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HiFiMAN HE-560 Planar Magnetic Headphones

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Frederik S

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Mar 30, 2006
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HiFiMAN's latest high-end headphone just got put to the test. The new HE-560 features improvements across the board, both in terms of sound and comfort. Design-wise, it is a long departure from the older HE headphones since it features a suspended headband design and wooden cups.

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You lucky son of a gun, I wanted do demo these at a recent head-fi meet but HiFiMan couldn't make it.
 
I have the HE-500's and, personally, I hate the headband. No matter how I've tried to bend it, it still digs into my head after a couple hours and the ear cups hang lower than I'd like. Need to wear a beanie with the headphones for the fit to be perfect. Maybe I should sell it and get the new ones.
 
900 bucks for headphones...wow. I am not sure I'd pay that much even if I had them. But let's hope I will cross the bridge when I come to it :D
 
I got my He-500's for about 700, just wait for a few months to see if the price goes down. They do sound better than my $500 headphones.
 
can we compare it with HE-600 ?
 
Great review as always. I love my HE-400's...I'm curious to see how the 460's fare. I only spent $300 new on my 400's back in December...I doubt I'd ever spend that much again...nor do I expect I'll replace my HE-400's any day soon! But your reviews make me wish I had a lotta money to spend on some good audio gear!
 
Oh man.. I have a pair of HiFiman RE-400 IEM's.. they really are fantastic headphones. What I really want to know is what where do these headphones go once you demo them? Oh, what's that? you want to send them to me? oh.. oh thank you!
 
Kursah said:
Great review as always. I love my HE-400's...I'm curious to see how the 460's fare. I only spent $300 new on my 400's back in December...I doubt I'd ever spend that much again...nor do I expect I'll replace my HE-400's any day soon! But your reviews make me wish I had a lotta money to spend on some good audio gear!
Click to expand...

Get a pair of these: http://www.moon-audio.com/hifiman-velour-replacement-earpads.html

Alot of people find them much more comfortable than the factory pleather pads.
 
mab1376 said:
Get a pair of these: http://www.moon-audio.com/hifiman-velour-replacement-earpads.html

Alot of people find them much more comfortable than the factory pleather pads.
Click to expand...

I can confirm you on that, even tho my Headphone is a AKG-K601.

It also has Velour Earpads and they are so very very comfortable and soft.

Lopez0101 said:
I have the HE-500's and, personally, I hate the headband. No matter how I've tried to bend it, it still digs into my head after a couple hours and the ear cups hang lower than I'd like. Need to wear a beanie with the headphones for the fit to be perfect. Maybe I should sell it and get the new ones.
Click to expand...

You could also try the AKG K701/Q701.

I have a K601 i bought quite a long time ago and it's the most comfortable Headphone i have ever had.
 
mab1376 said:
Get a pair of these: http://www.moon-audio.com/hifiman-velour-replacement-earpads.html

Alot of people find them much more comfortable than the factory pleather pads.
Click to expand...

I got a complementary set when I purchased mine. I tried them and didn't like them at all. They seemed softer to the touch because of the material, but the foam was harder, the sound was tinnier (I prefer a bassier sound), and overall I was unimpressed with them.

I was actually using my Denon D2000 pads for a while with great success. I eventually fixed my D2000's and put my stock pleathers back on the HE-400's. After a little more break in they're super comfy.

:toast:
 
Lopez0101 said:
I got my He-500's for about 700, just wait for a few months to see if the price goes down. They do sound better than my $500 headphones.
Click to expand...

HE-500 and HE-400 took a $100 price cut.
 
There will be a revision to the HE-560 design before they become available through retailers. This revision will feature Ebony veneer shells and an updated double baffle for the forward driver opening. The pads have apparently been updated as well so that the drivers sit further away from the ears. I will post updates when I find out more and there will be a review of the final version in case anyone was wondering.

Pleather vs. velour pads is a religious matter. The pleathers provide more bass and as a negative are slightly less comfortable when it comes to heat build up and pressure distribution. The velours give the headphones a somewhat more airy sound. The new pleather/velour combo pads keep the best of both.

The HE-500s are still really good value at their current retail price. The HE-560s just take all things up a notch and the new revision will bring marginal improvements all around.
 
Interesting, thanks for the update.
 
By any chance does anyone know if the Lake People G109P is a good match for the HE-560? I want to run them at or close to their full potential without spending over $1k on an amp.
 
The Lake People amps are generally really good. I do not think it will have any trouble powering the HE-560s.
 
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