Hifiman HE-5 Orthodynamic Headphones - Page 10

Fang, is there something different about the production model of the HE-5 from the ones we heard at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest that has made them easier to drive?

Larry, very interesting notes of the cans. I am a bit perplexed on you comparison of the HD800 to the RS-1. Having listened to both I can not see myself spending $1,400 for the HD800 even when compared w/ the RS-1 and I would buy a vintage Joe Grado can over the HD800 any day of the week. BTW, I listened to the HD800 using a Luxman P1 Amp and although the combo sounded nice the vintage Joe Grado cans sounded great.

My Eddie Current ZDT amp takes all my cans to new heights, but it takes the HD800 further than my APS V3 cabled RS-1. Still, even on a $400 EF2 amp the HD800 beat the RS-1 on the same amp. I should mention that I have been using a Warren Audio "Double-Helix" cable on the HD800 since RMAF about two months ago, and have not wanted to go back to the stock cable which sounds less detailed and slightly rolled off. Even then, I would pick the HD800 over the RS-1 (stock or re-cabled).

Now, I really like Blutarsky's HP-1000 with SAA Equinox cable installed, which takes them much further than the stock Grado cable ever did. I think they are better than my APS V3 RS-1. And I think the HD800 come close to those, with both driven off the ZDT amp, although they don't sound anything alike. The Equinox cabled HP-1000 have much stronger bass and smoother highs, but the soundstage of the HD800 keeps drawing me back for more.

So yes, the HE-5 and re-cabled HP-1000 surpass my APS V3 cabled RS-1, but none of them can match the soundstage of the HD800 - and for that I can overlook some of their other faults. And, I would still pick the HE-5 over a stock or re-cabled RS-1, and soon I hope to compare them to the Equinox cabled HP-1000 where I think they will be on a similar level of performance!

I say this knowing that I am hurting the re-sale value of my APS V3 RS-1, but I have to be honest about it.

...... waiting that somebody hooks the phone up balanced or directly to speaker terminals,the headphone pops up as a different animal and is much much better this way...............waiting for reports

Have you compared that to the EF-5? I'm having trouble deciding whether to buy one or just go straight for a speaker amp (which I'd have to buy too). Decisions, decisions

i dont have compared it with EF-5.Singlepower MPX3 with plug was not good not enough power.Trends audio PA headphone amp with plug was not good.Otl diy amp with plug was not good.Krell monoblocks on speaker terminals TERRIFIC.Moth s2a3 on speaker terminals best headphone combo that i have ever heard not from this world.So there should be some amount of difference how you hook the phones up.Until now i see no other report here from members who have tried it out so im waiting for reports

Your impressions are appreciated, although it has to be said, others here seem to have had perfectly good results with headphone amps, including even OTL.

....i know.At least it should be a 10% step forward in SQ using balanced and on loudspeaker terminals .I got the HE-5 on the first run and hope no changes have made after that.I cannot even think at the moment to listen with plug such a difference is there, at least with the above gear here at home.

These are now arriving it seems- mine comes today (Chicago) so be on the lookout.

Yep, mine arrived just a few minutes after you posted. Unpacked them and have them burning in now. Extra connectors were in the box (thank you Fang!). I gave a quick listen just to make sure both channels were functioning. No problems. I'll probably let them burn in at least a day, then do some real listening.

Where on the website can you order the extra connectors?

Nowhere to my knowledge. Fang included the extra connectors in the box with this run of the headphones. Meaning they were packed in the box in China. You can ask if he has extras, I'm not sure he will.

What are you going to use the extra connectors for? Balanced, speaker terminals, etc...?

I'll definitely have some speaker terminals made from the extra connectors if I find them included in my delivery..

Hi guys, those of you that already have a pair of these very promising cans care to post some nice pics of them? Like of the driver, cups, band, etc. Thanks a lot ! Im sure Im not the only one interested in these on the forum