Hifiman Edition X

[B-60]

  OK I have been listening to the HEX a few days and I ended up the same fate as some of you. I like it very much. I am going straight and describe the sound… where it really matters

​.
 
The Bass.
 
My goodness, my jaw dropped 10" lower by its awesome deep bass. This kind of bass, I think can only be achieved by some high end sub-woofer, in fact one will need 2 of those sub-woofer to produce this kind of super deep control bass. The LCD X is no where as deep as the HEX - not even close. what the LCD X did better was its mid bass level.. the LCD -X has more slam but after A/bing both, I suddenly feel LCD-X bass is rolled off deep down. I would say the TH900 bass is more closer to HEX than Audeze phone including the LCD3. It's very addictive, I found myself waiting for the sub bass moment in each track. Do note the mid bass is not nearly as powerful as the sub... I find it lacks a little which means it won't slam hard like some headphones out there.. This is an easy going bass like the TH900 and the old denon line D7000 etc..
 
 
Treble
 
I find the treble very relax, smooth yet full of clarity and detail and the extension is marvelous, its extend really up there and higher than LCD-X... again, I feel its up there with TH900 treble level. The lower treble is a little more reserved while the LCD -X is more forward.. Its not as sharp as HD800. The cymbal crash gently while LCD-X more pronounce but fail to extend as high as HEX. Well it’s not as recessed as HD650 either.. Its not veil in anyway, it just lacked some lower treble (which is good) but extend way up there. With this kind of treble, I can listen to HEX really loud and not missing anything up there. I can listen for hours without fatigue or feel I have too much music for the day.. A very clever trick by Fang.
 
Sound Stage
 
Ok now my jaw drops to the floor, I never thought that Planar headphones would have this awesome soundstage like the HD800. I first heard the HE400i for fun and although I return it in the end, what amazes me was its sound-stage. I truly suspect this kind of soundstage would be found in higher end models and when it released the HE1K, I was blown away by its soundstage at the show.. and now I am truly glad that Fang incorporate this awesome sound stage in the HEX. I am a big fan of new age music and speaker like soundstage like the HD800 is what I really want in a headphone.. and I have it now together with the awesome sub -bass. As far as I know, this is about the best sound stage I have ever heard in any headphone except the HD800, it is directly in the HD800 league.. well done Fang!
 
Vocal
 
Well, I would describe the vocal as refine and take it easy kind of approach. It’s very similar to HD650 type of tonality here. No one is shouting, everybody voice is very refine and relax including Bryan Adams. Everyone learns how to curtsey at the end of the show with a gentle thank you. Works really well with Sarah Brightman kind of deal here. As oppose the LCD X and HD800 where the vocal more forward and aggressive. I find the HEX’s vocal in between the super duper romantic Audio Technica and LCD-X. Its just the right amount.. slightly creamy, slightly detail, and nasal congestion free.. in fact it’s so right, I feel it's very life like.
 
Sensitivity
The HEX is designed to pair with a DAP without the desktop amps (which is why I bought it – for traveling in between hotels with a DAP). My test concludes that the LCD X is way louder at similar volume with Ak240.. than HEX… Its like vol 80 on LCD X = vol 87-90 on the HEX. Overall, there are still plenty of volume play left on the AK240 and it can power the HEX to really loud levels. I tested it with a traditional Ipod (160Gb) and although the sound sucks big time (being critical here) it has enough power for the HEX.. same for iphone 6 plus.
 
Conclusion
 
It’s kinda of funny as I find the HEX inherited some of the best DNA among the timeless TOTL headphones. The sub-bass feels like TH900 super awesome deep, clean and tight.. very well control (I suspect its even deeper than TH900).. The sound-stage is in the HD800 league for sure. The treble, smooth, relax, warmer than LCD X but with better extension and lesser lower treble.. which means non-fatigue at all. The tonality is similar to HD650 and if one is a fan of HD650 (I am), then this is the ultimate end game towards the HD650 legendary non-fatigue headphone. For some, HD650 paired with Zana Duex is the end of the game. Now with HEX, HD650 fans can end its game while on the road with an Ak120/240. I did an A/B between Zana Duex SE/ HD650 vs Hex with AK240. The Hex came out the winner. More treble extension, way more powerful bass, wider soundstage and better PRAT.
 
I will conclude that HEX’s tonality is extremely addictive even though it lacks the technical ability of HD800 or LCD -X or TH900, it does something better than all of these headphones, it is much more enjoyable to listen and one can listen to louder volume without an ear meltdown. At the end of the day, I stop analyzing the music and start enjoying every songs.

Hi audiowood,
I don't think I would write a review on my HEX, you took all the words out of my mouth,This is by far best Heaphones for the money on today market,some people would say different,
The "LIKE SPEAKERS" sound out of the HEX is out of this world (on my set up and to my ears).The PRAT and Musicality it is the HEX FORTE!
I am testing Siemens ECC 88 old stock from askjanfirst in my LYR2 and so far so good, that I will give more time,They are bit softer sound then my Amperex bugle boys with Large O getter.
GOOD REVIEW!!!

 

[B-60]

I also am selling my he560 on forum now because the hex just blew me away it's such an enjoyable listen

+1 I have sold my HE-560 to my friend Stan and it is time for him to enjoy them.

 

[B-60]

  @bimmer100
 
I appreciate your insightful comments since I am thinking about which to buy: HD800s, HEX, or HE1000 and can only buy one.  I have just spent a week with HEX and loved it.  Maybe I should stop there.  I think what I and many others want to know is how are HEX and He1000 different and is the difference worth $1200? Put another way, how similar are they?  

I did stop on the HEX, could not justify the price-sound ratio , I am sure that the HEK are a bit better but not over $1000 more (33% better SQ) if that makes sense!

 

[Audiowood]

  Hi audiowood,
I don't think I would write a review on my HEX, you took all the words out of my mouth,This is by far best Heaphones for the money on today market,some people would say different,
The "LIKE SPEAKERS" sound out of the HEX is out of this world (on my set up and to my ears).The PRAT and Musicality it is the HEX FORTE!
I am testing Siemens ECC 88 old stock from askjanfirst in my LYR2 and so far so good, that I will give more time,They are bit softer sound them my Amperex bugle boys with Large O getter.
GOOD REVIEW!!

 
Thank you!

 

[Makiah S]

  I just got my EditionX's in today and am listening tonight to them on my Audio-GD Master 11 with a XLR 4pin balanced cable from a pair of HE1000's. Well well well i've got an ear to ear grin and they do sound more impressive than I so imagined. Comparing to HE1000's, HD800's, LCD2F, PM3's, HE560's, I would say they deserve to be up at the top with the big boys. I have NOT tested them with an Iphone. I didn't buy these "huge" headphones to be used with portable gear or used as a portable headphone. I don't care about that feature so much, but after a week I will write a review based on both scenarios. But paired with a Master11, these headphones are excellent. Lets see if this excitement wears off after a week or so. 
 
I'm using a heavily modded Gustard U12 on linear power, Crystek 957's, Panasonic low esr 3300uF caps, IC swap for i2s HDMi compatibility for audio-gd, gutted the crappy ac transformer and powered it with a Teradak DC-30W r-core linear power supply dialed in at 7v. All my gear is powered by an A/C regenerator - PSaudio P300. 
Side note: every headphone has sounded it's best on my Master-11, so i'm not too surprised how well these headphones sound.
 
Another note: I have a big head, and these Headphones are kinda silly as they clearly won't fit people with small heads. Thats a bummer since my wife found them to be uncomfortable and slightly too big at setting of being fully retracted. She could actually listen to the HE1000's at fully retracted setting. These HEX are less ideal for the small headed... Take note to those who are looking to purchase these. My wife loves her PM3's since they fit her perfectly and few headphones do. I'm happy I have a big head and can enjoy these HEX.
 
I also got an Audio-GD DIU8 DDC tonight and will test with that as well, kinda a neat DDC with 5 separate PSU's! 
 
I'm all about high end gear, and wouldn't think twice about buying the HE1000, yet the EditionX sparked my interest. I can't really say anything bad about either headphone. They are similar in my opinion. But.... price is not similar at all. For those who complain about the price of the HEX, well.... I'm sorry, just buy something else. It's a free market. They are quite expensive, I totally agree on that part. But the performance does not lack imho. Thus far, my opinion may change once I start pairing it with various portable devices and other amps/dacs. I will put this headphone through various tests with all the gear I'll have access to. 
 
Some people said the HEX has loose bass... hmmm. what amp were you using? That's definitely not the case with my M11. Bass is incredibly tight and controlled. Sub bass is just impressive to me. The ONLY other headphone that has bass controlled like this and albeit slightly better is the HE1000. I just sold my pair of THX00's as they had bass, and tons of it! but the overall headphone was just not to my preference. Semi-Closed does not have the open air sound of open back headphones such as the HEX and HEK. HD800's have a great sound stage, yet so many other little things I don't like about those...which I'll get into later. HD800 is still a very darn good deal for the money, so that's a good option for some people. 
 
 
This is my short 5-min review for tonight. I will post something later on with more details. I am pretty sure these headphones will stay in my collection and likely be a favorite.
 
-Tim

 
 

Thanks MH, I really like the Edition X as well. My challenge is the cost and that's not a knock on HiFiMan and more a reflection on my financial situation and family values based on what I earn. Having said that I am very seriously thinking of buying them anyway when I have saved the funds and sacrificed things I can live without to help afford them as well as make myself feel better about the purchase. In some ways I know I would enjoy them more then too as I would feel like I earned them more.

I like his Short review but my Issue with Hifiman is... the lack of a Balanced cable with these headphones
 
I've heard about how good the Edition X is with balanced cables/amps though my issue is the sheer lack of well... such a cable! We were asked to test the headphone an got only half the gear needed to really do so

 

[TMRaven]

As part of the loaner program, I have published my review.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/hifiman-edition-x-over-ear-planar-magnetic-headphones/reviews/14951

 

[B-60]

I am not sure and a bit surprised that most of the reviews I am reading on different forums including this one,almost never people listing what source and affiliated equipment during the review.
Source is the most important of all regardless the HP used and what IC's and power cables and power conditioners and so on....
I think that would be fair to headphone and do some justice to review and reader of the review.

 

[AudioBear]

  I am not sure and a bit surprised that most of the reviews I am reading on different forums including this one,almost never people listing what source and affiliated equipment during the review.
Source is the most important of all regardless the HP used and what IC's and power cables and power conditioners and so on....
I think that would be fair to headphone and do some justice to review and reader of the review.

I think you raise a good point.  The source material and the electronic chain are clearly going to influence the reviews.  I am particularly sensitive to this because I just forwarded TTVJ's HEX loaners to the next person on the list.  I say sensitive because I listened to iPhone 6s running Onkyo HD with hi-res well mastered material as well as many grades of Redbook CDs.  I ran the USB out into Mojo and thence to the HEX.  While this is an excellent and very enjoyable set-up and it's portable I don't feel it's quite as good as a balanced of Gumby and the Liquid Carbon on which I also listened to the HEX.  Sadly, as noted by @Mshenay above, HiFiman doesn't supply balanced cables and not having any that fit I wasn't able to listen to the HEX through a system in which both manufacturers recommend the balanced output.  I have no way of knowing for sure this hurt the outcome of my evaluations because I really liked the HEX (although I largely agree with @TMRaven's excellent reviewed cited above).  I'm writing up my impressions and as there have been a number of HEX reviews and impressions it would have been useful if all had done as you requested.

 

[Makiah S]

  I am not sure and a bit surprised that most of the reviews I am reading on different forums including this one,almost never people listing what source and affiliated equipment during the review.
Source is the most important of all regardless the HP used and what IC's and power cables and power conditioners and so on....
I think that would be fair to headphone and do some justice to review and reader of the review.

I almost always mention it :/ what my source is an what amps I use
 
I'd LOVE to have published my review but I'm awaiting the replacement for my loaner -.- 

 

[dweaver]

I listed my gear I was running the headphone from in my review. Its not in a list per se but is in the review...

 

[Audiowood]

i mention ak240 in my review.

 

[AudioBear]

What follows is a rambling reflection on my week+ with HEX
 
I was fortunate enough to be the first to sign up for Todd’s TTVJ Hex loaner program. I have no relationship with TTVJ other than giving them my money from time time in exchange for great products and excellent service.  I enjoyed the HEX over Christmas and New Year’s and sadly sent them off yesterday afternoon to the second person on the list.  I say sadly because I really enjoyed listening to music through the HEX’s.  This was my first extended experience with HiFiMan headphones and I congratulate them for building a very credible contribution to the more than $1000 headphone wars.  I‘ll put my bottom line right up front.  I would recommend that you not buy a pair of headphones in this price range without an extensive listen to the HEXs.  They are that good.  Will everybody who tries them out buy them?  No, tastes, preferences and needs vary.  Here’s one listener’s rambling take on why I like the HEX.
 
First a bit about me.  I a scientist-researcher by training. I have dabbled in hi-end audio all my life, mostly in the area of speaker design and building.  I have also performed music and acted in plays.  I’ve recorded a bit of live music.  While I am aging—aren’t we all?-- and have a slight age-related HF roll-off I can hear well enough to enjoy music as much as ever and have retained a my auditory acuity.  I listen to classical and opera only in live performance.  The recorded music I prefer is from the 60s and 70s, although I pick up a few new favorite artists every year which add to my collection.  I have eclectic tastes that don’t extend to metal and hard genres but folk, rock, jazz, popular, old time, country, bluegrass and unclassifiable stuff like Bela Fleck or Mike Oldfield have done is on the list.  With the HEX, I sampled many artists and genre recorded on everything from 24/192 audiophile recordings to ordinary CDs with which I am very familiar (sorry no DSD here, I agree with Schiit that the format was stillborn). 
 
I used two SE systems with the HEXs: 1) iPhone 6s (running iOS version of Onkyo HF) USB out using Apple CCK-->Mojo--> HEX and 2) MacPro (running Audirvana or Fidelia) --> ifi iUSB --> Gumby --> Liquid Carbon--> HEX.  All cables were garden variety Apple, Monoprice, and HiFiman. I did not do extended comparisons because my purpose in taking the loaner HEX is to find a good quality pair of headphones that I can comfortably listen to for hours.  I honestly don’t care if they are the best or most expensive of the most technically perfect, I just want to love them.  You all know that we can fall in love with things and beings that are less than perfect don’t you? Actually sometimes those have the greatest appeal, but that’s another story. In that regard, HEX has proven itself a good contender.
 
Since there have been a number of detailed excellent HEX reviews posted lately based on observations that were more comprehensive than mine this is not a review o the HEX. I will give a few impressions starting with what I am looking for in a headphone and what the HEX did or did not provide.  I also didn’t do any direct comparisons although at times I switched between my 64 Ears ADEL A12s (which are flat out awesome and which in some ways outperform the HEXs but that’s an apples and oranges comparison) and Oppo PM-3s which held their own on some counts but at less than 25% of the price and being closed were at the end of the day no match for HEX—nor should they be, it’s another apples and oranges comparison.  When I returned from UPS after mailing the HEX to the next person on the list I plugged in my PM-3s and put on some music (The Lake Poets from B&W Society of Sound). Sounded good to me. Maybe I'm easy.  Don't tell.
 
So what do I like? I am not really a bass head but I like some good visceral bass.  I test systems for bass with CDs from Kodo Drums and Blue Man Group and others. Pink Floyd's DSOTM and The Wall always standard fare for a revealing evaluation.   I like upfront vocals with all the detail and texture of the human voice (think Doug McCloud, Leonard Cohen, Muddy Waters). I like the higher treble voices to be strong, but not sibilant.  I prefer a not too extreme u-shaped curve—hey this is for fun isn’t it?, or a headphone that can be equalized to that response effectively. I want the music to sound real so the phones must have some soundstage and more importantly portray each instrument clearly.  I like hearing details I never heard before on a CD—HEX passed that test on several occasions.
 
The HEX bass passed my test.  It’s deep, it’s articulate, it’s controlled, and it has some punch but it won’t knock you over.  It’s just enough, could be a tad more; 1-2 dB of equalization solved that problem.  For my tastes the midrange felt neutral and very much in the same room with me.  Voices were not forward nor were they recessed.  They were just there and natural.  Treble was detailed and smooth without a hint of grit or edge.  The whole effect was just plain listenable and engaging.  I could be happy listening to the HEX for hours and hours and I think many others would have the same result.
 
I have a couple of niggles with the HEX but precious few.  One thing I mentioned above is that bass passes the test but is not the strongest asset of HEX.  It equalized to just what I like.  That was not necessarily the case with the high end.  I found that no more than 2-3dB increases at 5-6K and around 8-9K caused some harsh sounds and sibilance in voices. I haven’t seen a response curve for the HEX but it wouldn’t surprise me if they have peaks near these frequencies.  That limit’s my ability to compensate with HF boost if I lose more HF hearing.  I guess my age is not HifiMan’s problem, they’re making headphones not hearing aids.  The only other negative I picked up on is that HEX tends to get a little muddy or congested on high volume multi-instrument crescendos and passages at times.  I tested this with the Introduction or overture to Tommy using a plain non-audiophile CD which is really a bad mix that stresses any system, both the electronics and the speakers.  The Gumby-LC playback was better than the Mojo could manage but HEX choked up a bit on both.  The individual instruments got all cluttered together.  Ok, maybe it’s not fair throwing a bad recording at any system but it’s revealing.  I’ve heard better (think HD800). 
 
Much as I like the HEX, I am quite ambivalent about pricing. I don’t feel that quality is an issue. Yes, I would like a metal gimbal to attach the phones to the band but on the whole I find the HEX has a simple design (think Ikea) that is a sort of stealthy under-stated elegance. It is nicely built if not quite on a par with the finest available, but there are worse in this price range. It looks durable and attractive to me. They are very light.  Fit and comfort are outstanding. The package that comes with HEX is as others have said, sparse.  Most buyers at this level are going to listen through balanced connectors but HEX comes with SE cables. There are other signs of cost-cutting.  Maybe HEX is expensive to produce and this had to be done.  One does not get the feeling of luxury from the HEX but what it does deliver is a very enjoyable experience.  How do you place a dollar value on that?  It's what I’m looking for so that’s not my misgiving about price. So what is my problem with the price?  Read on.
 
Setting aside the Stax SR-009 which is to some the greatest headphone ever made (or is it Orpheus?), the reigning champion for most of us remains the HD-800 and we don’t know yet how much further the HD-800 S will move the line. The HD-800 is advertised at $1499 and can be found new for less.  The HD-800 S price is  $1699 (see sennheiser.com).  To dethrone the HD800 the HEX has to be better and/or cheaper. I’m not sure it’s better and it’s more expensive.  I haven’t decided if the HEX is $200 better than the HD800 or if I will pay that much.  The evil me says to just buy the HE1000 but I haven’t heard that yet.  For some the HD800 isn’t necessarily lovable either, unless of course you massage it with DMG Audio’s Equilibrium Plug-In.
 
I close not knowing if I will buy the HEX or try the HD800s again since I liked them too. Owning both is not an option.  What I do know is that HiFiMan is probably going to sell a lot of HEXs.  I may yet breakdown and fork over the cash.  Make no mistake about it, this is an amazing headphone that is going to appeal to a lot of people.  In fact, if you had to buy a headphone in this class without being able to hear any of them, I would recommend the HEX because it is just so enjoyable and comfortable it would have the broadest appeal.
 
EDIT: I can't resist adding a comment to the above.  If HEX were priced at $1299 my order would probably have already been made.  Part of what is going to effect sales of HEX is HiFIMan's prior reputation of delivering great products at a low price point.  It's always tough for a company to switch their image from low cost high value to high cost luxury.  That's why Toyota created Lexus.  I have decided to see how this plays out over time and will in the meanwhile be listening to the new Sennheiser HD 800 S when I can borrow a pair.

 

[TokenGesture]

The more I listen to the HEX the more I like them. The combination of sound staging, tonality and versatility have meant that I am not tempted yet to return to any other headphone (including the HD800).  Bass is excellent in extension although impact could be greater.  But I'm not going to nit-pick with these, they are providing me with too much pleasure.
 
This is out of my Metrum stack. Not interested in the portability aspect at all.

 

[conquerator2]

Well... - http://www.head-fi.org/t/793700/hifiman-shangri-la-the-new-electrostatic-headphones-from-hifiman#post_12227527

 

[grizzlybeast]

So part of the loaner program agreement is to share a review.
 
I do think a lot of people have already nailed down the qualities of this headphone. It is pretty rare that tons of genuine impressions flood a thread. I will add my first impressions as well just because. Also this is from @nmatheis generous loaning of the ifi micro idsd and my ipad so throw as much salt in there as you need since I can't test it on desktop gear. 
 
PRICE: $1799  most definitely overpriced. I know that there are a lot of mixed opinions on the the headphone build and it's very easy to see why. . It feels very cheap but looks nice. I love the design which is shiny metallic black. When I get back home I will see if the grill is actually metal(yay metal grill). If not it's seems a bit insulting to the customer to put chrome colored plastic on a headphone. At $1199 this headphone would be close to worth it for me. I really doubt its resale value will hold up in the relative future. And it won't be replacing the HE-6. 
 
Value is a highly subjective matter, but if you are looking for a very well balanced headphone that incorporates a sound stage, comfort, and musicality then this should be something you should consider purchasing. Right now it will be a rare tuning, but a lot of headphone companies have heard the cry of enthusiasts for more accurate and natural balanced headphones. This may make it well worth the premium and a reason I was very excited to have one. 
 
I don't care what people say before or after me but this is(along with the ZMF OMNI) the best balanced headphone I have ever heard. That may be invaluable if you hate eq'ing. Depending on the headphone I don't mind. But from my iPad I can't eq streaming from Tidal so this is easy to use AS IS. 
 
Bass first impressions:
While not bass head in quantity ( I am a basshead so sue me ) I think this amount is spot on perfect for reference and does provide a good foundation to the music. Based on reading previous impressions I was expecting this bass to be kind of bloomed and slow almost like a dynamic headphone, or not tight. While the headphone can't slam like I like, it does have a decent focus. Also I read somewhere that the bass rolls off....get the freak outa' here. This bass is as deep as the best, not bloomy but tight, kinda fast, just not uber detailed and visceral like I like. It keeps up with my LCD2.1 in solidity and quantity but loses a shade in impact. Keep in mind that I felt the LCD2.2 to be a disappointment but can't recall how it compares to my current lcd2.1. However, I much prefer the LCD-X bass over both of them by a considerable margin. The Omni slams harder as well and is just as tight but a lot more dynamic(memory). 
 
Midrange first impressions:
I find the midrange to have that kind of flat HiFiMan thing going on where it's never thick in the lower midrange. I prefer the mid range of the heX to the LCD-X in balance as well as the HE-560 but don't imagine it on better gear being as transparent as the he6 or as close to as detailed as the LCD-3F. I have played both of those other headphones(lcd3f,he6) on lesser gear and was still able to tell it was world class/totl. I just don't get that initial flagship impression with the heX mids. They sounds clear and well tuned but the technicalities in the mids don't really do much for me. 
 
Treble first impressions:
I was expecting darker and more rolled off. Sorry but I don't concur with either. I don't find these headphones dark,  or bright. They don't sound really airy but they still sound open. There sounds to be a little peak up there close to sibilance but nothing offensive at all.  
 
Sound field:
Expected to be amazed... not bad but I wasn't really wowed. It doesn't have that strong sense of imaging I was expecting. Maybe it does image very well but since the transients are pretty chill the sound images don't pop out and grab you. If this headphone was more visceral in nature and dynamic expression then you would notice it's imaging abilities more. It sounds very cohesive and not distant with a strong center image. I will probably listen more and update later on but while I am not wowed I am definitely satisfied with its size. I just feel on a first impression as if some things get smeared. I realize that I am an "attack head" and also how much it is needed to help solid imaging/instrument separation. 
 
So I was saving up for these and then went to the dealership and had to put down on a car. Now I am saving up for these but am reconsidering. I am only listening through my iPad because my PC is being replaced and my amp is not here. However this iFi thing doesn't sound too bad I kinda like it...I do like it. I say all that to say that since I listen at my desk a lot I can eq and as much as I tried to trick myself into wanting a relaxing headphone, I like visceral sound and thump. If I want chill then I can just play chill music. Actually since I usually listen to chill music I need the strong punch to counter act it. After a week I will know for sure if this headphone is for me or not. This is a great headphone so far but not end game for me as much as I can tell yet.