ThurstonX
Headphoneus Supremus
Well...?
They're so good they melted his brain. A crack team of scientists is reconstituting it as I type. That, or he's hunting down a poor DHL driver or warehouse manager.
= HiFiMAN HE-560 Impressions & Discussion Thread =
- Thread starter jerg
- Start date
-
- Tags
- hifiman hifiman-he-560
They're so good they melted his brain. A crack team of scientists is reconstituting it as I type. That, or he's hunting down a poor DHL driver or warehouse manager.
cute
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2010
- Posts
- 2,704
- Likes
- 189
Well....DHL, just like UPS does not deliver on Saturday, unless Saturday delivery is specified by the shipper.........bummer. Monday is it!
Tried the 'new' HE-560 at ChiUniFi meet today. Was unable to A-B them against my "woody" 560 as HiFiMan was keeping a tight rein on the cans. What I heard from their set up (an EF-5 amp and one of their portable players) seemed a lot different than the experience with my audio-gd amp. Much smoother and in control of the top end. Can't make too much of a judgment though as the set up was so different. Several people were saying they really wanted to hear the new version amped better.
As far as looks go, I really have to say I prefer the wood finish to the veneer. The veneer just wasn’t as nice. The plastic outer bezel, meh.
My woody version was tried out on several amps in the room to general approval. Lots of A-B testing against two different HE-6s on a GSX-mkII, Woo Audio WA5, a class A speaker amp, & several other amps left people favorably impressed with the 560. I think they were mostly amazed at how light it was. I felt the HE-6 was the winner in that comparison and I don’t think anyone else disagreed, just a lot of comments about the similarities of the sounds.
The HiFiMan rep (sorry, didn't get your name) indicated availability of the cans in the next couple of weeks, so, getting close. Although I still haven't received my tracking number after address confirmation
As far as looks go, I really have to say I prefer the wood finish to the veneer. The veneer just wasn’t as nice. The plastic outer bezel, meh.
My woody version was tried out on several amps in the room to general approval. Lots of A-B testing against two different HE-6s on a GSX-mkII, Woo Audio WA5, a class A speaker amp, & several other amps left people favorably impressed with the 560. I think they were mostly amazed at how light it was. I felt the HE-6 was the winner in that comparison and I don’t think anyone else disagreed, just a lot of comments about the similarities of the sounds.
The HiFiMan rep (sorry, didn't get your name) indicated availability of the cans in the next couple of weeks, so, getting close. Although I still haven't received my tracking number after address confirmation
tinyman392
Be nice to noobs, we were all noobs at one point in our life.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Posts
- 8,707
- Likes
- 1,698
Tried the 'new' HE-560 at ChiUniFi meet today. Was unable to A-B them against my "woody" 560 as HiFiMan was keeping a tight rein on the cans. What I heard from their set up (an EF-5 amp and one of their portable players) seemed a lot different than the experience with my audio-gd amp. Much smoother and in control of the top end. Can't make too much of a judgment though as the set up was so different. Several people were saying they really wanted to hear the new version amped better.
As far as looks go, I really have to say I prefer the wood finish to the veneer. The veneer just wasn’t as nice. The plastic outer bezel, meh.
My woody version was tried out on several amps in the room to general approval. Lots of A-B testing against two different HE-6s on a GSX-mkII, Woo Audio WA5, a class A speaker amp, & several other amps left people favorably impressed with the 560. I think they were mostly amazed at how light it was. I felt the HE-6 was the winner in that comparison and I don’t think anyone else disagreed, just a lot of comments about the similarities of the sounds.
The HiFiMan rep (sorry, didn't get your name) indicated availability of the cans in the next couple of weeks, so, getting close. Although I still haven't received my tracking number after address confirmation
I saw some people asking HiFiMan if they could take the 560 over there quickly... They didn't say no
LOL.
tinyman392
Be nice to noobs, we were all noobs at one point in our life.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Posts
- 8,707
- Likes
- 1,698
The HiFiMan table was the first table I saw when I entered the meet area and they had just finished setting up (from what I was told). I met Peter and Summer (both really nice people) and chatted for a bit. The HE-560 (revised model) was being used at the time, so I took a stab at the HE-400i.
Before I continue further, I should note that it was noisy at the meet (as one could assume) and the music used to test wasn't mine. Though I tried my best to find songs/artists/albums that I was familiar with (or closer to what I am familiar with).
HE-400i
The first thing that I did notice about the 400i was that it was smoother in the midrange with good vocal dynamics. The upper midrange clarity was actually quite strong as well. The bass was thicker and had great presence due to the larger body; it had good depth. Though the treble was more laid back in nature, it still offered good detailing and extension. It was quite a warm and easy headphone to listen to.
The 560 in contrast was more neutral as a whole (the most neutral of the 4 new planars I auditioned). The treble had a softer edge to it, compared to the Oppo models, despite having greater quantity. The treble did also have great detailing and extension up high. Something that really stood out for me with the 560 was the lower treble and snaps that provided energy. They did hold a bit of air to them as well. The 560 has a slightly larger focus on the lower-midrange in contrast to the 400i, it's quite detailed, but didn't feel analytical or clinical in any way (I felt that the PM-2 did sound somewhat clinical in the mids).
It's been over a month since I've heard the original 560s (and I do miss them, it was a treat to hear the new ones though). So take this with a second grain of salt. I feel that the new 560 is a little stronger with the detailing in the lower-midrange as the older model was quite smooth in this area. It also seemed to have a smaller bass body, but was still punchy and had good texturing down low. Though the treble quantity didn't change, the other changes (in the midrange mainly) made it seem brighter.
As you could guess, the signatures of these two headphones are quite different (they are designed to be). From what I've read, and some of what I heard, the 400i are supposed to be tailored closer to what the HE-500 originally offered. It's warmer and more relaxed in nature than the more neutral 560. The 400i has a bigger bass body though both have great depth and presence as a whole. The 560's midrange isn't as energetic as the 400i's either. As stated, treble is more up front with the 560.
In terms of the new design, I'm happy with it. The wood may not be as thick anymore, or actual hardwood, but the hard-cut lines from the Veneer work very well with the hard-cut lines of the headphone design overall. The entire design of the 560 has a matted look to it that is more mature as a whole. Overall, I actually do prefer the new look as it has more complexity to the design. The hard-cutting lines also make it look less boring. Though I was told that the wood veneer on the 560 were the same, one did seem to have more of a red-orange hue to it.
In contrast to the matted mature look of the 560, the 400i has a fun glossy design to it. The housing shape is similar and it's colored in a deep bluish-silver-slate color. It's quite attractive and actually looks more flashy than the 560, though the 560's design is much more complex.
The fit on both headphones was great. The pads have been revised a little to have a bigger inner-diameter (from what I was told) which should help quite a few people out. They fit perfectly fine and were comfortable. For me anyway, the fit was unchanged (I have a small head and small ears). With that said, I expect them to be comfortable in the long run as well (having used the 560 extensively before returning them). A note on the weight, by hand, there wasn't much difference between them. Though the 560 measures heavier than the 400i, it didn't feel it on the head or in the hands.
Before I continue further, I should note that it was noisy at the meet (as one could assume) and the music used to test wasn't mine. Though I tried my best to find songs/artists/albums that I was familiar with (or closer to what I am familiar with).
HE-400i
HE-400i
The first thing that I did notice about the 400i was that it was smoother in the midrange with good vocal dynamics. The upper midrange clarity was actually quite strong as well. The bass was thicker and had great presence due to the larger body; it had good depth. Though the treble was more laid back in nature, it still offered good detailing and extension. It was quite a warm and easy headphone to listen to.
HE-560
The 560 in contrast was more neutral as a whole (the most neutral of the 4 new planars I auditioned). The treble had a softer edge to it, compared to the Oppo models, despite having greater quantity. The treble did also have great detailing and extension up high. Something that really stood out for me with the 560 was the lower treble and snaps that provided energy. They did hold a bit of air to them as well. The 560 has a slightly larger focus on the lower-midrange in contrast to the 400i, it's quite detailed, but didn't feel analytical or clinical in any way (I felt that the PM-2 did sound somewhat clinical in the mids).
It's been over a month since I've heard the original 560s (and I do miss them, it was a treat to hear the new ones though). So take this with a second grain of salt. I feel that the new 560 is a little stronger with the detailing in the lower-midrange as the older model was quite smooth in this area. It also seemed to have a smaller bass body, but was still punchy and had good texturing down low. Though the treble quantity didn't change, the other changes (in the midrange mainly) made it seem brighter.
HE-400i vs HE-560
As you could guess, the signatures of these two headphones are quite different (they are designed to be). From what I've read, and some of what I heard, the 400i are supposed to be tailored closer to what the HE-500 originally offered. It's warmer and more relaxed in nature than the more neutral 560. The 400i has a bigger bass body though both have great depth and presence as a whole. The 560's midrange isn't as energetic as the 400i's either. As stated, treble is more up front with the 560.
Designs
In terms of the new design, I'm happy with it. The wood may not be as thick anymore, or actual hardwood, but the hard-cut lines from the Veneer work very well with the hard-cut lines of the headphone design overall. The entire design of the 560 has a matted look to it that is more mature as a whole. Overall, I actually do prefer the new look as it has more complexity to the design. The hard-cutting lines also make it look less boring. Though I was told that the wood veneer on the 560 were the same, one did seem to have more of a red-orange hue to it.
In contrast to the matted mature look of the 560, the 400i has a fun glossy design to it. The housing shape is similar and it's colored in a deep bluish-silver-slate color. It's quite attractive and actually looks more flashy than the 560, though the 560's design is much more complex.
Comfort and Fit
The fit on both headphones was great. The pads have been revised a little to have a bigger inner-diameter (from what I was told) which should help quite a few people out. They fit perfectly fine and were comfortable. For me anyway, the fit was unchanged (I have a small head and small ears). With that said, I expect them to be comfortable in the long run as well (having used the 560 extensively before returning them). A note on the weight, by hand, there wasn't much difference between them. Though the 560 measures heavier than the 400i, it didn't feel it on the head or in the hands.
cute
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2010
- Posts
- 2,704
- Likes
- 189
@ogodel....are you thinking of keeping the wood version?
That's because 1) Fang wasn't there, and 2) You didn't tell them you were going to A/B them with an Oppo PM-1 at a different table nearby.
philo50
Headphoneus Supremus
...DHL tracking # received
This was Fang telling my friend and I to go compare the HE-560 and PM-1 at the Newport show a few weeks back. He was somewhat pleased with our comparison.
smellyfungus
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Posts
- 209
- Likes
- 21
got my tracking too. guess they forgot to send it sooner cause the cans already with customs in LA. probably have it by Tuesday.
Same here. Funny the plane took off on June 22nd from China and landed this afternoon in LA, June 21st
.
We might get it on Monday!
We might get it on Monday!
tinyman392
Be nice to noobs, we were all noobs at one point in our life.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Posts
- 8,707
- Likes
- 1,698
Same here. Funny the plane took off on June 22nd from China and landed this afternoon in LA, June 21st.
We might get it on Monday!
The headphones went back in time...
That's how great they are. Not only do they stop the time for you to enjoy every moment of the music performance, but they actually send you back in time when the recording occurred! AMAZING!
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2011
- Posts
- 3,505
- Likes
- 248
Nice photo of Fang. Haha. He looks like a happy engineer/CEO.
Users who are viewing this thread
