I hope they don't "burn in". I think that would mean very poorly designed driver. High quality headphones should never audibly change. I listened to me HE-560 for about 30 hours so far and luckily they sound exactly the same as when I plugged them in for the first time. However for subjective comparison it is necessary to listen to both headphone for similar amount of time, as with more time their flaws become more apparent.
Disagree here. But I also have found that burn in is applicable to moving parts in diaphragms. There are none in the orthodynamic cans, so It is a little confusing. But if fang says its the case, it would be wise to listen.
If, these leak as bad hf7000 claims, why aren't people addressing this?
these are essentially open headphones. I don't know why you would think they wouldn't leak.
Someone can tell me if the treble of the HE-560 is sparkly as the HE-500 ? Because the treble of the HE-500 hurts a lot my ears, i really don't like them.
If anyone is a fan of the 500 treble, they will find the 560 bright without question. In fact they would find the he6 horrible. most of the ortho's before now have been DARK, and its what some like. Thats cool, but all the ortho's needed more high extension if they were to be considered balanced in any way. This is why Electrostats are amazing. They have effortless grain free highs, and amazing lush mids. Bass is usually the only area people complain about. and the highest end stats have that.
MY perfect headphone has stat highs and mids, and ortho bass.
While I did hear the new hifimans at the chicago meet this weekend, it was just so noisy in there, that I don't dare make a true final assumption. I will say that I thought the 400i had a bit of the covered upper mids that I don't like in the 500s. So they are likely not for me. But those who like the 500 will probably really dig it.
I personally thought the 560 was excellent, and I will be looking into a way to give it more head time to make a final decision. I drove it Balanced with my RSA lighting, which was designed for the orthodynamic cans. It was quite an excellent pairing, even under meet conditions. I did not find the highs annoying, or piercing. It is mellower then the HE6, but also has a different overall presentation.