= HiFiMAN HE-560 Impressions & Discussion Thread =

[cute]

All this time redoing the ear pads, I would think they would have learned to make a left and a right pad, nope, and they still have them installed opposite of what they should be on one side! 
 
My test tracks are telling me the treble has changed....more presence/more detail, more forward in the treble, using same cable on both the preorder and the new 560 the biggest difference to me is in the treble...sound has more air!

 

[TMRaven]

My production 560 has two different pads, they're not the same like on the pre-order one.  The seam-lines are both on the bottom.

 

[cute]

Mine are reversed just like the preorder I have.....their quality guy must have two left ears....or two right ears....like my sock drawer, one black sock and one white sock with every pair!
 
Hope this is only my pair, as I would hate to see another month delay in the final release for this!

 

[cute]

Just noticed the bend in the headband is more square than the preorder version....don't know if that is intentional or not!

 

[jh7000]

I also have 2 different pads (Left/right). The seam is at the bottom of both pads.

 

[TMRaven]

It does seem like the bass is about the same on the two models.  Bass is there and hits hard when it needs to.  I think the lower midrange blooms less on the production, and there quite possibly might be more upper treble 10khz+.  
 
 
I think I prefer the sound of the pre-order version.

 

[cute]

  It does seem like the bass is about the same on the two models.  Bass is there and hits hard when it needs to.  I think the lower midrange blooms less on the production, and there quite possibly might be more upper treble 10khz+.  
 
 
I think I prefer the sound of the pre-order version.

 
Prior to getting these today I thought nothing could tear the preorder version from my cold dead hands.........but, I really like more clarity in the mids, and the increased detail that I am hearing in the treble.  I think this version projects a sound that is more airy that the preorder version.  I'm driving them from my Mullard NOS tube amp off of the speaker taps that output 5 wpc.  The sound is smooth, clear and airy, just to my liking.  They do sound more thin than any other Hifiman that I have heard....HE-4, HE-400, HE-500 and HE-6, but I love an airy sound and clarity!  Sound is more realistic and musical!

 

[cute]

  I also have 2 different pads (Left/right). The seam is at the bottom of both pads.

 
The stitching seam on the left ear pad is on the bottom, and on the right ear pad it has to be on top for the thick angle to be behind my ear!  Where is the stitching on yours?

 

[TMRaven]

It's too early for me to tell whether or not it's extra clarity or just more upper midrange/treble.  That'll be all the listening I do for now though.  Off to find a box big enough for the two of these so I can ship to Purrin.  I'll spend the rest of my time listening to my beloved HE-400.

 

[jh7000]

Stitching is on the bottom...

 

[cute]

  Stitching is on the bottom...
 

 
Thanks for the picture!  I will definitely be keeping these, never thought they would look better than real wood.....my ebony venner is darker than yours, and the left and right cup have veneer that matches to a tee!  (I worked IT at a company that made veneer wood office furniture that had matched veneer, cut from the same log throughout the whole office suite), veneer matching is an art that requires skilled work!
 
Other than ear pads that don't match, I think this headphone is the total package well worth the asking price.....Great job Fang, and thanks for going the extra mile!
 
I sent an email off to HFM China about my ear pads, and I think they will fix that detail!

 

[jerg]

One of you, try swapping the earpads between the rev.1 and rev.2 HE560s and see if the sound signature difference is reversed or persists.

 

[jh7000]

My pre-order version is at home. I can check in a few hours.

 

[cute]

  One of you, try swapping the earpads between the rev.1 and rev.2 HE560s and see if the sound signature difference is reversed or persists.

 
There it is.....just swapped the ear pads, and the sound went with the pads on both the preorder rev. 1 and rev.2 HE560.  Turns out HFM changed the tuning with the different material in the pads.
 
I do like the sound with the new pads though, more sparkle and air in the treble, mids more clarity, bass similar in both.  Oppo @hasturtheyellow, noted in the Oppo thread that they use ear pads to tune the sound.....this is a lot like tube rolling imo!
 
I wonder if HFM realizes the change in ear pads = change in the tuning of the sound......now that puts more light on to what headphone to keep.  Going forward what will happen if they decide to change the ear pad design yet again!

 

[jerg]

   
There it is.....just swapped the ear pads, and the sound went with the pads on both the preorder rev. 1 and rev.2 HE560.  Turns out HFM changed the tuning with the different material in the pads.
 
I do like the sound with the new pads though, more sparkle and air in the treble, mids more clarity, bass similar in both.  Oppo @hasturtheyellow, noted in the Oppo thread that they use ear pads to tune the sound.....this is a lot like tube rolling imo!
 
I wonder if HFM realizes the change in ear pads = change in the tuning of the sound......now that puts more light on to what headphone to keep.  Going forward what will happen if they decide to change the ear pad design yet again!

I had a gut feeling this was it. The internal damping properties are most likely quite different between the older fabric-lined ones and the new perforated-leather-lined ones, that plus the change in opening size means difference in tonality.