Hifiman Edition X

[Sonido]

Distortion is relative to volume, and these are sensitive headphones so it doesn't take too much power to make it loud. If you're listening to a level where the distortion is a factor you're likely going to be deaf in a few years anyways. I think what hifiman is saying is that desktop amps that put out lots of power are unnecessary and could have issues where there's not much volume control before it gets too loud. A clean source and low distortion amping will always improve the sound over a smartphone. If you're getting a listenable volume with a desktop setup, you should be fine. Your eardrums are likely to blow first before the driver, unless there's something specially delicate about the drivers on these.

 

[hrq12345]

  the HEX will not outperform the HEK. did you assume they would at all?
But can you honestly say the HEK is worth 1200usd more than the HEX?
 
I own the HD800's too...but i didn't actually like the HD800 until I got the Sonarworks plugin for Jriver with the specific HD800 profile that fixes the freq curve to be flawless!

 
now if only sonarworks comes out with profiles for the HEK and HEX...someone please have their headphones custom measured for this program.
it did wonders for the HD800...seriously. 

IMO HEKs worth around $2200. It's definitely a great headphone, but it's not better than the HD800s in every way. The HEXs probably worth $1200-$1500.

 

[donlin]

[COLOR=B22222]Been using mine with the High Gain setting of the Oppo HA-1.  Sounds like I may be at the risk of ruining them.[/COLOR]

Gee whiz,I had the Oppo-HA-1 and used it briefly with both the HD800 and the LCD-3F at low gain and had no issue with it.....high gain with the HEX sounds like extreme overkill

I use the high gain setting because it sounds better, not because of a lack of volume on low gain.

 

[B-60]

   
OK you like the HEX with the MOJO (I also love the mojo as well or even better than my HUGO).  Bu... have you tried the HE-K with the MOJO ?  
 
Is the HE-X better then the HE-K with portable amps like MOJO/HUGO ?  I tried the HE-K myself with my HUGO and it was OK !  But, I never tried the HE-X, so I am VERY interested to know if (without any price consideration) the HE-X can sound better than the HE-K with HUGO/MOJO type of amps.

hi there.
IMPO the HEX will sound better with mojo and Hugo,Mojo sound is clean but not as musical as some older gear that I have now, "once heard never forgotten" Hugo to my ears did sounded clean with my HE-560 but again, It was not as musical as my Grado 325i with Minidisc player.....I must be from another planet.....is any one knows MD players here or I am on my own at this point of time?Lots of new amps and don't get me wrong they all very good but not so good when I try to A-B with some of older gear....where is the meet????Thin and over processed and trying to be good ,but......no go for me....computer music and I phones not agreeing with me..

 

 

[B-60]

  Before writing off the HD800, and i'm assuming you say what you do about the HD800 because you own them and have done extensive testing of the HEX vs HD800?
but PLEASE try sonarworks plugin for Jriver with the HD800. It has a specifically tuned profile for the HD800 that truly makes a wonderful difference. NO JOKE. I like the HD800's much more now. but Still love my HEX more. but the gap isn't far between which I prefer. 
I would hope Sonarworks will have a profile for the HEX. but you could do us all a favor and have your hex shipped to them to have a specific profile made for the headphones and get a .9db accurate flatline freq response after tuning. 
just give the trial a shot, tell me what you think of your HD800's then.

Hi @bimmer100 ,Thank you for your recommendations, at this time and I do understand the computer and convenience but I will let it continue with web browsing and photoshop only on my computer.
Please do not take this in the wrong way, analogue and redbook CD's is where will end for me, My Brother calling my nuts not to put rj45 network cable in my listening room and yet I am running dedicated AC lines right from the panel to my main system, and he also said  to me to not no use wireless for my digital system...well I will be running only wires in my set-up and that will be coaxial and rca cables.
Cheers and happy listening.

 

[BobFiggins]

As someone interested in getting an HEX, and also someone who doesn't want to spend a massive amount on an amplifier. It's possible this could be great for me.
 
I don't understand anything about headphone sensitivities and whatnot. I still struggle to understand voltage versus amperage. I think I might have ohms down. Maybe.
 
I currently have a Vali. Would this be a good pair for the HEX? What about Vali 2? Would there be something more ideal that doesn't have enough power to kill the driver? I know Vali currently has some background noise with low impedance headphones. Though I think sensitivity also plays into it. For instance, if I plug my M50 into Vali, it sounds beyond horrible. Just muffled and no detail whatsoever with a lot of background noise. If I listen to my HD 598 with it, it sounds just fine. A tiny amount of audible noise in the background, but very tolerable. Both of these headphones have a similar impedance, so it must be down to sensitivity.
 
Anyways, I'm getting carried away here and confusing myself. I've been really interested in getting the Audio-GD NFB-28 for balanced mode. Though would that not be recommended for the HEX? Is there anything from Audio-GD that I would be much better off with?
 
Also, if there is a rumor of a price drop I might hold off. Was planning on picking up a HEX next month, but could be worth waiting longer if there's going to be changes. Ignore that, just thinking out loud.

 

[SeaWo|f]

I don't think there is a rumor of a price drop.. Just people complaining that it's priced too high. That could eventually lead to a drop if hifiman aren't selling any hex but that would take some time most likely. It's not that it is not recommended to run the hex in balanced mode, just be careful with the volume knob as the headphones are relatively efficient and too much power could blow the driver. Your ear dumbs would probably go first though. And a powerful amp can blow pretty much any headphone btw look at the he6 thread. Some amps even ship with warnings.

 

[TokenGesture]

  Before writing off the HD800, and i'm assuming you say what you do about the HD800 because you own them and have done extensive testing of the HEX vs HD800?
but PLEASE try sonarworks plugin for Jriver with the HD800. It has a specifically tuned profile for the HD800 that truly makes a wonderful difference. NO JOKE. I like the HD800's much more now. but Still love my HEX more. but the gap isn't far between which I prefer. 
I would hope Sonarworks will have a profile for the HEX. but you could do us all a favor and have your hex shipped to them to have a specific profile made for the headphones and get a .9db accurate flatline freq response after tuning. 
just give the trial a shot, tell me what you think of your HD800's then.

I'm trialling Sonarworks now with the HD800 and am suitably impressed. I'm tempted to send my HEX in...

 

[tuna47]

Maybe I'm not to bright but why but a 10ft cable with 1/4 inch connector and not be for a desktop
I feel Fang should clear this up for us

I also need Help if. I go to mojo will it drive HEk if I upgrade in the future
Thanks

 

[prot]

IMO HEKs worth around $2200. It's definitely a great headphone, but it's not better than the HD800s in every way. The HEXs probably worth $1200-$1500.

Take another $500 out of each of your prices and we may have a deal


And the marvelous idea that this is a mobile/portable/travel HP .. hm .. it's a fully open hp, you cant listen *anywhere* outside your home .. it's huge ... and very fragile because of those plastic parts .. it's particularly ugly on the head .. it does not fold and you'll need an entire backpack because there is no travel bag.
So yeah, it might just be the best travel HP ever
And $1800 for a can that works best (or only?) with the cheapest/weakest amps .. or phones/daps .. perfectly reasonable I guess.

P.S.
this thread is probably much funnier than it should lately.

 

[Oregonian]

  The reasoning for discouraging the use on high power devices is to prevent distortion. The high sensitivity limits the headroom you will get. This is not to say these are intended for portable use only, rather that you can achieve excellent sound with less expensive equipment. If you would like a headphone that scales more with better equipment, we recommend the HE-1000 over the Edition X.
 
If you are operating under reasonable circumstances, and using common sense, you should not damage the driver!
 
However, we have experiences HE-6 drivers failing when haphazardly connected to dedicated power amps.

Interestingly, I ran my audition out of a high power desktop system - a Pioneer Spec 2 amp (250wpc) and to be honest I don't see the "high sensitivity" claim here.  It volume matched almost equally with my HD800, Dharma and Denon LA7000 with very little adjustment needed.  I also don't listen very loud so that probably saved the driver a lot of trouble and/or distortion.
 
Whether it was meant to be "portable" or not, it performed well from a vintage powerhouse.  And to clear up a bit of disconnect, my review stated that I liked these - some read it that I didn't - only that it was not my favored choice up against three very good headphones, especially for the price.  I can't imagine using these anywhere but in a house/hotel room with other folks nowhere to be found - my wife commented how much sound leaked out (which they should being so open).  As with most headphones I've experienced, they may be designed for portable use but they sure sound better with some power behind them. 
 
Good luck with the X project - I'm still waiting for an HE-6 equivalent.  And thanks again for the audition - it was greatly appreciated. 

 

[cute]

 

IMO HEKs worth around $2200. It's definitely a great headphone, but it's not better than the HD800s in every way. The HEXs probably worth $1200-$1500.

Take another $500 out of each of your prices and we may have a deal

And the marvelous idea that this is a mobile/portable/travel HP .. hm .. it's a fully open hp, you cant listen *anywhere* outside your home .. it's huge ... and very fragile because of those plastic parts .. it's particularly ugly on the head .. it does not fold and you'll need an entire backpack because there is no travel bag.
So yeah, it might just be the best travel HP ever

And $1800 for a can that works best (or only?) with the cheapest/weakest amps .. or phones/daps .. perfectly reasonable I guess.

P.S.
this thread is probably much funnier than it should lately.

I had my Edition X on the For Sale forum here for as low as $1099, and I didn't get anyone interested even at that price, and they were NIB!

 

[TokenGesture]

I think HFM may be shooting themselves in the foot (and our resale values

 ) emphasising these as portable headphones for all of the reasons above

 

[cute]

  I think HFM may be shooting themselves in the foot (and our resale values

 ) emphasising these as portable headphones for all of the reasons above

 
I see you are running the Metrum Musette, same here!  I really think it adds musicality and more enjoyment to my HE-6 and HEX, and depending on what amp I use, and what aftermarket headphone cable I am using, both headphones can sound very similar.  I was thinking of upgrading to the Metrum Menuet, but I am running SE with great success, and don't need the balanced output that the Menuet offers. 

 

[TokenGesture]

   
I see you are running the Metrum Musette, same here!  I really think it adds musicality and more enjoyment to my HE-6 and HEX, and depending on what amp I use, and what aftermarket headphone cable I am using, both headphones can sound very similar.  I was thinking of upgrading to the Metrum Menuet, but I am running SE with great success, and don't need the balanced output that the Menuet offers. 

 
I am indeed. Great DAC I think. I am upgrading to the Menuet not so much for the balanced out but because of the claimed improvements in resolution and linearity (and because I have an understanding dealer!).
 
Great combo with the HEX I agree - very musical, great sound staging.