HiFiMan HE-560 V2

Oh shiiiiit!

 

I'm debating right now about either returning it or trying to get an RMA on the unit. I agree with the others that the headband is super uncomfortable -- I have to pretty much pull it to its max width, and even then it feels super tight. Also, I notice that when I adjust it when it's on my head, I hear a bit of a crinkling noise. Not sure if that's from the foam in the pad, the headband assembly, or the driver touching/rubbing against something.

 

Decided to open it up for science Typical HFM hot glue assembly. The crinkling noise I was hearing seems most likely to be from the driver unit: pushing against the pads when they're mostly sealed makes the noise, but giving it a bit of air doesn't. I'm almost certain this is why the right driver in my set are busted: it came back to life after I re-assembled the unit, but then died after it made a crinkling noise when I put it on my head.

 

f**k me, that's ridiculous. Make sure to play ignorant when returning it, and tell them the driver just doesn't work ans you know nothing more.

 

That thing looks home-made. Phillips head screws? Cello tape?

 

Good to know I'm not crazy. I think the biggest issue with the HE-560 V2s I have is that they make the crinkling noise when I am putting the headphones on my head or adjusting them. I'm not forcibly putting extra pressure or anything on the headphone. The LCD2Cs (or other planars I've used, HFM included) don't make this noise from just general use -- you need to go out of your way to make it happen.

Edit: the crinkling noise happens on both left and right sides of the headphone. It's actually louder on the working left side and is quieter on the broken right side.

 

@purr1n as per your subjective experiences with them, would you say there's any distinct advantage to tensioned diaphragms as opposed to untensioned ones, as on the T-X0? Inaudible as the ortho walls of death may be, I wonder at the longevity of headphone designs with tautly stretched, thinner diaphragms.

 

I have been talking to a guy over at Hifiman. He's very interedted in the headband issue, and he's ordered the V2's to his office for a comparison to the Sundara and inspection. I've detailed it very well, so he knows what's up, and I have suggested fixes that are simple and cheap.

 

In good news, Adorama's customer service offered a return with shipping paid after a quick chat.

@MF_Kitten, could you also ask your HFM contact about what exactly the story is behind the HE-560 V2? Namely, what differences in the tuning/drivers there might be? The entire unit feels like a hastily slapped together product with even worse build quality than usual. There are scraps of paper towel like material inside the driver assembly and they scotch tape in some places to hold down wires. Completely unacceptable for something that supposedly retails for $900.

 

Ah yes, the good old Apple approach to engineering.

 

I asked him if the lowered highs and lows were intentional, when a lot of people specifically wanted the HE560 because of the sub bass extension, and the smooth but present high end, and suggested he compare them to the origi al to confirm that it was intentional.

 

As long as they sound good, tension and diaphragm thickness should be absolutely irrelevant IMO. It obviously depends on their own goal is, what the "ideal sound" is. I'd like to see the big boy Planars diversify their diaphragms more, so they sound DIFFERENT.

 

I hadn't even thought of that, but you're right. That's a dumb as shit consequence of chasing a skinny dragon.

 

I wonder if it's possible to heat up these diaphragms just enough so it softens up and loses tension

 

Wow, this is ridiculous. Hifiman’s latest products have had so many quality control issues. It’s sad that the amount of product they are selling has led to a downturn in quality. Their customer support isn’t great either, taking several days to respond and tend not to be too helpful. I am a fan of Hifimans older headphones, but this is just a disappointment.

 

I agree that a lot of companies have problems, but it just seems hifiman's problems could be easily fixed through higher quality production. Audeze is known for driver failure in the LCD 3 but there multi-owner 3-year warranty is excellent. I wish these companies had as good of customer service as ZMF. I know it is hard to do at their size, but there is room for improvement.