HiFiMan Edition X and Cardas A8 loaner programs!

[ktmracer12345]

Hifiman Edition X:

Disclaimer: These headphones came from Todd at TTVJ. They were loaned to me free of charge with no reimbursement from either party. I do everything in my power to keep any bias out of my reviews.
 

 

History and Intro:
 
I’ve been following Hifiman for a while now and I’ve always been intrigued by their house sound. Dr Fang Bian has a unique taste in sound and it is one I’ve really come to enjoy. (I especially love the sound of the HE-560 and HE-400i.) As with nearly all head-fiers, my excitement of the HE-1000 announcement was quickly doused by the $3k asking price. This was disappointing, as it is now out of reach of many (most?) audiophiles. But, its sound didn’t disappoint. To my ears the $3k HE-1000 is a better value than the $2k LCD-3 and $1600 HD-800. Bargain or not, the $3k is still way out of my realistic price range. This is where the $1800 HE-X comes in. Priced right in the middle of the majority of the flagships, the HE-X promises the form factor of the HE-1000 with Dr. Fang Bian’s trademark sound.

Review:
 
Sound:
I’ve always been disappointed in descriptions of sound. While it’s very possible to translate a cans signature sound into an accurate description, it is nearly impossible for a blind reader to truly know if they will enjoy that sound merely based on a written description. Therefore, I will do my best to leave out words like “Musical, symphonic, melodious, etc.” A comparison to other headphones as well as a subjective overall personal enjoyment level seems much more helpful to me. I’m also big on value for the money. As with nearly every person on earth, my budget is limited and I really want the most bang for my buck.
 


Hifiman HEX vs. Sennheiser HD800

The HD800 seems to be the most popular flagship around. One would be hard-pressed to find a table at a meet that lacks an HD800. So, I believe that Dr. Fang Bian likely had the HD800 as his number one target when he designed the HEX. A few members at my local meet did a direct A/B, Song-for-Song, comparison between the HEX and HD800. We all came to pretty much the same conclusion. “Fun” and “Bassy” were a couple of the terms used most often. Yet, a few members even thought that the HEX was more analytical and detail oriented than even the HD800. When looking at the measurements though, the HEX doesn’t come off as extremely bassy or bright. In fact, it’s a fairly flat headphone. I thought maybe it has a really quick transient response, but the measurements say otherwise. Perhaps it is just the “Planar” sound differentiating itself from the HD800. It has ridiculous detail in the bass while not losing anything in the rest of the frequency response. When the music gets complicated the HEX really stands out, yet in an entirely different way than the HD800. I posed the question at the meet “which headphone would you pick up if you were in the market for a $1500-$2000 headphone,” and most were pretty split. A few preferred the larger soundstage of the HD800, while a few were concerned that the quality issues of the HE1000 would also plague the HEX. Personally I’d pick the HEX every time. I’ve never been a huge fan of the HD800, and with the exception of the soundstage the HEX beats or competes with the HD800 in every category.
 

 
Hifiman HEX vs HE-1000

(I didn’t have access to the HE-1000 and there wasn’t one brought to the meet, so this is all from memory of past experiences)
The HE-1000 is an amazing headphone. Prior to the HEX, it was my favorite headphone I’ve heard. (I haven’t heard the Stax SR-009, Shangri La, or Orpheus). The stand out feature of the HE-1000 is how little it does wrong. It’s near the top of every category of headphone descriptions. It doesn’t have the largest soundstage, but it’s close. It isn’t the most analytical, but it’s close. It isn’t the most comfortable, but it’s close. The HEX loses a lot of the character of the HE-1000. It doesn’t have the perfection that the HE-1000 comes so close to achieving. It’s not a perfectly tuned instrument. But what it does well, makes up for any lack elsewhere. I’d still prefer the HE-1000 if they were exactly the same price, but the $1200 savings makes the HEX the better value.
 

 
 
Hifiman HEX vs HE-400i/HE-560.

With the exception of the ancient but venerable HE-6, the HE-400i/HE-560 are the next options going down the Hifiman totem pole. They are both some of my favorite headphones of all time, so even matching them would be quite the chore for Dr. Fang Bian. They have different sounds and characteristics, but they share some of the same shortfalls so I’ve lumped them together for this comparison. The biggest downfalls with both the HE400i and the HE560 are the small soundstage and lack of bass. I started my headphone journey with the AKG Q701’s, so most headphones are lacking in soundstage to my ears. The HE-400i’s are especially small though. The HE560’s open up a little bit, but they could still use a little more. The HEX on the other hand nearly matches the Q701’s. It’s not completely there, but it at least gets close. The bass on the HEX easily beats the HE-400i and HE-560. I doubt there will be too many complaints on the HEX’s bass. As far as value goes, the 400i is probably still the best value. It’s very close to the 560 on performance and nearly ¼ the price of the HEX. The HEX is probably second though. Despite being twice the price of the 560, its performance is high enough that any potential 560 buyers should seriously consider saving up more and getting the HEX.
 

 

Hifiman HEX vs OPPO PM-1/2’s

The PM-1’s are a very smooth headphone, but they feel fairly bland to me. To my ears, the PM-1’s are outclassed against the HEX. Sonically every aspect of the PM-1’s are slightly below the HEX. The HEX has a larger soundstage, the bass is more accurate, it has more detail, and slightly more comfort. The one area the HEX does give up ground to the OPPO is in regards to build quality. The PM-1/2 is an amazingly well built headphone. I wouldn’t hesitate to throw the OPPO in my carry-on to use on a plane, but I don’t even dare let the HEX leave my house without it being in it’s box. The Hifiman isn’t really fragile, but something about it makes you want to be extra careful with it. The OPPO feels bulletproof.
*It is worth mentioning, a few members at the meet felt that the PM-1 was a superior headphone. In fact, those same members felt the OPPO was the best headphone they’d heard. I personally disagree, but since everyones ears are unique the OPPO may be worth listening to.
 

 
 
Hifiman HEX vs Audeze LCD-X

(At the current time, I do not feel like I’ve spent enough time listening to the LCD-X to offer a fair comparison. It’s price point and design features make it the most obvious comparison though, so I am saving this spot for a future comparison after I’ve spent more time with the LCD-X)
 

 
 
Overall sound:
 
The HEX’s have such a pleasing sound. It’s one of those rare headphones where I don’t know really how to improve it. The soundstage could always be larger, but it’s already really impressive for a planar. In fact the deficiency isn’t really noticeable unless you happen to be following an HD800/K701/etc. level of soundstage. The low-end is amazing. It’s not ideal for an EDM style basshead, but it has so much detail you’ll find yourself searching out songs with prominent bass guitars, timpani’s, and even kick drums. The headphone is so fast that it sounds almost treble-centric without being bright. It brings out detail, but doesn’t have the fatigue often associated with headphones like the K701’s.
 

 
 
Quality:
 
This was a big deal at my local meet. Nearly everyone who saw the HEX was concerned about the quality. For reasons unbeknownst to me, Hifiman has a reputation for suspect quality. When approached about it, the answer always seems to be: “We’re looking into it.” For me personally, I have had no problems with the Hifiman quality control. My HE-400i is perfect and has been extremely durable so far. The story is the same with the HEX. I initially worried about the bend in the screens, but I have since found out that it is a design feature. The cables seem high quality, the grills are a really nice metal, the box is stunning, and the pads feel very durable. The outer rim of the each cup is painted plastic, which sounds cheap but actually looks pretty nice. I haven’t had any problems whatsoever with the HEX so far.
 

 
 
Comfort:
 
In my opinion, the most underrated aspect of headphone reviews is the comfort. It can make or break a headphone. The HEX is not the as comfortable as the HD800, but it is very close. I can honestly say that without including the Sennheiser line, the HEX is the most comfortable headphone I’ve used. As planars go, they are fairly light. Put them on a scale and they’ll embarrass anything made by Audeze. Dumbo wouldn’t have trouble getting his ears inside the cups. The headband applies the perfect pressure and is adjustable for sizing. My one concern with comfort is the sizing. The HEX is a very large headphone. I have a medium to large head and yet I used the HEX on just one click from the smallest setting. If you have an extremely small head you might want to make sure the HEX will fit you before making a purchase.
 

 
 
Amping:
 
Hifiman really likes to advertise “Ultra High Sensitivity” and “103 dB!” This makes it seem like the HEXs don’t need a lot of headroom. This is very misleading. In fact, my O2 amp didn’t sound much better than an iPhone. It wasn’t until I put them on my Ember or a Violectric V281 at the meet that they really started to shine. I don’t want to make it sound like they don’t sound great out of an iPhone, in fact they are probably the best headphone in the world straight out of an iPhone. It’s just that they can't compete against a properly amped HD800 out of an iPhone. A lot of power really makes the HEX shine. Too much volume can hurt the HEX, but too much power will just make it sound better. Count on investing in a good amp if you’re planning on picking up a HEX.
 

 
 
Accessories:
 
The cables are really nice. They are quite a bit more pliable than the HE400i's cables. The box is identical to the HE400i box. Despite borrowing from a $500 headphone, the box seems appropriate for the HEX. The 400i box is just that nice.
 

 
 
Price:
 
$1799 is a lot for a set of headphones. But compared to its competition it fits fairly well. The LCD-X is $1699. The LCD-3 is $1999. The HD800 is now $1599. The HEX may not match your ideal sound signature, but it's hard for anyone to deny that the fidelity of the HEX is at least on par with the rest of the $1500-$2000 cans. I wish they were cheaper, but I don't know of a better headphone for less. Despite the price, they are probably the best value to be had in the $1800 range. (At least to my ears). In fact as far as value goes I’d say it’s better than anything above the HD650/HE400i level. Most of the $800-$1500 headphones give up enough that even at $1800 the HEX is the better buy.
 

 
 
Final wrap-up:
 
Is the Hifiman Edition X the greatest headphone ever? No. That honor probably belongs to the Shangri La or Orpheus. In fact I believe even the HE-1000 is a better headphone than the HEX. So the obvious follow up question: “Is the Hifiman Edition X the greatest headphone under $2000?” Absolutely! To my ears the Edition X can compete and win any sub $2000 headphone I’ve ever heard. It truly is an amazing headphone!
 
Special Thanks:
I'd like to give a special thanks to Todd Green from Todd The Vinyl Junkie (TTVJAudio.com). He lent me his personal HEX for this review. He's a great guy and a great dealer. You won't be disappointed by his service!
I'd also like to thank cskippy for doing the measurements shown in the review.

 

[jlbrach]

That is quite a testimonial to the HEX!Terrific HD for sure and i think the above review describes them very well!

 

[pippen99]

Impressions after spending a week with the HiFiMan Edition X
 
First I would like to thank Todd for the opportunity to audition these headphones.  Sending a very expensive across the country to complete strangers requires a rather large leap of faith.  Todd is to be commended for making that leap.  Todd especially made that leap with me.  If you have been following the HEX impression thread it has blown up with a very hot discussion over the true purpose for the existence of the HEX.  Is it for portable use?  Is it a near Flagship for everybody?
 
First a little about myself.  I am less than two months from retirement.  Listening to music by headphone has been my main choice for most of my life.  I started out with Koss Pro 4AA(?) before moving to Koss ESP 9b electrostatics.  Those were my main phone for almost 25 years.  Later I moved to Ultrasone HFI 700 & 2400.  It has only been in the last year that I have entered the realm of HeadFi.  I do not own a DAP or use my phone for music.  The only thing I own are a couple of Ipod Nanos and an Ipod Touch which sits in the car.  For this reason I emailed Todd and asked him if I was the right person to test this headphone.  Todd assured me that people would like to hear my impressions using my equipment.  So here we go!
 
Equipment:  Amps:  Cavalli Liquid Carbon,  Woo WA5
 
                    Source:  Auralic Vega,  Auralic Aries Mini streaming ALAC files from desktop, Tidal.
 
                    Headphones:  HiFiMan Edition X, Audeze LCD-X, Mr Speakers Ether
 
This is not going to be so much an analysis of the various attributes of the Hex but more a test of whether the HEX bests my current equipment or fits my listening needs.
 
Build:  I was not disappointed in the build quality of the HEX.  The Box was nice and it fit well the HEX.  I can see the box surviving the trips around the country in good shape.  That being said it is not a carrying case.  If this is truly intended for portable use then such a case is necessary.  The box will survive being packed and shipped but not in everyday use as a portable carrying case.  The shape of the speaker enclosures were a bit odd looking at first but I quickly got use to them and even found them attractive.  The pads were very nice.  At first I thought they were too shallow but I never was bothered by my ears rubbing the grills.  The cables were superior to the stock cables on the LCD-X(from now referred to as X) or the ETHER. They were soft and supple and easy to use.  I thought at first that the connectors were a bit odd reminding me of the connector on my 8 year old Ultrasone but they never came disconnected at any time.  My only complaint was the length of the stock 1/4 cable.  I t was just too long for my use being at least 8 ft.long.  It got in the way when switching phones during comparison sessions.  Now that I have praised the HEX for its build quality I now have to say I find it inferior to the X and Ether in Build quality.  The X is built like a tank and the Ether is beautifully engineered.  The connectors used on both are much more substantial and lock.  Too the carrying cases of both are superior with the X's pelican case possibly surviving a nuclear war.
 
Comfort:  The HEX here is a winner.  Comfort is not a high priority for me as I do all my listening in bed.  The shape of the HEX made for a secure listening position without a large clamping force.  The pads were comfortable and only after a listening for about two hours did the length of  HEX pushing on my lower jaw bring anything close to discomfort.. The Ether is not far behind the HEX but the shape of the HEX  spreads out the clamping force.  It just feels better.  The X is well let's just say it is an Audeze and let it go at that.
 
Sound:  Of course this is what it's all about.  I started out on the Liquid Carbon(hereafter referred to as LC).  Here the HEX started out at a disadvantage, not because it SQ is lacking but because HiFiMan does not even offer a balanced cable as an option.  The LC is a much better amp used balanced and the HEX forced me to us SE.  My X uses a Norne Draug v2 and my ETHER has a Norne Zoetic.  I'm not sold that there is anything dramatically musical about aftermarket cables but my Norne cables build quality and aesthetics crush the stock cables.  In this case to get the most out of the HEX and my amp HiFiMan forces me to go aftermarket.  If HiFiMan offers a balanced cable you may correct me.
 
Soundstage:  Very wide soundstage.  The Hex and ETHER were very close.  On some tracks I would pick the HEX and on the next the ETHER.  The X had the narrowest soundstage by a good margin.  I would have to call this a wash.
 
Bass:  The clear winner here was the X.  The X wins in quantity, quality. punch and dynamics.  The Ether had quality and clarity but lacked the dynamic punch the X had.  The HEX bass I found to be somewhat smeared as if the bass notes were not decaying fast enough for the next note to sound out.
 
Mids:  The mids on the HEX I found to be slightly recessed.  To test this I go to Steely Dan and Donald Fagen.  Fagen seems to mix his vocals slightly behind the instrumentation.  The X slightly pushes this forward while the HEX either seems to leave it in place or maybe even lets it slightly slide further back.  The Ether for probably shines best here.  Mids are smooth and creamy.  On male vocals I detected a bit of grain in the HEX presentation.  The X and Ether were superior here( Don Henley-Cass County).  Where the HEX shone was with female vocals.  Very pure and clear. The X at times could be a bit jangly(Eva Cassidy-Live at Blues Ally) While the ETHER was good but just a tick or two behind the HEX.(Diana Krall-Live in Paris)
 
Highs:  Again the X is a winner for me.  Very nice presentation with little roll off.  The HEX was good but just not giving the highs the presence and clarity of the X.  The ETHER has always sounded rolled off on the high end to me.
 
Scaleability:  All three benefited from the WA5.  Perhaps the X scaled higher than the other two.  The WA 5 is such a good piece of equipment it makes most anything sound better.  I have read that some feel the Ether is not benefited by tube amps but I like what I hear with that combo.  On the other end of the scale I tried the HEX out of the Ipod Touch and a Ipod Gen 2.  On both pieces I was running flat out to get good volume and the sound was best described as hollow.  I tried Tidal out of a Ipad Mini 2 I bought to control the Aries Mini.  It sounded really good so that probably shows how far Apple has come over the years in making music more enjoyable out of its equipment.  At the same time the X and Ether sounded equally good out of the Ipad Mini.  Still I was running at 80% for most tracks and higher for less "hot" tracks.  On the same note out of the LC and WA5 the volume was roughly equal with the X seemingly easier to drive by just a bit.  Perhaps there is a difference between sensitivity and ease of drive that I don't understand but if the HEX is designed to be sensitive enough to use on portable equipment it didn't demonstrate an ease of drive over my other phones.
 
Conclusion:  This is the economic range that I live in for headphone purchases.  The X($1699), Ether(&1499), Hex($1799) fit my budget and provide sound quality that I at this time cannot justify exceeding for diminishing returns.  Part of the purpose of signing up for this tour was to see if the Hex did something enough better to justify purchase and replacement of one of my current cans.  The HEX is a good headphone but does not do anything good enough to displace either of my current phones.  As stated I was hesitant to complete this test because the owners manual clearly states that is not recommended to not use amps with more than 2W power.  The LC exceeds 2W in dynamic passages and of course the WA5 obliterates that limit.  That makes the warranty problematic for me.  As I stated before my conclusions about the HEX would depend if it fit my equipment, my listening habits, and beat my current phones.  For me the HEX fall short in all three areas. Thanks again to Todd for this opportunity.  Good listening everyone!

 

[stjj89]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Got this on then loaner tour. Thanks again for Todd at TTVJ for letting me give the HEX a spin![/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Testing setup[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]PC > Bifrost Multibit > Schiit Lyr ('74 Reflektor tubes) > HiFiMAN Edition X / HE-560 (w/ jerg mods)[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Build quality[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The cups look and feel great, and I definitely like the solid metal grills. The pleather on used on the earpads has a nice grain to it, and feels good to touch. The velour material on top of the earpads, on the other hand, feels kind of cheap, but serves its purpose. My main issue with these are the plastic gimbals holding the cups to the headband. These feel very cheap, compared to the headphone cups, and are loosely attached to the headphone cups. I can actually press inwards on the gimbals and feel it slide in and out of the headphone cup on one side. This takes away from the luxurious look of the headphone, in my opinion.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Comfort[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]These headphones were less comfortable than I expected. My main issue with these is that the earcups are shallow, and there isn't much of an angle on the pads, so the back of my ears are touching the driver. Other than that, I do appreciate the long headphone cups, which do not touch the top of bottom of my ears.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Sound[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The HEX has a smooth, warm, but detailed sound. The mids are slightly forward and lush, the treble is smooth and a little recessed. This makes for easy listening, but it is missing a little bit of the edge. Bass is present with good quantity, but is not particularly tactile. The soundstage is of a good size, wider than it is deep.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Compared to my HE-560 (w/ jerg mods)[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- HEX seems to have a more coherent, "filled-in" sound overall, while the HE560 seems to be a little more hollow on the mids.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- HEX is more efficient than the HE560--I was ~9 o'clock on my Lyr with the former, ~12 o'clock with the latter.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- HEX has smoother treble; HE560 has more treble edge and texture.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- HEX has fuller, warmer mids that are more forward.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- HEX has more bass quantity, but its bass is a less tactile than the HE560.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- The HEX has slightly less bass extension, but slightly more subbass quantity than my HE560.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- HEX is has a slightly wider soundstage with better imaging--instruments are placed around you more effortlessly than with the HE560[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Conclusion[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]These are good sounding headphones that work well across all genres of music I threw at it. If I could ask for two sonic improvements from this headphone, it would be 1) more tactile bass, and 2) a little more treble edge/energy. I am a little disappointed at the comfort issue with the shallow earpads, but this might not bother people with smaller ears. While I do like these headphones, I think they are a little pricey at 1800 USD. I would place these among headphones in the 1000 USD - 1500 USD price range. The Edition X is definitely a solid addition to the HiFiMAN's line of excellent headphones.[/color]

 

[ExpiredLabel]

Email Sent, hoping to get a chance if possible

 

[mysticstryk]

Almost forgot I signed up for this. Do we know who has it now?

 

[musiclvr]

Almost forgot I signed up for this. Do we know who has it now?

Good question. I'm still waiting for a pm letting me know that the Cardas A8s are in their way.

 

[dxanex]

I sent the HEX out to Singleended58 last Friday. I still need to finish my review, but I loved it. I want one.  

 

[Todd]

Hi All,
 
The Cardas A8 is on its way to Sesameopen this week. There are 3 people left after that. So you can kind of approximate 10 days - 2 weeks per person with shipping time included.  rrollens is next in line.
 
The Edition X - there are 2 pair out there are currently on their way or arrived at yage and DooberKnob. There are currently 11 more loaner participants in line... guidostrunk and zworykin are next up.
 
Please remember to write your reviews in this thread and have fun with the gear!
 
Todd

 

[yage]

Thanks to Todd for keeping these loaner programs going - it's certainly been a lot of fun listening to such great gear.
 
This is the longest time I've ever spent with a HiFiMan (from here on Hifiman) headphone. The only other Hifiman models that have graced these ears are the HE1000 and (probably) an HE-500 at the 2013 Capital Audiofest. At a recent local Head-Fi meet, a system with the HE1000 driven by a pre-production version of the Liquid Carbon with music sourced from a Marantz SACD player possessed a synergy that was absolutely stunning. I was eager to find out if the Edition X could capture at least some of that magic.
 
 
Build Quality
 
The Edition X is a handsome headphone - not necessarily elegant or graceful - but for the most part tasteful and refined. The design is marred only by the cheap looking and feeling gimbals that connect the ear cups to the headband. I found the Edition X's to be supremely comfortable - clamping force was neither too heavy nor too light. And coming from the LCD-XC made the headphone feel like a feather had landed on my noggin. The ear pad depth is pretty shallow, but I didn't mind it. One thing that worried me a little was that I had to dial down the suspension headband to the lowest level (0 clicks) in order for the headphones to fit right. I don't believe my head is smaller than the average, but I could be wrong. The cables seem to be well-made and there are two included - one about 10 ft long and terminated in a 1/4" Neutrik gold-plated plug for home use and a shorter cable with a 1/8" gold-plated termination for those on-the-go. There's also a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter for convenience.
 
 
Listening
 
I listened to the Edition X on a variety of setups, the first being what I currently have at home and the last what I currently use at work. The Heron 5 was on loan from Airist Audio:
 
DNA Sonett 2 / Ayre C-5xeMP
Airist Audio Heron 5 / Ayre C-5xeMP
AudioQuest DragonFly 1.2 with JitterBug
 
I also compared it to the (few) headphones I had on hand - Sennheiser HD 600, Audeze LCD-XC, and the NAD VISO HP50.
 
I would characterize the Edition X's sound as generally pleasing with a sweet and forgiving sound signature. The Edition X seems to reach into the nether-octaves when it comes to bass performance and the highs are never shrill or fatiguing. This is definitely a headphone that can be used for marathon-long listening sessions. The warmish tilt worked magic on "Since I've Been Loving You" from Led Zeppelin's III. John Paul Jones' bass line was fully realized - the HD 600's bass response tended to drop off on the lowest notes. The Edition X also didn't shy away from reproducing Robert Plant's vocals with raw emotion. Page's solo was appropriately face-melting. The HEX also acquitted itself quite well on "I'm Old Fashioned" from Blue Train. Images were big - as in towering over my shoulder big. Coltrane's intro solo was rendered with a warm glowing tone and decent expressiveness. Chambers' bass had a good amount of weight, but didn't sound as tight as it did through the HD 600 or the LCD-XC. Drew's turn on the keyboard possessed decent amounts of warmth and touch.
 
If there was one thing I wish the HEX had a little bit more of, though, it'd be fine clarity. Though it wasn't lacking in spatial resolution, I didn't really get a sense of the space around performers or the acoustic they were recorded in. I felt that this held it back somewhat on classical music. The orchestra during the final movements of Saint-Saen's Symphony No. 3 and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 sounded just a little closed off. The HD 600 came out the winner here. Even though it was handicapped with a less grand soundstage, the clarity it afforded the music made the performance really come alive and sound more dynamic. It felt like the orchestra could breathe again.
 
Comparisons
 
The LCD-XC really serves as a the perfect foil to the HEX. It can be brutallly revealing and so didn't really play nice with the DragonFly like the Edition X did. That's not to say that the HEX is less transparent - it still allowed me to hear the differences in tonal balance between the DNA Sonett 2 and the Airist Heron 5. However, I needed to switch to the LCD-XC to get a better sense of how the two amps portrayed sonic texture, inner detail, and air.
 
The NAD VISO HP50 came the closest to replicating the warm and inviting characteristics of the Edition X's sound. However, the HEX was certainly better balanced - the treble and midbass / lower midrange were more linear.
 
I have to hand it to the HD 600, though. I felt that it edged out the HEX in terms of technical performance except in the bass department - and there only in terms of ultimate extension. Yet, I couldn't really say which was more enjoyable. In a perfect world, I'd own both and call it a day.
 
Conclusions
 
The Hifiman Edition X is no doubt a fine headphone based on its sonic merits. Whether it's a good value, well, I'll leave that to the market to decide. I know that if it were a member of my headphone stable, it wouldn't be gathering dust. I'd be fighting for every spare moment to get those cans on my head and drift off in a state of relaxed sonic bliss.

 

[musiclvr]

Hi all. Just wanted to say that I received the Loaner A8s! Impressions will soon follow.

 

[Todd]

Hi All,  the programs roll along... I am wondering where all the A8 reviews are??? These are some fine IEMs and loaned them out with the expectation of a report for all to read. Please post those impressions here!
 
Todd

 

[musiclvr]

Working in my review of the A8s as well as a comparison to the EM5813..... Here is a pic in the meantime.

 

[musiclvr]

musiclvr's Cardas A8 Review



PACKAGING/PRESENTATION
Upon receiving the A8s you are greeted by a nicely packaged and displayed pair of iems and case. I was immediately drawn to the intricately woven cable. The cable is really well made and a work of art in my eyes all by itself. The cable is moderately microphonic but less so than the EM5813’s cable. The iems themselves are well weighted and have this blue rubberized coating that, I’m sure, keep them from acquiring any dings from knocking against each other during their lifespan. I also really like the fact that you can order a separate cable in a balanced termination and simply snap it on or off to resume single ended playback.  


TONALITY
The overall tonality of the A8s is one of the darker varieties that just drip with musicality. The listener is drawn into soundscape that is non-fatiguing and is planted within an intimate soundstage with no forced resolution.


BASS
The bass is one that never presents even a hint of distortion, is quick, and quite extended. It is incredibly detailed. I do get the impression that there is a soft rise in the mid-bass area sometimes. This can add to the immediacy of the bass impact. The bass does not bleed into the mids at any time so it is just a joy to experience when it is called upon. This type of presentation lends itself really well to music genres such, as Jazz, Soul, Funk, R&B, EDM, Electronica, Pop, and choice Rock albums.

MIDS
The Mids are placed slightly behind the Bass and Treble regions in terms of presence. It is not readily apparent on first listen but when compared to some more neutral HPs it is easy to discern. The upside to this type of tuning is that this lends to that non-fatiguing sound signature. Overall, I find the mid-range to be quite alluring and engaging with vocals. Both female and male voices which are just sublime. I will say that the mid-range is quite extended too in that vocal dictation is not hard to hear in busy pieces of music. Any music with acoustic accompaniment is absolutely mesmerizing. There is no grain to be heard but could use a little more separation at times. I find that the A8s mid region performance is of a high caliber, regardless of price, with small jazz ensembles, singer/songwriter music, and solo anything.

TREBLE
The treble is what had my attention the most with the A8s as I had to focus more to appreciate it. It is extended and offers bite without sharpness within an intimate soundstage. The treble offers up plenty of detail but possesses a gradual roll off. Having said that the sound of the A8 is never fatiguing unless driven by a bright source i.e. amp, dac, low bitrate recording, etc. I find the A8 does scale well with better quality gear. So to that effect the treble is revealing enough. I found that I craved a little more linearity in the upper most regions of the treble as the A8s do lack air as a result of said treble roll off. I find that some recordings can sound more intimate and round due to a constriction of soundstage height and depth. This tuning in the treble affects some rock/metal music in that it can sound somewhat congested. 




EM5813 COMPARSION
Comparing the A8s to the EM5813s was really fun. I first noticed that physically the rear opening/port of each iem was different with the A8 having a more constricted opening/port. Although I found the A8’s cable to be more aesthetically pleasing I still favor the EM5813’s cable as I mostly listen at my desk and enjoy the added length, heft, weight. Yes I like the added weight for some reason as I associate weight with quality; at least in the audio world. I also like the polished brass finish over the rubberized coating of the A8 as I find the polished look to be more elegant. Moving onto the sound comparison: The A8s have a quicker Pace, Rhythm and Timing going for them over the Em5813s. This may be due to the treble being more accentuated in the lower treble region. I find that both iems roll off the treble in a natural way. So there is sense of natural spacing that sounds more round than wide or tall. I must say that the EM5813 has a wider soundstage and not by a little. I can only guess that this is due to having a more even transition on either side of the mid range whereas the A8s posses a soft “u” shaped sound. Maybe this may be due to the Em5813 having a wider rear “port”? I still feel that the bass on the EM5813 is more linear in that it doesn’t posses the upper mid-bass rise of the A8s. Overall I think the A8s sound more upfront in resolution portrayal at the cost of not sounding natural. Whereas the Em5813s sound is more linear but meatier. Think of the A8 as a fine nectar and the EM5813 as a sweeter, but thicker, honey.


Well that's all folks! If you have any questions I would be happy to try and answer them.

I want to give a huge THANK YOU to Todd Green from the TTVJ Audio website for this amazing opportunity to audition fine audio pieces in the comfort of my own home with my own equipment. I can honesty say this single thing has been what makes me a returning customer of TTVJaudio.com. He is also a pleasure to communicate with. Thanks again Todd!

 

[mysticstryk]

Hifiman HE-X
 
Short review:
 
Now that I've had about a week with these, including taking them to a recent head-fi meet, I'm ready to give my impressions.
 
Packaging/build 
 
Standard (new) Hifiman packaging here.  In other words, fantastic.  Comes in a very nice hard case that works well to transport the headphones as well.  The build quality of the actual headphones I am a bit mixed on.  They have the same shape as the big brother HE-1000, however most of the materials are the same used on their 400i (which retails for $500).  Fortunately though a lot is plastic, it is of the high quality sort. I just wish they used a better headband strap like on the HE-1000.
 
Bass
 
Extends deep with a little more quantity than the 400i.  I find this to be a perfect amount, just a little bit north of neutral.  Fast and accurate as one would expect from a good planar headphone.  The mid-bass is pretty flat throughout, so no hump here.  
 
Mids
 
The bass transition over to the mids is clean and mostly flat to my ears.  Vocals are a little more intimate than on the hd800, but not as intimate as on the hd650.  Guitars sound great on these.
 
Treble
 
Smooth is the first thing that comes to mind when listening to these.  Supposedly there is a small peak at 8-9khz, but I can't really hear it.  Probably because recently coming from the 400i, which had a pretty large peak at that same spot.  Other than that, cymbal crashes come through naturally.  These are definitely not bright headphones.
 
Other stuff
 
Soundstage is bigger than the hd650, but smaller than the hd800.  Imaging is pretty good.  Listening to live performances, it feels like how it should in an open space.
 
I would overall classify these as a slightly warm, natural sounding headphone.  Almost like a upgraded planar version of the hd650.
 
 
I took these to a head-fi meet over the weekend.  The overall response was very good.  Someone felt the soundstage was a little small, though this was coming from a regular hd800 user which arguably has one of the largest soundstages in this price range.
 
So there is my small review.  I would need to listen to these for more than a week to have more in-depth opinions on these.
 
Thank you for the opportunity to demo these Todd!  I enjoyed my time with them.