[FullRangeMan]

New look, new price, I yet prefer the current looking:
http://www.head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=196

[Guy 13]

Hi FULLRANGEMAN
I prefer the look of this new HE-560 compare to the previous models.
The part that I call the black chicken wish bone look more sturdy thant the other models.
Now the question is: How do they sound ? ? ?
Can some one answer that question.

Guy 13

[FullRangeMan]

The wishbone piece in this new model looks plastic or at best wood.
In the old models the whole piece is black anodized metal, tell by the way a beautiful piece that should last a century.

[Audioclyde]

The production model 560's are shipping yet, although anticipated to ship any day.  There are a couple of long threads re initial impressions, etc. from some limited reviewers, etc. that received pre production models a few weeks ago over on Head Fi.

[FullRangeMan]

Received on what terms?? For free or what??

[Noseyears]

Received on what terms?? For free or what??

They were basically loaner headphones for reviewers.

[FullRangeMan]

They were basically loaner headphones for reviewers.

I afraid from reviews which the equip are ''long term loan''.
Hope not the case.

[steve in jersey]

Any redesign of the "previous" HE models is an improvement. The headband clamping pressure was totally
ridiculous & ergonomically inappropriate for earcups weighing as much as they do . Forget about headphone
aesthetics , a high quality set of headphones should be comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.

My HE-6s (stock) were not close to being comfortable. (With a good aftermarket HP cable they have pretty exceptional SQ so they are worth the effort to "fix" the "Mickey Mouse" headband deficiencies by
"scraping" it for an "engineered" headband) (or get a pair of Oppo PM-1s, were these available when I bought
my HE-6s I have no doubt I would have gotten them instead)

[FullRangeMan]

This new head band are less stuffed than the current one.
A DIY pad seems doable and inexpensive for the current HE line, IMO.

[toocool4]

Now the question is: How do they sound ? ? ?
Can some one answer that question.

Guy 13

I don’t really know much about the HiFiMan’s headphones sound.
I had a listen to the new HE-560 yesterday at the Munich High-End Hi-Fi show. I found it very comfortable to wear, but the sound was not for me. I found it dark and laid back, I cannot put it down to the planar magnetic drivers as I liked the Oppo PM-1.

My main headphones are Beyerdynamic a very different sound.

[steve in jersey]

This new head band are less stuffed than the current one.
A DIY pad seems doable and inexpensive for the current HE line, IMO.

It is absolutely "doable & inexpensive" but it really does'nt go far enough. The "current" headband has a fairly substantial piece of spring steel (unnecessarily so) that is one of the reasons the HEs are so heavy. The new headband uses a weight bearing strap w/ pulley system (similar to what AKG uses on their 701/702s). In other words it's an engineered headband & not the nonsense band you get on most mid-fi headphones. The only necessary pads you need are the ones on the earcups (which were also "engineered" on the 560)

Comfort levels are subjective, but for headphones that you've spent several hundred $ to more than a K on
I find the Hifiman phones (other than the new 560 design) more like something someone made in a
garage than a finished product.

[FullRangeMan]

I find the Hifiman phones (other than the new 560 design) more like something someone made in a
garage than a finished product.

I complete disagree here, the HifiMan HE line sport a nice classic looking and a solid design on confort, just happen the foam is thin.

Also they are solid built like a truck, all the head/drivers arc is anodized metal, no rust.
Others brands use diverse shapes on its headphone line and plastics abounds.

[Guy 13]

I don’t really know much about the HiFiMan’s headphones sound.
I had a listen to the new HE-560 yesterday at the Munich High-End Hi-Fi show. I found it very comfortable to wear, but the sound was not for me. I found it dark and laid back, I cannot put it down to the planar magnetic drivers as I liked the Oppo PM-1.

My main headphones are Beyerdynamic a very different sound.

Hi toocool4.

Quote: but the sound was not for me
Unquote.
I like the way you write the above.
Well said.
My HD-650 that lots and lots of people like them, well,
they are definitely not for me.
It's a good thing there are lots of headphone manufacturers
and models and with prices from a few $ to thousands of $.
I would sure like to hear and try the HiFiMan and the Audeze,
but the later is too many $$$ for me.

Guy 13

 

[FullRangeMan]

Well, now the HE400 also have this new looking... and lighter too.
Who will want a expensive $499, ligther(30%) less magnets, plastic rods HE400??
http://head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=208
Time to buy the original HE400 with full magnets weight and durable metal rods.

P.S> The new hybrid pads are nice though.

[Letitroll98]

I liked the sound of the HE400i very much.  Not too dark for my tastes, and reportedly much better sound quality than the old 400.  But I liked the Oppo PM2 a little better, lighter, with a more even tonal balance.  I could be very happy with either headphone.  Despite the lighter weight of these phones, I saw no obvious compromises in their build quality and both were very comfortable.   Besides the Alpha Dog, there really isn't much competition in the mid priced planar headphone market.  What else would you recommend at these prices?

[FullRangeMan]

The HE400 is the only contender at $300 price point for planars, the new 400i offer no competition at $500 and Oppo float at $700.

[dB Cooper]

Hi FULLRANGEMAN
I prefer the look of this new HE-560 compare to the previous models.
The part that I call the black chicken wish bone look more sturdy thant the other models.
Now the question is: How do they sound ? ? ?
Can some one answer that question.

Guy 13

I heard all the cans mentioned so far in this thread at Capital Audiofest this past July so I will try subject to the usual FWIW/IMHO/YMMV disclaimers.
The 560's and 400i's are well designed and generally fairly neutral but the 560 is a little fuller and more "refined" sounding. Both are lightweight as planars go because the drivers are single ended (meaning there is a magnetic grid on only one side of the driver). In practice, this means that the force exerted on the driver varies as the driver moves which would allow harmonic distortion to creep in (a little) and dynamics to flatten out (a little). These effects weren't obvious to me in listening. The Audeze's are "darker" (Guy13, I really think you'd prefer either of the Hifiman sets) ans substantially heavier. The Oppo's are beautifully made but quite heavy like the Audeze's and tended pretty significantly towards a "warm" signature. The clamping force also felt pretty high.

The other planars I heard there were all electrostatics: the Kingsound KS-H3 (not my cup of tea; rather 'thin' sounding); the Stax SR-507, a strong contender for Ugliest Headphone Ever but good sound at a modest price for 'stats; Stax Sr-009 (easily the best planars I have ever heard and a strong contender for best cans I've heard period). Too bad the 009's plus the required amp cost twice what I paid for my first car.

I concluded from this show that I am not convinced that the low mass advantages of planars are (perhaps) not as significant (to my ears anyway) are not as big as they might be in roomspeakers. Headphone drivers are pretty small, lo-mass buggers to begin with. Also, all the planars I heard suffered (even if slightly) from looseness in the deep bass due perhaps to the stretched membrane tends to ring' at its low end. Most obvious in bass drum. I didn't notice this with the Stax though. So maybe I'm just not a 'planar' guy although who knows if Sennheiser jumps in as rumors have it. I would expect anything from them to be (at least) in the price range of the HD800 though.

[Guy 13]

I heard all the cans mentioned so far in this thread at Capital Audiofest this past July so I will try subject to the usual FWIW/IMHO/YMMV disclaimers.
The 560's and 400i's are well designed and generally fairly neutral but the 560 is a little fuller and more "refined" sounding. Both are lightweight as planars go because the drivers are single ended (meaning there is a magnetic grid on only one side of the driver). In practice, this means that the force exerted on the driver varies as the driver moves which would allow harmonic distortion to creep in (a little) and dynamics to flatten out (a little). These effects weren't obvious to me in listening. The Audeze's are "darker" (Guy13, I really think you'd prefer either of the Hifiman sets) ans substantially heavier. The Oppo's are beautifully made but quite heavy like the Audeze's and tended pretty significantly towards a "warm" signature. The clamping force also felt pretty high.

The other planars I heard there were all electrostatics: the Kingsound KS-H3 (not my cup of tea; rather 'thin' sounding); the Stax SR-507, a strong contender for Ugliest Headphone Ever but good sound at a modest price for 'stats; Stax Sr-009 (easily the best planars I have ever heard and a strong contender for best cans I've heard period). Too bad the 009's plus the required amp cost twice what I paid for my first car.

I concluded from this show that I am not convinced that the low mass advantages of planars are (perhaps) not as significant (to my ears anyway) are not as big as they might be in roomspeakers. Headphone drivers are pretty small, lo-mass buggers to begin with. Also, all the planars I heard suffered (even if slightly) from looseness in the deep bass due perhaps to the stretched membrane tends to ring' at its low end. Most obvious in bass drum. I didn't notice this with the Stax though. So maybe I'm just not a 'planar' guy although who knows if Sennheiser jumps in as rumors have it. I would expect anything from them to be (at least) in the price range of the HD800 though.

Hi dB Cooper.
I did try the HiFiMan HE400 and they did sound good, however,
they felt very heavy and did not have enough over the head clamping force.
I also found them a little too big,
maybe because the were not clamping hard enough.
The other thing is that my Bottlehead Crack
is not the ideal amplifier for the HE400.
Too bad that my HD650 are veiled and dark because they
are super comfortable and light.
I would like to listen to the Audeze, OPPO and the Stax
to hear how better they are than everything I've listen to up to now,
but I am almost sure that I would like the Stax because I use to own a pair
30+ year ago.
I would like to buy the SR407/507, which are more or less affordable,
but again, you need a special amplifier that cost an arm and a leg.
Next week I have a meeting at my Vietnamese audio friend
Mr. Khiem to listen to his Bottlehead Crack with the Speedball upgrade
which I don't have in my Crack and I will bring my HD-650
and see/hear if the veil will be lifted and the darkness will disappear
even if it's only partially.
That will be a very interesting test/audition.
It will confirm if I still want to buy/exchange
my HD650 for a pair of HD-600 ???
This afternoon I will choose some CDs that I know well to bring with me
for the Tuesday morning audition.
I might also bring with my on my motorcycle my Rega Apollo CD Player to try with his 1,000 USD DAC which I forgot the brand.
All that is more for entertainment that for serious upgrade,
since I don't have the $$$.

Guy 13
       

[JohnR]

Oh man. "Veiled and dark." Guy, have you ever even considered that your source and amp might be the problem? Or at least part of it...

[Guy 13]

Oh man. "Veiled and dark." Guy, have you ever even considered that your source and amp might be the problem? Or at least part of it...

Hi JonhR,
My source is a Rega Apollo that gives me exceptionally satisfying results with my Decware SE84C+
and my Omega 7F w/sub.
My Bottlehead Crack is fine, because with two different Vietnamese audio friends
I've listen to HD-600, HD700, HD800, BD T1  and even a HiFiMan HE400
and all did not sound veiled or dark.
Tuesday I will hear an up-graded Crack (Speedball) with my own HD650
and see/hear if it's better.
I am not sitting on my butt doing nothing except crying that I don't like the sound of my HD650.
I am trying to improve so I don't have to sell my HD650 and loose money,
I cannot afford any lost these days.
Thanks for your suggestion, always appreciated.
 
Guy 13