Just called DHL myself... I'll receive it at work tomorrow
I'd like to post my random stream of conscious after 72 hours with the he1000. Please take it for what it is an nothing more. Just things that I scratched on a notepad while listening. *this headphone needs at least 100 hours on the cooker to get to where it sounds it's best*I have a very high sensitivity to fatigue especially harsh treble and heavy headphones. I'm happy to report that I have no issues with either here. Clamp is about perfect and the suspension system is top tier good. Pads are comfy if not almost luxurious. The cable is good but not boutique quality, with some mild microphonics and the split is way too low (crotch area low). I do appreciate the inclusion of three separate cables, but also expected such at this price point. *The bass response is just tremendous (after the burn in is complete). This is some of the best sub bass response that I've heard EVAR and certainly some of the most enjoyable. This headphone is about the sub bass and not the mid bass. The sub bass here is incredibly deep and extended. It is tight and textured with stunning speed and decay. It's mildly to moderately punchy in a visceral impact sense. But there are plenty of headphones that do visceral impact better, but very very few that do the extension, speed and texture like this one does. The bass here is linear in it's presentation and matches the recording very well. *After 24 hours of listening what impresses me most...sub bass, sound staging and sweet mids. *The mids have wonderful tone and female vocals are reproduced with a naturalness and immediately engaged me to the music. I spend a lot of time listening to female vocals and this is a very important quality for a headphone to get right. All the detail is there. This is a very musical headphone and not just a technical performer. Guitar plucks are cruchy and accurate. *Imaging is excellent and the separation and location of instruments and voices is spot on. The overall signature offers a nicely layered presentation with nothing blended or smeared together. *If you enjoy the sound staging of the hd800, you'll also enjoy the sound stage of the he1000...it's that large. In most regards it matches the hd800 and in terms height it improves on the hd800. It will be difficult to listen to other headphones now with regard to the sound stage of the he1000 alone. It's similar to a good set of speakers. *The he1000 is not as amp depending as other flagships (hd800 or even he6). I've used several mid fi amps to good effect. But there is some scale with better gear. This hp enjoys good clean power and responds well to tubes. Vintage receivers make a wonderful pairing even straight from the hp jack. The Sansui au717 rocked me to the bone with the he1000. *The treble is not perfect. The extension is very good and the timbre is pretty natural. But there can some splashiness as others have described it. The splashiness only comes up with certain recordings and usually ones on the bright side. For the most part I don't hear it but occasionally. I find classical incredibly enjoyable with the he1000. *This is a very large headphone. I have already mentioned that I have to wear it on the smallest setting and I consider myself to have a medium sized head. You will not look sexy and attract women while wearing these. *lyr2 did not accomplish what I wanted with hek. The signature lost focus and was somewhat smeared.
