= HiFiMAN HE-560 Impressions & Discussion Thread =

[money4me247]

  I want to buy my friend a present,she is only 110 pounds so no HE-6 or HE 500 due to weight
 
if money doesnt matter what would be best 400s,400i or 560?   Ultimate truth is not needed,I want euphonic,warm,great sub bass and fatigue free treble,polite sounds that makes even harsh records enjoyable,she likes vocal music so magical mids are wanted

@goobicii, I think that Oppo or Audeze headphones fit that description more than Hifiman. Audeze headphones are insanely heavy and the EL-8 does not really sound like other Audeze headphones. For planar magnetic recommendation, I would suggest going with the PM-3 or PM-1/PM-2. Basically, your description is exactly how I would describe the PM-1 and sounds to me as a categorization of the Oppo house sound.

 

[money4me247]

What they said above. The HE-500 has more body and is slightly warmer, but compared to the PM-1/2 or perhaps the pre-fazor LCD2, it is more linear and neutral. The HE-560 is faster, conveys more precise imaging, a more expansive soundstage, and sharper resolution. Depending on one's tastes neither is necessarily superior to the other in terms of raw enjoyment. The HE-560 seems technically more polished to my ears, and yet I enjoy the HE-500 just as well as the HE-560.

I think these impressions are really spot-on! would add that the he-560 has a bit of a crispier tonality especially with cymbal response in comparison to PM-1/2 and Audeze headphones.

 

[bitsnbytes]

@goobicii
, I think that Oppo or Audeze headphones fit that description more than Hifiman. Audeze headphones are insanely heavy and the EL-8 does not really sound like other Audeze headphones. For planar magnetic recommendation, I would suggest going with the PM-3 or PM-1/PM-2. Basically, your description is exactly how I would describe the PM-1 and sounds to me as a categorization of the Oppo house sound.

+ Sennheiser HD650 if no preference for planars

 

[CanadianMaestro]

+ Sennheiser HD650 if no preference for planars

The 650 got more head-time with me, even when I owned LCD-2.2
 
But now with 560, it gets slightly less.

 

[obsidyen]

Hi guys, I bought Focus pads for HE400S. There's a thin side and a fat side on the pads. Which one should be up near the headband and which side should be downwards? 

 

[mandrake50]

Thickest part behind your ears...

 

[obsidyen]

  Thickest part behind your ears...

You mean towards the back of my head?
 
Ps: I'm not a native English speaker so wanted to clarify.

 

[mandrake50]

  You mean towards the back of my head?
 
Ps: I'm not a native English speaker so wanted to clarify.

Ok... I will cut you some slack...

 
I wanted too say.... Yes the area behind ones ears is typically towards the back of their head.
 
But I will add:
 
You want the headphones angled in at the front... towards you face (thin part of pad), and out at the back, towards the back of your head... (thick part of pad).
Typically the seam is at the bottom with the new pads.

 

[obsidyen]

  Ok... I will cut you some slack...

 
I wanted too say.... Yes the area behind ones ears is typically towards the back of their head.
 
But I will add:
 
You want the headphones angled in at the front... towards you face (thin part of pad), and out at the back, towards the back of your head... (thick part of pad).
Typically the seam is at the bottom with the new pads.

 
Thanks for the detailed explanation.

 

[doctorjazz]

I didn't like the PM-1, was on the tour, 560 much better sounding imo (but 560 is NOT a warm and fuzzy sounding). I'd agree the Sennheiser 650 is a good option for that kind of sound, and has been selling for really good prices.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

Was listening to some lossless classical chamber quartets last night. 560 through Polaris, music on iPod Classic feeding HP-P1 DAC. Very transparent, and tweaked the BW setting to get it perfect. The 560 does classical so well -- I can sense the four string players in a semicircle with the cellist to the left of the violinist. String textures are exquisitely refined and the wood resonances and timbres are enthralling. With rock music from Orbison, the Stones,  and Queen (hey, I'm gettin' old!) -- the 560 has the dynamics and mojo to satisfy. And it's sooo light on my head.

 

[Tronic]

Hi all, planning to get The Element by jdslab for my he-560, has anyone got an impression of this combo yet?

 

[conquerator2]

Hi all, planning to get The Element by jdslab for my he-560, has anyone got an impression of this combo yet?

Should be ok

 

[CanadianMaestro]

Hi all, planning to get The Element by jdslab for my he-560, has anyone got an impression of this combo yet?

Nice looking unit. I just bought this oldie here. Cheap, but new in box. Not portable, but still...
 
http://www.teac.com/product/ud-h01/overview/
 
Just saying... 

 

[john57]

The issue with the Teac is that the Output Power is 45mW + 45mW (32 ohms loaded) which is quite low.