HiFiMAN HE‑500 Planar Magnetic Headphone – Immaculate, All‑Original, FocusPad‑A Upgrade – SMC Connectors – Original Cable & Spares — incl. documents and serial number card

For connoisseurs & collectors.
Offered is an immaculate HiFiMAN HE‑500, one of the modern classics of orthodynamic design. The HE‑500 was introduced in 2011 alongside the legendary HE‑6 and is prized for its musical balance, midrange realism, and wide open staging—while being easier to drive than the HE‑6.

Lineage & diaphragm details
The HE‑500 shares magnet architecture with the HE‑6 but uses aluminium voice‑coil traces on its planar diaphragm (the HE‑6 used gold)—a design choice that yields HE‑6‑like character with greater amplifier friendliness.

Condition
• Headphone: Pristine and untouched—no modifications, no openings, no wear to headband, hinges, cups, mesh or metal parts.
• Pads: Currently fitted with HiFiMAN FocusPad‑A (the well‑regarded upgrade for a more linear, comfortable presentation). Two original pad sets are included; two pads have plastic attachment rings, the other pair does not—but a spare attachment ring is supplied.
• Cable: Factory silver‑conductor detachable cable (late style), in perfect condition; SMC sockets at the earcups are untouched and work flawlessly.
• Case: Original hard case is structurally fine internally (padding intact), but the outer covering shows heavy wear/peeling on borders/corners. Also included is the original velvet bag, housing spare parts and the 6.35 mm (¼″) adaptor/cable.
(Please review photos; we document all cosmetic details carefully.)

Technical highlights (manufacturer specs)
• Planar magnetic open‑back design
• Impedance: 38 Ω; Sensitivity: 89 dB (significantly easier to drive than HE‑6) 3
• Frequency response: 15–50 kHz
• Accessories (period‑correct): silver cable (3 m), leather/velour pad sets, storage case (as supplied with HE‑series)

Why collectors value the HE‑500
Contemporary reviews positioned the HE‑500 close to HE‑6 sonically, but with a friendlier drive requirement and a beautifully balanced tonality—bass impact, rich mids, and smooth treble—with a soundstage that helped define the early 2010s planar renaissance.

Included in this sale
• HE‑500 headphone (immaculate, all‑original)
• Mounted FocusPad‑A pads + two additional original pad sets (as described)
• Original silver‑conductor cable with SMC connectors; spare SMC plugs to build your own cables (as supplied with certain packages)
• Original hard case (outer wear), velvet bag, and 6.35 mm cable (see photos)

Note on amplification
While far easier to drive than the HE‑6, the HE‑500 still benefits from a quality headphone amplifier to realise its full dynamics.

Shipping from UK

A reference planar with true collector appeal. Serious buyers only, please.