The HIFIMAN HE-560 V4 is a headphone I’ve had for a couple of years, sometimes I may have written it off, or I didn't develop a real taste before I got around to judging it. The HE-560 V4 is a great headphone and is one of my favorite value headphones I’ve purchased.

My HiFi hobby habits were very sporadic and impulsive when I decided to purchase. I didn’t slow down and learn some base definitions before diving head first, but that can also be the fun of the hobby.

As I’m getting deeper into exploring the most important part of my chain, the sources, I've been able to discover the versatility of the HE-560 V4, and how surprised I am years later that a headphone I purchased on Adorama years for a Black Friday sale turned out to be such an enjoyable headphone.

The HIFIMAN HE-560 V4 is a headphone that has high-quality, reference sound. This headphone unsurprisingly complements neutral headphones like the HD 600 somewhat well, but with the Sennheisers being more forward.

The HE-560 V4 is a planar magnetic headphone, and it has a wider stage and microdynamics compared to the HD 600 and HD 650. The more intricate layering provided by the HE-560 V4 makes it a more engaging and intimate headphone. It has great ambiance, and encapsulates you with its stage and immense detail. It digs very deep into bass and has more extension than the HD 600 or 650.

The HE-560 V4 pulls you into the sound with its resolution; it's an intimate presentation that isn’t as precise and defined in the note quality as the HE6se V2 or HE1000se, but is still highly musical and highly detailed in its' own right. It sits somewhere between the HD 600, HE6seV2, and HE1000se as a jack-of-all-trades, but that is understating the HE-560 V4 a little, it's really in a class of it's own for being so versatile. It provides a large soundstage with the ability to render complex dynamics with instrument separation to engage the user. It has a more neutral-warm sound signature with an open and wider layering to the sound. Non-fatiguing sound and less harsh comparatively to headphones like the HE6se V2 or HE1000se, not to say those headphones are overly harsh at all, though. 

The bass is smooth, impactful, and thorough, going to the lowest of lows while also reaching middle-ground in its quality and slam where it excels in its presentation. The bass quality gives character, and depth to the music, which can't be understated. Presentation is high quality; bass impact helps to contribute; slam for days. Not as sparkly though as HE6se V2 or HE1000se, but sparkly enough for any listener.  

The HE-560 V4 is an option I'd wholeheartedly recommend for someone wanting to experience a smooth, engaging, dynamic, and quality sound. It has a nice ambiance and dynamic versatility. The way it presents the music makes sure you enjoy it. It's 3D-like, the notes have definition and the atmosphere is encompassing. 

I’ve found that the HE-560 V4 pairs perfectly with neutral gear and becomes very lively, not in the sense that it’s a little bright, but it’s very dynamic while being non-fatiguing due to its' warmer base signature.

Being lighter in weight than the HE6se V2, you get a sound somewhat close, but a warmer version of the HE6se V2 in the HE-560 V4. 

It can be a great experience listening to the HE-560 V4; it can get very energetic and engage you in the sound with its versatility and more relaxed signature. At $269 during Black Friday for a budget headphone like the HE-560 V4; it’s a steal. The HE-560 V4 is a reference-grade headphone and provides intimacy and detail with great engagement. I would recommend the HE-560 V4 to anyone looking for an atmospherically cozy setting.

Product Links:

HIFIMAN HE-560 V4: Amazon

Sources: Audio-GD HE-7, Topping D90SE, Yulong D18

USB: Singxer SU-6

Amplifiers: ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2, ampsandsound Nautilus