[Tingc222]

Parts of the HD800 chassis is some form of glass-plastic blend, making it extremely rigid for the same weight. It's nothing short of rocket science, that HD800 thing

 

[Ultramus]

I could be wrong but it doesn't feel like plastic. Feels metallic. 

Not that I have extensive experience with the hd800, but it felt decidedly plastic. Not that it felt cheap, it was actually quite comfortable.

 

[Keithpgdrb]

  I could be wrong but it doesn't feel like plastic. Feels metallic. 

its plastic.

 

[zxc]

Yup. Actually the metallic paint chips rather easily. Nevertheless, it is an extremely well engineered and designed headphone, plastic or not. I must admit the current Hifiman series look rather "agriculture" next to it, even though I prefer the sound of HE-500. So I applaud the new improved Hifiman cans! Audeze is certainly falling behind in this regard with the 600g LCD-X. Only if I could hear the HE-560 ...

 

[koiloco]

  Parts of the HD800 chassis is some form of glass-plastic blend, making it extremely rigid for the same weight. It's nothing short of rocket science, that HD800 thing

The HD800 is all plastic except for the band up top.  Regardless of the material, the HD800 feels 100% solid.  A direct bout with HE500 or HE-6, the HD800 probably won't survive though.  

 

[davidsh]

Most stuff from Stax is plastic..Much of it still going strong after many years

 

[MattTCG]

I have no issue with plastic parts being used in any hp as long as the design is right. I'll take a good plastic build at considerably less weight all day over a hp that feels "heavy" after an hours use. My hd650 is as solid as any of the hifimans that I've owned. It's been dropped and knocked from my desk many times and there is not a scratch on it. 
 
As long as hifiman has engineered the build correctly then all will be fine. 

 

[Eternal Schism]

How is teak wood for cracking? I suppose it'd be a stronger type being used in outdoor furniture.
 
I'm pretty confident in the hifiman's being durable enough to last.
 
Also my HD800 is 2 years old with no dings or paint flaking at all. I've dropped it once or twice from sitting with no trouble. HE500 has taken a few falls as well without damage. As far as headphone weight goes, I've worn the LCD2.2 and HE500 for up to 5-6 hours at a time without difficulty and I'm not a big person 5'3.

 

[davidsh]

Never dropped a headphone. So far :]

 

[conquerator2]

I did once :/ But it was the Pro 900 Durable plastic.

 

[TMRaven]

The plastic of the HD800 seems more rigid and metal-like than other types of plastic because it's Leona-- a type of plastic that's mixed with about half-part glass to half-part plastic.  It might even be more rigid than all aluminum-- I don't know.  Sorta like how dibond is more rigid than an all aluminum panel.

 

[raxx]

All I can say is that the HE-4 is a damn good headphone. I can't compare it to any other high end hp, but it just plays my music the way it should sound. I hope the new Hifiman models sound this good. And should add that I actually enjoy wearing them. I miss them when they aren't on my head. 

 

[grizzlybeast]

I wonder what music they listen to while tuning these.
Also if they have a board of listeners with different tastes and take notes from consumers or testers.

 

[grizzlybeast]

http://headphones.reviewed.com/content/hifiman-he-560-first-impressions-review
 
how come this says the he560 is the black one.

 

[LONGZILLA]

http://headphones.reviewed.com/content/hifiman-he-560-first-impressions-review

how come this says the he560 is the black one.

He explains in the comments