Hifiman HE-560 question

Warning: Wall o' text incoming.

So I ordered two headphones for rental from 'thecableco.com'. I got the Hifiman HE560 and the Sennheiser HD800. I have found that I like both if I apply a little of EQ to the top end. In particular, I reeaaaalllllly like the HE-560. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that MY perfect headphone would be one which had the bass of the HE560 but transitioned into the treble from the Sennheiser HD650. The mids would maybe be a combination of the two. I don't know if any such headphone exists (please make any recommendations if you think such a phone does exist). However, if I eq 4 kHz down by about 2 dB and 8 kHz down by about 4.5 dB on the HE560 then I really enjoy what I'm hearing and it comes close to what I imagine my perfect headphone would sound like. It is definitely better than my HE400i.

Soundstage is much better and something about the timbre of instruments is better. I don't know how to explain that part. The bass reaches a little bit deeper. Also, the vocals are a tad further back in the mix somehow. Basically, the HE560 somehow just sounds more natural than the 400i, to me. I have the old 400i with the old style connectors. I have read (here I believe) that the 400i with new connectors also contains modifications (something about the backplate being removed) which make the headphone a little brighter.

That leads me to a question: DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE HE560 WITH NEW CONNECTORS ALSO HAS THE SAME MODIFICATIONS? I ask because I don't want anything that would change the sound of the HE560, especially if said modification made them brighter. I am renting the HE560 with old style connectors so I guess that's what I want to buy. However, if the HE560 with new connectors doesn't have any other modifications then I might prefer those since the connectors are easier to use. If anyone has any questions about my time with these 2 headphones (for comparison, I own Hifiman HE400i, Sennheiser HD650, and ZMF Blackwood) please ask away!

 

The HE-560 with 2.5mm TRS connectors is definitely identical to the old version in every other respect. Due to an RMA I had both versions in-hand and now own the former. I find the TRS connectors to be infinitely more user-friendly; even if you aren't chaning the cable at all, the lower profile of the connector is worth it. The black metal connectors are also more aesthetically pleasing.

I highly recommend that you pick up the Focus-A pads as well. These pads smooth the upper mid-range, reducing the 4kHz peak by 2-4dB; and they incrementally increase the soundstage size to my ears. That plus EQ and maybe a good amp pairing ought to get you pretty close to your ideal headphone.

I agree that the HE-560 has exceptional timbre. Acoustic piano and strings sound particularly good in my opinion. I still have to turn down the volume when listening to edgy female vocals, but that could be partially due to my Magni/Modi 2U.

 

That's great news! I'm curious about your comment about changing the pads to Focus-A pads. I guess they come with just regular Focus pads? How difficult is the pad changing? I have to admit, I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to modding my headphones. Are the pads easily changed? Thanks for the input!

 

It takes a little practice but isn't difficult once you figure it out. Definitely less of a pain than the Beyerdynamic pads.

I will probably do this eventually.

 

Anyone know where to buy them? HiFiMan store says out of stock: http://store.hifiman.com/index.php/focuspad-a.html
Same for Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-FocusPad-A-Headphone-replacement-Earpads/dp/B00XHPR6PC

 

You make check Amazon. I've had good success with mr.speakers alpha pads, but they require a bit more finesse to install.

 

Out of stock on Amazon. Newegg says in stock and sold by Hifiman, which sounds like it has to be a mistake since the Hifiman store says out of stock.

 

I recommend contacting HiFiMan support directly.

edit - should've been "directly"

 

I contacted Hifiman, and they told me to buy from Newegg. I did that and can confirm that Newegg shipped me the correct FocusPad-A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...933&cm_re=focuspad-_-9SIAA953U21933-_-Product

Why don't Hifiman make these standard? They really improve the sound!

 

Still out of stock on Amazon and their online store, did they confirm that they aren't being discontinued?

 

No, this was all they said to me:

That was in response to this email I sent them:

 

And they're back in stock on store.hifiman.com. Presumably this is a new batch so I might just pick another pair up for the heck of it.

 

I heard the new version with 2.5mm connectors was a touch less treble-happy than the old connector one. Could also be due to manufacturing variability right?

 

This is almost certainly false. Aside from the fact that no design changes were made other than the connector, I have heard both and cannot report any remarkable variation in response.

If you want to avoid the aggressive upper mid-range, get the Focuspad-A and a good amp. Throw in EQ for good measure.

 

Have you tried any of the JERG pads / modifications to compare with Focus / Focus A pads? The pair I purchased came with JERG Focus pads - I wouldn't want to sacrifice the low end for reducing the top end.

 

I'm afraid not. A modded HE-560 appears to have a lot more authoritative bass, though, so going to the focuspad might be a step back for you.

 

I use mr.speakers alpha pads & I get good results with those. They are super comfy also

 

Friends new to him HE-560, looks like eventually they did remove the backplate like the 2.5mm 400i, interesting. I'll measure it when he brings it by tomorrow.

 

Just a quick left and Right measurement of the backplateless driver. with stock focus pads.