Hifiman HE1000 Planar Dynamic Headphone
Dec 6, 2016 at 1:59 AM Post #8,597 of 14,452
 
Question...
I don't recall, how long is the warrantee on HEK (I have V1, connection with cable is coming loose on 1 side...)

 
Wait, I thought the warranty for the HE1000 was 3 years. See the warranty terms on Hifiman's page: https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/warranty-policy


I stand corrected...always thot my HE-1000 is warrantied for a year. This is great news
 
Dec 6, 2016 at 2:08 AM Post #8,598 of 14,452
I choose the HEK V2 over all of them..
It is the superior sounding headphone.

 
Your impression made me wanna reschedule another listening session with my V1 & the demo V2...if I like them sufficiently I might (just might) opt to cough up and upgrade.

Pretty tough to dislodged the Utopia from my top spot tho...the improvement might close the gap but doubt there are enough within the HE1000 to even topple the Utopia...for me
 
Dec 6, 2016 at 3:33 PM Post #8,600 of 14,452
  If you care about soundstage, utopia can't cut it.


If you care about detail, HEK can't cut it...

If you care about bass, HD800/S can't cut it...

If you care about fit and comfort, Abyss can't cut it...

If you care about weight, Audeze can't cut it...

Not trying to be an arse, but some will think the soundstage of Utopia are perfectly fine and realistic while some don't...for every argument out there, there are some who will just disagree...it's just a matter of taste and expectations, and all personal opinion of course. Much also depends on the type of music that you listen to...eg, for listening to classical I will pick up my HD800S

I loved both my Utopia and HEK and I accept that they are both great but different set of cans. Try showing me a perfect one? Am sure there are tens of argument for and against.

Buy something that excites your heart and make your feet tap...and that will be the perfect headphone for you.
 
Dec 6, 2016 at 11:11 PM Post #8,601 of 14,452
That is an excellent summary of the current top headphone offerings! It may at first seem negative since it focuses on the biggest weakness of each but, each "can't cut it" is the biggest deciding factor on choosing the headphone that is right for you.

"Buy something that excites your heart and make your feet tap... and that will be the perfect headphone for you."

Couldn't agree more! Well said. :grinning:
 
Dec 7, 2016 at 1:30 PM Post #8,602 of 14,452
OK, 'got my upgrade back for the V2 and bottom line could not stop listening. It's very compelling and engaging, more engaging than the V1 which seemed more point-source oriented than the V2.
 
The sound is much for distinct and well defined, the bass is deeper and clearer, and the mids are nice and silky, and the highs are sweeter than before.
The resolution is also very good. Not quite quite as good as my Stax SR007, but up there.
 
It's a very good balance in the tonality, not veiled, not shrill, not metallic, not hard, but still smooth and liquid and good detail and speed, second only to Stax here. 
(I'm a huge fan of the Stax SR007 mk2.5 if that gives anyone a feel for my tastes. I cannot deal with tinny highs, shrieking upper mids or vocals, or muddy foggy or overwhelming bass).
 
I did however get an improvement in the mids and bass (faster and more transparent) when I switched to my Moon Silver Dragon cable. The Moon cable does have slightly (emphasize slightly) brighter highs, but that
goes well with my system here.
System: Windows PC-->Chord Hugo TT-->Rudistor RP010B amp.
Just a great headphone with certainly no obvious flaws. 
 
Dec 7, 2016 at 3:51 PM Post #8,604 of 14,452
 
I'm glad someone asked this question again cause I have given up. No one wants to try the V2 pads on their V1. And I know several in this thread have both versions. I think they are afraid to try! They might find out the majority of the improvement comes from a simple ear pad swap. lol

 
I'll swap my HEX v2 pads on my HEK v1 and report back.

 
Finally someone is willing to try it and report about the result!
tongue_smile.gif

 
Dec 7, 2016 at 4:50 PM Post #8,605 of 14,452
I can't say for sure, but the sound of the V2 is so significantly different (better) from the V1 (from memory though) that I would have a hard time believing it was just the pads that accomplished this.
And I'm using the same cable (the Moon Silver Dragon/Balanced) in an unchanged system.
 
Dec 7, 2016 at 9:59 PM Post #8,606 of 14,452
60 hrs in and the v2 is sounding absolutely spectacular. From memory, not ideal I know, but I think the new version is a superior headphone in nearly every way.

And to give credit where due, hifiman was easy to work with and the exchange was flawless.
 
Dec 8, 2016 at 12:07 AM Post #8,607 of 14,452
  I can't say for sure, but the sound of the V2 is so significantly different (better) from the V1 (from memory though) that I would have a hard time believing it was just the pads that accomplished this.
And I'm using the same cable (the Moon Silver Dragon/Balanced) in an unchanged system.

 
Hmmm. Well I actually have compared both the original and v2 side by side and when the pads are swapped they actually sound remarkably similar. You have to realize velour pads in general create a wooly, more diffused sound, as I've said multiple times, testing various headphones with the HM5 Velour pads will add that effect to alot of headphones.
 
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:51 AM Post #8,608 of 14,452
   
Hmmm. Well I actually have compared both the original and v2 side by side and when the pads are swapped they actually sound remarkably similar. You have to realize velour pads in general create a wooly, more diffused sound, as I've said multiple times, testing various headphones with the HM5 Velour pads will add that effect to alot of headphones.


​Thank you! This is really valuable information!
 
Dec 8, 2016 at 4:22 AM Post #8,609 of 14,452
   
Hmmm. Well I actually have compared both the original and v2 side by side and when the pads are swapped they actually sound remarkably similar. You have to realize velour pads in general create a wooly, more diffused sound, as I've said multiple times, testing various headphones with the HM5 Velour pads will add that effect to alot of headphones.

Thank you very much. This is really interesting!
 
Dec 8, 2016 at 12:58 PM Post #8,610 of 14,452
I guess I'm just one of the few V1 owners who, after listening to the V2, can't really tell any difference in SQ. I'm happy with the V1 and will stick with it.
 

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