Final HiFiMan HE-500 Review - Page 2

Excellent review, thanks!

Orthodynamics out bested all the other industry standard audiophile headphones out there?

I think you may have forgotten a little company out there called Stax =P.

Not a bad job on the review, just remember to keep up the comparisons with other headphones, as I reckon they're the most useful information in a review.

In his opinion they did... Stax isnt for everyone actually. People do like bass with there music ;)

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadlylover 

Orthodynamics out bested all the other industry standard audiophile headphones out there?

 

I think you may have forgotten a little company out there called Stax =P.

 

Not a bad job on the review, just remember to keep up the comparisons with other headphones, as I reckon they're the most useful information in a review.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townyj 

In his opinion they did... Stax isnt for everyone actually. People do like bass with there music ;)

 

Aahahha fair enough =).

I've got the LCD-2 and O2 side by side, they're pretty much neck and neck in terms of bass .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townyj 

In his opinion they did... Stax isnt for everyone actually. People do like bass with there music ;)
 

Although, we realize this "inuendo" is a playful exaggeration... everyone should know... that with the right amp (generally a SS amp), many of the Stax phones have superb bass. 

Few phones can match the SR-507's in all aspects of their sound quality, when properly matched to a good SS amp (e.g. SRM-323S, or SRM-717, or SRM-727) - very few!   The staging, imaging, clarity, definition, tone and tenor are almost unrivaled - all with a very balanced sound - nothing overemphasized.  And the bass is textured and detailed, with plenty of slam and drive, without the boom of cheap sub-woofers - so, if you're a hip-hop fan, their subtlety will be wasted on you.  The SR-507's are a true bargain.

And... the O2's I've had, are also great - though, I've never tried them with a good SS amp (e.g. 717, etc.), or the BHSE - so, I can't really opine about the details.  The O2's with the required amplification are not a true bargain - they're a luxury, to be appreciated by a few willing to invest a small fortune on their sound quality. 

Now... can you find some dynamic and ortho phones to rival these in some respects?  Of course.  I'm still very pleased with my RS-1's, AD2000's, HD650's, and even my MD5000's - all with well matched set ups. 

But, few will rival the SR-507's, or O2's in all aspects of their sound quality - with the same balance, accuracy and finese.  You just have to decide, whether you must have that degree of refinement in all aspects of your sound.  Some have an appetite for Bud, while others can only be pleased with Dom Perignon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townyj 

In his opinion they did... Stax isnt for everyone actually. People do like bass with there music ;)

 

 

Stax not have bass? Listen to an 007 good sir.

So spending 4 Grand+ on an O2 Setup sounds viable!

Come on! In all honesty the 507 would be pretty close to a sideways move from the HE500. Moving to the O2 would be more of a luxury imo, not saying it wouldnt sound better to some people. But Cost is a huge factor for most people out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townyj 

So spending 4 Grand+ on an O2 Setup sounds viable!

 

Come on! In all honesty the 507 would be pretty close to a sideways move from the HE500. Moving to the O2 would be more of a luxury imo, not saying it wouldnt sound better to some people. But Cost is a huge factor for most people out there.

Whoops, we were considering a budget? $4K is an exaggeration though. My O2 + DIY KGSS rig will come out to $2800. I've never heard the lower non-Omega stats so I don't know what they're capable of.

I was considering getting a HE-500 to pass the time while my KGSS finishes up. It definitely is a good alternative and much more portable.

Eh...?? Only $2800! I thats a good amount actually... I see O2's go for 2 grand in the FS section and a Woo Audio GES is $1450. So id say im pretty close to 4 grand after shipping etc.
 

We werent considering a budget... I just threw that in there :D hahaha. If i were to try something in the future it would be an O2, but as i said money is the deciding factor.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by wind016 

 

 

Whoops, we were considering a budget? $4K is an exaggeration though. My O2 + DIY KGSS rig will come out to $2800. I've never heard the lower non-Omega stats so I don't know what they're capable of.

 

I was considering getting a HE-500 to pass the time while my KGSS finishes up. It definitely is a good alternative and much more portable.

Thanks, I watched it twice :p

I am waiting for the sequel, really. Looking forward. 

Call me sluty, I'll settle for decent ear cushions for the 500s, and an attachment system that's not based on smoke and mirrors!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Townyj 

So spending 4 Grand+ on an O2 Setup sounds viable!

 

Come on! In all honesty the 507 would be pretty close to a sideways move from the HE500. Moving to the O2 would be more of a luxury imo, not saying it wouldnt sound better to some people. But Cost is a huge factor for most people out there.

Well... I just received my HE-500's to see how they compare to my other phones and recent SR-507's / SR-007's. 

We'll see... I'm expecting they'll compare very well.  I already know... my AD2000's do... despite the fact that the Stax phones, properly driven, sound great.  It's just that its very difficult to justify the total investment (phones and amp) to realize about the same quality sound as leading dynamics / orthos.
 

Well... I've tried them with my WA6 SEm... and... concluded they don't mate well with that amp, whether Hi Z, or Lo Z, out. 

Just not as smooth as with the Millett MiniMax. 

I'm assuming they need a SS amp with very low impedance and very high current output, much like Denons and Grados - to really smooth out, and fill out. 

I'm also not yet impressed with their balance and clarity - still a bit muddy.  They have not yet distinguished themselves from my other great phones, or the SR-507's.

Though, I'm sure burn in will help some... and... maybe an HE-6 OCC cable. 

Has anyone determined what SS amp mates particularly well with them... other than the Red Wine Audio amp of "Mrarroyo?"  I won't be spending that kind of money to experiment with these, or any phones.