[Nimzerz]

  I wonder if there is any damping material behind the grills. 

+1 also curious. They don't seem to have changed the grills the way Jerg implemented the grill mod, but maybe they added felt / dampening to reduce resonances?

 

[Edwood]

  Posted about this in the other thread, the upper bend is now evident at rest, CES version at rest was flat across the top, thus the initial Abyss impressions.

 
Here's a pic of the CES Prototype.

 

[jerg]

 
+1 also curious. They don't seem to have changed the grills the way Jerg implemented the grill mod, but maybe they added felt / dampening to reduce resonances?

That's what I'll do first thing when I get my unit, is to take off the earpads/grills and check out the meat of the issue, that being the drivers.

 

[Edwood]

  Yes, I shall wait
 
Edit; If Hifiman really wants to succeed in making the perfect HE, while pertaining to the drive-ability of the He-500, then they only need to improve on the original He-500. Extra 6K treble is not necessary, just a faster transient response. But that is extremely hard to achieve with a looser diaphragm and high efficiency. The tonality of the He-500's is hard to disagree with; they just lack speed to achieve near perfection and total control.

 
I'll need to dig out my HE-500, but I'm currently comparing to my HE-6.  The HE-560 is much more efficient than the HE-6.  Also noticeably faster sounding in almost every respect.

 

[TMRaven]

I don't think the cups being round or the resonant issues have anything to do with it.  The LCD series, Mad Dog/Alpha Dog, Abyss, and nearly all of the Stax headphoens utilize the same type of non-dynamic type of diaphragm, in which case the diaphragms are almost always large in surface area than the openings of the earpads themselves, but the oval opening of the earpads just provides a better fit compared to circle openings.

 

[ThurstonX]

 
I'll need to dig out my HE-500, but I'm currently comparing to my HE-6.  The HE-560 is much more efficient than the HE-6.  Also noticeably faster sounding in almost every respect.

 
That sounds promising.  Looking forward to the comparison with the HE-500s.

 

[zxc]

I realize you'll do a thorough review. But could you roughly comment on the bass and treble quantity compared to the HE-500? Thanks.

 

[zxc]

Yes, I shall wait

Edit; If Hifiman really wants to succeed in making the perfect HE, while pertaining to the drive-ability of the He-500, then they only need to improve on the original He-500. Extra 6K treble is not necessary, just a faster transient response. But that is extremely hard to achieve with a looser diaphragm and high efficiency. The tonality of the He-500's is hard to disagree with; they just lack speed to achieve near perfection and total control.

Honestly, I'm looking for a bit more body in the upper mid and lower treble range. I think HE-500 was lacking in this area, say compared to the HD600 for example.

 

[jerg]

  I don't think the cups being round or the resonant issues have anything to do with it.  The LCD series, Mad Dog/Alpha Dog, Abyss, and nearly all of the Stax headphoens utilize the same type of non-dynamic type of diaphragm, in which case the diaphragms are almost always large in surface area than the openings of the earpads themselves, but the oval opening of the earpads just provides a better fit compared to circle openings.

If we really want to get down to the details, I think an upside-down slightly lopsided egg shape opening is by far the best for ergonomics.

 

[M-13]

   
I'll need to dig out my HE-500, but I'm currently comparing to my HE-6.  The HE-560 is much more efficient than the HE-6.  Also noticeably faster sounding in almost every respect.

When you say "faster" are you saying it has a faster transient (driver speed) response and is more transparent of micro-details?

 

[musicinmymind]

 
I'll need to dig out my HE-500, but I'm currently comparing to my HE-6.  The HE-560 is much more efficient than the HE-6.  Also noticeably faster sounding in almost every respect.

 
Tempting....how does bass sound?

 

[TMRaven]

  If we really want to get down to the details, I think an upside-down slightly lopsided egg shape opening is by far the best for ergonomics.

 
 
Yes.

 

[Nimzerz]

When you say "faster" are you saying it has a faster transient (driver speed) response and is more transparent of micro-details?

Also wondering this. I absolutely hate the description "fast" as it is so vague.

 

[conquerator2]

To add to the plethora of questions,are they as airy as the HE-6/more airy than the 500?
Plus one for the bass quantity/quality.
Finally what about soundstage size and imaging?

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

This will be interesting to see how it differs from the HE4. I also wonder which side the magnet is (he4 the magnet is on the outside away from the ear).

That's what I'll do first thing when I get my unit, is to take off the earpads/grills and check out the meat of the issue, that being the drivers.