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These are amazing but you have to use a balanced DAC for plenty of current which many planar magnetic headphones need to sound their best at louder volumes. I tested the same HE-560's using an SMSL M300 DAC using both RCA and XLR connections into a THX 789 amp and also a Topping A90 I had here. Using RCA for the DAC at 2 volts doesn't do them justice, the treble wasn't as smooth and bass didn't have the same impact compared to XLR with double the voltage supply. These are the ones to get for music and gaming, since the soundstage is deep front to back, not just wide like the Sundara (but flat as a pancake). Also they have swivel ear cups so they fit much better, and feel lighter than the Sundara and much lighter than the HE6se. If you hear any reviews complain about the treble being "grainy", it's because they aren't using a balanced DAC because these puppies need current (voltage). Also if you equalize the bass up 4db you'll have fun with music, distortion is so low it gives lots of options to customize it. The combos that work great with these is the SMSL SP200/Topping D10b DAC, and also the SMSL M300 with Drop THX 789 which I'm currently listening to and loving the sound. By far the best value for planar magnetics but only if you have a balanced DAC on a good amplifier. I've had every Hifiman up to the Arya and the He400i is the best value for music, but the HE560 is the one for both gaming and music, but only if you have an XLR Amp/DAC combo to plug into. Included are some reference photos. I've heard a lot of headphones (160 and counting) and the HE560 are in my top 5 list of favorite ones when you factor in value for the money. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Having started with the -500, which was fantastic up until it failed, I decided to try again with a planar headphone, thus this purchase. I just LOVED the acoustic transparency of the planar style, so was pretty disappointed by the relatively mediocre performance in the midrange on this headphone. The highs above are pretty clear, and the bass and lower midrange are nicely reproduced (though a little overemphasized, which is the modern taste I guess). But the mid where the midrange of a female soloist is most demanding is truly underwhelming, with almost a paper speaker coloring to the reproduction. NOT what you expect from any sort of planar!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
My basis for comparison are listening to my main speakers, KEF 104ab's, and my older headphones, Grado SR80's. Playback through a SONY HAP-Z1ES and an older modest but decent tube headamp You'd think that given the price difference $900 retail HiFiMan 560's would trounce the $120 Grado's in everything. But its just not that way. The HiFiman is lovely to listen to and better after a good long burn in. They recommend 150 hours! So I turned it on for a week. They are rich in detail, very full in sound and can make some music sound better than I've ever heard. I'd say a bit euphonic, a bit higher than flat in its bottom base and in the "presence" region. That last item got better with the break in but you are still standing close to the piano's soundboard rather than say 15 ft back compared to the Grado's and my speakers. That can be nice, but every extra perceived emphasis is a two edged sword. Harmonics and textures - wonderful. Massed horns in any form, flat out lovely though probably a bit sweeter than would be purely accurate. The (to my ear) slightly elevated bass is very very good bass, and mostly enjoyable. I did not find the same thing to be true with the elevated bass in the B&W P7's which annoyed me. But dynamics and sparkle belong to the Grado. You want to be lifted out of your chair or tapping your toe with a guitar lead from Clapton, (or a Pinchas Zucherman solo) the Grado's do an outstanding job at any price but especially at this modest price point. They just more often have that lift you up along with the music kind of thing than the HiFiMan's which are more about a consistently lovely sound with very good nuance and subtlety. They make the sound coming from the sides vs the center more prominent and I don't always like that. But all parts of the sound always remain clean and clear. My headamp has mid 30's db gain and can drive them fine, but I do need much more of the volume range to get to the same volume. And that might reduce dynamics some. No comfort issues whatsover. Not light but a lovely fit and finish and I can wear these for a very long time. Are they a keeper? Still deciding. I can say beyond a doubt they are very very good headphones, and I think most listeners would enjoy them - a lot. If I cold split the difference in euphonics and sparkle with the Grado's, I think I'd like that. Maybe I need to test a higher end Grado too. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
LONG time can listener. Wife doesn't like it as loud as I do. First pair was KOSS Pro4-AAs when they were the only thing around, the AKG K-240s when they first came out (still have them), AKG K-701s and Sennie HD-650s. The HiFiMan HE-560s are in another class. Have had them for a week, have listened to many different things trying to trip them up. No joy. They just keep amazing me. If you want something that will take your music to another level, try these cans. Highs- Cymbals ring, no sizzle. Harmonics open up beautifully. Very open and airy. Mids- Just clear and clean. No honk or grumble. Sibilances just right. Bass- Very extended but accurate, no mid-bass hump, tightly controlled. Probably not for bass-heads. I now see what the planar people have been saying. Look on eBay for my K-701s and Sennies. There's a new sheriff in town... Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Starting with comfort the round focus pads easily form a seal around your ear with the help of some clamp without being uncomfortable. I wear glasses all the time and it had no problem performing with them on. The sound was very clear or ethereal (similar to what I've heard about electrostats, but probably to not the same degree). Apart from having the benefits of the planar and not drowning your ears in pressure, these come across as very flat from low to high. They even match well on an OTL tube amp, although your experience may vary depending on amp/tubes. EDM doesn't feel constrained at all, and when something acoustic comes through you can hear the scratching of a string that will be missed on slower dynamics. Be wary, however, as badly recorded music will show it's colors on this headphone. This set is quite power hungry for those of you that are curious. On a Magni 3 being fed 2V RMS from my DAC I have to take it to 3oclock on low gain to get it loud (loud enough for quiet stuff). A DarkVoice will also need some decent volume for these, but I will say that they aren't so bad that you need something special to power them. Just don't expect to use these on a portable player without a dedicated amp. The build is simple yet solid. Easily replaceable pads, detachable cables (I have smc cable version, easier to connect and disconnect than some people would say), the great Hifiman suspension headband system, and a sexy thin wooden wrap trim parallel to the pads along the actual cup. No part feels like a point of failure. Last thing I'll go into is what comes with it, which is pretty much nothing besides the awesome wooden box (or leatherette case if you get the newer 2.5mm connector version), a lot of foam to store it in, stock cables (I've already ordered custom ones for this headphone, but the stock ones seemed alright and would've been great if FedEx didn't leave these on my porch in the cold causing one of the wires to desolder from the 1/4 inch. My temporary replacements off Amazon will be in one of the pictures.), a booklet and serial numbers/proof of purchase cards. I hope more people grab these up for as cheap as possible, even if they are definitely worth the full price of 500 dollars USD. -AustinRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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