HiFiman HE-500 (HE as in High End) Proving to be an enjoyable experience in listening.

[bagwell359]

Remastered rock music fits the Gumby and the HE-500's more than the originals. Mostly it's problems in the treble that make original recordings tough to take for me, but its the Gumby that in my system that makes it possible to listen to the original stuff. I'll AB the 600/500 on those to form more of an opinion. I know my Fostex fh500rp's will navigate those earlier recordings with calm aplomb which is what they bring to every recording.

Overall, there is a broad rise in the mid mids->lower treble on the 600, and a nearly matching dip on the 500. Purely on a graph, the 600 looks closer to neutral, but if you factor in the measuring bias - they are both off. It's an odd thing in the overall comparison. To me the 600 is a can of omission. Meaning what it does wrong it tends to remove but not add, but in this range, we find an add. And the 500 - there are some additions it puts in, but I can't think of much it takes away - except in that range. When I get to the end of modding I guess the last trick will be getting the 500's and 600's EQ'd with the best EQ I can find.

Rereading earlier posts on the 500/HE6 I'm ready to try attaching the pads via 2 sided tape ala Audeze which is supposed to really set the bass under 30 Hz from good to excellent. I do wonder if the 600 bass will come up under 70 Hz if I double tape those pads?

A lot to look into while I take a day off to recover from the Sox winning it all.

 

[vlach]

Remastered rock music fits the Gumby and the HE-500's more than the originals. Mostly it's problems in the treble that make original recordings tough to take for me, but its the Gumby that in my system that makes it possible to listen to the original stuff. I'll AB the 600/500 on those to form more of an opinion. I know my Fostex fh500rp's will navigate those earlier recordings with calm aplomb which is what they bring to every recording.

Overall, there is a broad rise in the mid mids->lower treble on the 600, and a nearly matching dip on the 500. Purely on a graph, the 600 looks closer to neutral, but if you factor in the measuring bias - they are both off. It's an odd thing in the overall comparison. To me the 600 is a can of omission. Meaning what it does wrong it tends to remove but not add, but in this range, we find an add. And the 500 - there are some additions it puts in, but I can't think of much it takes away - except in that range. When I get to the end of modding I guess the last trick will be getting the 500's and 600's EQ'd with the best EQ I can find.

Rereading earlier posts on the 500/HE6 I'm ready to try attaching the pads via 2 sided tape ala Audeze which is supposed to really set the bass under 30 Hz from good to excellent. I do wonder if the 600 bass will come up under 70 Hz if I double tape those pads?

A lot to look into while I take a day off to recover from the Sox winning it all.

You'll have to excuse me...I'm due back on planet earth.

 

[dwqdd]

I got a pair of he1000 from the same company, sounds fantastic

 

[SilverEars]

I got a pair of he1000 from the same company, sounds fantastic

When you hear the HEK, you find out how large things can sound, depth of sounds with airyness, and intricacy of bass. It's one of those headphones that tend to impress and grabs you on short listen. It was an interesting headphone for me.

 

[dwqdd]

When you hear the HEK, you find out how large things can sound, depth of sounds with airyness, and intricacy of bass. It's one of those headphones that tend to impress and grabs you on short listen. It was an interesting headphone for me.

agree

 

[SilverEars]

I'm going on an interesting music quest with these. I listen to Diva music now. What... They sound proper to me with the HE500. Toldya modern music sounds proper with these. I think HE500 expresses the tightness, crispness, and bass impact with the modern music. Modern stuff sounds so damn tight. Modern hiphop and R&B sounds enhanced, and big contrast from the old music (which sounds recessed).

 

[illyria]

Two questions if everyone doesn't mind.

Looking for a new cable for my he500. Anything at a decent price?

Finally able to ship stuff, so I'm looking for a new amp/dac combo. Have say, 300 to 400 dollars. What's the best setup for the price now a days?

Thank you.

 

[bagwell359]

Two questions if everyone doesn't mind.

Looking for a new cable for my he500. Anything at a decent price?

Finally able to ship stuff, so I'm looking for a new amp/dac combo. Have say, 300 to 400 dollars. What's the best setup for the price now a days?

Thank you.

But also a cable, so maybe 400 to 500 dollars? I'd be looking for a used Jot w/ DAC card, and I'd clip the SE plug off your 500 and replace with an XLR head. A hand tester that can test for continuity will make it safe, that and some solder, paste, iron. The stock cable isn't the best but upgrading from SE to XLR will smoke any upgrade from one SE to another. If you haven't got the stuff/interest to do it yourself, then buy the cheapest XLR you can (not sure about those silver plate jobs from China). These days the old HFM terminated wires are selling cheaper since demand is way down. Have fun.

 

[kid vic]

But also a cable, so maybe 400 to 500 dollars? I'd be looking for a used Jot w/ DAC card, and I'd clip the SE plug off your 500 and replace with an XLR head. A hand tester that can test for continuity will make it safe, that and some solder, paste, iron. The stock cable isn't the best but upgrading from SE to XLR will smoke any upgrade from one SE to another. If you haven't got the stuff/interest to do it yourself, then buy the cheapest XLR you can (not sure about those silver plate jobs from China). These days the old HFM terminated wires are selling cheaper since demand is way down. Have fun.

Kinda, the upgrade to XLR is only important if the amp that drives the headphones is superior balanced. For power to the HE500s, yes thats great, if the balanced out has lower distortion, excellent; but if your using the same amp and those two factors don't see an improvement than there won't be a difference.

 

[bagwell359]

Kinda, the upgrade to XLR is only important if the amp that drives the headphones is superior balanced. For power to the HE500s, yes thats great, if the balanced out has lower distortion, excellent; but if your using the same amp and those two factors don't see an improvement than there won't be a difference.

That's true all things being undefined, but I did specify the Jot and it puts out a great deal more with balanced vs SE.

7500 mW RMS vs 2500 mW RMS @ 16 ohms;
5000 mW RMS vs 1500 mW RMS @ 32 ohms;
3000 mW RMS vs 0800 mW RMS @ 50 ohms;

500 needs about 1/2 watt @ 38 ohms; Jot has borderline enough kick balanced for the 500, no way with the SE.

 

[kid vic]

That's true all things being undefined, but I did specify the Jot and it puts out a great deal more with balanced vs SE.

7500 mW RMS vs 2500 mW RMS @ 16 ohms;
5000 mW RMS vs 1500 mW RMS @ 32 ohms;
3000 mW RMS vs 0800 mW RMS @ 50 ohms;

500 needs about 1/2 watt @ 38 ohms; Jot has borderline enough kick balanced for the 500, no way with the SE.

Sorry, I skipped the "jot" mentally because my brain didn't turn it into "Jotunheim" immediately. Carry-on

 

[SilverEars]

Listening to some contemporary Jazz (HE500 is good for). Damn holographic. I think the newer jazz recordings have more depth and instruments are more holographic. For example, try Fred Hersch Trio. Dayam!

 

[bagwell359]

Listening to some contemporary Jazz (HE500 is good for). Damn holographic. I think the newer jazz recordings have more depth and instruments are more holographic. For example, try Fred Hersch Trio. Dayam!

Try any Mapleshade yet (Night Creatures cuts 2 & 3)? Patricia Barber Cafe Blue cut #1? Even remastered "Black Cow" by Steely Dan had me jumping out of the chair...

Still, some of the older stuff (70's fusion that was well recorded, or even Bitches Brew, or earlier Bop. Before that, dynamics were tamped down for recordings. Wonder if any master tapes of live performances kicking around - pre 1960?

 

[bagwell359]

OK, I've arrived at my conclusion on the back screen of the HE-500 - and it's liable to hold true for the 4** and HE-6 as well.

I was an earlier denier of the benefits of screen removal noting that wood block/finger snaps, vocal resonance all seemed to be messed with in a fundamental way. Well those issues still remain to a large extent, but much more is gained - with the correct choice.

Tried:

nothing: sound stage is much wider and is regular rectangle in size, with the stock screens the stage is balled together with a middle fill and a small left and right, that are slightly disconnected from each other. Now leading edges of instruments are cleaner and more pure, space around instruments is more correct vs w/ the stock screens.

3 screens were found to be essentially invisible audibly.

a. One was a wide 1/2" weave with no solder between the wire. Thick, rigid, difficult to work with, no way ring can be used, worry about them piercing the membrane. Also aluminum, non magnetic (won't attract small bits of metal which will go to the membrane. About 85% open.

b. One was a 1/2" ground cloth (it's metal, just the name can confuse people, plus its magnetic like the stock). About 95% open. Still easy to stick things through the hole, and even though they are soldered feels weak against an accident. Rings work with it.

c. 1/4" ground cloth. About 90% open, bit stiffer due to the denser pattern than b above. Still couldn't hear it. Cheap if you find a short roll, easy to cut with snips. Rings work with it. This is my choice.

Screens that are too dense:

a. 3/4" holes punched out of thick aluminum. about 55-60% open pattern, very audible sonically, very thick so can't use rings. Had to use a skill saw to cut it. Nicest looking.

b. about double the size of the holes of stock, magnetic, easy to cut, about 60-65% open, quite audible and seemed identical to stock in that way.

c. stock. 55-60% open, very audible

d. I mentioned cutting bigger holes into the stock - DON'T DO IT. I had it clamped, used two new bits on a drill press - first as a starter, 2nd size I wanted. First few went OK, but once the adjacent material was gone, it started to bend, twist, and lost structural coherence. Leave them be.

I cut the 1/4" ground cloth to size, hung them, few coats of spray paint, few more of clear coat. Look pretty nice, sound better. WARNING: the uncovered soldered wire headed into the cups is sort of a post. The mesh is pretty close to it. Make sure the mesh is well painted, and I recommend bending the post carefully and slightly down to make accidental contact less likely. The 1/4" ground cloth is more bendable than the stock mesh, but, getting the retaining ring on over the mesh helps it to be quite close in being rigid. Just want you guys trying this to be aware and careful.

I've seen some "hex" patterns that look pretty good too. The critical thing it to have an over 85% open pattern where you can still use the ring.

 

[vlach]

Listening to some contemporary Jazz (HE500 is good for). Damn holographic. I think the newer jazz recordings have more depth and instruments are more holographic. For example, try Fred Hersch Trio. Dayam!

Outstanding recording! Just ordered the CD, thank you!!!