It is not that suited for Jazz and classic. The HD562 sounds quite different despite the plots showing resemblances at a first glance.
Those loving the HD25 sound won’t like the HD562 as much.
These HD562 are definitely NOT Hi-Fi phones, nor are they made for this purpose. These also aren’t intended for ‘urban’ usage on i-thingies and other phones/tablets.
They are clearly intended as a monitor and for usage at higher listening SPL, great for sound monitoring during recordings where outside noises must be blocked. They are looking like and can be used as a cheap (but not as good sounding) alternative for the HD25.
When you are looking for monitors with a good isolation and find the elevated bass and firm treble of a HD25 a bit ‘too much’ these HD562 can be a decent alternative. Although I do question the durability when used in rough outdoor conditions.
For € 39.- there is little to complain though as it is about 1/4 the price of the real deal (HD25) and you can have 4 of these lying around in your low cost recording studio for the price of one new HD25 or 2 second hand HD25’s.
Those that seek the exact equivalent to the HD25 sound should look elsewhere though.
NOT recommended for Hi-Fi usage, but again it isn’t designed for that, it’s a monitoring headphone.
DIY-Audio-Heaven 