srkbear
500+ Head-Fier
After this lengthy and enjoyable discussion, I should add that it’s great fun to discover this forum, with so many fellow Hifiman fans. Everyone has so many interesting stories and invaluable insights to share. With the intent of encouraging others to share their own journeys to Hifiman and other great brands, I’ll say that the Edition XS played a major role in my back story, as it was my gateway drug into the entire HFM oval pad lineup.
My first “audiophile” headphone I purchased was the Sony Z1R. It sounded nice enough, but based on what I had heard from others about concepts such as soundstage and imaging, I soon became very curious about open-backed options. So like any newbie, I fell pray to the marketing hype from corporate-funded websites, and went all-out on a set of Susvaras first, which I eventually sold for the 2020 Utopias, after encountering so much inexplicable clipping and a disappointing lack of fun factor in the bass. I had no idea what reference tuning was about at that stage, let alone Harman.
The Utopias were so expensive, and spoken about so reverentially, that I assumed that they were the best-sounding headphones I was ever going to get. And although I dutifully raved about them to others and did my best to love them, I continued to stare at this monumental investment I had made in a formidable desktop DAC/amp/streamer setup, and wondered if this was really what audiophile sound was about? In retrospect I don’t think this was Focal’s fault as much it was about my finding the right headphone for my specific tastes—although I do think the Utopias are considerably overrated, and without a doubt overpriced.
Then, over the 2021 winter holidays, I traveled with my spouse to celebrate with my in-laws, with my portable DAC/amp in tow, but forgot to bring my headphones. We were gonna be there for two weeks, and there was no way I was going to make it with my in-laws for that long without access to music. So I went on Amazon.de, and looked for the best I could find “on the cheap”. A day later I had the Edition XS and a set of pentaconn 4.4mm balanced cables in my hands, and sat down to listen, with the lowest imaginable expectations.
It took me a minute to get oriented, but soon enough my mind was completely blown. I didn’t know what soundstage was until I listened to these things. Same with bass slam—I could feel the kick drums punching my chest in the most pleasing way imaginable, there was a physicality and excitement unlike anything I had ever experienced, the detail retrieval was mind-blowing, and it really was like hearing my favorite music in a way I hadn’t before. For $459!
I couldn’t get home fast enough to listen to these things on my desktop setup, with a 14 watt balanced amp. I actually ordered ahead for a balanced XLR headphone cable to greet me when I got home. I was so excited about my discovery that I‘ve since immersed myself in the granular details of this brand (and in planars in general). And ever since, I swear to Big Star (one of my favorite bands obviously) that I’ve only listened to my Utopias a couple of times—I’ve only kept them because when the 2022 model was released, the resale value for my $4,400 expense was an insult.
Since then I’ve become less enamored of the design and aesthetics of headphones, and far more focused on the science and technology involved—and it’s in these areas that I think HFM really delivers. I can’t think of a manufacturer that has distinguished themselves so strongly with signature innovations, and the more I’ve learned about the specifics of the Stealth magnet, nanothin diaphragm, window shade grilles and the placement of the pads on my head, the evidence of these technologies is logically evident to me in what I’m hearing. I feel much less dependent on reviews, and more comfortable trusting my own instincts instead, along with the subjective experiences I hear from other informed enthusiasts on here.
If I could impart any wisdom to others new to this hobby, I would definitely say that there is no substitute for acquiring a basic understanding of headphone fundamentals, and with this knowledge in hand, auditioning an array of different options any way you can. Your headphones truly are the most important component in your setup to provide the specific colorizations and sound presentations you like best—followed a good distance behind by your amplifier, and farther still from your DAC/streamer. There’s a whole lot of information available on the web about the specific assets of this headphone or that, but if you listen to one yourself and don’t immediately fall in love with the sound, whatever glowing reviews you’ve read are inconsequential, and you should send that one back and keep looking.
Everyone’s ears and preferences are unique to themselves, and when you find the one you’ve been looking for it should be evident to you within a few minutes. I think you’ll be happier taking this more patient and disciplined route and trusting your own ears, instead of wasting time and unnecessary expense going by hype and paid advertising. Based on what I’ve experienced, I think you’ll land on satisfying results much faster in the long run, and for sure your wallet will thank you most of all!
My first “audiophile” headphone I purchased was the Sony Z1R. It sounded nice enough, but based on what I had heard from others about concepts such as soundstage and imaging, I soon became very curious about open-backed options. So like any newbie, I fell pray to the marketing hype from corporate-funded websites, and went all-out on a set of Susvaras first, which I eventually sold for the 2020 Utopias, after encountering so much inexplicable clipping and a disappointing lack of fun factor in the bass. I had no idea what reference tuning was about at that stage, let alone Harman.
The Utopias were so expensive, and spoken about so reverentially, that I assumed that they were the best-sounding headphones I was ever going to get. And although I dutifully raved about them to others and did my best to love them, I continued to stare at this monumental investment I had made in a formidable desktop DAC/amp/streamer setup, and wondered if this was really what audiophile sound was about? In retrospect I don’t think this was Focal’s fault as much it was about my finding the right headphone for my specific tastes—although I do think the Utopias are considerably overrated, and without a doubt overpriced.
Then, over the 2021 winter holidays, I traveled with my spouse to celebrate with my in-laws, with my portable DAC/amp in tow, but forgot to bring my headphones. We were gonna be there for two weeks, and there was no way I was going to make it with my in-laws for that long without access to music. So I went on Amazon.de, and looked for the best I could find “on the cheap”. A day later I had the Edition XS and a set of pentaconn 4.4mm balanced cables in my hands, and sat down to listen, with the lowest imaginable expectations.
It took me a minute to get oriented, but soon enough my mind was completely blown. I didn’t know what soundstage was until I listened to these things. Same with bass slam—I could feel the kick drums punching my chest in the most pleasing way imaginable, there was a physicality and excitement unlike anything I had ever experienced, the detail retrieval was mind-blowing, and it really was like hearing my favorite music in a way I hadn’t before. For $459!
I couldn’t get home fast enough to listen to these things on my desktop setup, with a 14 watt balanced amp. I actually ordered ahead for a balanced XLR headphone cable to greet me when I got home. I was so excited about my discovery that I‘ve since immersed myself in the granular details of this brand (and in planars in general). And ever since, I swear to Big Star (one of my favorite bands obviously) that I’ve only listened to my Utopias a couple of times—I’ve only kept them because when the 2022 model was released, the resale value for my $4,400 expense was an insult.
Since then I’ve become less enamored of the design and aesthetics of headphones, and far more focused on the science and technology involved—and it’s in these areas that I think HFM really delivers. I can’t think of a manufacturer that has distinguished themselves so strongly with signature innovations, and the more I’ve learned about the specifics of the Stealth magnet, nanothin diaphragm, window shade grilles and the placement of the pads on my head, the evidence of these technologies is logically evident to me in what I’m hearing. I feel much less dependent on reviews, and more comfortable trusting my own instincts instead, along with the subjective experiences I hear from other informed enthusiasts on here.
If I could impart any wisdom to others new to this hobby, I would definitely say that there is no substitute for acquiring a basic understanding of headphone fundamentals, and with this knowledge in hand, auditioning an array of different options any way you can. Your headphones truly are the most important component in your setup to provide the specific colorizations and sound presentations you like best—followed a good distance behind by your amplifier, and farther still from your DAC/streamer. There’s a whole lot of information available on the web about the specific assets of this headphone or that, but if you listen to one yourself and don’t immediately fall in love with the sound, whatever glowing reviews you’ve read are inconsequential, and you should send that one back and keep looking.
Everyone’s ears and preferences are unique to themselves, and when you find the one you’ve been looking for it should be evident to you within a few minutes. I think you’ll be happier taking this more patient and disciplined route and trusting your own ears, instead of wasting time and unnecessary expense going by hype and paid advertising. Based on what I’ve experienced, I think you’ll land on satisfying results much faster in the long run, and for sure your wallet will thank you most of all!
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