They're showing angled velours in that vid.

tmraven said:

  They're showing angled velours in that vid.

Click to expand...

 
Indeed
 

^^ Those connectors don't look angled enough to me. They might be slightly angled but no where near the degree of something like Audeze which seems about perfect IMO. 

True. Man, I can't wait for those earpads. They've got me more excited than the headphone it self! I want to compare it to the Jergpads, and maybe Jerg could use the new foams / angled velour to make a new earpad that's even better?

beaver316 said:

   
Indeed
 

Click to expand...

Hey! Just like mine! I didn't even put this part in the guide, guess it's a coincidence.
 

tmraven said:

  Kinda like how that model of LCD-X jude got before canjam was a beautiful looking brown, and the production was is ugly black or gunmetal gray.  

Click to expand...

 
Wait, those were actually brown? I thought it was just the lighting, they were beautiful in that color!
 

jerg said:

  Hey! Just like mine! I didn't even put this part in the guide, guess it's a coincidence.
 

 

Click to expand...

 
Fang has been hiding in your closet.

taowolf51 said:

   
Wait, those were actually brown? I thought it was just the lighting, they were beautiful in that color!
 
 
Fang has been hiding in your closet.

Click to expand...

Also note the suspension strap in my photo (that's courtesy of GREQ though, who made a limited run of them)

Listened to the HE-560 yesterday.   Much lighter in weight, new headband is vastly more comfortable, one of the most,  if not THE most comfortable I've ever worn. 
 
The sound quality is definitely improved from the HE-6.  Smoother treble, but with plenty of extension. Tighter, deeper bass, although from initial impressions, flatter sounding, so perhaps a about less quantity of low bass, but more quality. 
 
The Teak wood cups are very nice.   I find it interesting that the HE-560 is a step up from the HE-6, but not in name, I'm sure Dr. Fang Bian has more surprises in store for us in the future... 

edwood said:

  Listened to the HE-560 yesterday.   Much lighter in weight, new headband is vastly more comfortable, one of the most,  if not THE most comfortable I've ever worn. 
 
The sound quality is definitely improved from the HE-6.  Smoother treble, but with plenty of extension. Tighter, deeper bass, although from initial impressions, flatter sounding, so perhaps a about less quantity of low bass, but more quality. 
 
The Teak wood cups are very nice.   I find it interesting that the HE-560 is a step up from the HE-6, but not in name, I'm sure Dr. Fang Bian has more surprises in store for us in the future... 

Click to expand...

 
Thanks for being the first from CES to post actual impressions.

edwood said:

  Listened to the HE-560 yesterday.   Much lighter in weight, new headband is vastly more comfortable, one of the most,  if not THE most comfortable I've ever worn. 
 
The sound quality is definitely improved from the HE-6.  Smoother treble, but with plenty of extension. Tighter, deeper bass, although from initial impressions, flatter sounding, so perhaps a about less quantity of low bass, but more quality. 
 
The Teak wood cups are very nice.   I find it interesting that the HE-560 is a step up from the HE-6, but not in name, I'm sure Dr. Fang Bian has more surprises in store for us in the future... 

Click to expand...

Wow. Thanks for the impressions!

edwood said:

  Listened to the HE-560 yesterday.   Much lighter in weight, new headband is vastly more comfortable, one of the most,  if not THE most comfortable I've ever worn. 
 
The sound quality is definitely improved from the HE-6.  Smoother treble, but with plenty of extension. Tighter, deeper bass, although from initial impressions, flatter sounding, so perhaps a about less quantity of low bass, but more quality. 
 
The Teak wood cups are very nice.   I find it interesting that the HE-560 is a step up from the HE-6, but not in name, I'm sure Dr. Fang Bian has more surprises in store for us in the future... 

Click to expand...

Oh snap, sounds better than, is cheaper than and is easier to drive than the HE 6
 
wow'za! 

mshenay said:

  Oh snap, sounds better than, is cheaper than and is easier to drive than the HE 6
 
wow'za! 

Click to expand...

Not to mention like half the weight. I foresee a lot of disgruntled previous-generation Hifiman owners 

Darn It!!!  I was really set on just getting the Oppo PM-1 at some point down the road but now I will have to hear a HE-560 before I can pull the trigger.  Not that I can afford to do either one anytime soon, but it is on my wish list for late this year or early next year as I have not owned or yet even heard a planar magnetic headphone.  Hoping to at least give one an audition in the next month or so.
 
I have to say, I find the physical design to be striking.  Not that intrigued by the look of the HE-500 though I do respect the performance described by posters and reviewers, but I kind of like the new headband, frame, and wood grain cups and if the pads feel good this all comes together as a very serious contender.  I have been determined for a few years now to have two really good headphones and then a few mid level ones to round out my "collection" (a very modest one at that).  I recently pulled the trigger on an HD-700 to claim one of those seats, and hoping to land a really nice planar magnetic design to claim the other one.  I really have to give props to HiFiMan, despite whatever growing pains, I think the HE-400, HE-500 and HE-6 are substantial industry achievements, and now it looks like they have been working hard to raise the bar which I have tremendous respect for.  Can't wait to hear even more feedback and reviews on this new model.

Wow, the hype level just went over 9000!

Let the hype flow begin