Introduction

HiFiMAN (then Head-Direct) was responsible for the surge of interest in orthodynamic headphones when they launched their HE-5 headphone a few years ago. Since then, we have had the pleasure of testing their HE-400, HE-500, and HE-6 headphones which all featured orthodynamic drivers.

During the past year or so HiFiMAN has refined their single-sided magnet array driver, and the result is staggering. A single-sided magnet array for a set of orthodynamic headphones is nothing new. We saw the array on the HE-4, but it seems as though HiFiMAN has gone all in, refining the concept to now use it in such a high-end headphone as the HE-560.

Beyond changes to the driver, HiFiMAN is using a brand-new suspended headband design, wooden cups, and angled pleather/velour pads. At $899, the price is the same as for the HE-500 at launch, which is not surprising since the HE-560 replaces the HE-500 in the HiFiMAN line-up.

Specifications

• Weight: 390 g
• Impedance: 35 Ohms
• Driver type: Orthodynamic, single-sided
• Frequency response: 15 Hz - 50 kHz

The Package

HiFiMAN ships the newest incarnation of their HE-series headphones in a big wooden storage box.


The bundle is pretty limited. You get the headphone, the box, and a cable. The cable is of pretty high quality, but it is rather thick and bulky. On the upside, HiFiMAN uses quality connectors on both ends. The 1/4" jack is made by Neutrik, so it will last a very long time. The cable is still not good enough in terms of design and feel for something accompanying a $899 set of world-class headphones. The wire is more than good enough, but the sleeving, the split, and overlap onto the connectors look somewhat crude.