[Clemmaster]

   
What do you mean by midrange fullness? 

The HE-4 has somewhat recessed mid-range compared to the HE-5xx. Full means more meat/flesh on the bones. It is more like a TH-600 in its presentation: U-shaped and fun but vocals can sound distant.
 
The HE-560 seems to lessen the fun factor in favor of a more neutral presentation and, by all indications, better technicalities.

 

[MattTCG]

Although a very fine hp, the he4 is not known for lush full mids. I believe that the 560 presents a much better midrange representation. 

 

[conquerator2]

Was it officially announced? I can't recall reading there'll be a substitute for the HE-6...

No, no official announcements, word of head-fi mouth [Mr. Bian mentioned it to one of us, who I won't mention] but you can take that as a confirmation... I did.
 
 

   
What do you mean by midrange fullness? 

 
I mean that the HE-4's midrange is more recessed than other HFM headphone's midrange. That is from what I've read. Purely midrange, speed/accuracy/etc. notwithstanding.

 

[cute]

  Although a very fine hp, the he4 is not known for lush full mids. I believe that the 560 presents a much better midrange representation. 

 
Maybe the HE-4 midrange depends on the amp and source.  I run off of speaker taps on my tube amp, and both of my AVR.  I've had both the HE-500 and the HE-6 here in the last few weeks, and I didn't hear a lack of lush full mids on my HE-4, in comparison.  I did hear more low end in the HE-500 and the HE-6 than what I need.  What I hear in the HE-4 that I didn't hear in the HE-500 and HE-6 in my setup, was the air and soundstage of the HE-4.  So far, the reviewers are stating more air, neutral sound in the HE-560...but compared to what other than the HE-500.  I have air and neutral in my HE-4 already, from what I read the HE-4 is closer to the HE-560 more so than the HE-500 and HE-6!

 

[conquerator2]

The thing I loved the most on the 6 was the openness and airiness of the whole sound in the entire frequency spectrum...
No other headphone was able to reproduce that since, the 560 with its 500's bass and midrange [?] and 6's air and extension gives me high hope that it will be the headphone that will finally fill the void that HE-6 left :]
 
I have a feeling the 400i [with its 500 like tonal balance] will simply be too warm for my taste [ie not having the air and technicality I love]
 
I might obviously be wrong, but I'll be going with the 560 for now and wait patiently for 400i impressions... I mean if it indeed will work with portable sources, I might still get it...

 

[Nimzerz]

Maybe the HE-4 midrange depends on the amp and source.  I run off of speaker taps on my tube amp, and both of my AVR.  I've had both the HE-500 and the HE-6 here in the last few weeks, and I didn't hear a lack of lush full mids on my HE-4, in comparison.  I did hear more low end in the HE-500 and the HE-6 than what I need.  What I hear in the HE-4 that I didn't hear in the HE-500 and HE-6 in my setup, was the air and soundstage of the HE-4.  So far, the reviewers are stating more air, neutral sound in the HE-560...but compared to what other than the HE-500.  I have air and neutral in my HE-4 already, from what I read the HE-4 is closer to the HE-560 more so than the HE-500 and HE-6!

Boom! Yup, I 100% agree. same with @evilhippie

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

What do you mean by midrange fullness? 

The HE500 is mid rich, and full. The HE4 is like the DT880, balanced but slightly tilted up in the bass and treble, so the mids don't sound as rich or forward. Besides, the HE4 is a faster, dryer planar.

 

[nicdub]

Maybe the HE-4 midrange depends on the amp and source.  I run off of speaker taps on my tube amp, and both of my AVR.  I've had both the HE-500 and the HE-6 here in the last few weeks, and I didn't hear a lack of lush full mids on my HE-4, in comparison.  I did hear more low end in the HE-500 and the HE-6 than what I need.  What I hear in the HE-4 that I didn't hear in the HE-500 and HE-6 in my setup, was the air and soundstage of the HE-4.  So far, the reviewers are stating more air, neutral sound in the HE-560...but compared to what other than the HE-500.  I have air and neutral in my HE-4 already, from what I read the HE-4 is closer to the HE-560 more so than the HE-500 and HE-6!

This. I would love to hear the 4 and the 560 side by side to see how similar they are, and whether you could get the 560 experience for $450 less. If so, the HE-4/EF5 combo on head-direct would be a great way to get some solid phones and an amp to power them for less than the price of the 560. The comfort of the 560 may be better, but $450 better, especially if the sound is comparable?

 

[cute]

The 560 has the HE-500 bass?

 

[cute]

 

What do you mean by midrange fullness? 

The HE500 is mid rich, and full. The HE4 is like the DT880, balanced but slightly tilted up in the bass and treble, so the mids don't sound as rich or forward. Besides, the HE4 is a faster, dryer planar.

 
I thought the HE-500 was more warm and syrupy, meatier notes, lack of air and the soundstage, was more congested sounding, with some lack of instrument separation!

 

[cute]

 

Maybe the HE-4 midrange depends on the amp and source.  I run off of speaker taps on my tube amp, and both of my AVR.  I've had both the HE-500 and the HE-6 here in the last few weeks, and I didn't hear a lack of lush full mids on my HE-4, in comparison.  I did hear more low end in the HE-500 and the HE-6 than what I need.  What I hear in the HE-4 that I didn't hear in the HE-500 and HE-6 in my setup, was the air and soundstage of the HE-4.  So far, the reviewers are stating more air, neutral sound in the HE-560...but compared to what other than the HE-500.  I have air and neutral in my HE-4 already, from what I read the HE-4 is closer to the HE-560 more so than the HE-500 and HE-6!

This. I would love to hear the 4 and the 560 side by side to see how similar they are, and whether you could get the 560 experience for $450 less. If so, the HE-4/EF5 combo on head-direct would be a great way to get some solid phones and an amp to power them for less than the price of the 560. The comfort of the 560 may be better, but $450 better, especially if the sound is comparable?

 I'd just like someone to give me a reason to purchase the HE-560, that it will sound twice as good as the HE-4?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Well, if you wanna put it negatively, I guess you can sort of seeing those kinds of tradeoffs, but if youre being negative, the HE4 is thinner, colder, harsher, and less euphonic than the HE500..

Its purely based on preferences. You either want the speed and air of the 4, or the musicality, warmth and organic tone of the 500.

Basically, LCD2 vs HE6?

 

[Nimzerz]

Hahaha cute, I love what you're doing because it's so true and exactly what I was discussing with someone else. Rofl **** just went down!!!

 

[conquerator2]

  The 560 has the HE-500 bass?

Well, quote from the review - "HE560's bass has more punch than HE500, but less than HE400. In terms of articulation (bass texture and pitch clarity), HE560 is better than both the predecessors. With bass extension, stock HE560s have better-extended sub-bass than HE400, but are a tad less extended than HE500 (though the lowest notes are cleaner on HE560 than HE500)."

 

[tuna47]

Cute you seem to love your 4s so stay with them I love my 500s but probably will give the 560 a shot nobody makes you get a new hp if your happy stay put