mbyrnes
500+ Head-Fier
Thanks guys!...am pretty close to pulling the trigger, just trying to find one used at a good price.
(even new i'm seeing them go on sale for $899, however).
now i know this is not thread related, but is the massdrop hifiman he4xx offering pretty good sounding too
(as a back up pair)?
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-hifiman-he4xx-planar-magnetic-headphones
I would imagine the Massdrop HE-4XX will be a VERY solid planar for $169. I cannot in anyway imagine it will sound anything like the HE-X. I have the Monoprice M1060 with Audeze Vegan pads, and while they are bass monsters, they lack the clarity and openness of the HE-X. totally different sound really, even though they both use large Planar drivers. The HE-X and HE-4XX should sound different enough to own both, and you may prefer the HE-4XX for certain things. The added plus is that they cost so little that they are easier to travel with and not worry about damaging them. If I didn't already own the M1060, I would have definitely jumped on the HE-4XX the second it launched. I just have too many headphones as is, and really don't need anymore. My M1060s are my cheap and "disposable" headphones, the Vegan Audeze pads being the more valuable part as they are now unobtainium.
The HE-X at $899 new, maybe the older V1 version which features straight, not angled pads. Also the ring that holds the cup to the headphone (forgetting the name), was plastic on the V1, and changed to Metal for the V2. I have seen the V1 for $899. I have not seen the V2 selling for less than $1299. Used they go for $900 roughly. Depends on condition and usage. The angled pads changed the sound for the better, and they should be available on Hifiman's website by now I would hope (haven't checked in a while, but they only had the V1 pads the last time I checked a few months back).