HiFiMan HE-560 V4 Premium Planar Magnetic Headphones

seijuro584

Mar 19, 2022 3:33 AM

33 Comments

Joined Jul 2013

seijuro584Mar 19, 2022 3:33 AM

33 Comments

Quote from zaii

:

anyone know a good midrange amp to pair with these around 200-400?

I personally like Schiit Audio. I have the Magnius/Modius combo.

7

polygonbronson

Mar 19, 2022 5:20 AM

90 Comments

Joined Jun 2017

polygonbronsonMar 19, 2022 5:20 AM

90 Comments

Quote from zaii

:

anyone know a good midrange amp to pair with these around 200-400?

They sound great on my THX 789 so I would imagine that any of the THX varients would be a solid option, imo. Basically, any clean solid state amp should work great.

whatsinthebox3d

Mar 19, 2022 5:32 AM

601 Comments

Joined Sep 2007

whatsinthebox3dMar 19, 2022 5:32 AM

601 Comments

Quote from polygonbronson

:

I picked these up a while ago to add them to my collection (40+ headphones ATM) since I was curious how they compared to other HE-series 'phones and they are killer for the price. Best headphone I have heard under $300. Period. Not sure why they don't get more attention.

Detailed, great bass slam, respond well to pad rolling and EQ, all while being light on the noggin. They also probably have the best looking cup finish of any Hifiman, IMO (although it's a fingerprint magnet). They aren't exactly easy to drive, though, so you do need an amp for them but nothing crazy.

If I'm plugging into a receiver, that should be enough power going into these cans right? I don't need an amp if I'm just watching movies and running these to the aux in my receiver. TIA!

1

polygonbronson

Mar 19, 2022 5:46 AM

90 Comments

Joined Jun 2017

polygonbronsonMar 19, 2022 5:46 AM

90 Comments

Quote from whatsinthebox3d

:

If I'm plugging into a receiver, that should be enough power going into these cans right? I don't need an amp if I'm just watching movies and running these to the aux in my receiver. TIA!

I've used them on my Yamaha ht receiver and they did alright. However, it's hard to say what the quality of the hp out on a receiver will be. They seem to be afterthoughts on most, even high end ones. So I can't say for certain what your experience will be but the only way to know is to try it and see.

KRT09

Mar 19, 2022 7:41 AM

1.1K Comments

Joined Oct 2016

KRT09Mar 19, 2022 7:41 AM

1.1K Comments

Quote from whatsinthebox3d

:

If I'm plugging into a receiver, that should be enough power going into these cans right? I don't need an amp if I'm just watching movies and running these to the aux in my receiver. TIA!

On a receiver the headphone out is often separate of the speaker outputs. Like polygonbronson said it's sort an afterthought because it's not the intended use. There are parts to properly hookup a headphone to a speaker amp (Hifiman makes one) because headphones like the HE6 (also on Adorama for ~$550) need a ton of power to drive properly.

https://www.hifiman.com/products/detail/84

You might be able to drive these properly with a dongle like the Sonata HD Pro but you will probably need a proper desktop headphone amp.

Last edited by KRT09 March 19, 2022 at 12:43 AM.

CoolHaddock3184

Mar 19, 2022 12:43 PM

12 Comments

Joined May 2021

CoolHaddock3184Mar 19, 2022 12:43 PM

12 Comments

Quote from polygonbronson

:

I picked these up a while ago to add them to my collection (40+ headphones ATM) since I was curious how they compared to other HE-series 'phones and they are killer for the price. Best headphone I have heard under $300. Period. Not sure why they don't get more attention.

Detailed, great bass slam, respond well to pad rolling and EQ, all while being light on the noggin. They also probably have the best looking cup finish of any Hifiman, IMO (although it's a fingerprint magnet). They aren't exactly easy to drive, though, so you do need an amp for them but nothing crazy.

Since you obviously know a lot more about headphones than me, do you have a favorite set to use with a phone? I'm in the market now and I'm assuming these might not be it?

zubikov

Mar 19, 2022 12:45 PM

165 Comments

Joined Jun 2011

zubikovMar 19, 2022 12:45 PM

165 Comments

How do planar magnetic cans, and specifically this pair, compare do a good set of open air dynamic headphones?

My experience is with Grado GS1000 + Woo audio WA7. I always wanted to try planar magnetic.

Last edited by zubikov March 19, 2022 at 05:56 AM.

az060693

Mar 19, 2022 2:23 PM

1.5K Comments

Joined Feb 2009

az060693Mar 19, 2022 2:23 PM

1.5K Comments

Quote from zubikov

:

How do planar magnetic cans, and specifically this pair, compare do a good set of open air dynamic headphones?

My experience is with Grado GS1000 + Woo audio WA7. I always wanted to try planar magnetic.

Planar is quicker, without the dynamic driver decay issues, but doesn't have the dynamic driver bass rumble. Bass is punchier and extends deeper on planar as well; you get the feeling of it extending "infinitely'. Detail retrieval is generally better too, and in terms of tonality, they tend to sound very natural.

I like planar a lot, it's like a better version of dynamic in most ways. As headphones though, a downside is that they are very heavy.

1

HamHB

Mar 19, 2022 2:33 PM

271 Comments

Joined Nov 2012

HamHBMar 19, 2022 2:33 PM

271 Comments

how are these compared to Beyerdynamic DT990's and would tube amps be able to drive the planars

C_W

Mar 19, 2022 2:50 PM

509 Comments

Joined Jul 2014

C_WMar 19, 2022 2:50 PM

509 Comments

Quote from polygonbronson

:

I picked these up a while ago to add them to my collection (40+ headphones ATM) since I was curious how they compared to other HE-series 'phones and they are killer for the price. Best headphone I have heard under $300. Period. Not sure why they don't get more attention.

Detailed, great bass slam, respond well to pad rolling and EQ, all while being light on the noggin. They also probably have the best looking cup finish of any Hifiman, IMO (although it's a fingerprint magnet). They aren't exactly easy to drive, though, so you do need an amp for them but nothing crazy.

Opinion on these vs sennheiser hd 600?

I suppose they probably aren't comparable since open vs closed back

jessel605

Mar 19, 2022 2:58 PM

93 Comments

Joined Dec 2009

jessel605Mar 19, 2022 2:58 PM

93 Comments

Quote from C_W

:

how are these compared to Beyerdynamic DT990's and would tube amps be able to drive the planars

These are way better. I bought HE560 v1 to replace my Beyer DT990 600ohm and never looked back. The sound quality is much superior (if properly amped!) and no more v shaped like sound signature. HE560 has very smooth mid range and the bass is on-par with DT990. It is like DT990 that requires a good powerful amp, so I would think if you had an amp that can drives DT990 well already then you should be fine.

Last edited by jessel605 March 19, 2022 at 08:01 AM.

1

C_W

Mar 19, 2022 3:19 PM

509 Comments

Joined Jul 2014

C_WMar 19, 2022 3:19 PM

509 Comments

Would modi 3e + magni 3+ drive these?

JackOften

Mar 19, 2022 3:30 PM

506 Comments

Joined Nov 2003

JackOftenMar 19, 2022 3:30 PM

506 Comments

Quote from C_W

:

Opinion on these vs sennheiser hd 600?

I suppose they probably aren't comparable since open vs closed back

Got both, prefer the hd600. Both are open back. I use them both with a topping e50/thx stack.

1

JackOften

Mar 19, 2022 3:33 PM

506 Comments

Joined Nov 2003

JackOftenMar 19, 2022 3:33 PM

506 Comments

Quote from C_W

:

Would modi 3e + magni 3+ drive these?

I have a heresy. It can drive these (as can my thx 789 amp). My O2 sounds underpowered with these.

Last edited by JackOften March 19, 2022 at 08:36 AM.

polygonbronson

Mar 19, 2022 4:12 PM

90 Comments

Joined Jun 2017

polygonbronsonMar 19, 2022 4:12 PM

90 Comments

Quote from CoolHaddock3184

:

Since you obviously know a lot more about headphones than me, do you have a favorite set to use with a phone? I'm in the market now and I'm assuming these might not be it?

Yeah, most phones would not be able to drive these loud enough, so I wouldn't recommend the he560 for portable use. The sets that I use most on the go are a Blon/Hanadomi B8 with sheepskin M50x pads (NOT Brainwavz style, huge, thick pads but pads the same dimensions as the stock pads just made of sheepskin. They can be found on AliExpress for about $12), a CAL!2, or a Porta Pro with Yaxi pads. The B8 is more balanced overall with a bit of v-shape to it while the CAL!2 is decidedly warm with more bass with that biocellulose texture and less treble; a more laid back sound. Also, unless you have small ears (like me) the CAL!2 is going to be on-ear-ish. Porta pros are on-ear with some tasteful bass but good detail especially considering the price.

1

HiFiMan HE-560 V4 Premium Planar Magnetic Headphones

$229

$899

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