Wanted to make a subgroup where we could discuss sonics of HE-1000. Sometimes there are things that we miss. Sorrodje thought it would be a good idea if we could have a little corner to ourselves to bounce thoughts off each other. See what aspects we agree on and what we find different and the causes of those differences. A private area away where random people who don't have anything to do with the beta can't add their 2 cents is kind of the idea. Less noise. More signal.

I'm in as well.

I'm in also.  I'll be able to compare it to HE-560, HE-6.

The HE1000 is here. I had a couple of hours with them today and I like what I am hearing.

Out of the EC445/Yggy, the HE1000 sounds like a modded HD800* in terms of tonality, imaging and spacious soundstage, with more flesh and body, more tactility (ie has HE6's balls) and with a more forward midrange. Think of it as a HD800/HE6 hybrid.

This is one versatile headphone. A genre master. Unlike the HD800, which sounds best with acoustic and instruments, the HE1000 does instruments just as good as vocals.

If that is not good enough, the comfort on this thing is supreme. Think huge HD600 velour pads that do not clamp on your face, think a featherlight headphone that exerts no force on your head. I always wanted a headphone that makes everything sound good (ie the HE6) but feels great on the head (ie the HD800). The HE1000 does that but delivers even more in the ways I have described.

The drawbacks:

1. Not the last word on resolution. On a quick AB, the modded HD800* and SR009 seem to have more resolution in terms of "plankton" or microdetail. But I do not think I am missing much. There is more perceived detail than the HE6 though, as the HE1000 sounds more expansive and images better, giving out more pin point spatial cues.

2. I do not feel that I am "there". There is something unnatural about the treble and forward midrange. The modded HD800* wins in terms of naturalness and ultimate transparency on the best live recordings. As some have noted, there is indeed some treble glare or treble splash (think unmodded HE6) and this draws away from realism. Recordings still sound like recordings, ie slightly artificial.

It is too early to draw any conclusions but I thought I should share my views with fellow pirates asap. I hope burn in solves the treble issues. As a whole, for those with a wider range of recordings and who are not on a pure audiophile music diet, the HE1000 will serve as an excellent complement to the HD800. The latter is really for the special "holy shit" moments with the top 10% of my music collection in terms of recording quality but I really hope, as my initial views suggest, the HE1000 lets me enjoy 90% of my music no matter how good or poor the recording is.

*If you are wondering, my HD800 has foam on trapezoid with rug liner, no dust cover, and no foam ring. I am using the SAA Endorphin TRS cable / Cardas Clear XLR cable.

Are you planning to have these make sound 24/7 for a while? Perhaps there will be some "burn-in" change. My HE-6s sounded less transparent and articulated at first and this pair I've got I bought new fairly recently.

I should have my HE1000s pair by mid week next week - DHL shows my pair is currently kicked around in depots in Hong Kong. I'm interested to join the subgroup.