CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Lobby => Headphone Measurements => Topic started by: Marvey on May 26, 2012, 09:46:07 PM

Title: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Marvey on May 26, 2012, 09:46:07 PM
HE Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots

BTW, just in case you didn't know, these are electrostatic headphones.

I've heard these before at an earlier meet and liked them somewhat. These remind me of the HD800s, especially in the treble. The HD800s have always been hard to describe for me. They kind of have a split personality. Sometimes the HD800 can sound lush or laid back, but other times they can sound brittle and bright. The bass on the HE Audio Jades extends down fairly well, but it's restrained. It will hit the low notes, but it's not explosive. The HD800s hit slighter harder and just as low. By no means is the Jade bass lite, unless you are a basshead.

The HE Audio Jades have less of the HD800's split personality. They don't have that sometimes laid-back nature of the HD800. They sound more neutral, but with a tip upward, with the same brittle hardness of the HD800 (can you say 6k peak?) Like the HD800s, they have a bit of energy from 6k onward, although it doesn't sound like there any major resonance modes, it does seem hot around 8k. Maybe some mods can correct this? I have some ideas already and will experiment.

EDIT: Now that the diaphragm has had a chance to charge up for a few hours, there's moar bass and lushness. (Have 007s nearby to make sure it's not brain burn-in.)

BTW, these headphones look extremely DIY. They do extract low level information extremely well. Better than the 007mk2.5.

(http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=310.0;attach=1617;image)

CSDs show some moderately broad ridges between 5 and 9kHz. Somewhat similar to the HD800 CSD. Maybe that's why these remind me of the HD800s so much. It's now obvious that those notches in the FR graph above are really resonances in disguise.
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Marvey on May 26, 2012, 10:34:27 PM
OK. Taking a page from the T50RP modders, I decided to try to place a thin piece of felt (Creatology brand of course) over the driver (see pics below.)

This has a more than subtle effect. It tones down the treble a tad, evens out the dips/peaks in the response, and notably reduces the ringing. I think I will be be buying the HE Audio Jades for myself.
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Marvey on May 26, 2012, 11:00:28 PM
By request. -55db low noise floor plots
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: omegakitty on May 27, 2012, 01:46:20 AM

BTW, these headphones look extremely DIY. They do extract low level information extremely well. Better than the 007mk2.5.

Hehe that they do. This is what happened to a pair I had on loan from a H-C'er. Didn't do anything to them, was just taking them off my head and *snap*

I did some back forth on my Blue Hawaii, I still felt the O2 Mk1 were more resolving. Jade missed out on subtle ambient cues in jazz and classical

(http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o130/j-pak/222vm8.jpg)
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: n3rdling on May 27, 2012, 05:43:47 AM
I've never really been crazy about these the few times I've heard them but would like to hear them on one of the HEV90 type amps.
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Marvey on May 30, 2012, 02:14:54 AM
I've never really been crazy about these the few times I've heard them but would like to hear them on one of the HEV90 type amps.

Yes. you are correct. They do sound too much like HD800s so you are going to hate them no matter what.

You want to give them to me.
waves hand in Jedi mind trick motion

You want to sell them to me for cheap.
waves hand in Jedi mind trick motion

I would be more than happy to buy them from you.
waves hand in Jedi mind trick motion
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: n3rdling on May 30, 2012, 04:18:23 AM
I don't have Jades :p
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Tari on May 30, 2012, 04:22:55 AM
Any idea what manufacturing variance is like on these?  I heard two pairs (not at the same meet) and they sounded very different.  Then again, one was on an A-10...
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Marvey on May 30, 2012, 04:28:35 AM
yeah... um...
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Tari on May 30, 2012, 04:37:25 AM
I know.  I used to think I didn't like the 007's until I heard them on an amp that wasn't the A-10.  Per Craig, "it doesn't belong in any conversation." 

Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: gurubhai on May 30, 2012, 06:17:40 AM
I don't have Jades :p
You have been jedi mind-tricked. Ask for compensation for the jades you let go.
Title: Re: HE Audio Jade Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
Post by: Marvey on May 31, 2012, 04:10:57 AM
May as well throw these up. Jades are little bit better in the bass compared the 007mk2.5, which sound a bit loose.