Help Me Pick a Headphone - maybe a HiFiman? - Page 2

I too have been a 650 fan for years and have just upgraded to the He500's. I wouldn't read too much into them being really hard to drive, they play well with an amp that gives about 1 watt into 32ohms and I think (don't quote me) that the Burson does just this.  I'd say they are easier to drive than the 650's, I didn't think this to begin with as they sounded nice but dull for the first few days but after time they really opened up (at least 100 hrs).  I'd also say that solid state is probably the best option for them too. They have a nice laid-back character and I think SS compliments this better.

If you love the 650's then your really gonna love the HE500's. They do everything the senn's do, only better. It's the cohesiveness that the 650's do that has always amazed me, they make the music whole and enjoyable. The He500's do this too, but with more realism, detail and refinement. More light and shade. Very balanced (don't want to use the word "neutral" stupid word in audio), nothing stands out or seems lacking. My only hyper-critical issue that I mentioned in another thread is that the lowest FR could be tighter. In a perfect world they would be, but we are not in a perfect world. So in that sense I state "the HE500's are perfect"   

I own the He 500's and have recently got the T1's. I am listening to the T1's as I write this. I love the sound of the HE 500 but I got the T1 cause I use headphones several hours every day and the comfort issue with the HE 500 cannot be denied. They are extremely heavy and have a very tight clamping force. If you bend the headband to relieve the clamping force then the weight becomes even more an issue. I cannot ever forget I am wearing the HE 500. I also find it down right uncomfortable to wear them for more than an hour at a time (often less before my neck hurts). I have seen this comment about the HE 500 in a few places but I really think that more than a few people would find these too uncomfortable to enjoy. The T1 floats on your head and it is barely felt. I can wear it for hours and even at times forget I am wearing it. I would not call the T1's bright but I would say that the HE 500 is ever so slightly warm in comparison.  The T1 has a more open sound stage and you can see farther into the music. Still, for vocals the HE 500 is hard to beat. The sound of the HE 500 can be glorious with the right amp and no, it does not need huge power to sound good. I have use them with my tube amp and my ss amp and both sound great. Ask me which headphone I would keep if I had to choose one it would be the T1 by a nose because of the comfort and amazing transparency.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoEars 

Well - there's a glowing recomendation if I ever saw one!

 

Think I might have to order a pair of HE-500's!

 

Do you think it's worth springing for a moon audio cable while I'm at it or is the stock cable good enough?

The silver cable that came with them is all I've heard up to now so can't really comment on any improvements with others. I have however.. ordered an upgrade cable myself   gone for the Toxic Cryo OCC stranded silver job, so I'll post my impressions as soon as I receive. Frank's Toxic cables have become quite popular so there is quite a wait.

I have read that some peeps prefer the original canare over the silver cable that came with the 500's when they first came out. I would say that the HE500's are a warm headphone and so silver may add an extra bit light. I used a silver plated cable with my 650's and I prefered this, so thats why I've went for the same with the hifimans.    

The silver cable supplied looks quite flimsey and homemade. But what you get is pure silver so it's certainly not for throwing out. It may be a case of different flavors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugBug1 

The silver cable that came with them is all I've heard up to now so can't really comment on any improvements with others. I have however.. ordered an upgrade cable myself   gone for the Toxic Cryo OCC stranded silver job, so I'll post my impressions as soon as I receive. Frank's Toxic cables have become quite popular so there is quite a wait.

 

I have read that some peeps prefer the original canare over the silver cable that came with the 500's when they first came out. I would say that the HE500's are a warm headphone and so silver may add an extra bit light. I used a silver plated cable with my 650's and I prefered this, so thats why I've went for the same with the hifimans.    

 

The silver cable supplied looks quite flimsey and homemade. But what you get is pure silver so it's certainly not for throwing out. It may be a case of different flavors.

I will be anxiously waiting to hear your impressions on the new cable.  I've had my HE500's for around two weeks now and my only reservation is with the

stock silver cable.  It looks rather delicate to me and I'm afraid it might break or wear out at some of the stress points.  Your right about the HE500's, I've never heard anything like them.   Absolutely stellar! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoEars 

Drop me a note when you've heard it if you have the time

 

I'll probably be looking at ordering a pair of HE-500 within the next couple of weeks or so, so there's still some time for me decide if I want the cable or not.

Will do, I'll post my impressions on here and on the "HE500 (less is more)" thread as soon as I get it. Toxic cables has an up to 25 day wait to be made and posted. So hopefully should come in about 5 days I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoEars 

Drop me a note when you've heard it if you have the time

 

I'll probably be looking at ordering a pair of HE-500 within the next couple of weeks or so, so there's still some time for me decide if I want the cable or not.

Got the cable http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110897663747?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

It's better all round. More durable (no stiffness), no noise when you move it at all. Deeper soundstage, fuller sounding, smoother at the very top. Oh, and it looks fantastic;)

Highly reccomended.