[jerg]

Quote:

No, I think the "profit margins" comment is closer.
 
Companies that have multiple products at multiple price points, tend to include improvements only in the more expensive items, just to make sure that the cheaper ones aren't too good and reduce sales of the expensive ones.
 
For example, Sennheiser HD518 have crappy plastic pads, while the HD558 have nice velour ones.   The velour ones, in quantities needed for world-wide distribution, barely cost any more.   But it helps to give people reasons to buy the HD558 instead.
 
Note that the head of HiFiMan has had surprisingly negative comments about the sound signature of the HE-400 - indicating that the bass response is designed to please crowds of unsophisticated buyers.   I doubt that he would be inclined to create anything like Jergpads that would add only a few dollars to the cost, but would lower sales of the HE-500s....

I thought that was a myth that was busted after Dr. Fang spoke out about it after some ambiguity, lemme find the post...
 
 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/586885/new-hifiman-headphone-he-400-is-out/165#post_8022919

Really? When did I say that? HE-500 headphones are much better for long time listening, and I don't think HE-500 have less detail.
 
To be honest, we did tune HE-400 more "American sound" than HE-500. Comparing typical America sound thiel or JBL speakers to UK speaker such as spendor sp100, ATC or harbeth, many people believe thiel or JBL have more detail or more neutrual than those UK speakers, but I personally perfer Spendor or harbeth a lot. I don't like America sound signature. But business is business, we have to make something can sell. 
 
If Senn dare to sell Orpheus below $2000, a lot of headfiers will complain that it is lack of detail comparing to STAX. 
 
Fang
 

 

[modulor]

It just goes to show that Dr. Fang is making products beyond his personal preferences and biases, which is a good thing if you ask me.

 

[kstuart]

Quote:

I thought that was a myth that was busted after Dr. Fang spoke out about it after some ambiguity, lemme find the post...

What you posted just confirmed it rather than busted it....

 

[jerg]

Quote:

What you posted just confirmed it rather than busted it....

Why? JBL/Thiel speakers are made for unsophisticated buyers?
 
The original myth was that "HE400 was tuned to be more American sound" might have meant that it was tuned to be good for pop music and such (basically what you were insinuating), and that's obviously not the case.

 

[renishi]

The coating around the metal frame supporting my 2 headphone has vanish Me thinks it is because of my sweat and now 1 side is starting to rust... darn lol

 

[modulor]

Quote:

The coating around the metal frame supporting my 2 headphone has vanish Me thinks it is because of my sweat and now 1 side is starting to rust... darn lol

If you contact HiFiMan customer support, you can request a replacement headband assembly.  I did this a few months back and it cost me $30 USD.  It's pretty easy to replace, you just need a philips screwdriver. 

 

[MattTCG]

For some, that's like a doctor saying, "to perform that appendectomy, you only need a $30 scalpel." 

 

[modulor]

Quote:

For some, that's like a doctor saying, "to perform that appendectomy, you only need a $30 scalpel." 

 

[renishi]

Quote:

If you contact HiFiMan customer support, you can request a replacement headband assembly.  I did this a few months back and it cost me $30 USD.  It's pretty easy to replace, you just need a philips screwdriver. 

Wow, thanks for the info.

 

[modulor]

Quote:

Wow, thanks for the info.

No problem!  Also, don't mention anything about the headphones themselves, just state that you're looking for a replacement headband assembly.  Another user here had some trouble as he mentioned that his headband had broken, and they insisted that he mail the whole thing in for repair/replacement, which is quite a bit more expensive.  I merely just asked for another headband, and had no issues completing the order via email/PayPal.

 

[HurricaneBill]

Hi All,
just picked up one second had, I can only say this is serious hifi (through Aune T1 amp/dac). Very happy with the sound, drums sound superb with this headphone.

 

[Thujone]

Quote:

Personally I think people who associate good bass response with "unsophisticated buyers" are idiots. Really annoys me when I say I like bass and people suggest beats or bose or similar...

Perhaps the ATH-M50's then?

 

[beaver316]

Quote:

Hi All,
just picked up one second had, I can only say this is serious hifi (through Aune T1 amp/dac). Very happy with the sound, drums sound superb with this headphone.

 
That they do my friend.

 

[nicholars]

Quote:

Perhaps the ATH-M50's then?

 
Meh the bass on the M50 is of the "one note fart cannon" variety

 

[Thujone]

Quote:

 
Meh the bass on the M50 is of the "one note fart cannon" variety

I was just trying to add to the humor of the situation. Anyone with a brain would choose planar drivers for quality bass!