[justin w.]

Quote:

 
The seller informed you of a delay? So far nothing on my end, although im expecting it. Both the headphone, and my ODAC.

 
The headphones I sent you are from Virginia (no delay there) but USPS routes the international packages through JFK airport in NYC, so it's very possible there could be a delay of a few days.

 

[beaver316]

Quote:

 
The headphones I sent you are from Virginia (no delay there) but USPS routes the international packages through JFK airport in NYC, so it's very possible there could be a delay of a few days.

 
Thanks for the update. I don't mind really since i found out that my odac is going to take a really long time to come.

 

[Biscuitz]

HE-400 vs HE-500.
 
I was hoping someone who has owned both could compare the two and offer advice. I tried the HE-400, and here's what I liked about it: The bass, the imaging, and the instrument separation. Here's what I didn't like: The dark voicing.
 
So here's my question, would I like the HE-500 more? I've read it's less dark, but I'd like to get confirmation from someone's who has A/B'd them. Since returning the HE-400, I have been dying to hear that instrument separation again. It was...just awesome. I miss that aspect, but I need something with vocals more to my liking, and it sounds like HE-500 might be it. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[MattTCG]

I've owned them both and A/B'd them many times. I actually prefer the he400 and that's amping with the lyr. The mids are a touch smoother on the he400 but you give up some sub bass. Technically the he500 is the better hp, but I'd take the he400 any for a more fun listen at half the cost. 

 

[Biscuitz]

Quote:

I've owned them both and A/B'd them many times. I actually prefer the he400 and that's amping with the lyr. The mids are a touch smoother on the he400 but you give up some sub bass. Technically the he500 is the better hp, but I'd take the he400 any for a more fun listen at half the cost. 

Can you speak to the tonality of the vocals between the two pairs?

 

[MattTCG]

The he500 has better tone overall, so vocals will be a touch better. The other issue for me was the weight. The he400 is plenty heavy for me, but the he500 is heavier and doesn't work for me for long term listening. You'll also need a good amp for the he500 to solicit those advantages we've talked about. 

 

[preproman]

Quote:

The he500 has better tone overall, so vocals will be a touch better. The other issue for me was the weight. The he400 is plenty heavy for me, but the he500 is heavier and doesn't work for me for long term listening. You'll also need a good amp for the he500 to solicit those advantages we've talked about. 

 
 
Any pretty good desktop amp should do just fine - correct.  I mean the HE-500s don't really need a powerful amp so to speak.

 

[Biscuitz]

Quote:

 
 
Any pretty good desktop amp should do just fine - correct.  I mean the HE-500s don't really need a powerful amp so to speak.

I recently picked up a NFB 15.1 specifically to power planar magnetics. On paper, it should have plenty of power for the HE-500.

 

[preproman]

Quote:

I recently picked up a NFB 15.1 specifically to power planar magnetics. On paper, it should have plenty of power for the HE-500.

 
 
That'll work just fine.

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

 
 
That'll work just fine.

 
+1

 

[palmfish]

I found the HE-500 a tad too mid-centric for me. The mid-bass added a bit too much thickness to the midrange. The HE-400 sounds punchier and more dynamic with a cleaner, crisper midrange that I prefer and a more sparkly high end.

 

[rawrster]

The HE500 isn't really that hard to drive. Most desktop amps wouldn't have much of an issue driving it as long as it is of decent quality. The only real issue I had with the is the weight distribution. They were pretty heavy.

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

The HE500 isn't really that hard to drive. Most desktop amps wouldn't have much of an issue driving it as long as it is of decent quality. The only real issue I had with the is the weight distribution. They were pretty heavy.

 
You're right about them being heavy. But they do need a pretty decent amp, ie lyr, to run well. They sounded decent from my e09 and odac, but much better from lyr. 

 

[rawrster]

My decent doesn't include either of those two products The Lyr is a step in the right direction however. 

 

[Sniping]

Does the HE-400 scale with amps that cost more than the Lyr?