HeAudio 1.3, 1.2B and the new JADE Stat Headphones - Page 100

Originally Posted by immtbiker

Leagues above, this is a world class stat.

If you go back a week or 2, I did a direct comparison to the HE-60/90 O2 and ESP950.

If you can't find it, I will try to dig it out for you.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

Sorry for taking so long with my inital impressions, but I have only been home a couple of days a week and I have only had precious moments to burn in the new Jade. I don't want to use my tube amp for days at a time when I'm not home, so I have been using my HEV-70 amp and my Sony D25S to burn them in and twice I thought they had been running all day and night, only to find that the Sony has been overheating and shutting itself off after an hour.
I found that the problem was in the charging circuit for the lead-acid rechargable battery, and it was solved by removing the battery (which only held a 10 minute charge, anyway).

I approximate that I have about 60 hours on them.

Here's the scoop. I am fortunate enough to get the first of each model because I was the first to buy one from last November and Fang has been good to me. But that does not affect my listening critiques, because I too, want the best value for my hard earned dollar. If I don't think that something is good, I call it like it is. The 1.3's were horrible sounding, it was stated loud and clear, and it meant that Mr. He had to go back to the drawing board with his original design (which was fantastic, but primitive), but to find a way to improve the build quality and yet, still keep the price range reasonable. A tough chore. I have been able to watch and listen to the models as they progressed over the last year. Growing pains.

The Jade is a true winner that any electrostat lover should have in his/her arsenal. The build quality is miles above the original versions and these are one of the most comfortable headphones that have ever had the pleasure to grace my head's presence.
The only way to listen side by side against the 1.2b's is to use both pro-bias ports on my Stax 007t which is decidely inferior to my Woo.

I have tried and tried to differentiate them, with my wife putting each one on my head with my eyes closed, and I can definitively say that the sound has not changed with the build quality upgrades. They sound exactly like the coveted 1.2b's (which were my "go to" stat phone). I can wear these phones on my head for hours at a time with absolutely no discomfort. They hold nicely on the head (new design) and I can even lay back on a pillow and listen each night before retiring.

The soundstage is huge and realistic sounding. It goes from just behind your ears to the center of your nose, from the top of your head to your shoulders.

The detail is amazing. Yes, you do hear things that you don't hear on other stats, when comparing to my HE-60's and SR-Lambda Pros. When I had my O2's and Gary's borrowed HE-90's I was able to make the same comparisons with the similar 1.2B's and Headamp's Aristaeus. The HE-90 were slightly better in detail but the 1.2B's beat them out in bass response. Since the Jade sounds exactly like the 1.2B's, I assume that the comparison would be the same.

The bass improved on the 1.2B after 60-100 hours, so I am looking forward to having an even better sound schema with the Jade headphone than the already loved 1.2B.

To sum it up, I feel the Jade sounds just as good as the 1.2B's (as most members who had them and also attested to the great sound, but unfortunately had mechanical problems), but it now comes in a more professional and aesthetically pleasing form factor.

...more to come after 100 hours.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

I really like my Lambda Pros. They really offer a nicely balanced, neutral presentation. But the Jade serves more meat in it's interpretation. It is more full bodied, has more detail (layers) and deeper, more visceral bass.
The O2's have a true bass, but it is a more laid back bass. Also the O2's are dark (which is not necessarily bad) and is sort of the antithesis of the Jade.

The Jade is a more "in your face", aggressive can, while still maintaining a true, realistic sound. I don't hear any colorations (although all headphones and speakers have some sort of coloration) or added reverb.
But they are truly the polar opposite of the O2. I like both styles, but if had to make one choice, I would prefer, the aggressive over the dark. Some people would only like one or the other, I like both. Sort of like liking both the vinyl analog pressing and liking the more analytical digital CD of the same recording. The same, but different.

The HE-60's are slightly thin and forward compared to the Lambdas and the O2's, and I would consider them more aggressive than the HE-90's, but nowhere close in detail.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

Jade (Great sound, very comfortable, excellent presentation/soundstage/bass, soon to be readily available, longevity to be determined):


O2 (Currently available in 2 versions, true presentation, slightly laid back/dark):


SR-Lambda Pro (circa 1985 - 92, available used, neutral presentation, comfortable, lacking in some areas which can be improved with a great amp):


HE-60 (Baby-O's to the HE-90 Daddy-O's, available used, comfortable, good value, slightly thin, decent bass):


HE-90 ($7000, available used, The King, the best electrostat in detail, could use better bass which can be brought out by a $4-7K amp offered by our fellow members):


ESP950 (still available new, excellent value, cheap to the touch but still has great potential, needs stax recabling [extra $200-300] to bring out full potential, less "meat" and soundstage than the Jade):


Please don't lambast me if I got the years incorrect and of course, my opinions of the assets and faults might be different to someone else's ears. YMMV

Just to be used as a helpful reference.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

I am hearing the exact opposite of these comments. Imaging up the gazoo and extremely quick attack, speed and recovery.

...and as far as the 950 being a better headphone...it's good, and I am waiting to see how much improvement is made by a recable and being able to use a Stax amp, but out of my Woo, and my 007t (both sub $1.5K amps), the Koss doesn't even come close to the Jade. Apples and oranges.



I have spent 100's of hours with these phones, with amps from $800 to $5000 and they are a great set of cans.
Next to my R-10's they are my favorite headphones. But then again, there are plenty of people over there that don't like the R-10's or the HE-90's also. So, as with everything else in life, opinions on the same objects can vary greatly.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

More durable than the HE-90's and less durable than the O2's.

I have taken the 1.2B's to 5 meets (including the National) where I saw people drop them on the table and step on the cord .
But aside from my own internal heart failure, and a slight blemish on the gold ring (tables are harder) and the fact that the ring is now black, I've had no problems whatsoever.
Can't comment on the Jade (haven't dropped it yet, or let other people put their paws on it when I wasn't looking).
But I can say, that the biggest concern that people had with the curved wood cracking if someone dropped them, has been addressed as the metal band runs straight down the middle of them, now in the final version.

Originally Posted by AudioCats

Thanks.
One more simple question: which one is easier to drive, the O2MK1 or the Jade? I wonder what kind of amp requirement the Jade has. My T1's are just barely powerful enough to drive my ESP950.

Originally Posted by powertoold

Someone getting the first production Jades needs to make a new thread! This one is filled with all sorts of tangents and side details.

Originally Posted by Deadneddz

And whoever gets theirs, please post some pictures of the new Jade.

Originally Posted by powertoold

Someone getting the first production Jades needs to make a new thread! This one is filled with all sorts of tangents and side details.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

Koss' P=I*E formula must use a lot of E. Too much, in my humble opinion.

Originally Posted by -=Germania=-

I had a chance to A/B the Orpheus and the JADE yesterday (along with the Baby O's being present as well as the O2) and when it comes to female vocals they were so very close that it was hard to distinguish. When it came to classical, the winner was the Orpheus. The Orpheus is the most natural sounding and transparent headphone I have had the pleasure to hear.

So if you have 10k, go for the Orpheus no doubt.
If not, the JADE seems like a very good option and considering that the O2 II and the Jade are in the same price class the decision is made a little easier in my mind. The Chiunify thread should show more in not too long with regards to impressions of the JADE.

*This was on the prototype amp that RSA has and each needed different tubes to shine.*