[Gavin C4]

That's great news for you as the newer model band also has a silicone type insert between the metal parts that swivel,.
So you get smoother motion and no metal creak/squeek.

Didn't notice it until you mention it. The turning is really smoother.The new headband is much better than the v1. I was all hyped about the lighter weight and wearing the HE1000 for the whole night.

I wonder how did Hifiman make the stock v1 balanced cable with 2 cores? I remember seeing somewhere saying a balanced cable should have at least 4 cores. Just like my ALO Litz 2.5mm, it is also 4 cores. I have been using the stock balanced cable from the very beginning... Should I consider getting an after market 4pin XLR cable for the HE1000?

 

[watchdog507]

Didn't notice it until you mention it. The turning is really smoother.The new headband is much better than the v1. I was all hyped about the lighter weight and wearing the HE1000 for the whole night.

I wonder how did Hifiman make the stock v1 balanced cable with 2 cores? I remember seeing somewhere saying a balanced cable should have at least 4 cores. Just like my ALO Litz 2.5mm, it is also 4 cores. I have been using the stock balanced cable from the very beginning... Should I consider getting an after market 4pin XLR cable for the HE1000?

I have both Black Dragons and Lavricables Silver XLR 99% of my listening is Lavricables they are a bargain cost wise performance is hard to beat

 

[Slim1970]

I have both Black Dragons and Lavricables Silver XLR 99% of my listening is Lavricables they are a bargain cost wise performance is hard to beat

I'm leaning towards the Lavricables to go with my HE1K V2's. They're priced competitively versus other cables and they seem to offer some sonic upgrades over the stock cables.

 

[watchdog507]

I'm leaning towards the Lavricables to go with my HE1K V2's. They're priced competitively versus other cables and they seem to offer some sonic upgrades over the stock cables.

My experience with the Lavricables was enlightening. I had heard that Black Dragons were a great cable. They are, but the cables "attenuate" the frequencies and make bass wooly and highs veiled. The Lavricables stripped that away and I just get more music.I use the Black Dragons when I have a "bright" system to control the fatigue.

 

[Gavin C4]

I'm leaning towards the Lavricables to go with my HE1K V2's. They're priced competitively versus other cables and they seem to offer some sonic upgrades over the stock cables.

My experience with the Lavricables was enlightening. I had heard that Black Dragons were a great cable. They are, but the cables "attenuate" the frequencies and make bass wooly and highs veiled. The Lavricables stripped that away and I just get more music.I use the Black Dragons when I have a "bright" system to control the fatigue.

Thanks, I will get the Lavricables XLR for my HE1000.

 

[thefitz]

I put V2 pads on my recently acquired V1. Granted, I had only a few hours of head time on the V1, but I had a good enough impression of how it sounded.

I am very happy with the change. I DID detect a marked reduction in sibilance, which is the most welcome change - I was actually surprised how sharp the HE-1000 was, considering it's "hazy" reputation. I did notice what I feel as an improvement in the bass - I'm hearing an appreciably more coherent bass with a little less rumble and increased tightness, just as large, but faster. To my ears, all no-brainer improvements.

A few notes about the pads themselves:
- The angle isn't nearly as start a difference as it looks. The thin edge of the V2 pad is roughly the same thickness as the thin edge of the V1 pads. The thicker side is probably ~3mm thicker than the V1 pad.
- I'm not buying the polyester/velour ear lining impacts sound at all. This material is pressed against your face at all times - there are no sound waves interacting with it. I'd say polyester feels better on my face, but is warmer on the ears.

 

[Thenewguy007]

I put V2 pads on my recently acquired V1. Granted, I had only a few hours of head time on the V1, but I had a good enough impression of how it sounded.

I am very happy with the change. I DID detect a marked reduction in sibilance, which is the most welcome change - I was actually surprised how sharp the HE-1000 was, considering it's "hazy" reputation. I did notice what I feel as an improvement in the bass - I'm hearing an appreciably more coherent bass with a little less rumble and increased tightness, just as large, but faster. To my ears, all no-brainer improvements.

This was the same conclusion I had when i tested them.

V2 pads were more crisp & clearer sounding, by a noticeable margin. While the V1 pads were more muddy, hazy sounding with more bloated bass.

 

[JaZZ]

I agree. The V2 pads bring an awesome improvement in almost every department, neutrality, soundstage and impulsivity included.

 

[JaZZ]

I'm just coming from a comparison between my (modified) HE1000 with the V2 pads and the HE1000 V2 – in my favorite hi-fi store, but my usual configuration: FiiO X5 II feeding a DAVE. The audition was done with Lavricables Master Silver, so the original cables fall out of the equation.

Long story short: The HE1000 V2 was 1 dB quieter than my pair and had a tiny bit more upper-midrange energy (not a bad thing), but otherwise sounded the same. Hence, as I halfway suspected, the V2 pads are the component that does the trick, apart from the different cable. So it's understandable that HifiMan refused to sell them before they made enough money with their upgrade program.

What I also noticed is the better headband with now clearly usable stops, unlike mine, which needs some pieces of wire to keep it adjusted (this on a $3000 headphone!).The wearing comfort felt the same on both versions – I didn't really notice the reduced weight.

 

[musicman59]

Can somebody describe how to exchange the V1 pads for the V2 in the HE1000?
Thanks.

 

[onsionsi]

I don't know if we can replace the headband of v1 with v2

 

[JaZZ]

Can somebody describe how to exchange the V1 pads for the V2 in the HE1000?
Thanks.

Press the plastic frame underneath the pad to the inside (takes a bit of force) with your thumb nail – same procedure as with the HD 800.

I don't know if we can replace the headband of v1 with v2

If it's available separately at all!

 

[thefitz]

It's interesting that so many of us use relatively humble DAPs as transports to nice DAC/amp setups. I use an iBasso DX90.

I've considered building a Raspberry Pi with a coax out and use my phone as a remote, but I'm not confident in my ability to get my phone to read the contents of a hard drive plugged into a Raspberry Pi.

 

[musicman59]

I just got my new V2 ear pads yesterday. I already replaced them in my HE1000 V1. They clearly changed the sound. I think there is more detail and better definition in general. The bass got a little tighter too.
My perception is like if the headphones got a little brighter. Still don't know what I think about the change so I need to do more listening.

 

[MAURO16164]

I am new to the site, but did this a replacement a few days ago, took pics, will post soon if anyone is interested

I am very interested. Please, publish the photos. thank you