HiFiMAN HE1000 v2 + HEX v2 release soon?

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Malabargold, Aug 2, 2016.

  1. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

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    Very little talk of the HEK on here generally, but I'm with @Maxx134 that it's a peach, albeit a wonky measuring one. I rage-sold my HEK v1 last month & after a demo session last week with most of the usual suspects (except Utopia - can't find one), I think the HEK v2 is a worthy upgrade. Differences I heard between v1 & v2...

    v2 soundstage is slightly different to v1, less wide but deeper (good tradeoff imho). Less soft than v1, mids more forward but not going beyond neutral. I never had an issue with the highs of the v1 like some did, and the same applies for me with the v2. Due to the more intimate soundstage, details are more noticeable, more front & centre & with less diffuse imaging. Tonality seems more realistic as a result, bass tonality in particular is stellar (Patricia Barber "Use Me" opening bass solo), although perhaps a little less bass compared to v1 (not sure about that though).

    Direct comparisons with my SBAF+cork+SD HD800, the HD800 is right up there on technicalities...bass extension (EQ'd), expansive soundstage, microdetail, the stuff you'd expect, but loses out in tonality (where HEK v2 is more realistic to me) and versatility (HEK v2 sounds good with just about everything, despite best efforts I just can't get the HD800 to be enjoyable with a lot of rock music). I think some of the realism comes from the thicker sound of the HEK versus the thinner HD800, and possibly the wonky midrange distortion of the HEK :). Bear in mind I don't listen to a lot of classical music, but pretty much everything else (Jazz, electronic, rock etc).

    Probably the biggest plus going from v1 to v2 for me is the fit. The v1 was too big for me & kind of hung from the tops of my ears (the sole reason I don't regret the rage-sale). v2 is way better in this regard (plus more comfortable pads). Fits more like the HE-560 now (good thing).

    I also listened to HEX v2 versus HEK v2. HEX has a boosted bass, slight more forward mids (I didn't make a note of where in the mids) and more intimate still. Nice tonality again. If it had the wider stage of the HEK v2 I'd be tempted to go for it instead and bank the change. I certainly preferred HEX v2 to the Elear, mostly down to the latter's upper midrange "issues". For £300 extra I'd take the HEX v2 for sure.
     
  2. jerg

    jerg Friend

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    Does V2 benefit equally from TP mod? I recently applied a 2-ply on my V1, and the treble splashiness calmed down almost entirely.
     
  3. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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  4. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    To me, the Flow had an unnatural accentuation of details which were pushed too forward, which made the unit always sound nervous and edgy to me.
    The death sentence for me was the lack of any soundstage improvement.
     
  5. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I found the foam mod to even out the treble on V1.
    On V2, it was as if all the issues were addressed and actually perceived a truer tonality in the trebles the reminded me how true the Code-x sounded.
    This type of trait is what sold me within minutes..

    All the work I did on my V1 with mods were like in vain compared to having it all with the V2.
    I must stress that a confusion going on where you think they are very similar because of overall signature but thats it.

    The V2 differs in:
    solidness of tone;
    more sense of true timbre;
    neutral non-laid back presentation;
    more impact;
    better treble;
    soundstage closer yet taller and deeper;
    more alive sound;
    Different sonic presentation where details are more easily assimilated.

    V1 has the soundstage and details further out and overall the V2 timbre rings more true.

    The V2 unit as a whole with all these small changes adds up to a more realistic presentation to me...
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2016
  6. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    I had a brief listen to HEK v2 at the NY audio show. Unfortunately no direct comparison to v1.

    Fit was MUCH better though for me. Sound seemed a little more weighty and less ethereal in a good way but my memory of v1 could be faulty on this. In any event, I liked the new version a lot. Just not the price.
     
  7. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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  8. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I received my V2 Fri evening and after some hours listening straight out the box I have an impression that should help in a general way.

    The Utopia has an edge over the HD800 in micro dynamics and tonality/timbre,
    While the HD800 has an edge in soundstage and grandness.
    While the HE1000 V2 seems combine strengths of both cans.
    The natural timbre of the Utopia,
    And the soundstage of the 800.
    Actually soundstage elements of both because it has both distance and immersion.
    The V2 is like the gigantic love child of an 800&Utopia.
    There you have it.
    I am pretty sure the V2 will put HifiMan back on "Tylls wall of fame" for sure if he hasn't done so already...
     
  9. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    After over an hour of head to head action with Utopia, HD800, & HEK V2
    There was only one clear loser...
     
  10. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    After over an hour of head to head action with Utopia, two HD800, & HEK V2 ,
    I have to take back what I said about the Utopia having an edge over the HD800...

    The ONLY thing that I could give to the Utopia as an edge, was some micro dynamics,
    As at times some piano keys had a bit more leading edge impact.
    But changing tubes and volume settings made the 800 actually trounce the Utopia...
    The 800 being so system dependent..

    Yet at the end of the day,
    There was only one clear loser...
    The Utopia could not portray the grandeur of both the 800 and the HEKV2.
    Edit:
    Tubes helped the Utopia soundstage as well.

    The V2 now plays at the same level of resolution/clarity as the other two.
    It is closer to the 800 in liveliness and soundstage wirh a greater neutrality and easier to match with varios systems over the 800.

    Although I will keep my 800,
    The HEKV2 gets all my headtime for now...

    Edit*
    In case this post not updated.
    My final observation is the Utopia does have more resolution and more balanced tonality, but smaller soundstage.
    HEKV2 is my top pick.
    HD800 is actually least used due to being system dependant and least neutral,
    Both in tonality or forwardness.

    Mods definitely help bring it close but it still 3rd place in desirability.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2017
  11. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    More notes and clarification.
    It was not that I didn't like the Utopia...
    I actually like it energetic lively sound...
    Edit **
    It just didn't do anything BETTER than the other two...
    That observation, coupled with the high price tag,
    made it the loser, in that match
    ..

    Long term observations changed my mind.
    Utopia has slightly more resolve over hd800 plus no tonality issues of brightness.
    Only issue is a preference of soundstage size.


     
    Last edited: May 8, 2017
  12. Thenewerguy009

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    What's your entire chain?
     
  13. Cradon

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    @Thenewerguy009 The Chain was my Melco N1A > Lampizator Big 7 HeadDac. To be clear, the HeadDac isn't fully burnt-in and was tuned with the HD800 (it has great synergy with the HD800). I actually really like the Utopia as I find it has a more natural sound, great tonality, balance, a more forward and resolving mid section and better instrument separation. The HD800 beat it at creating a more palpable real soundstage and had more air and detail on top. The latter two things are what made me decide to sell the Utopia's. I just didn't feel comfortable spending so much on a headphone that (in my system) still left me feeling something was missing. But I gotta say, I really miss them and may repurchase them later unless something better comes out.
     
  14. pippenainteasy

    pippenainteasy Acquaintance

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    Pretty much spot on, the HE1000 v2 has the tonality more approaching that of the Utopia, and soundstage approaching the HD800, it also has the bass texture of planars which neither the HD800 or Utopia have. I will say there is still a downside of the HE1000/v2 and that it's kind of soft sounding and seems to lack slam and impact, so I will say it's probably overall the best out of the 3 cans but not necessarily in a landslide or anything, just subtlety so.
     
  15. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    If you find the HE1KV2 lacking slam or impact, you need to hear it from a different amp :) Though Studio or my DG300B it's a smack upside the head.
     
  16. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    How about going all silver on the headphone cable? I remember hearing talk it fixed the softness the HEK had.
     
  17. pippenainteasy

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    Compared to the Utopia, Elear, or the Mr Speakers Ether Flow (surprisingly a lot of slam and dynamism for a planar can), it's lacking. Not saying they are bad in these things, but relatively speaking it's just not as good as the cans they are being compared with.

    The HE1000 has a very large earpad opening, possibly the largest out of any headphones, and also the earpad seal isn't very tight. It's simply a matter of physics. It's hard to provide slam or impact when you are trying to pressurize a big, leaky container, versus something that has less volume and much better sealed.
     
  18. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Although I did temporarily enjoy both the Flow & Elear,
    They weren't at the level of transparency or realism of the Utopia/HD800/HEKV2.
     
  19. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    There are many aspects to the low end of the spectrum which will give the sense of realism,
    and slam is an important one,
    But in Crandon tube system there was no clear bass advantage of the Utopia over the HD800, which I found surprising.

    Also, overall the HEKV2's definition and extension of bass was still a bit of a "Planar" advantage it had over the other two.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2016
  20. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Lol!
    I heard thru the studio and yes that is a hell of an amp.
    Heard it at the last NYC fall meet , I believe it was @jmcmasterj Studio.
    It was really gracious of him to bring it.

    Yet normally, Not many amps can give such impact.
    The Jotunheim can, but for me it is not really a needed trait anyways.
    I prefer the extension and weight with just enough slam.
    Don't need my ears to bleed, only enough for realism and no long term listening fatigue.
    As an example, the HE6 can slam hell out of your ears.

    Not actually silver.
    To me only silver plated can have a perception of brightness or flashyness.

    To me "all silver" was like a clearer & more solid "all copper" ..

    Yet I don't want to get off topic with debatable differences on the headphone cable application.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2016

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