Change in HiFi is inevitable. Among the lines of people gathered into the long corridor of Newport’s Headphonium Too, Hifiman’s retrofitted display housed a few hidden gems of inevitable change.
With a focus on weight management HifiMan will soon be updating two of their popular full-size headphones with new models. Perhaps one of the most revered planar magnetics for the price, the HE-500 ($599) is being ousted for a lighter sibling called the HE-560. Weights do compare well in a shift from 502g to 390g as does a slight drop in impedance and increase in efficiency. The impressive 390g is even lighter than the recently introduced Oppo PM-1 (395g) and significantly lighter than the classic Audeze LCD-3 (600g). Other comfort upgrades include a redesigned headband and new beveled ear pads. The stock cable will see an update and according to the press release will contain “crystalline copper and crystalline silver“, very fancy. The final update is the price however, which will $899. The HE-560 will be available sometime this month.
The other ‘phone getting a facelift is the HE-400. The addition of an “i” to the name brings along with it a mere 360g weight (down from 440g) and and spec’d efficiency of 93dB/mW which is the same as the LCD-3. The HE-400i will also be receiving a headband and beveled ear pad update as well as stock cable that includes both copper and silver. The “i” will take a jump in price to $499, so if you are on the fence about the current model you may want to snag one up before they are gone (currently $299 on the HiFiMan site). The new HE-400i should be available this month as well.