does the more expensive Hifiman have better build (or at least perception of build)?

[mrjayviper]

so I was in a shop recently and they have the RE9, XS and lower models on demo/display. The models I've demoed doesn't exude quality whether in fit or comfort or feel. (the pads seems stiff. the plastic seems to be of lower quality). They also have a Fostex T60 on demo and those exude quality for the price. Ands the pads are like ear pillows! The same shop has Focals and I really really like the older version of the Clear (in terms of comfort/fit and unsure if this is because the newer version is newish hence not broken in yet)

So I guess I'm wondering if the more expensive ones are different.

Thanks!

(Unlucky, they didn't have Audeze on demo)

 

[msing539]

so I was in a shop recently and they have the RE9, XS and lower models on demo/display. The models I've demoed doesn't exude quality whether in fit or comfort or feel. (the pads seems stiff. the plastic seems to be of lower quality). They also have a Fostex T60 on demo and those exude quality for the price. Ands the pads are like ear pillows! The same shop has Focals and I really really like the older version of the Clear (in terms of comfort/fit and unsure if this is because the newer version is newish hence not broken in yet)

So I guess I'm wondering if the more expensive ones are different.

Thanks!

(Unlucky, they didn't have Audeze on demo)

The higher models are made nicer but don't compare in build to a Focal or Audeze. They are lighter than both of those options, though. I could wear the Arya for hours and forget it was there--never the case with the LCD.

 

[ubs28]

Hifiman = crap.

Just put the Sennheiser Orpheus 2 next to the Hifiman Shangri-La and you will be laughing your ass off what kind of scam Hifiman is running. Cheap chinese stuff for insane prices.

Dr. Fang must be the richest guy in the "audiophile headphone" industry by now with people funding this scam.

 

[bagwell359]

Hifiman = crap.

Just put the Sennheiser Orpheus 2 next to the Hifiman Shangri-La and you will be laughing your ass off what kind of scam Hifiman is running. Cheap chinese stuff for insane prices.

Dr. Fang must be the richest guy in the "audiophile headphone" industry by now with people funding this scam.

I've had a good amount of them. Never got bit by the quality bug. But the pads, cables, and head wear are not so hot. Also the labor costs are very low - so yeah Fang is swimming in money.

Quite a few of the drivers when they arrived were right near the top: HE-6, HE-500, 6SE v1 & 2, HEK SE, Susvara. The Adorama pricing of the 6SE owns the sub 1k market. The Susvara is over priced but can often be had mint in an open box for $3900. Best planar I've heard.

Don't like them don't buy them. Outside of the original LCD-4 I would not spend a dime on the other Audeze. Emp, 820....

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Not sure if HE6SE is considered expensive, by MSRP at least it definitely is, but it is the worst quality and design headphones I've owned.
Everything is subpar if not awful:
- included cable
- earpads
- headband
- plain cheap cardboard package
- high rate of defective drivers with sticky membrane

Real shame as they sound very good. I've acquired LCD-X 2021 shortly after HifiMan and was shocked how much better it is build and packaged, everything just oozes quality.
And in all honesty, technically they might be even better than HE6SE, just warmer and slightly meatier overall.
I still own HE6SE, but it is the first and last HifiMan product I've bought. I do not wish to support manufacturer giving so little regard to the quality of the product, yet not hesitant to charge such exuberant prices.

 

[bagwell359]

Not sure if HE6SE is considered expensive, by MSRP at least it definitely is, but it is the worst quality and design headphones I've owned.
Everything is subpar if not awful:
- included cable
- earpads
- headband
- plain cheap cardboard package
- high rate of defective drivers with sticky membrane

Real shame as they sound very good. I've acquired LCD-X 2021 shortly after HifiMan and was shocked how much better it is build and packaged, everything just oozes quality.
And in all honesty, technically they might be even better than HE6SE, just warmer and slightly meatier overall.
I still own HE6SE, but it is the first and last HifiMan product I've bought. I do not wish to support manufacturer giving so little regard to the quality of the product, yet not hesitant to charge such exuberant prices.

I agree with the first 3 points. Don't care about #4. Have heard but not seen or heard in my small circle about it, but it appears to be a real issue - that's quite bad. One more reason to stick with my v1 - but the hammer blow for HFM has to be softened by what appears to be good response to buyer complaints. But obviously far from good.

But it's the sound over all for me. Audeze? Yes much more solid looking and feeling. But far too many follow the same colored personality. Thumping bass (the brand hallmark - nice for bass heads or those that miss the visceral nature of room speakers - I'm for accuracy). Sumptuous lower mids followed by a trough in the upper mids and lower treble followed by a big sag in the upper treble. The OG 4 seems to closest to neutral of the lot I've heard - but the cost and earned reputation for failed drivers makes that a difficult choice.

It's about the sound for me. Maybe one reason I disliked the 5SE and 5XX so much. Not a fan of the Ananda and some others too.

These questions are important. One must judge for themselves. If I could have 10 of any cans I've heard at least 4 would be HFM.

 

[omniweltall]

Not sure if HE6SE is considered expensive, by MSRP at least it definitely is, but it is the worst quality and design headphones I've owned.
Everything is subpar if not awful:
- included cable
- earpads
- headband
- plain cheap cardboard package
- high rate of defective drivers with sticky membrane

Real shame as they sound very good. I've acquired LCD-X 2021 shortly after HifiMan and was shocked how much better it is build and packaged, everything just oozes quality.
And in all honesty, technically they might be even better than HE6SE, just warmer and slightly meatier overall.
I still own HE6SE, but it is the first and last HifiMan product I've bought. I do not wish to support manufacturer giving so little regard to the quality of the product, yet not hesitant to charge such exuberant prices.

It is such a shame that they have such low manufacturing cost compared to their western peers, and yet they still choose cheap materials, and....still sell their products at western peers' price levels.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I've acquired HE1000V2 afterwards and glad to report that build quality is much much better. They still came with crappy cable which was addressed with the new Stealth edition, but other than that the packaging, the build quality are pretty high.

 

[bagwell359]

Hifiman = crap.

Just put the Sennheiser Orpheus 2 next to the Hifiman Shangri-La and you will be laughing your ass off what kind of scam Hifiman is running. Cheap chinese stuff for insane prices.

Dr. Fang must be the richest guy in the "audiophile headphone" industry by now with people funding this scam.

Scam? I've been talking about the Susvara probably costing HFM less than $600 total including all costs. Also criticized the cables, pads, rear screens.

But the fact is, the drivers of many of the cans are superb, and being a capitalist economy, the market will decide, and since 2010 I'd say the market in the USA has very much agreed that overall these cans are worth the ask. I would myself never pay list for the Susvara or the HEK v3, but I do enjoy some of the other lower price models more than what I found at similar prices - and that's the truth of it.

 

[bagwell359]

It is such a shame that they have such low manufacturing cost compared to their western peers, and yet they still choose cheap materials, and....still sell their products at western peers' price levels.

That's free enterprise, I myself would like to have a Susvara for $999. HFM would still be making money. But if they sold it at that, all the ego buyers would turn up their nose - that's one of the first case studies you get in Marketing Classes. Meanwhile the XS, HE-6 SE, and probably the 400 Stealth and Sundara and Arya 3 are pretty tough to beat at their price ranges.

HFM will not change, no matter what is said here.

 

[chesebert]

No. They all look fragile and creak to some degree after a while. I think they also look cheap AF, but people may like the look. You buy HFM for the sound and not the build quality. I do have to say I have yet to have a HFM fail on me (knocking on wood) and their customer service has been pretty good.

Yes, I am guessing it probably costs them a few hundred (if that) to make Susvara.

Since we are dunking on Susvara, I will say it probably also cost Focal a few hundred to make Utopia.

Abyss costs way more to make than either Susvara or Utopia.