Who DOESN'T like the Panasonic HJE900?

Are you actively seeking confirmation bias by discouraging those who like the HJE900 from posting? If so, might be best to go with your gut and skip the Pannies .

Not many people are saying they are the best IEMs you can buy, but many people like them because they do bass and treble pretty cleanly for an affordable price.  They do have a V-shaped sound: the bass is pretty strong in the 200hz range (mid-bass), and recessed mids in 3-4khz, and until 60 hours or so, hot trebles in the 8-10khz range.  

 

But if your DAP has an EQ, and you are not afraid to use it, I EQ mine like this (I use Rockbox):  0 (70hz); -3 (300hz); +2 (1600hz); +2 (4000hz); -1 (10khz).  As I get more hours on them (about 60-70 so far), the hot trebles are taming down some, and my brain is getting used to them.

 

If you like a strong dynamic impactful sound, you will favor these.  If you like a more balanced mid-centered highly detailed sound, you might want to look at the Etymotics MC5 in this same price range, or the better HF5 for a bit more.

 

I'm the same way when it comes to buying things, but I jumped on these. They're the best headphones I've had, but I have some issues with them. I figure I can give you a pretty balanced opinion on them, but I don't have anything equivalent to compare them to.

 

First off, the sound. LOTS of bass, but very clear. I kind of see what others are talking about with the mid bass hump, on some tracks the bass overpowers the vocals slightly. It goes very deep, and you can feel the impact, on the right track. Highs are very clean and clear, but not as transparent as my PL-50 on most tracks.

 

FLAC makes it shine though, all my mp3s around 200k sound flat in comparison, like the soundstage is squished. Mids are a little quieter than I'd like, but easy to eq, and sound really good. My first wow moment with them was hearing cymbals, and bass guitar, because there was so much detail that was new to me.

 

Some pure cons though, mostly with regards to fit, and source selection. These hiss, on everything I've tried them with, although I have no high quality sources. They hiss from my laptop, a few different PCs, my phone, and surprisingly, my Clip+. My PL-50 hissed on everything but the clip+, but was also much louder at a given volume. The hiss on the HJE900s is smoother almost, less intrusive.

 

I can't make them fit right. They fall out of my ears while sitting still, with any of the included tips. If I wear them over my ears, they fall out sideways and dangle. I know I'm getting a good seal, because of the giant bass, but there is NO isolation, and all the ambient noise sounds tinny and sibilant.

 

I'm reserving judgement until I try replacement tips, and possibly the sleek audio cable, but if I can't get them to work right, I'm going to have to sell them off. They do have amazing build quality, I have no fear of them breaking or scratching.

 

To summarize I guess, I don't regret buying them, and they sound amazing, if you give them some time to get familiar and maybe play with the EQ. I hope this helps you.

I really wanted to get a Panasonic Zirconia's but they have been so many negative reviews here on headfi about recessed mids, sibilance, filters falling out, driver problems etc...that i changed my mind. Instead I got the Phonaks Audeo Perfect Bass & have been happy with the comfort, fit and sound quality.

Edited by Starsky5000 - 11/11/10 at 8:12am

I don't like them.

 

harsh                                         not really

mids too recessed for rock             yup

sibilance                                     yup

overpowering mid bass                  yup

lack of soundstage                       nope, not bad 

 

I think the NE-6s are better deal for $40 than the HJE900s are for $90.

Edited by Satellite_6 - 11/10/10 at 4:39pm

I have HJE900 but switched to Sony MDR-EX500, which sound really good after long burn-in.  I liked Pannies at first but they are falling out when worn wire down - wire is thick, tugs on the phones, and adds microphonics.  Cannot wear them over the ear because wire is thick and not pliable enough to stay shaped.  And then there is sibilance.  Not much but still there.

 

Why did I go for Sony?  I have noise canceling MDR-NC22 that came with Sony laptop.  They are without battery and have a modded 3.5mm connector (5 contacts instead of 3).  I have not used noise cancelling with them but otherwise they sound better than any universal IEM I've heard.  I could not believe though how much details I can hear with them in highs yet have nice bass and mids.  No sibilance at all.  Sonic nirvana. The closest would be UE SuperFi 5 Pro.  And MDR-NC22 are as uncomfortable as 5 Pros and also do not isolate.  

 

So I decided to try some other "high-end" Sony stuff.  Hence EX500.  Not perfect but very good for money and more comfortable than NC22.  Not going back to HJE900 either way. 

 

I might eventually try Phiaton PS 210 as those look like Sony MDR-NC22, yet isolate better and reported to sound pretty good.

 

I keep Westone 3 for comfort when I listen to audiobooks.  Imagine that.

 

What I figured is that finding good earphones is a matter of luck.  One man's garbage is another's treasure. Above is an example of search for that luck.  Don't use it as a guidance on what's good or bad.

Edited by ZugZug - 11/10/10 at 4:44pm

What are you expecting here? All this thread will get is every single person who's had a negative experience with the phones.... LOL.

I noticed some recessed mids but everything else was great, especially the bass.

 

I sold them due to being terribly uncomfortable though.

Do you mind me asking what was uncomfortable about them?

Raguvian, if you sold them you may want to update your sig.

Hahahaha, "My favorite".

Since they are $80 now and if you don't like them you should be able to get $60 in the BST section they are a pretty safe IEM to take for a test drive. I have a set and love them. I used MELectronics M9 "balanced" tips or Comply's. Both make them sound better to me. They tame the mid bass hump and seam to help with the treble. Plus both of them provide a very secure fit. I usually have fit issues, but the M9 and Comply tips lock them in tight and secure. I also don't find them harsh. I think burn in helped with them, because when I first got them it was a bit of an issue. Others have said the same. I wonder if people with issues with the treble gave them enough time.

I worry that the premis of this thread will mainly bring out the dissatisfied owners. I think they are amazing for the $80 price tag. My advise is to get them with a set of MELectronics tips or Comply's and enjoy.