[Kendoji]

Yeah I've always found the HE-500s to be AWESOME with 70s rock.

 

[Clemmaster]

Yeah I've always found the HE-500s to be AWESOME with 70s rock.

Man, should take a listen to the 5LEs!

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

How so? Please expand on this.

I feel like warm headphones or at least warmth in the chain via source or amp makes old rock sound great (like a warm vintage amp)...

 
Maybe it's the way the old classic rock was mastered for the 30-40 year old bass heavy Cerwin Vega speakers and Koss headphones, which often makes the music lack any significant impact on many audiophile headphones (pink floyd, credence clearwater, jethro tull, boston, led zeppelin, rolling stones, neil young, steely dan, etc).  Sometimes I feel like much of that music has nothing below 50-60hz (sure there are exceptions).
 
I usually have to whip out my Lawton Audio Denon D7000 or V-MODA M-100 or Westone 3 and UE11Pro IEM for classic rock, if I want to listen without EQ'ing it.  I can't listen to those recordings with my HD800 or SR-009, so my "high-end classic rock phones" became my SR-007, HE-6, and then LA7000 or HF-2.  The original HE-5 were better with classic rock than the HE-5LE and HE-500, but these are even better because the sound opens up too.  
 
I can't explain why I like the HE-560 more with those old recordings, since they don't have an overblown or boosted bass - they have a very well balanced bass with good impact, but never in a million years is it over-done like a D5000.
 
Also, I previously found that the HE-6 are a very good low volume headphone, where detail retrieval and bass notes are not lost to the low volume with decreased dynamics.  Well, the HE-560 are just as good at low volume listening - I don't need to crank them up to hear the deep bass notes or the midrange and treble detail like I do with the HD600 and others.  They don't need to be cranked up to open up, yet they tolerate high volumes just as easily as they do low volumes.  If I turn the volume to very low levels with my HD800 or HE-500 I feel like I want to use some EQ with the bass, but with phones like the HE-6 and HE-560 everything seems present and accounted for at volumes than one might fall asleep to.  Yet, I would not say either one of those has a V-shaped frequency response - there is no hole in the mids.

 

[Clemmaster]

HE-560 better than the 5LEs for classic rock?
 

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Add to that classic rock music list above - Alan Parson's Project, Dire Straits, Jackson Browne, etc.

 

[MattTCG]

So after the dust has settled, where does the 560 rank? 

 

[StanD]

   
I dunno, man.  I feel like I should send jerg a special Monkey Cable.  Might make a difference, if only for the sheer  

 Factor.  What d'ya think?  

Improved aesthetics, comfort and microphonics, a big yes. SQ, sounds the same.

 

[ThurstonX]

  Improved aesthetics, comfort and microphonics, a big yes. SQ, sounds the same.

 
LOL, you're so predictable, which makes it more annoying that you're correct 

 

[Frank I]

   
Usually I don't enjoy audiophile headphones with my older classic rock from the 60's, 70's and 80's but these are very enjoyable with that.  What do you think?

Larry I been listening mostly to current albums so far. I been listening to train,Beck,Imagine Dragons and some Classical SACD Pure DSD recordings but will run the gamut in the older recordings in the next few day and report back . I think they sound great on the newer recordings including both the Cowboy Junkie Trinity albums. They also do very well with classical recordings.  I will be also be doing some comparison listening this week as I wasnt to get the review  done by the projected 4/14-4/20 release date.   Glad you liking them with the older classic rock. I have quite a few of those albums to get moving on this week.
 
Update: Listening to the Who Tommy and Brothers in Arms from Dire straights on the HE560. The two albums showcased the speed of the transducer. The bass hits hard and the rhythm of the music is very fast.  More to come!!!

 

[mlxx]

For the HE560 testers... in terms of just the sound, which is the better headphone?
The HE500 at $599 (maybe with the new angled pads too) or the HE560 at $899?
From the HE560 impressions so far, maybe the HE500 is just as good but better value, thinking of getting one before they get discontinued.
Anyone able to give an opinion on this at this stage?

 

[jerg]

  For the HE560 testers... in terms of just the sound, which is the better headphone?
The HE500 at $599 (maybe with the new angled pads too) or the HE560 at $899?
From the HE560 impressions so far, maybe the HE500 is just as good but better value, thinking of getting one before they get discontinued.
Anyone able to give an opinion on this at this stage?

HE560s are undeniably technically superior to HE500. In terms of tonal balance, HE560s are neutral and extended, while HE500s are organic and forgiving.
 
So if you want a more neutral headphone, HE560 beats out HE500 entirely. If you want a more coloured/warm presentation, then HE500's merits weigh about the same as HE560 (trade tonal balance preference for technicality).
 
As for comfort it's not even close, the new design shuts the old design down.
 
Does that sort of answer your question?

 

[Keithpgdrb]

LOL, you're so predictable, which makes it more annoying that you're correct 

...

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

[quote name="mlxx" url="/t/711824/hifiman-he-560-impressions-discussion-thread/460_20#post_10409776"

The HE500 at $599 (maybe with the new angled pads too) or the HE560 at $899?

From the HE560 impressions so far, maybe the HE500 is just as good but better value, thinking of getting one before they get discontinued.
Anyone able to give an opinion on this at this stage?
[/quote]



Don't overlook the He4 if you've got the amp. They're less than the he500 and are probably more towards the 560's sound signature. Not to mention 350g in weight which is even lighter than the new line.

Audioadvisor has em new for $395, a steal in terms if SQ to price.

 

[gjcsima]

What Headphone Amp do you think will pair well with the HE-560.  Do you think the Schiit Mjolnir will be adequete?....On a budget.  Also, do you think they will replace the HE-6 with a 600 anytime soon?

 

[conquerator2]

  What Headphone Amp do you think will pair well with the HE-560.  Do you think the Schiit Mjolnir will be adequete?....On a budget.  Also, do you think they will replace the HE-6 with a 600 anytime soon?

I can answer the second part of the question.
They will, probably this year, but not very soon [somewhere around or after the Jade2 release] 
 
As for the first part, Mjolnir seems like a powerful beast so it should!
 
I hope my modest MStage will drive it [it drove the 500s rather adequately, so here's hoping ]