CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

  • December 31, 2015, 09:02:03 AM
  • Welcome, Guest
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 ... 9

Author Topic: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots  (Read 26709 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Marvey

  • The Man For His Time And Place
  • Master
  • Pirate
  • *****
  • Brownie Points: +555/-33
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6698
  • Captain Plankton and MOT: Eddie Current
HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« on: January 19, 2012, 11:24:26 PM »
HiFiMAN HE-500 INITIAL SUBJECTIVE IMPRESSIONS

As usual, I listened to them before measuring them. Unfortunately I do not have my high-end rig at this time, so I had do with an O2 amp and Sansui 5000X receiver. I have no doubt that these would have sounded better from the BA.

The HE-500 has a very nice somewhat dark presentation with a slight emphasis somewhere in the midrange. I would say around 4k (based on the vocals from Madonna's Lucky Star from her Immaculate Collection CD). Some percussion and cymbal work could be a bit snappier so it sounds like a depression from 6-8k. The HD650 and SR009 actually have a similar depression at this spot and it's actually not a bad place to have it in light of modern recordings. As with every down, there's a up - at 10k, but I never felt there was a peak that far exceeded the top overall slight darkish slope of the HE-500. I can definitely see some people have issues with this trough followed by a peak, but it doesn't bother me that much. Compared to my own LCD3, the HE-500 has lots of air, but like many large orthos, it still falls short of the HD800. (I need to re-measure my LCD3, it could be defective, not sure.)

In other words, the tonal balance is very nice.  The dark slope is what it is, a slope, not a shelf that starts in the midrange (yuck), so we are still able to hear the harmonics in good relation to the fundamental notes of the instruments and voices. (I don't think LFF will scream - WTF! I can't master with these.) I did not hear any problems (meaning resonances or ringing) when I auditioned them. Then again, I'm so dead tired after my recent move that I probably wouldn't find Grados grating.

Compared to the LCD3 or even the HD800, the lowest bass octave seems to be missing. Upon additional listens, I did not feel that bass quality, articulation, or texture were any worse than the Audeze's. The only difference was with bass volume which the LCD3 has in spades -  I am not a basshead so I am satisfied with the HE-500's bass quality, although a half octave more extension would have been nice.

How much do these cans cost?

UPDATED COMMENTS: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,101.msg624.html#msg624
« Last Edit: January 20, 2012, 09:24:10 AM by purrin »
Logged

Marvey

  • The Man For His Time And Place
  • Master
  • Pirate
  • *****
  • Brownie Points: +555/-33
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6698
  • Captain Plankton and MOT: Eddie Current
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2012, 11:34:12 PM »
HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response



I didn't think the depression at 6k was that deep during subjective impressions. Given the strong null, it's probable that it's a measurement artifact. It seems that some orthos have these. (LFF mentioned this is a good spot to have it at - I concur - if anything maybe a bit less forward and not as aggressive energetically. It seems too many cans are voiced this way. At least that's my opinion.)
« Last Edit: January 02, 2013, 12:31:46 AM by purrin »
Logged

LFF

  • Mastering Wizard & Restoration Guru
  • Mate
  • Pirate
  • ****
  • Brownie Points: +761/-0
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1425
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2012, 11:39:21 PM »
WTF! I can't master with these!!  ;)
Logged
These statements are false.
I rule with an iron fist and ears of gold!
The preceding statements were true.

The way to a man's heart is through her stomach.

Marvey

  • The Man For His Time And Place
  • Master
  • Pirate
  • *****
  • Brownie Points: +555/-33
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6698
  • Captain Plankton and MOT: Eddie Current
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2012, 11:45:16 PM »
HiFiMAN CSD Waterfall Plots

The usual plots at -30 and -40db. Very clean. Slight ringing at 4kHz on the -40db plot on one channel (explains what I heard with Madonna's voice - I'm being nit-picky though.) Super duper clean with the floor at -30db.
« Last Edit: June 21, 2012, 06:38:43 AM by purrin »
Logged

Marvey

  • The Man For His Time And Place
  • Master
  • Pirate
  • *****
  • Brownie Points: +555/-33
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6698
  • Captain Plankton and MOT: Eddie Current
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2012, 11:57:18 PM »
I will eventually put this on HF, but this is sort of in the "Request For Comments" stage.

« Last Edit: January 20, 2012, 12:01:05 AM by purrin »
Logged

Questhate

  • Stops to get gas, buys some stax.
  • Mate
  • Pirate
  • ****
  • Brownie Points: +83/-1
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 916
  • Banned for putting ice cubes in fine Scotch
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2012, 12:49:41 AM »
Interesting. I wouldn't expect the bass to have that much quantity given the impressions I've read, although it does roll off in the sub-bass region.

Were these measurements taken with the velour or leather pads? (I think these come with both -- right?)

Matching seems pretty decent (assuming the difference < 50hz is because of placement/seal). That 6K dip could be the reason I've seen these described as brighter, yet less sibilant, than LCDs?

Man, I'm really tempted to trade my R2's in for these now....
Logged

LFF

  • Mastering Wizard & Restoration Guru
  • Mate
  • Pirate
  • ****
  • Brownie Points: +761/-0
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1425
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2012, 01:13:04 AM »
Quote from: Questhate on January 20, 2012, 12:49:41 AM
Interesting. I wouldn't expect the bass to have that much quantity given the impressions I've read, although it does roll off in the sub-bass region.

Were these measurements taken with the velour or leather pads? (I think these come with both -- right?)

Matching seems pretty decent (assuming the difference < 50hz is because of placement/seal). That 6K dip could be the reason I've seen these described as brighter, yet less sibilant, than LCDs?

Man, I'm really tempted to trade my R2's in for these now....

I always described them as being relatively neutral but a tad too much on the bright side but less bright than the HE-6.
Logged
These statements are false.
I rule with an iron fist and ears of gold!
The preceding statements were true.

The way to a man's heart is through her stomach.

khaos

  • Powder Monkey
  • *
  • Brownie Points: +7/-0
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 64
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2012, 02:21:26 AM »
I'm impressed, the csd is surprisingly clean and it seems both drivers are quite well matched.
Logged

Marvey

  • The Man For His Time And Place
  • Master
  • Pirate
  • *****
  • Brownie Points: +555/-33
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6698
  • Captain Plankton and MOT: Eddie Current
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2012, 02:24:26 AM »
Actually, the tonal balance reminds me a lot of the HP1000s
Logged

rhythmdevils

  • Mate
  • Pirate
  • ****
  • Brownie Points: +131/-65535
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: I am a geek!!
  • Team Cheap, Picky Basterds
    • www.my40dollarorhosarebetterthanyour1kflagship.com
Re: HiFiMAN HE-500 Frequency Response and CSD Waterfall Plots
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2012, 05:40:03 AM »
Cool!  I was expecting a bit of resonance somewhere because I heard a bit of a "shout" as you might call it.  Though less than the HP1000.

I didn't think their bass was the best evar.  The word "wooly" kept coming to mind, but I thought it had plenty of extension in my subjective listening.  Just not as defined or textured as something like the LCD-3.  I bet the square wave wouldn't be perfect  :'(   But bass definition isn't in my top ten list so whatevsies.  We've got much bigger fish to fry!!!

Would you mind taping the pads to the baffle and taking another measurement at some point?  Tape just goes around the outside of the pad over where it meets the baffle.  Can be any tape that will make a seal.  I used some painter's type tape.  I thought they sounded cleaner that way but the bass got overbearing. 
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 ... 9
« previous next »