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HiFiman HE-500 (HE as in High End) Proving to be an enjoyable experience in listening.
Jul 14, 2013 at 7:40 PM Post #6,241 of 20,386
Quote:
pianist said:
 
I believe that DT880 and HD650 sound better unamped than HE-500 does, because they have much higher sensitivities - 96db for DT880 and 102 db for HD650 vs. just 89 db for HE-500. If I am not mistaken, sensitivity matters more than impedance in determining how hard a headphone is to drive. Also, I read that higher impedance is actually easier load for many amps. From personal experience, I find HD650 and DT880/600 more focused, spacious and dynamic sounding than HE-500 out of weak, consumer grade portable sources. Out of something decent like an E11 or HM-601, HE-500 improves greatly and begins to compete with the other two cans in technicalities. Out of something like STX, HE-500 starts surpassing HD650 and DT880 overall IMO.
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Thx!  I agree about sensitivity rating on HPs.  Just like speakers, higher sensitivity will get more dB.  
In my case, the HE500 sounds better out of portables than my Q701.
 
Jul 14, 2013 at 7:46 PM Post #6,242 of 20,386
Quote:
koiloco said:
Thx!  I agree about sensitivity rating on HPs.  Just like speakers, higher sensitivity will get more dB.  
In my case, the HE500 sounds better out of portables than my Q701.
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I tried Q701s and they were strangely hard to drive despite their pretty low impedance and high sensitivity. I tried them out of my Sony NWZ-A816 (slightly better than Clip, but still weak) and they sounded very thin and harsh with almost no bass. Then I added some $400 amp into the mix and suddenly they came to life with quite a full and accurate sound with zero harshness and a very nice bass response. HE-500 also improves dramatically much like Q701. DT880 and HD650 don't improve quite as much with better sources from my experience, maybe due to their much higher impedances that are easier load for amps.
 
Jul 14, 2013 at 7:50 PM Post #6,243 of 20,386
If you have 2 headphones like the dt770 32 and 600 ohm, the 32 ohm would be easier for an amp to drive to a specific spl, compared to the 600 ohm version. Just saying... Or am I wrong?
 
Jul 14, 2013 at 8:37 PM Post #6,245 of 20,386
countolaf said:
Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't think Fiio can even make HE500 play (lol) but I certainly can look to something more than that. I would certainly consider all your suggestions. Thanks!
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That's certainly was my impression too. Then i personally exchanged PMs with some members who happen to be as deaf ears as i am. :D i decided to get the e17 to drive my q701. It was quite good and far from being "crap" like implied here by many. Even with the he500, the e17 can drive it on high gain with volume @ 50. Though not as optimally as stronger better amps, it's far from unlistenable or enjoyable as some people here make it out to be. Try it out for yourself. Don't spend more money than needed unless you have $ to burn. I myself prefer to start from the bottom and work up while verifying each upgrade.
Good lluck.
 
Jul 15, 2013 at 2:05 AM Post #6,249 of 20,386
Even with the he500, the e17 can drive it on high gain with volume @ 50.
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I am certain that is VERY loud with most music. Are we talking +12dB gain, driven from USB?
 
Jul 15, 2013 at 3:23 AM Post #6,250 of 20,386
Yes, +12 gain, volume @ 50% (30/60). That's my setting when using e17 on the go.
 
Jul 15, 2013 at 3:58 AM Post #6,251 of 20,386
Quote:
koiloco said:
Yes, +12 gain, volume @ 50% (30/60). That's my setting when using e17 on the go.
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Ohh, okay. that sounds reasonable, thought you meant 50/60 
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Jul 15, 2013 at 10:38 AM Post #6,252 of 20,386
Hey guys sorry if this was already asked, but do you think the hifiman 500 can be drived well by the magni/modi? I would be upgrading from the akg k240 mkii. I plan to get a better amp/dac, but not for at least another year. I want a better headphone first! So what do you guys think?
 
Jul 15, 2013 at 11:23 AM Post #6,253 of 20,386
Quote:
slayerming2 said:
Hey guys sorry if this was already asked, but do you think the hifiman 500 can be drived well by the magni/modi? I would be upgrading from the akg k240 mkii. I plan to get a better amp/dac, but not for at least another year. I want a better headphone first! So what do you guys think?
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I'd say it would be sufficient for the time being, it's a great little beginners stack 
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Jul 15, 2013 at 12:05 PM Post #6,254 of 20,386
Quote:
modulor said:
I'd say it would be sufficient for the time being, it's a great little beginners stack 
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+1
 
If my little Fiio E9K can drive the HE500 sufficient, then M/M stack should be able also.  From what I've gathered here, many HE500 owners run the Lyr which is of course much more powerful but M/M should be great starting out.  I went from E9K to Emotiva.  While Emotiva has so much more power and indeed resulted in improvements, the E9K is quite capable.
 
Jul 15, 2013 at 12:20 PM Post #6,255 of 20,386
Quote:
slayerming2 said:
Hey guys sorry if this was already asked, but do you think the hifiman 500 can be drived well by the magni/modi? I would be upgrading from the akg k240 mkii. I plan to get a better amp/dac, but not for at least another year. I want a better headphone first! So what do you guys think?
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I used the Magni for a while when I first got my HE-500 and I enjoyed it very much. It will work just fine until you decide to upgrade. Lyr is certainly another step up from the Magni, as expected.
 
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