The Hifiman HE-560 was launched in 2014. Being a big fan and owner of the HE-6 and HE-500, I immediately checked it out but was disappointed. It was a very different headphone. It was very detailed, but I felt it lacked the warmth and body of my beloved Hifimans. However, several years later I gave it a second chance and ironically, as the HE-560 was being discontinued (before it came back), I had it on a long-term loan and started to appreciate it – a lot! It was with a heavy heart I returned it to its owner.
In 2018, Hifiman relaunched the HE-560 in a new design, known as HE-560 v2, and then came the v3 and v4. Hifiman has assured us that the only changes made to the HE-560 were the cup finish, connectors and the head-band – no changes to the driver or magnets:
“HIFIMAN’s HE560 driver was never changed or modified, nor did we change the magnet vendor. The three variations differ only in terms of cable connections: first coax, then 2.5mm, then 3.5mm, and a custom-made version for Adorama that also included a new headband.” Fang Bian link
Users have widely discussed the differences in sound of various versions nonetheless. I think that might be due to variations in the pads, unit variation and AMS (audiophile memory syndrome). I myself experienced a rather significant change in the sound when swapping pads.
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BUILD AND COMFORT
The only difference between the first and second versions of the “veneer versions” (v1 and v1.2) is that they have different connectors, v1 had coax and v1.2 has 2.5mm connectors. Both have veneer finish and the same black steel headband with strap. I like the looks, quality, comfort and headband a lot. The HE-560 v1’s are incredibly comfortable to wear – at least for my head and preferences. I’ve seen others who are not as enthusiastic but I regard the HE-560 v1’s to be the most comfortable headphones I have used.
I have never tried the latest versions (v2, 3 and 4) but I have both the Sundara with strap headband like the v2 and v3, as well as the HE-6 SE v2 (Adorama edition) which has the padded headband and I think both are quite okay. I prefer the looks and comfort of the Sundara-style headband over the padded headband. I find the padding on the HE-6 SE v2 headband a little stiff, and the strap headbands look better. Of all the versions I prefer the headband on the HE-560 v1 by a large margin. I also like the veneer look.
VERSIONS
HE-560 VERSION 1
HE-560 v1 has veneer finish on plastic cups and black steel headband with plastic (reinforced) yokes and a strap. HE-560 v1 has screw-on coax connectors. HE-560 v1.2 has 2.5 mm TRS connectors
HE-560 VERSION 2
HE-560 v2 has painted gray plastic cups with Sundara-type strap headband and orange details. It was an Adorama exclusive.
https://www.adorama.com/hmhe560v2.html
HE-560 VERSION 3
HE-560 v3 is identical to v2 but with a longer strap,
https://www.adorama.com/hmhe560v3.html
HE-560 VERSION 4
HE-560 v4 came in gray and black finish, with thick padded headband “XS style”, no strap.
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he560-v4.html
SPECS
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz to 50 KHz
- Sensitivity 90 dB
- Impedance 45 Ohms
- Cable Length 6.6′ / 2.01m – 6.35mm plug
- Weight 13.2 oz / 374.21g
AMPLIFICATION
The HE-560 requires a pretty powerful amp to shine and doesn’t mind a bit of help in boosting the midrange. The Woo WA22 is a favourite, and so is the Leben CS300XS. But also the Audio-gd Master 9 and the Violectric V200 make the HE-560 sound great. It plays well with the Bryston BHA-1 and the Auralic Taurus too. With regards to DAC/Amps, I have tried the Mytek Brooklyn and Schiit Jotunheim, both did a pretty good job, but the Brooklyn impressed me the most.
Since 2019 I have gotten some new amplifiers. The HE-560 works quite well with Topping A90, Fiio K5, and RME ADI-2 DAC FS. However, I’m especially impressed by the Rebel Amp and the Monolith THX AAA. These two amps would be my top “reasonably priced” amps to get if you want the best from your HE-560 in 2023.
COMPARISONS HE-560 v1.0
All these comparisons were made with the original version and stock pads using Hifiman’s own cables (TRS and XLR). This section was written in 2019 but I didn’t finish the review and didn’t publish it until now.
Hifiman Ananda vs Hifiman HE560
Amps used: Woo WA22 and Audio-gd Master 9. This text is from the Ananda review.
The Maze – Bendik Hofseth et.al: The Ananda has more midrange presence, very noticeable with the double bass solo in the track “Blue”, but all along the album, the Ananda has a significantly warmer presentation. Simply put, the Ananda is a lot fuller and richer in the upper bass and in the mid-range. With regards to treble and bass, they are more similar, and generally, the level of detail feels similar. The Ananda is easier on the power as well. Which of the two headphones I prefer, however, remains an open question.
Haydn/Berio – Alban Berg Quartet: The Ananda is fatter and warmer in the midrange, but without sounding less detailed. It really has an appealing sound signature. As much as I like the HE560, I must say I immediately find it a bit lacking in mid presence, and this is very obvious in direct comparison to the Ananda.
Montague Grant – Prins Thomas: The HE560 has a tremendous bass – and so does the Ananda. Except for the added midbass presence of the Ananda, they sound quite similar on this track. Similarly good, I must add.
Both play well with both amp the Audio-gd Master 9 and the Woo WA22, but especially the HE560 becomes more fun on the WA22, which energizes the mids a bit.
Playing a range of other songs, the impression remains. The HE560 and Ananda have many great qualities in common. The Ananda wins in midrange presence and amplifier sensitivity, the HE560 is to me a lot more comfortable and has better deep bass.
HE560 vs Sennheiser HD800
Amps: Kinki THR1, V200
Nevermind – L.Cohen: I tend to prefer the HE560. It feels more organic and natural to my ears.
Tres Notas Para Decir Te Quiero – Vincente Amigo: The soundstage of the HD800 is a bit wider, but again, I find the HE560 to sound more organic. The midrange of the HD800 is more up-front than that of the HE560.
Amp: Woo WA22
Montague Grant – Prins Thomas: The bass is better with the HE560, which generally feels a bit cleaner across the range here.
Madrigals for piano and viola H313.1 Martinu/Emerson String Quartet: The HE560 gets a bit dull here, the strings have more body, texture and generally feels more alive with the HD800.
Grålysning – T. Thonstrup: The HE560 is more polite sounding, but that doesn’t make it less nice. Both are great with this acoustic jazz piece.
The HE560 is not dissimilar to the HD800. Both are open sounding, both like to show off some treble and don’t push the mids in your face. The HD800 is more up-front sounding, and in direct comparison, the HE560 sometimes feels a bit dull. But based on which headphone my hand reaches for personally, I prefer the HE560
HE560 vs T1 mk2
Amp: Woo WA22
I do – S.Slettahjell: The midrange is markedly more drawn back with the HE560. On this track, I prefer the T1
Azzaharat – Eple Trio: The HE560 has a flatter and more polite sound, the T1 is fatter, especially in the midrange and mid-bass. Both are spacious sounding. The HE560 has better deep bass.
Montague Grant: Bass level is equal, but the HE560 has much better bass. It is tighter and has lots of nuance, the T1 gets more diffuse. On this track, the T1 sounds a bit muffled in comparison
The HE560 and the T1 have, as the HD800 many things in common. But both the T1 and the HD800 have a more present midrange. The HE560 has better bass and to me a more pleasant sound to listen to over time.
HE560 vs Elear
Amp: Violectric V200
The Elear is a fuller-sounding headphone. The two have in common that the midrange is a bit drawn back, but the HE560 offers more resolution and definitely tighter bass. The HE560 is a lot more demanding on the amplifier, though. I like both headphones quite a lot, but I prefer the HE560. The Elear plays better with the Kinki than with the V200, the HE560 has it the other way around.
Amp: Kinki THR-1
Lookout for Hope – Bill Frisell: The Elear is a lot warmer and fuller sounding. The bass is a lot more prominent. It sounds more intimate. The HE560 is lighter and more distanced. More spacious. Switching directly back and forth they are so different that the immediate impression is that of comparing apples and oranges. You need to adjust.
With other songs, the difference is less overwhelming – mostly due to the less prominent bass. The Elear has a more prominent bass response, the HE560 has better bass with more texture, tightness and detail. The HE560 is generally more detailed, but not always by too much. Neither headphone is completely neutral sounding, but both are great all-rounders.
HE560 vs Hifiman HE1000V2
Amplifier: Audio-gd Master 9
As good as it is, the HE560 loses out on all aspects with the HE1000mk2. The bigger brother is better balanced, clearer and more transparent. Especially the mid-range is better balanced with the HE1000v2. They require about the same level of power, but in my experience, the HE1000v2 is more picky with amplifier matching than the HE560.
Hifiman Sundara vs Hifiman HE560
I Do – Solveig Slettahjell: The Midrange is more present with the Sundara, and the HE560 is drier and more withdrawn.
Young Vivaldi: The Sundara is more head-on, more blunt and aggressive, the HE560 is more polite, it makes the listeners focus more on nuance than the big dynamics.
Terminal 7 – T.Stanko: The HE560 offers more nuance and fine detail, but loses out on the feeling of dynamics. It is not that it is not dynamic, but it feels less upfront.
Montague Grant – Prins Thomas: The bass is great with the Sundara, but even better with the HE560
In essence, the Sundara has a bolder and fuller sound, the HE560 is more polite, but also more detailed. And even though the bass on the Sundara is pretty great, the HE560 is significantly better.
Hifiman HE-6 (original) vs HE560
Briefly comparing the HE560 to the HE6, it comes out as more polite and toned down. HE6 has a more up front mid-range than the HE560. The HE-6, depending on your amplifier, is tighter and more refined. However, you must have a really good amp to beat the HE560´s bass detail level.
Comparing them on the Creek 5350SE Classic (both from the speaker taps), the HE-6 is bolder, and the HE560 is more polite but also quite refined and presents a great sense of detail. The Creek is a good amp for the HE-6, but there are better amps which can dig out more tightness, detail and texture. The HE-6 of course requires more power, but the HE560 can be driven fine from the speaker taps as well. In conclusion the HE-560 holds up quite well to the HE-6, unless you give the HE-6 a really great amp.
HE-560 v1.2 WITH 3RD PARTY PADS AND AIRFLOW GRILLS
So in 2023 I finally bought myself a HE-560 v1.2. I like the veneer and the v1 headband, so I picked up a second-hand v1.2. I got some AliExpress pads recommended by a friend and also installed open airflow grills and an Atlas Zeno Cable. Was I disappointed? No.
HEADPHONE COMPARISONS 2023
With the new pads and open airflow grills, I will do some new comparisons. I use different amps but always cross checked so neither headphone had a significant disadvantage.
HIFIMAN HE1000SE vs HE-560 GRILL MOD
Amps: HE-560 from the Monolith THX AAA and HE1000SE from Auralic Taurus
Awesome as the HE1000SE is, I am amazed at how close the HE-560 comes. The HE1000SE has more detail, and an even bigger sound-stage, but in my current configuration, the HE-560 feels like a baby HE1000SE. The bass and mids have a bit more texture and the treble is even more refined with the bigger brother but – wow. The HE-560 is amazing for its price. The HE-560 was the beginning of the “new” Hifiman tuning, going for a lighter, less fleshy tone than the HE-500/HE-6. The HE1000SE certainly follows that tuning.
HIFIMAN SUNDARA VS HE-560 GRILL MOD
Amps: HE-560 from the Monolith THX AAA and Sundara from Auralic Taurus
They share many traits, but the HE-560 is more open and detailed as well as digs out a bit more low end bass. Both are great headphones and now that the HE-560 is discontinued, the Sundara is certainly a bargain, especially when driven by a powerful amplifier. The HE-560 and Sundara also at a point sold roughly at the same price when the final HE-560 sales were going on, which was crazy good value for the HE-560.
SENNHEISER HD800S VS HE-560 GRILL MOD
Amps: HE-560 from the Auralic Taurus and HD800S from the Questyle CMA800R.
When the HE-560 came out, it was roughly in the same price class as the HD800. The HD800S is just a slightly re-tuned HD800, so how do they compare? Keep in mind that I have re-tuned the HE-560 too, with pads, grills and a fancy cable.
The bass is certainly better on the 560, with more weight, body and texture. They both have an open soundstage. Both are detailed across the board. Listening to jazz, electronica and metal, I tend to prefer the HE-560 for the most part. I prefer the tuning and especially the bass. With orchestral music, however, I find myself enjoying the HD800S more.
AUDEZE LCD-X 2021/2022 VS HE-560 GRILL MOD
I always liked the original LCD-X, and the LCD-X 2021 (or 20 or 22, mine are 2023) revision is even better.
The HE-560 is thinner sounding, but also more spacious. They are tuned differently and to me equally enjoyable. The LCD-X has that Audeze tuning, dark and smooth, yet detailed. The bass is very good but not overpowering. The HE-560 often actually has a more pronounced bass. It’s more open sounding. At first listen it might even feel more detailed, but that’s because of the tuning, the treble is more up front. In short I really enjoy them both, the HE-560 has a slightly V shaped signature, the LCD-X is flat, but with less pronounced treble.
In conclusion, comparing this favorably with the new version of the LCD-X really says something about how great HE-560 is, especially when you give them airflow grills.
CONCLUSION 2023
The Hifiman HE-560 is a fabulous headphone especially if you open up those grills. Hifiman has done a similar thing with their “window shade system” design on all the newer models, so it’s not that they haven’t thought about it themselves.
With proper amplification and especially with airflow grills, it is very enjoyable.
The HE-560 offers extremely good and detailed bass, a textured mid-range and crisp but not edgy highs. The soundstage is large, and instrument separation is very good. I certainly can recommend this headphone. Just give them those open grills!
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