HifiMAN HE-5LE v. HE-500 - Page 6

What's the verdict on the new Class D amps?

 

http://www.reddragonaudio.com/products/

Edited by preproman - 8/6/12 at 10:35am

Hyperbole runs rampant when comparing headphones. I think we're all guilty of it at some point.

Probably just on regular headphone amps, but as you have shown; give the more power hungry hifiman's more power and they overtake.

My "regular" headphone amp provides just about 1W per channel fo the HE-6 and it's roughly one league above the HE-500 listened from the same amplifier. Probably because it's a reliable, distortion-free watt.

 

"Also, with my very best headphones—ALO Audio-recabled Audez'e LCD-2, beyerdynamic T1, Sennheiser HD800 and in that sequence—the HA160D is the top transistor amp I've heard." -Sixmoons

 

Take that however you want lol

 

 

Can you give a brief impression of all three and how you rank them.

 

I will have all three here soon and want to see if we agree.

Just got the HE-500 in.  The HE-5LE will be in after the Chinese New Year.  Do you'll prefer the valor or the pleather pads?

 

 

  Just got the HE-5LEs in toady.  Came with 2 pair of the valor pads.  So far out the box good bass and no hot treble.  Right now I would say at the starting point point for both the HE-500s and the HE-5LEs the 5LEs has the edge.  Now for some break in time, although it doesn't seem to need it.

 

So, what's the verdict so far on 5LE vs 500?  Curious minds. . .

WOW,  This is a real 12 round heavy weight bout.  I mean toe to toe with each one taking the lead at one point or another.  

 

Disclaimer:  These so called impressions is a result of my own humble opinion.  Nothing more or nothing less.  

 

Out of the 4 amps I have (see sig)  I picked the B22 to compare with.  While the 500s work well with any of these amps (except the speaker amp) the 5LE only works at its best with the B22 and the speaker amp.

 

 

Yea there is a difference but not by much.  Now these comparisons are only between these to headphones not any others at this time.

 

In short I'll say this:

 

HE-500s are more revealing, detailed, up front, in your face, more opened 

HE-5LEs are more forgiving, laid back, relaxed, better tonal balance   

 

The 500s are the fast very quick to the punch.  While the 5LEs are not far behind in this area at all I would say the 500s are the fastest.  I also feel the 500s are more titled towards the treble. While the 5LEs are more on the (can I use the word neutral here) side.  Depending on the tracks the 500s can be a little hot or sparkly up top, while the 5LEs keeps it pretty even so I'll have to say tonal balance goes to the 5LEs.  

 

As far as instrument separation goes:  The 500s has more space around each instrument so you should be able to identify each instrument a little easier when compared to the 5LEs.   In the bass region the 5LEs has a tad bit more bass extension while the 500s remain quicker to the punch and has a bit more slam with more lower midbass resolution. On both the bass is as tight and right as the other.  Either are LCD-2.2 bass as far as extension goes but they may win in other areas of bass - like true to the source bass IMO both win over the LCD2.2s as far as this goes, as I feel the LCD-2.2s are tilted towards the bass where the 500s and 5LEs are not.

 

On female vocals. I feel the 5LEs just has a certain Intimacy when it comes to vocals.  While the 500s will bring a certain sparkle or when compared to the 5LEs a certain sharpness.  This is not a bad thing at all - I much prefer this on some tracks while on other tracks I'll prefer the 5LEs.  

 

In the midrange this is where the 500s is clearly better.  They just have a more sweet or a more liquidity midrange when compared to the 5LEs.  Keep in mind the 5LEs are not far behind in this area it's just that the 500s excel in this area.  

 

Now the 5LEs on a speaker amp is where it pulls away in everything.  The 500s are at its best on pretty much any headphone amp and will not benefit by using a speaker amp because they're so damn efficient compared to the 5LE's

 

So I would say the 5LEs are more flexible because the 500s are only good on headphone amps.  But you can say the 500s are more flexible because they're good on pretty much any good headphone amp.  After all these are headphones and a headphone amp is a no brainer.  The 5LEs are good on both a good headphone amp with juice and a speaker amp.

 

I prefer the 5LEs for its tonal balance and it close to neutral presentation. 

 

 

 

Cool, thanks for your detailed write-up.

It's funny - my impressions were that the 5LE had the hotter treble with more details (esp in treble) discernable, and 500 was more laid-back and forgiving. . funny how impressions vary. But I do agree that the 500 mids are sweeter and more liquidy, plus the instrument separation is really distinct.

You have the HE-6 too, correct? I take it it's head and shoulders above the 5LE and 500 on the speaker amp setup?

I'm still on the fence on whether I can justify having both orthos. Plus I have the Senn HD650's. At some point, when I'm in an especially frugal mood, I have a feeling I'm going to put one of the three for sale. I just don't know which one. They're all really good.

Hmm HE5LE is more forgiving and laid back as HE500? Its a little bit surprising to me. Anyway if we compare both HP datasheet  they look quite similiar and you confirmed that.

 

http://www.headphone.com/learning-center/build-a-graph.php?graphID[0]=2251&graphID[1]=3241&graphID[2]=&graphID[3]=&graphType=0&buttonSelection=Compare+Headphones

 

In my country theres quite big price difference between these two models thats why I ended with HE5LE( BTW price was the same for both models at headdirect earlier?). Regarding efficiency I still think that nice, free of distortion headamp is enough. Especially if you know how loud do you want to listen to. Even if its 110 dB which I find VERY loud you just need 177mW or 2.6V RMS and more power wont give you ANYTHING. I strongly recommend these amp as its very well designed and just fits HE5LE perfectly:

 

http://earstream.eu/page/46/Wzmacniacze+sluchawkowe/l/en

 

Im also waiting what are the differences betwen HE5LE and HE6, where is the biggest advantage of flagship and is it worth to pay twice as much:)

BTW you have version with matt black cups or metallic violet-black kind?

Edited by zibra - 10/28/12 at 3:33am