Latest Thread Images

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
CX702.jpg
graphCompare.png IMG_5693.jpg WOODHE500_2.jpg WOODHE500_3.jpg WOODHE500.jpg 070820122752.jpg lord_dark_helmet.jpg aluminata23.jpg abyss_1.jpg agcfunny5.gif IMG-20121009-00039.jpg IMG-20121009-00037.jpg IMG-20121009-00038.jpg GE12AX7.jpg
See full thread gallery...
HE-500 Review and Shoot out.
Jun 10, 2012 at 8:13 PM Post #196 of 846
This is what I did but in the opposite direction.  I had the LCD-2 rev1/rev2 first then tried the HE-500.  It is the nature of the beast, wanting to hear what the other manufacturer can offer.  Nothing wrong with that though, for some of us it is about experiencing new things in this hobby.  In the end I would be happy with either the LCD-2 or HE-500 as each one has its strengths/weaknesses.  Looking forward to your opinion of the LCD-2.  
 
Quote:
brokenthumb said:
Something kept eating away at me and I was never going to be satisfied until I heard them both.  This way I'll know I made the right choice and won't always wonder if I would have liked the LCD-2 better.  
Click to expand...

 
Jun 11, 2012 at 6:48 AM Post #197 of 846
Quote:
palmfish said:
Great review!
I love my D7000's but I agree the bass bleeds into the mids and muddies the water sometimes - it's my one complaint I have with the Denon's that I was hoping you would mention. I'm glad you did because not all reviews do.
My ideal headphone would have the same basic response of the D7000 but with slightly tighter, leaner bass. My research had me thinking that the HE-500 might be that headphone, but your review has given me a better perspective on the HE-500.
I hope to have an opportunity to audition the HE-500 at our next head-fi meet in August. I will not purchase them until until I have a chance to listen to them.
Thanks for posing your observations, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with your wish for leaner, tighter bass with the D7000. I'm jealous that you get to go to a head-fi meet!  Be sure to bring your D7000 and be very careful with the amp you use for direct comparison with the HE-500.  If I didn't have the Lyr at my disposal, I probably would have sent my HE-500 back in disgust (due to my unrealistic yet stratospherically high expectations).  I'm glad you found something in my review that might help you make a more informed choice in the future.  I feel kinda stuck as I don't know which direction I should be headed from here.  Do I search for a 'better' amp, or a 'better' headphone?  HE-400?  LCD-2?  HD-800?  Ultrasone?  BTW - if you get a chance to demo anything in the new Denon lineup - pleeeeeze let me know! 
 
Jun 11, 2012 at 8:55 AM Post #198 of 846
Quote:
kixxit said:
I completely agree with your wish for leaner, tighter bass with the D7000. I'm jealous that you get to go to a head-fi meet!  Be sure to bring your D7000 and be very careful with the amp you use for direct comparison with the HE-500.  If I didn't have the Lyr at my disposal, I probably would have sent my HE-500 back in disgust (due to my unrealistic yet stratospherically high expectations).  I'm glad you found something in my review that might help you make a more informed choice in the future.  I feel kinda stuck as I don't know which direction I should be headed from here.  Do I search for a 'better' amp, or a 'better' headphone?  HE-400?  LCD-2?  HD-800?  Ultrasone?  BTW - if you get a chance to demo anything in the new Denon lineup - pleeeeeze let me know! 
Click to expand...

 
The Denon's (D2000-D7000) have tight controlled bass, smooth treble and great mids... IF... you apply the "Markl Mods," and drive them with a well matched amp (i.e.  low impedance, high current output) - better than the HE-500's with the EF-5, or other amps that do not control them well.  
 
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:45 AM Post #199 of 846
It's been my experience that the D7000's sound very consistent from amp to amp - as long as it has sufficient current. I have sampled a half-dozen amps and they have all sounded virtually indistinguishable from one another with my Denons.
 
I have been curious about the MarkL mods for some time but haven't taken the plunge because the reviews I have read are all over the map and it's impossible to sample before purchase. When someone claims silver cable sounds brighter than copper or wood cups sound warmer than plastic, my bull*^#@ meter pegs and I steer clear. I would like to hear some modded D7000's but I won't buy them until I am satisfied by trial that it isn't snake oil.
 
The HE-500 should, in theory, also be very consistent from amp to amp as long as there is sufficient current. Planar driver performance should not be affected by amplifier output impedance. That's one thing that surprised me about the reviews I have read so far. Reviews I've read are all over the map so I can't pin down exactly what to expect from them. At the meet I'll be able to hear a pair with my amp in August.
 
I owned the HE-400's in the past and didn't like them. They actually reminded me a lot of the LCD-2, which is to say that they were dark and treble recessed. High frequency details like bells, high hats, snare drum wire brush strokes, etc. were all but inaudible to me through them. This is why I like the D7000's so much, all the details are present and the frequency response sounds very even to me (with added bass, of course).
 
For now, I enjoy my Denon's very much. With the few albums I own that are too thick sounding, I simply trim the bass and midrange tone controls on my receiver down a few dB. About -4 and -2 respectively seems to do the trick.
 
Jun 11, 2012 at 10:07 AM Post #201 of 846
Quote:
palmfish said:
It's been my experience that the D7000's sound very consistent from amp to amp - as long as it has sufficient current. I have sampled a half-dozen amps and they have all sounded virtually indistinguishable from one another with my Denons.
 
I have been curious about the MarkL mods for some time but haven't taken the plunge because the reviews I have read are all over the map and it's impossible to sample before purchase. When someone claims silver cable sounds brighter than copper or wood cups sound warmer than plastic, my bull*^#@ meter pegs and I steer clear. I would like to hear some modded D7000's but I won't buy them until I am satisfied by trial that it isn't snake oil.
 
The HE-500 should, in theory, also be very consistent from amp to amp as long as there is sufficient current. Planar driver performance should not be affected by amplifier output impedance. That's one thing that surprised me about the reviews I have read so far. Reviews I've read are all over the map so I can't pin down exactly what to expect from them. At the meet I'll be able to hear a pair with my amp in August.
 
I owned the HE-400's in the past and didn't like them. They actually reminded me a lot of the LCD-2, which is to say that they were dark and treble recessed. High frequency details like bells, high hats, snare drum wire brush strokes, etc. were all but inaudible to me through them. This is why I like the D7000's so much, all the details are present and the frequency response sounds very even to me (with added bass, of course).
 
For now, I enjoy my Denon's very much. With the few albums I own that are too thick sounding, I simply trim the bass and midrange tone controls on my receiver down a few dB. About -4 and -2 respectively seems to do the trick.
Click to expand...

 
Which rev of HE400s did you get? My early rev2 pair (~March this year) had fairly dark treble, but the replacement pair I received a few weeks ago (mid May this year) had a much more present treble that is on-par in terms of loudness to the rest of the spectrum, and it's quite even too, sounded flat from 5kHz to 14kHz then a gentle rolloff till ~19kHz.
 
Also I'm using HFM velour pads instead of pleather pads with the replacement pair, which could be the cause.
 
As for the mids spikes, with Sinewave sweeps I can't discern spikes, but rather a "shelving-up" between 700 Hz and 2k Hz.
 
Here's my EQ for my replacement pair actually. flip it over vertically in your mind if you want to imagine what my perceived FR was. The only correction I would make is to not have such a drastic EQ down of the treble region; it's actually fairly even with the upper treble.
 

 
Jun 11, 2012 at 7:40 PM Post #202 of 846
Interesting Jerg...

I stopped following the HE-400 thread after I returned mine. Mine was from the very first (original batch) shipment. If they have changed them since then (besides fixing the build defect), then maybe I owe them another listen.
 
Jun 11, 2012 at 7:54 PM Post #203 of 846
Quote:
palmfish said:
It's been my experience that the D7000's sound very consistent from amp to amp - as long as it has sufficient current. I have sampled a half-dozen amps and they have all sounded virtually indistinguishable from one another with my Denons.
 
I have been curious about the MarkL mods for some time but haven't taken the plunge because the reviews I have read are all over the map and it's impossible to sample before purchase. When someone claims silver cable sounds brighter than copper or wood cups sound warmer than plastic, my bull*^#@ meter pegs and I steer clear. I would like to hear some modded D7000's but I won't buy them until I am satisfied by trial that it isn't snake oil.
 
The HE-500 should, in theory, also be very consistent from amp to amp as long as there is sufficient current. Planar driver performance should not be affected by amplifier output impedance. That's one thing that surprised me about the reviews I have read so far. Reviews I've read are all over the map so I can't pin down exactly what to expect from them. At the meet I'll be able to hear a pair with my amp in August.
 
I owned the HE-400's in the past and didn't like them. They actually reminded me a lot of the LCD-2, which is to say that they were dark and treble recessed. High frequency details like bells, high hats, snare drum wire brush strokes, etc. were all but inaudible to me through them. This is why I like the D7000's so much, all the details are present and the frequency response sounds very even to me (with added bass, of course).
 
For now, I enjoy my Denon's very much. With the few albums I own that are too thick sounding, I simply trim the bass and midrange tone controls on my receiver down a few dB. About -4 and -2 respectively seems to do the trick.
Click to expand...

 
There is no "plunge" with the DIY "Markl Mods" (see the thread) - very inexpensive... and... they do make a noticeable improvement.  Though, the greatest improvement I've heard in the D5000's has been when they were driven by the X-CAN v8 (low impedance, high current output) - the best I've heard them with any amp.  Superb!
 
Jul 5, 2012 at 8:16 PM Post #204 of 846
Well... hmm.

Its been 2 weeks.. yes 2 weeks that I have my rig! I came to the conclusion that Im going insane. It started off as with a simple pair of Beats Studios... (which I hated from the min I brought them home, fortunately got refunded cos of a broken driver) which believe it or not, led me here.
 
I currently have the Bifrost =ALO=> Lyr (CV2492s) => K701. I really do enjoy the sound.. (unlike a lot of people) but I have a feeling that I need a more "mature" headphone.
 
When I was buying the Lyr and Bifrost (which I got second hand from an amazingly nice fellow headfier) I knew that its a good investment, cos it provides basis for purchasing other headphones in the future. (even though its a little be entry level) At his place, I also had the opportunity to hear the HE-6, which I consider to date to be the best headphone I have ever heard (the HD-800 comes very close).
 
Now after a lot of reading, I started to really like the HE-500 and I think I have almost decided on it.
 
Just a few questions:
 
1. How would you put the sound of the HE-500, when compared to my K701 and the HE-6 (since they are my points of reference now)? I know the HE-500 should literally THRASH the K701 but in what way? Does it have better bass texture and how do the mids compare? Is it even remotely annoying like the K701 is sometimes?
 
2. Will the Bifrost + Lyr do justice to the HE-500.. meaning will it drive it to its full potential? And how "HIGH END" price wise do you need to go to get better amp for them?
 
Thanks in advance,
 
Mike
 
Jul 5, 2012 at 9:05 PM Post #205 of 846
The HE-500 has a smaller soundstage and weaker instrument separation than the K701. The overall sound signature is somewhat like the weight of the HD 600 plus the transient speed of the DT 880 with less grain than either. The sound is much more engaging than the K701, which I think lacks energy. The biggest flaw in the HE series is ergonomics - they are less comfortable for prolonged wear versus any of the German and Austrian mid-fi headphones. However, if you thought the HE-6 was ok in that department, you should have no issues with the HE-500. 
 
The HE-6 extracts slightly more detail than the HE-500 and sounds clearer. I personally think that this is real microdetail, but some will argue it is just exaggerated treble. As a result, it has more wow factor, but is slightly heavier and requires a beefier amp. People who have issues with sibilance would probably prefer the HE-500. 
 
Lyr + Bitfrost will probably give you 95%+ of the HE-500's max performance. Any upgrade over those two will be pricey. For example, Mjolnir + Gungnir costs twice as much, but only provides an additional 1 W at 50 ohm and a lower noise floor, both of which are not essential for the HE-500. 
 
Jul 5, 2012 at 9:12 PM Post #206 of 846
A planar magnetic that's considered to fight on equal grounds with HD800 and LCD2 having less speed than the 701, now that's interesting.  Makes me wish I could try it out.  HE500 having same weight to its sound as an HD600 though, makes me glad I never got one.
 
Jul 5, 2012 at 10:07 PM Post #207 of 846
Quote:
tmraven said:
A planar magnetic that's considered to fight on equal grounds with HD800 and LCD2 having less speed than the 701, now that's interesting.  Makes me wish I could try it out.  HE500 having same weight to its sound as an HD600 though, makes me glad I never got one.
Click to expand...

 
Remember, those are just one person's views.  We all have different ears and hearing and each of us would come away with a different summary of how they stacked up.  I really like my HE-500s, but don't think there is really any part of it that I could compare to the HD-600s - but, again, that's just me.
 
Jul 5, 2012 at 10:43 PM Post #208 of 846
I think the bass/mids/treble balance is pretty similar to the HD 600, more so than the LCD-2 and HE-6. Wje, do you think there's another flagship that would be a more appropriate upgrade for a HD 600 fan? If there is, I need to check it out.
 
Jul 6, 2012 at 6:28 AM Post #209 of 846
Quote:
wje said:
 
Remember, those are just one person's views.  We all have different ears and hearing and each of us would come away with a different summary of how they stacked up.  I really like my HE-500s, but don't think there is really any part of it that I could compare to the HD-600s - but, again, that's just me.
Click to expand...

 
Quote:
steve2151 said:
I think the bass/mids/treble balance is pretty similar to the HD 600, more so than the LCD-2 and HE-6. Wje, do you think there's another flagship that would be a more appropriate upgrade for a HD 600 fan? If there is, I need to check it out.
Click to expand...

 
Not to be misunderstood though .. I am yet to hear the HD 600/650 but from what Im reading they are too dark for my taste. I like transparent and revealing headphones, the ones that dont tolerate bad recordings. However the K701 is slightly too much of that for my taste.
 
I heard the LCD 2... and it sounded really nice but a tiny bit too dark. How does the HE500 compare to it? To me, the HE-6 is a rather very transparent headphone, more like the HD-800. Have in mind that I also heard it through a very high end tube amp.
 
I personally would like a headphone thats somewhat close to the K701 (good mids, detailed bass), but much more engaging and easier to listen to. I don't mind if its a little bit dark.. but the LCD2-dark would be too dark.
 
Jul 6, 2012 at 2:15 PM Post #210 of 846
I think both Hifimans have more weight than the K701 and DT880, but slightly less than the HD 600/650. I'm most impressed by lack of grain across the spectrum, especially in the mids. The HD 800 has the least grain of any dynamic I've heard, but the HE-6 still bests it in this area. I don't have a Q701 to a/b against the HE-6 and HD 800 anymore, but my memory indicates that the HE-6 and HD 800 beat it on both musicality and technicalities. But then again, I never really liked the Q701. I would always reach for the DT 880, DT 990, or HD 580 unless listening to classical.
 
The HE-500 is a more polite sounding than the HE-6 with less treble energy, but the sound signature is still closer to the HE-6 than the LCD-2. 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top