[manzano804]

I feel the same way. The production has a little more character to its design, an edgy look as well. The pre-production was just wood. The production is a combination of multiple aspects.

+ 1 . I prefer the new design.

 

[Cante Ista]

step down. if you have a good speaker amp that is, a properly drive HE-6 outperforms the HE-560, I found the HE-560 by itself to be a good alternative however, being more trebley than the HE-500 and improving all around, I would probsbly still choose HE-500 though, and I prefer HE-6 over all.

the 560 is also better than the garbage Oppo is pushing...

That's what I though! Thanks for responding. I may get it for the office rig. I need to see how well it could play with the Sonett. In any case, I appreciate the reply!

 

[Raptor34]

the 560 is also better than the garbage Oppo is pushing...

Garbage?   I was just looking at my pm-1 and I didn't see any fake looking wood grained plastic wrap on them!   Just a machined aluminum and steel driver enclosure that houses a innovative planar magnetic driver.  The pm-1 should last a long time looking the way it does new.  And wonder of wonders, it's sound signature and everything else about it pleases me immensely.   

 

[DaemonSire]

For anyone interested, it looks like the new HE-560 pads are now up for sale.  $39.00
 
http://www.head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=198
 
HiFiMAN

Hybrid Earpads 
Department:Cables & Accessories
Brand: HiFiMAN
Our Price: $39.00

 

[ogodei]

step down. if you have a good speaker amp that is, a properly drive HE-6 outperforms the HE-560, I found the HE-560 by itself to be a good alternative however, being more trebley than the HE-500 and improving all around, I would probsbly still choose HE-500 though, and I prefer HE-6 over all.

the 560 is also better than the garbage Oppo is pushing...

 
Hey now. The Oppo is quite enjoyable and the build quality exceeds both pairs of HE-560s I have received.  Agreed on the HE-6 outperforming 560.
 

   
Some guys tried the Hifiman EF2a to drive these HE560s with great success. Seems like a very nice combo. If you don't need the DAC portion, you can give the EF3 a try, it's basically an EF2a w/o the DAC. Currently Hifiman still sells the EF3+HE300 combo for $249 at their website. Probably can sell the headphones if you don't need them to recover some cost. 

 
The 560s can do better with a little more amplification.

 

[Trance_Gott]

Agreed on the HE-6 outperforming 560.

Do you use HE6 with the stock pads or HE560 pads?
I'm wondering if the new pads would improve sound of the HE6. Comfort for sure.

 

[jerg]

  For anyone interested, it looks like the new HE-560 pads are now up for sale.  $39.00
 
http://www.head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=198
 
HiFiMAN

Hybrid Earpads 
Department:Cables & Accessories
Brand: HiFiMAN
Our Price: $39.00

That's a very fair price 

 

[whentheclouds]

not taking personal preferences into account, is this still generally regarded as tier 1 cans? as a casual onlooker who has recently taken an interest in the development of flagship headphones, i'm getting very contrasting vibes about this particular model. the takeaway for me seems to be that it is better than the current mid-fi offerings, but not up to the level of the current flagships, though some people will surely disagree with me about the latter

 

[ogodei]

Do you use HE6 with the stock pads or HE560 pads?
I'm wondering if the new pads would improve sound of the HE6. Comfort for sure.

 
Stock pads, speaker amp.

 

[Clemmaster]

Do you use HE6 with the stock pads or HE560 pads?
I'm wondering if the new pads would improve sound of the HE6. Comfort for sure.

Tested and approved.
 
The new pads are much better than the stock pleather (reflection, off tonal balance) and velour (too bright).
 
The comfort and look is, obviously, much better.

 

[Trance_Gott]

Tested and approved.

The new pads are much better than the stock pleather (reflection, off tonal balance) and velour (too bright).

The comfort and look is, obviously, much better.

Thanks!
As soon they are on stock here in germany I will order one pair of the new pads.

 

[MariusValentin]

I had the he-500's and they were a bit heavy for me and i end up selling them,even though the sound quality was very good. The look on these are more like a high end headphone, and also  more lighter than 500's .Still i'd like to audition them to see how they compare to he -500.

 

[jh7000]

I like how the HE-560 looks, but I don't necessarily like how it looks while you are wearing them... the headband creates a big box around your head...kind of like the Abyss.
 
I wouldn't really want to be seen wearing these in public...but for home use, they are fine.

 

[jerg]

Dangit, I missed the attempted delivery today 

 Well, no comparison coming from me this weekend then.

 

[tinyman392]

  Dangit, I missed the attempted delivery today 

 Well, no comparison coming from me this weekend then.

 
That's odd...  DHL normally calls you if you're not there   I just left a note telling them to leave it at the door since I'd be gone   At the same time, I trust my neighbors in my neighborhood   Not sure what yours is like XD