The wood could have been really hot on the V2 if they went for a darker tone and used dark brushed metal instead of silver...
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Breaking News: HE1000 V2
- Thread starter mtoc
- Start date
Polished mahogany cups and polished metal all around would look sick!
Polished mahogany cups and polished metal all around would look sick!
Dammit you took the words right outa my mouth!
That would definitely be looking like a worthy can then.
Hmm...
Any more v2 out in the wild yet? There's a distinct lack of impressions around.
maeveth
100+ Head-Fier
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My V2s(from the HFM Upgrade program) literally just arrived. I'll share some of my initial impressions but we'll have to wait a bit for this weekend for me to have time to do a more in depth listen, I'll especially focus on the comparison to the V1s and Ether C Flow as those are the other 2 cans in my quiver.
While my setup is in my sig just in case anybody finds this in the future all impressions are done with the following setup
PC(ASIO/WASAPI) > Wyrd > Yggdrasil > Liquid Carbon(Balanced) > HEKv1/HEKv2/EtherC Flow all Balanced and Stock
- Improved build quality
- Feels much lighter(and is)
- Overall fitment and evenness of the headclamping force is much better too due to the thinner enclosures and pads, this will likely vary person to person though.
- Fitment of the improved headband is also much better, feels less top heavy
- Much improved bass impact
- New cables are very nice, soft to the touch. Made of a rubber or plastic substance. Zero microphonic issues with the cable.
- Jury still out on the new pads feeling wise however
While my setup is in my sig just in case anybody finds this in the future all impressions are done with the following setup
PC(ASIO/WASAPI) > Wyrd > Yggdrasil > Liquid Carbon(Balanced) > HEKv1/HEKv2/EtherC Flow all Balanced and Stock
- Improved build quality
- Feels much lighter(and is)
- Overall fitment and evenness of the headclamping force is much better too due to the thinner enclosures and pads, this will likely vary person to person though.
- Fitment of the improved headband is also much better, feels less top heavy
- Much improved bass impact
- New cables are very nice, soft to the touch. Made of a rubber or plastic substance. Zero microphonic issues with the cable.
- Jury still out on the new pads feeling wise however
Much improved bass impact
I bet that has nothing to do with the pads...
maeveth
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I bet that has nothing to do with the pads...
Never said it did. More than likely it has more to do with the reduced enclosure depth.
Still no news on V2 earpads eh?
I'm wondering if that's a typo on their website.
Why would they improve the design and then cut the price by almost 1/3rd? Makes no sense.
It makes perfect sense when you consider even the $3000 flagship HEKs are falling behind the $1800 Ether Flow in most reviews...it just doesn't make any sense at that point to price a product even further behind in the product stack at that price point.
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It makes perfect sense because they over priced their V1...now they know how their sales numbers have tapered or eroded with competition cutting into their niche segment, they have dropped their asking price.
This is the typical strategy for those businesses who price gouge...their early adopters are the ones who have to take the financial impact.
What do you think will happened if they sell their V1 at the same asking price in today's market?
This is the typical strategy for those businesses who price gouge...their early adopters are the ones who have to take the financial impact.
What do you think will happened if they sell their V1 at the same asking price in today's market?
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I would still choose the $999 Focal Elear over their 30% more expensive HEX V2...but that's just me 
xxx1313
500+ Head-Fier
I agree that the HEK was too expensive. But soundwise, for example the Ether C has absolutely no chance against the HEK V1, so I do not expect the Ether Flow to best the HEK. Used HEKs are now quite good value for their price.
I bet that has nothing to do with the pads...
Never said it did. More than likely it has more to do with the reduced enclosure depth.
Haha!
Ice trick you into indirectly telling me about the pads!
Hehe..
I would still choose the $999 Focal Elear over their 30% more expensive HEX V2...but that's just me![]()
After hearing the Elear for myself,
I have to admit it's an extremely fun resolving & impactful headphone,
And a great addition, but not a substitution for an 800 or HEK..

I agree that the HEK was too expensive. But soundwise, for example the Ether C has absolutely no chance against the HEK V1, so I do not expect the Ether Flow to best the HEK. Used HEKs are now quite good value for their price.
Had the flow when it first came out and it was very nice,
but also an addition, not a replacement can..
Just to clarify I am also in agreement that although it is better now and you're getting more for your money now ,
it is still not priced competitive against the Flow..
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I would still choose the $999 Focal Elear over their 30% more expensive HEX V2...but that's just me![]()
After hearing the Elear for myself,
I have to admit it's an extremely fun resolving & impactful headphone,
And a great addition, but not a substitution for an 800 or HEK..
Yes you are correct with your opinion, HD800S and HEK are indeed great headphones in their own right but I was referring to Edition X, not HE-1000 in my post. For me I will sooner get an Elear over the HEX V2
After owning the Utopia, I will still be keeping my HD800S for listening to my classical & instrumental music due to it's wider soundstage and great instruments separation...however it's HEK that is in the limbo for me because I keep reaching out for either my Utopia or HD800S and HEK is now a neglected child. Planning to order either a DHC Prion 4 or a Spore4 cable and hopefully that will freshen up the HEK (not planning on sending more money in the direction of HFM for the $650 upgrade) or it will get sold
Yes you are correct with your opinion, HD800S and HEK are indeed great headphones in their own right but I was referring to Edition X, not HE-1000 in my post. For me I will sooner get an Elear over the HEX V2
After owning the Utopia, I will still be keeping my HD800S for listening to my classical & instrumental music due to it's wider soundstage and great instruments separation...however it's HEK that is in the limbo for me because I keep reaching out for either my Utopia or HD800S and HEK is now a neglected child. Planning to order either a DHC Prion 4 or a Spore4 cable and hopefully that will freshen up the HEK (not planning on sending more money in the direction of HFM for the $650 upgrade) or it will get sold
$1k to a cable company or an actual upgrade by the manufacturer...
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