Hifiman Edition X

[grizzlybeast]

I don't consider myself to be trashing the HEX. But I would like to quote the end of my review to give perspective of why the HEX is under such scrutiny.  
 

O V E R A L L ​

 While not the best value I have known, it still is best sounding headphone I have heard that doesn't need special amping.  Kudos to HiFiMan for making good sound that plays well with everything. Because of it's agreeable nature, special ability to be so efficient, and amazing comfort it scored a hesitant but earned 7.9. The balance is gorgeous and I would have given this headphone a 9 if it were priced closer to it's technical performance at a solid 1100 but what I am getting for 1800 is not going to excel against the most technical or luxurious headphones out there. I also would like to say that continual rise in the prices of Flagships seems frivolous to me and this headphone very much contributes to that silliness.
 

7.5​

 

 

 

[AudioBear]

I concur with you on the value proposition.  You laid it out very well.  My guess is they will sell enough of these to keep the price where it is.  There are lots of advantages to overpricing.  It is certainly attracts those who form their impression of quality on the price.

 

[lukeap69]

+1

 

[tuna47]

I need some advice
I have the Lyr many different upgraded tubes and bifrost uber
I am thinking of getting the mojo for the hex will that sound as good
I also wonder if I upgrade again to the hek will the mojo drive them well because I would sell lyr

 

[tuna47]

I think people should mention what music they love or hate with the hex
I love them but I'm an old fart listen to jazz light rock r and b classical
I can listen to edm for about 2 Minutes so your reviews might have no effect on me
It also seems that the people that own these like them the people that just tried them don't
I also think a 4 might be justified but a 3 no way

 

[B-60]

I need some advice
I have the Lyr many different upgraded tubes and bifrost uber
I am thinking of getting the mojo for the hex will that sound as good
I also wonder if I upgrade again to the hek will the mojo drive them well because I would sell lyr

Hey Tuna47,
I am thinking about Mojo myself ,but.....$800CAN plus Tax....man for a little black box....that will turn my world around.....I don't think so.
On the other hand I just sold LYR2 because I did ordered Elise amp and when I did that I was thinking ahead ,because at one point will be getting the HEK or some other headphone that is hard to drive and I know that Elise will do that well, also tube rolling galore!!!

I don't think that mojo will be a good match with the HEX, I think that HEX need some proper current to run them well.MPO only, maybe I am wrong, I had a chance to hear HEX with mojo, and I did like it, wide and deep sound stage and smooth, sweet top and mids.
I am listening to lots of 80's and female vocals but also lots of new age from 80's.HEX is so good!!!Again the best from all the HP that I had, can not go back to conventional drivers here,sorry no can do!

 

[B-60]

I am listening to Kate Bush "Breathing" US pressing CD that was transferred to Sony MZ-1 via optical cable from Sony DVP-S7700 (transport)
and let me just say this ,I have I have goose bumps and my head, music so powerful and at the same time so smooth and clean top, this track is very hard to be processed and most of the time will not treat you ears good, not the case with HEX, just so nice.

JUST CLOUD #9!!!!

 

[Makiah S]

At 1200 it's not bad at all. It's just that 1800 dollars is totl

An that's my issue as well. For $1800 dollars there's a MYRIAD of headphones I can get. From a HD 800S to the Beyer T1 Gen 2, to a fully modded Lawton TH 900 [also easy to drive] an so forth an so on I was expecting the HE X to DESTROY my HE 4, given the huge price differance but :/ 
 

Lol.. X2.

 
Lol X3

  I'm so glad you and Grizzly are here standing by your beliefs.
Where on Earth are people hearing this magical HE-X with gobs of details and a black background?
Certainly wasn't evident in my pair.

well all I have is Candor, if I LOVED everything I demo'd what value would my impressions have 

 

[jlbrach]

one can debate value for the money but one can sadly do that with all of the high end cans available today...to my ears there is no debate as to the quality of these cans,they sound absolutely wonderful and are comfortable as can be..a big win in my opinion but headphones are so personal and subjective....some love the HD800 and hate the LCD-3 and vice versa.....i happen to love to spacious sound of the HEK and the HEX.....incredibly involving

 

[B-60]

  one can debate value for the money but one can sadly do that with all of the high end cans available today...to my ears there is no debate as to the quality of these cans,they sound absolutely wonderful and are comfortable as can be..a big win in my opinion but headphones are so personal and subjective....some love the HD800 and hate the LCD-3 and vice versa.....i happen to love to spacious sound of the HEK and the HEX.....incredibly involving

Hey,@tuna47 had a question about mojo driving HEK and what would you say about this combo???
Is mojo good match for HEK or is is better with HEX, or HEX is better with mojo?
Cheers

 

[prot]

For those of you interested, check out my honest impressions regarding the HE-X.

http://www.head-fi.org/products/hifiman-edition-x-over-ear-planar-magnetic-headphones/reviews/15012

Sorry to say, these just didn't do it for me.

I'll happily go back to my HE-1000 and Ether   

Thanks for the honest review. Quite rare nowadays. And afaik the only one which includes two things that I consider must-haves for any review: a full list of test equipment and a disclaimer that clearly states your relation to the vendor.

Lots of people talk about a trickled down hek but I just dont see any trace of that .. every time I look at the hex I keep seeing a he400i with oval cups. Could you maybe add a comparison with the 400i ?

 

[tuna47]

Have you heard the hex or just looked at it

 

[AudioBear]

  Hey,@tuna47 had a question about mojo driving HEK and what would you say about this combo???
Is mojo good match for HEK or is is better with HEX, or HEX is better with mojo?
Cheers

I used HEX with Mojo and it is a great pairing.   Very enjoyable.  I have not heard it with the HEK but want to.  Absent that I'd like to hear other people's expressions.
 
HEX is very efficient and was designed to work with small portable amps. HEK, not so much but it is still relatively easy to drive.  Much more so than power hungry phones like the HE-6.  Mojo can certainly drive it quite comfortably.  There are of course those who want a lot of power and a lot of headroom who will insist they can hear a difference.  If they do they should use a big expensive amp with their HEKs.  I suspect I can get along without one.

 

[B-60]

 
I used HEX with Mojo and it is a great pairing.   Very enjoyable.  I have not heard it with the HEK but want to.  Absent that I'd like to hear other people's expressions.
 
HEX is very efficient and was designed to work with small portable amps. HEK, not so much but it is still relatively easy to drive.  Much more so than power hungry phones like the HE-6.  Mojo can certainly drive it quite comfortably.  There are of course those who want a lot of power and a lot of headroom who will insist they can hear a difference.  If they do they should use a big expensive amp with their HEKs.  I suspect I can get along without one.

That is interesting comments about "who will insist and can hear the difference", very valid comment and honestly I would be happy with Lyr2 and HE560 and to my ears that was a very good combo but I got greedy , I think just a human nature and maybe by the time I get the Elise tube amp just to find out that LYR2 with HE560 was better.
There is no real guarantee with this hobby and we can just hope that will be good or better.
Happy listening

 

[Sil3nce]

Thanks for the honest review. Quite rare nowadays. And afaik the only one which includes two things that I consider must-haves for any review: a full list of test equipment and a disclaimer that clearly states your relation to the vendor.

Lots of people talk about a trickled down hek but I just dont see any trace of that .. every time I look at the hex I keep seeing a he400i with oval cups. Could you maybe add a comparison with the 400i ?

Thank you, sir!
 
I appreciate the kind words.
Though I'm sure there's a few in this thread who want to chase you away with sticks
 
I'll add some new input later on, and update the review.
Cheers.
 

  Hey,@tuna47 had a question about mojo driving HEK and what would you say about this combo???
Is mojo good match for HEK or is is better with HEX, or HEX is better with mojo?
Cheers

 
I was using the Mojo with the HE-X and HE-K.
Drives the HE-X more than well, and probably better sounding than other setups. 
I'm not sure if it's that good with the HE-K though. I'd still prefer a full setup.