HiFiMAN: Here to stay or FOTM?
Apr 5, 2013 at 11:17 PM Post #16 of 69
Quote:
semicoln said:
You make some good points in edit number 3. It may be a matter of overhyped, but I haven't yet listened to the HE-400.
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So I take it you've listened to HE500 then, was it underwhelming? What was the setup (earpads/upstream gear)?
 
 
 
Lol, I know for a fact that HE400 is overhyped on the Reddit headphone forum.
 
I have HE400 and HE500 and have auditioned most other dynamic/planar offerings in the mid~endgame tiers though, so I have a pretty good grasp on their performances.
 
Apr 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM Post #18 of 69
Quote:
semicoln said:
I have not but I am considering giving them a try. That's the reason for my question in the first place.
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Ok. I just thought that perhaps you made this thread because you at least owned or auditioned some of these products and was disappointed, and acted on that basis. Guess not.
 
Apr 6, 2013 at 12:29 AM Post #19 of 69
I think it's pretty clear that the company is here to stay. Concerning the products though, as someone who just recently ordered the HE-500s, I have a little bit of anxiety about whether the company will return to its old ways of rapid-fire product releases. The reason I pulled the trigger anyway, despite fear that they might be replaced with something new at any moment (it did come out almost exactly 2 years ago), was that Hifiman product launches are notoriously problem-riddled, so I would rather buy the HE-500s, which I know are good, rather than be an early adopter of the HE-501/600, whatever is coming next.
 
Apr 6, 2013 at 12:35 AM Post #20 of 69
Quote:
rynoweiss said:
I think it's pretty clear that the company is here to stay. Concerning the products though, as someone who just recently ordered the HE-500s, I have a little bit of anxiety about whether the company will return to its old ways of rapid-fire product releases. The reason I pulled the trigger anyway, despite fear that they might be replaced with something new at any moment (it did come out almost exactly 2 years ago), was that Hifiman product launches are notoriously problem-riddled, so I would rather buy the HE-500s, which I know are good, rather than be an early adopter of the HE-501/600, whatever is coming next.
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Great advice!
 
Apr 6, 2013 at 12:39 AM Post #21 of 69
There is a thread asking for the return of the Jade by prominent members of headfi. I have only auditioned them but they definitely had serious potential.

They know what they are doing and I rate the HE -6 as almost on the level of STAX.
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 7:48 AM Post #22 of 69
Quote:
jerg said:
Great advice!
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Thanks for all of the responses to the question if HiFiMAN is a FOTM brand? No company is perfect and we are always finding ways to improve in every aspect. Nor is every product right for everyone.
 
HiFiMAN has been around since 2006 and for several years we have been at shows around the world and our products have been well received. So it is not exactly a startup. As noted, HE-6 and HE-500 have been in the market for some time and even the HE-300 and HE-400 were launched fifteen months ago.
 
So I find the question curious if the brand could be considered a FOTM? 
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 8:14 AM Post #23 of 69
^ ok, how about a floorstanding speaker using planar tech. Stax tried it and failed (was unsustainable, still a great speaker though) you know, for when i get tired of headphones or want to share a song?
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 11:21 AM Post #24 of 69
Hifiman, I love you.  You're not FOTM, you're just amazing.  Hopefully you guys and Audeze will push your competitors into developing planar magnetic models and whatnot, and keep making phones easier and easier to drive without compromising the sound.
 
- the end
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 4:35 PM Post #25 of 69
Quote:
hifiman-us said:
 
So I find the question curious if the brand could be considered a FOTM? 
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I also find this question very curious considering how long you all have been around. And don't forget, that the he6 were only your 4th headphone. The jade, he5, and he5le had a cult following long before the he6 came into existence. Very curious about this thread. So after being around for almost 7 years, one would hope they are here to stay.
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 4:44 PM Post #26 of 69
This thread is beyond useless. I just wasted my life reading it. Thread Starter should be banned for trolling, period.
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 4:45 PM Post #27 of 69
Quote:
hifiman-us said:
Thanks for all of the responses to the question if HiFiMAN is a FOTM brand? No company is perfect and we are always finding ways to improve in every aspect. Nor is every product right for everyone.
 
HiFiMAN has been around since 2006 and for several years we have been at shows around the world and our products have been well received. So it is not exactly a startup. As noted, HE-6 and HE-500 have been in the market for some time and even the HE-300 and HE-400 were launched fifteen months ago.
 
So I find the question curious if the brand could be considered a FOTM? 
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I think I agree with this. Hifiman really caused a change in the headphone market by reintroducing the planar magnetic headphone. The HE-5 really changed up the market and we are seeing the full bloom in terms of planar magnetic headphones' capabilities. Hifiman still changes thing by keeping the prices pretty low considering the other prices for planar magnetic headphones.  
 
So, Hifiman isn't a FOTM at this point. If hifiman doesn't introduce any new products, they could ride on their current line of headphones for many years to come. The HE-400, HE-500, and HE-6 are all excellent performing headphones given the price. 
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM Post #28 of 69
I wouldn't say HE-400 is FOTM.. Granted I haven't heard other $400 headphones like the Annies, I can't compare to those. They hold their own against an $850 CIEM though with Alpha Pads, but apples to oranges. Deserves the current reputation they have IMO. And do note I'm running only out of a channel imbalanced E9 on low gain / a Sony F807.
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 5:05 PM Post #29 of 69
Quote:
m-13 said:
This thread is beyond useless. I just wasted my life reading it. Thread Starter should be banned for trolling, period.
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I wonder did he do his homework before he started this thread. Maybe he didn't know that hifiman's been producing headphones years before the he400 was even thought about. I'm hoping this is the case. If not, then this may be a "troll thread".  I can see if the topic would have been are the he400 a fotm headphone. That wouldn't have made a lot of sense since they've been out for a while, but it wouldn't be to the point of being ridiculous. But the company as a whole? Then that makes no sense to me.
 
Apr 7, 2013 at 5:29 PM Post #30 of 69
hifiman flavor of the month? ah ah ah ah ah.  if hifiman headphones were made to be flavor of the month, believe me, they would not be designed the way they are right now. they are anything but flavor of the month.
 
they weight a ton, they are not that comfortable, they are somewhat demanding to drive, especially the he 6 and I have the he 500 and it is quite demanding too I find. you look like an alien when you have them on your head.
 
but the sound man! the sound! these headphones are all about the sound. the price they charge for these things only based on sound quality i think they are a steal. they perform at much higher price bracket level.
 
I have an he 6 that I will pickup this week in montreal. and I will drive it using a speaker amplifier.
 
c'ant wait to see what these monster can do.
 
thank you dr. fang bian for making these incredible cans and please bring back the jades! 
 
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