Synopsis of HiFiMan HE1000 Headphone Impressions from CS

c/p

Bass: The bass extension on these is amazing, think sealed Abyss or Audeze. Overall bass is too present though, and it can be a bit overbearing on certain tracks, again think Audeze. Bass is very textured similar to electrostat/HD800/Qualia bass, but with more quantity. The bass isn't visceral like the Abyss or HE-6 though. I'll get into some of this again later.

Mids: Overall average but I think there's a lot of room for improvement here with mods. Nice for most male vocals, but a lot of female vocals seem to have something missing. In fact, my biggest qualm with this headphone is that there's almost no presence. Not only is this a distant sounding headphone, but it's not involving at all. In fact, I have to put the volume up or things start turning into background music. I'd like to be able to play these at any volume level and feel as involved as I normally am. The lack of presence makes everything outside of the bass sound dead. I should shun them for this alone as I can't think of much worse to say about a HP, but I think it can be fixed. The HE1000 is where cymbals go to die.

Treble: I guess presence also falls into this area, but further up I'm fine with the treble. Not really noticing much sibilance on my unit, and treble sounds pretty clean. Not grainy like most dynamics, and not distorted or shelved off like some orthos. However, there's a lack of spacial cues/air present, so live albums can sound more like studio albums with clapping.

Impact: Don't expect the impact of the Abyss, HE-6, or Audeze here. These sound like they want to hit hard but then kinda push on the breaks at the last second...it's really weird. Bass impact for instance sounds a bit like the diaphragm is hitting a sponge before full excursion or something. I'm not sure if this is due to the asymmetrical magnet arrangement, but I haven't heard a headphone with this feature. Most stats don't hit hard, but they don't exhibit any slowing down before impact.

Detail/speed: These are fast and pretty detailed. I'd put them about on par with the Abyss here. The lack of detail is mainly a result of the FR issues I pointed out: bass overemphasis can put a veil on the music, and spacial information is lacking. They are quite clean sounding as well.

Soundstage/imaging: Not crazy about this aspect. Soundstage definitely has the 3 blob effect going with little portrayed in the areas between. Images are large vertically and a bit on the diffuse side. Soundstage on most tracks is a good size, but I haven't found them able to expand the soundstage out beyond the drivers. Then again, few headphones can do that well.

Overall a good headphone but I haven't made up my mind yet on whether to keep them or not. I like the clarity and convenience of these, but the FR needs improvement for them to stay. I think with a redesigned earpad these can actually sound a lot better. In stock form I wouldn't recommend these for the asking price to most people. If you like some extra bass in your music and pump these loud enough to not be effected by the lack of presence much then you should check them out, though. I had high hopes for this headphone and thought for sure I'd like them a lot. I think they have that potential, but as of now these are probably right outside my top 10 headphones.

 

I won't be surprised if that's the case. The drivers react to outside in really sensitive way also matters. Those who have long hair will affect the sound of the headphones if hair covers cups.

That said, so far I am enjoying the headphones in terms of sound quality.

 

Quite possible, but I will say my recently arrived HE-1000s sound just about the same way Sorrodje described it.

 

I like the impressions posted by daltonlanny on HF. I think we are reaching consensus here.

The HE1000 manages to combine the stage width, imaging, resolution and openness of the best dynamics, the smooth midrange and great bass of orthos and the transient speed of e-stats. It does not do any of these aspects better than the best examples of these respective technologies[1] but it reaches a nice compromise to settle with what I would describe as an "unoffensive" sound. The HE1000 deserves the titles of "genre master" and "jack of all trades and master of none".

This unoffensive character is the HE1000's most significant colouration, in my opinion. It applies the smoothing filter indiscriminately at lower and normal volumes - quite the opposite of the HD800, which applies the sharpening filter on everything, good or bad. My hypothesis is that HE1000's smoothing colouration exists by reason of its presentation of musically relevant individual sounds (be it voices or instruments) in a larger, rounded but precisely delineated way at lower and normal volumes. This pushes forward the centre focus in providing a very forward type of imaging, rounds-off larger sounds, drowns out micro-details and spatial cues/plankton, and blunts transient attacks that should sound more incisive.[2] It makes poor recordings bearable, but great live recordings comparatively artificial. When I say "artificial", that is not a criticism in an absolute sense. What I mean is that the HE1000 is not quite at the top echelons of naturalness, realism and transparency when you feed it the absolute best recordings on some of the most resolving front-end systems. This problem is sometimes alleviated when you turn the volume way up, sometimes not.

The fact that the HE1000 sounds great at ear-splitting gain levels shows that small details are reproduced, but are subdued or drowned out by larger spatial images.

Two points follow from my observations:

1. Hifiman has taken a very safe approach and it may very well be the easiest TOTL headphone to recommend to a friend who does not already own another TOTL headphone. Not everyone has a TOTL system or enjoys classical or audiophile class recordings all the time if at all. The HE1000 may well be truly end game for them.

2. The drivers are excellent and there is potential for modding to counter the effects of an unoffensively smooth colouration. The prospect of alternating pads for the purpose of tailoring the sound of the HE1000 to one's individual needs is a greatly welcomed one. There are reports from Ohgourami and Negura that the lack of incisive impact can be improved upon by using different pads. To test my hypothesis, do those with a modded HE1000 feel that they have to listen at higher volumes to get the same gain as the HE1000 without the mod?

Footnotes:

[1] Think HD800's resolution, HE6's bass attack and quare the Abyss's (which I have never heard), SR009's speed and "getting out of the way" transparency.

[2] Compared to the HD800, on the HD800 individual sounds have a smaller presence, which makes for more incisive individual sounds but pushes everything in the stage back a few rows. One of the main criticisms of the HD800 is that the stage sounds artificially wide. That is justified I think because the HD800 does tend to downsize individual sounds indiscriminately. The HE1000, on the other hand, shares the same criticism by increasing the perceived size of individual sounds indiscriminately, except for small spatial cues that get drowned out. In contrast to these two, the SR009 presents some sounds larger than say the HD800 but retains transparency because (a) the edge on each individual sound is softer or hazier, and more importantly, (b) it manages to discriminate between things which should sound small and delicate (think small spatial cues like noise which define the size of the venue) and things which should sound larger, intimate and upfront (like a lead female singer), and attributes the right size to these respectively.

 

Hi all,

HERE IS MY REVIEW OF MY BETA HE1000 THAT I POSTED ON HF, FOR THE MOST PART:

Impressions after 3 weeks of use, and over 200 hours burn in, I will try to make it brief and to the point, plus, I have been having a lot of time constraints as well. [Been extremely busy lately, and it's not getting any better, lol] .
After several days of burn-in there was a VERY SLIGHT improvement, but not much at all to be totally honest..they opened up just a tiny bit more, and the treble smoothed just a touch.
Different amplifiers made the biggest differences...
Remember these are based on MY personal opinions, and MY own personal tastes, only, and I'm going to tell it like it is, and not sugar coat anything... YMMV!

Amps used: Gustard H10, Beta 22, borrowed Schiit Ragnarok.

Sources: Marantz CD6004 CD player, Oppo BDP-95 universal disc player

Cables: Stock on all headphones, except used a balanced stock cable on HD650 with Rag.
Signal Cable Silver Resolution Interconnects used exclusively.

Other headphones used for comparison : Hifiman HE-6 [modded], Hifiman HE-500 [modded], Sennheiser HD 650, Sennheiser HD 800 [borrowed], and Hifiman HE-560 [see below].

Music: All genres...too many to name. CD's, SACD's, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray Audio discs.

BASS:
Strengths: Wonderful extension. These can really plumb the depths on good recordings with real low bass...I'm talking real SUB BASS. with a capital S... Fast, textured, detailed bass. I really have no major issues with the bass at all. I find it very impressive on most every genre. Does not bleed into the mids at all to my ears!
Weaknesses: Very slight lack of impact. Seems to be more of an issue in the mid/upper bass than in the sub bass. Overall minor to my ears.

MIDRANGE:
Strengths: Very detailed, transparent, fast, clean, open. For the most part, instruments, and voices sound natural, organic, and have good body. Midrange response seems to be pretty even for the most part. Female vocals are usually exceptional, for the most part.
Weaknesses: Very slightly withdrawn at certain frequencies, male vocals seem very slightly recessed somewhere in the frequency spectrum. Again, as above, slight lack of impact, and slightly rounded edges. Volume has to be raised above normal levels to achieve best detail and openness.The sound is very variable, which is good, I guess. Such as sometimes the sound is a little too forward in the mids, and sometimes a little too laid back.

TREBLE:
Strengths: Detailed, fairly transparent, open, clear, and seems to have good extension. For the most part, the treble is excellent, and fairly even.
Weaknesses: Slight peak around 7khz, which I do find noticeable, and does cause a slight splashiness, I suppose. Can sometimes get slightly edgy or thin on some recordings. Again, slight lack of openness, impact, slightly rounded edges until volume is cranked.

SOUNDSTAGING/IMAGING:
Strengths: Excellent height, good width, and good depth, Spacious sounding overall. Imaging and placement is really good.
Weaknesses: Slightly vague imaging and placement on certain material, even good material. Not pinpoint like some dynamic units.

DETAIL/RESOLUTION:
Strengths: Very good detail and overall resolution, especially with a good powerful amp. Among the very best if driven with a good amp.
VERY Revealing of upstream component changes, such as amps, interconnects, sources, etc...very much so!
Weaknesses: Some slight lack of micro-detail. Improves greatly with more volume. As others have also found, slightly soft around the edges, and some what laid-back, even when they shouldn't be.

EXCELS WITH:
Most all genres. Sounds REALLY excellent with pop, r&b, rap, most rock, most jazz. Slightly less impressive with acoustic and classical, but still great.
Sounds especially good with good main stream music, such as Dire Straits Alchemy Live, Diana Krall, good R&B, Eagles: Hell Freezes Over, Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Nora Jones, Daft Punk, Lorde, Tears For Fears, and MANY others!
Better overall sound with high resolution formats such as good SACD, DVD-Audio, or Blu-ray Audio discs compared to CD.

OVERALL TONAL BALANCE:
A slight touch on the warm side, and maybe very slightly recessed midrange in certain areas. Slight dip at 2k is slightly noticeable. Very slight U shaped response? A touch too polite and forgiving, even when it really shouldn't be, especially at lower levels?
Overall, very balanced, especially when compared with other top headphonesAs stated many times, it really is truly " A Jack of all Trades, Master of None".

COST TO PERFORMANCE RATIO : A solid C +/ B - rating, to my ears, in its current stock form.

AMPS WITH HE 1000 [How the HEK sounds when paired with the amp]:

Gustard H10: (gain set to +6) Somewhat laid back, smooth. Very slightly warm. Very wide and deep soundstage. Good dynamics, good bass. Detailed and clear, but not the last word in transparency. Sometimes emphasizes the splashiness in the treble for some reason.

Beta 22: (gain +11)Powerful and dynamic, excellent bass, somewhat forward in the mids, very transparent, detailed, open, wide and high soundstage, depth not as good as Gustard or Rag.

Ragnarok: (balanced mode only, gain set at + 5) Very powerful, clean, clear, outstanding dynamics, outstanding bass extension, Smooth, transparent, very detailed without harshness, very neutral. Excellent soundstage width, height, and depth. My favorite amp with these.


HEADPHONE COMPARISONS WITH HE1000:

Sennheiser HD 650: Sounds somewhat grainy, forward in the mids, less refined, more closed in, slightly muffled, and laid-back in the highs by comparison. Sub bass is definitely lacking compared to the HEK. HD 650 sounds somewhat more organic, more efficient, and has a touch more impact, especially in the mid/ upper bass. Don't get me wrong, the HD650 is still an excellent headphone, but is overall in quite a bit lower class than HEK.

Hifiman HE-500 [modded]: Sounds somewhat muffled, closed in, and looser in the bass. Sub bass extension is also less. Slightly more metallic and grainy in the highs compared to HEK. Seems to have a dip somewhere around 6k or so, compared to HEK. HE-500 is more efficient, has somewhat more impact, warmer mids, and maybe a better balanced overall midrange. Not quite sure. Definitely not in the same class as HEK.

Hifiman HE-6 [modded] : Has somewhat more engaging bass, mids, and highs than HEK. As others have stated, slightly more visceral impact, energy, midrange body, midrange tone, and overall coherence than HEK from top to bottom. HEK has a bigger soundstage in all dimensions though, better layering, and somewhat more precise imaging, and better sub bass extension. The highs on the HEK are somewhat smoother than HE-6, except around 7k, where they can actually sound somewhat brighter than HE-6 in that one certain area! The HEK is very detailed and open in the highs, but not quite as ultra detailed, or as open as HE-6. The modded HE-6 are treble masters when it comes to extension and detail, imho. The HEK is definitely more efficient and easier to drive than HE-6. On some days I prefer the HEK, other days I prefer the HE-6. A toss-up really to my own ears. Note: The HEK definitely sounds better than a bone stock HE-6 in most all areas though.

Sennheiser HD 800: On most genres, I simply prefer the HEK. It is less picky, less harsh, less analytical, and has better overall balance from top to bottom to my ears. HEK has better sub bass extension, more forward upper mids, and similar treble extension...But, on good classical, some acoustic, and on some well recorded jazz, the HD 800 does seem to reveal a tad more overall transparency, micro detail, more openness, wider staging, more effortless transients, but it is overall a very small difference if the volume is increased on the HEK. The HD800 is definitely more efficient. I still would choose the HEK over the HD800 without much hesitation, and the HE-6 over the HD800 as well. If you listen to a lot of classical or acoustic, I can honestly see a person choosing the HD800. It sounded really good with the Rag amp.

Hifiman HE-560: I no longer own these, but from memory, and from notes I took when I owned them, the HE-560 is quite a step down from HEK. The HE-560 is less detailed, open, transparent, and even less dynamic than the HE 1000. The HE-560 also has less bass and upper treble extension, less bass power, more closed in staging, less precise imaging, and a peakier lower treble. I actually think the HEK is more neutral and more involving compared to HE-560.


CONCLUSION:

If I had to choose one headphone to own and sell the rest, I would probably choose the HE1000, with the HE-6 coming in a VERY CLOSE second.
PLEASE NOTE: If I would have never heard a modded HE-6, or the strengths that a HD800 has on certain recordings, I'm sure my opinion on the HEK would be even higher.It is an excellent all arounder with excellent bass, mids, treble, staging, imaging, detail, and clarity.
The only real areas of improvement that I can see for me personally would be a slight reduction of the 7khz glitch, slightly more low level detail, micro detail, and just a little more impact and energy from top to bottom, especially at lower volume levels.
Would like to see some thicker, all velour, more angled pads. I think this might help quite a bit. Hopefully, Hifiman will give us this option soon.
Overall the HE1000 is an exceptional product with a few very minor weaknesses, but nothing made by man is going to be perfect, no matter what the cost.
Still debating on whether to keep them or send them back, though, mainly due to the cost/ performance ratio...

 

The last few posts impressions are very similar to what I am hearing.

A lot has been said already. Only a couple of comments to add:
- To undersharpen and soften the sound of a headphone is imo easier than to get it to improve the otherwise subdued leading edges (with all it affects), presence and DR: Use another layer of dust covers, felt, TP, etc.
- That said, like anything they can be tweaked some, to preference. Alternative pads choice seems to help, but it's difficult to recommend because of the cup shape.
- I could recommend these to someone who wants one pair of flagships that are all-arounders. But not at 3000 for this SQ. I could probably recommend them at 1000-1500$ max though. For me personally they are a bit redundant, because of the modded HE-6s mainly. For a new buyer who wants a new flagship with warranty etc, this is not an option though. Considering the HEK are not exactly spotless in the treble either, I am struggling to recommend them for much at all over the HE-6s. The latter are also genre masters, and even more so than the HEK imo, since they are even better with acoustic/unamplified/classical music, and worse off with nothing. The only exception is that the HEK are relatively easier to amplify, but because of their inherent character not easy to match. Unless one really appreciates that type of sound, which is fine. I would personally only pair these with most brutally aggressive in transients and neutral amps. Something to wake them up from slumbering and inject energy, impact, precision, presence. (I am thinking things like SuSy Dynahi, GS-X MK2 or some ECs in a very neutral tubes tuning; one still has to mind the treble though and adding brittle treble won't help). Obviously other headphones will benefit this too, so the gap is likely still there.

 

I've basically decided to keep the HE1000. I have more than one rig (office + home) so I think I can afford keeping 4 pairs of TOTL cans (HEK, HE6, HD800 and SR009). Will keep them in office for comparisons before I split them up.

Haven't heard a R10 before, but I read somewhere that the HE1000 sounds like a hybrid between the R10 and Q01. Anyone has views on this? N3rdling?

 

Hm, could it be another finicky diaphragm tensioning thing? I remember either Fang or a rep saying only a small fraction of HEK drivers pass QC.

My beta unit sounded similar to the replacement unit.

 

Dude! You hijacked my thoughts!
Exaxtly the same thing happened to my with HE-6 and LCD-3 after session with HD800.
Since upgraded to R-2R dac (and capable amp(s) ) and hearing great vinyl setups, dynamics are my priority nr 1.
And I also check it out with H. Zimmer, if not in mood for orchestra. In this front HD800 is in leaque of its own vs LCD-s and HE-6, but i haven't got to sample HEK just yet.

 

I've always been amazed by the recording quality of Jack Johnson' albums. I prefer the 'On and On' album for testing; for sub-bass, 'Mediocre Bad Guys', 'Rodeo Clowns' I are solid. 'Symbol in My Driveway' is great for staging, separation, etc. For Paul Simon - I have a mix of 'Graceland' that Luis did 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes' - imaging, staging.

 

I heard from others saying that replacing the stock cable can really solve the "softness" issue and make HE1000's resolution easily over HD800 with better bass attack similar to HE6 and abyss.

Their recommendation is Silver Dragon by Moon Audio if you guys are interested.

 

Many friends told me He6 still are the best cans of HM if amped well. WHY?!!!