CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

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Author Topic: Are the he1000s worth buying?  (Read 3351 times)

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Negura

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2015, 05:23:51 PM »
I surely did not think they were worth 3k or even 2k for the matter. I rate both the modded HD800s and modded HE-6s significantly higher than the HEK.

As a consumer, the only way to discourage grossly overpriced products for the sound quality they offer is to not buy them. Just like HEK, the Abyss or Audeze are in that category. I admit I am first hand guilty on one or more occasions in the past. There are many other ridiculously overpriced headphones for the performance (Ultrasones, Grados anyone?) but they are not even worth the attention of commenting on them.

However if one is fancying this type of sound, surely that's all that matters... just make sure to listen what the above mentioned headphones can do on a good rig, compared to the HEK if possible.
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jerg

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #11 on: August 20, 2015, 05:54:44 PM »
I think it sounds really damn well-rounded and capable with increased earpad angling + enclosure damping (ala shelf liner), both minor mods.
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Negura

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #12 on: August 20, 2015, 06:04:33 PM »
Further angled thicker pads surely agreed on this. I mentioned it from my early impressions.

However what is achieved with enclosure damping / shelf liner type?
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jerg

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #13 on: August 20, 2015, 06:13:06 PM »
Quote from: Negura on August 20, 2015, 06:04:33 PM
Further angled thicker pads surely agreed on this. I mentioned it from my early impressions.

However what is achieved with enclosure damping / shelf liner type?

I feel it partly remedies the treble incoherence that HE1K sometimes exhibits with female vocals (the same treble trait as HE560, but less pronounced here), thought I would try it when I saw the TP mod Marv posted on the HE1Ks he measured.
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HideousPride

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #14 on: August 20, 2015, 06:45:59 PM »
I had a couple hit/miss experiences. The first time I heard it (Canjam?) was really lackluster. Then I gave it a go months later at a different show with a different source and wow, it really impressed.

Ended up getting a beta pair and I'm really pleased with it. Pretty expensive, but honestly my favorite headphone to date (minus Nerdling's R10 which I don't think I'll be getting my hands on anytime soon). The bass and soundstage just sit right for me. HiFiMAN offered to exchange my pair for a production pair, but I haven't taken them up on it since I'm worried they might have changed something for the worse or that I might get a crappier sounding unit.
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paranoidroid

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #15 on: August 20, 2015, 07:24:52 PM »
Quote from: Negura on August 20, 2015, 05:23:51 PM
I surely did not think they were worth 3k or even 2k for the matter. I rate both the modded HD800s and modded HE-6s significantly higher than the HEK.

What are your main music preferences? I think that's important when considering headphone tastes.

The HD800s just never did it for me for the types of music I like to listen to (electronic, which has a lot of bass layering & details). Although I appreciate them technically and think they're excellent if not the best for acoustic and orchestral music. The HE6 are superb with what I like to listen to, but with weight and comfort issues along with a fatiguing treble. I found the HE1K to best the HE6 in most areas technically except for impact/viscerality. I think $2k for the HE1K is a solid buy and fits more in line with Hifimans value prop. than the current pricing.
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Negura

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #16 on: August 20, 2015, 07:40:21 PM »
I listen to a wide array of genres. From small ensembles classical, symphonies, opera, to acoustic music, modern jazz, rock, metal, or even some EDM.
Ideally I would prefer to have good all-arounder headphones, since I use them a lot during work time and would not want to have to swap to another pair because of the genre changing. But that said, I really appreciate specialist headphones that can do some genres extremely well, even if they kind of suck with others (for example: HD800s). Both the HE-6s and HD800s are bitches. They need time/attention for modding and system matching etc. Fortunately with creative input from fellow members, there are many options to do that, for both. Perhaps in time there will be some great mods for the HEK too, however from what I tried and heard, the drivers / magnets themselves have limitations. The unusual cup shape is not particularly helpful either.

I don't think the HEK are actually technically better than the HE-6s. Not transparent enough. Their signature is strong and their politeness/softness is a colouration that's always there with everything and anything.  Also like the LCD-3 not very good for analytically comparing gear either. They are decent/good long-distance cruisers for background undisturbed relaxed listening though.









« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 07:57:46 PM by Negura »
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Prydz

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #17 on: August 20, 2015, 07:49:23 PM »
I'd buy them in a heartbeat if they was 1,5-2k actually, just for the comfort and being able to just sit down and listen for many many hours.
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ohhgourami

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #18 on: August 20, 2015, 08:04:16 PM »
Miles more comfortable than HE-6? Not when you're using Vegan pads and have the headband bent to the shape of your skull.

If that's not comfortable, you might want to consider neck strengthening exercises :p
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Prydz

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Re: Are the he1000s worth buying?
« Reply #19 on: August 20, 2015, 08:07:14 PM »
I get hotspot on my head like I do with Audeze, but it takes a couple of hours instead of 45 mins like with Audeze...
Maybe my head doesnt like leather... But they could have made thicker padding...
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