[morpheus69]

I mean, someone would trade his HE1000se for the newer HE1000 Stealth?

NO WAY! lol... HE1000 Stealth, is V2 with stealth magnets.

 

[Giangi]

I mean, someone would trade his HE1000se for the newer HE1000 Stealth?

Let me guess an answer...maybe not? Sell your HE1000 Stealth and buy HE1000SE, way way better. Maybe the HE1000 Stealth has more impactful basses, but it's nothing compares to the SE

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Oh dayum i'm a gamer and HE1000 Stealth owner, i guess It doesn't reach anywhere near it's depth but mhh. It have others quality for sure, but depth Is better on SE version as i really 4 years ago.
Is hard to understand when a sound comes from behind on HE1000 Stealth, okay now i Need HE1000SE it's official. Anyway trade HE1000se for HE1000 Stealth?

Yes the depth capabilities are a lot better. You can really hear an enemy and how far away they are behind or in front of you and with the addition of the imaging capabilities you can pinpoint exactly where an enemy is.

 

[Giangi]

Yes the depth capabilities are a lot better. You can really hear an enemy and how far away they are behind or in front of you and with the addition of the imaging capabilities you can pinpoint exactly where an enemy is.

Well, this is something that is never talked about enough when comparing headphones and that is their holographic nature which for me is a fundamental factor in the choice. The SE has a three-dimensional factor that is not comparable in the slightest with the HE1000 Stealth, but it is obvious that this also partly depends on the reproduction chain. Now you've clearly noticed this while playing, right?

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Well, this is something that is never talked about enough when comparing headphones and that is their holographic nature which for me is a fundamental factor in the choice. The SE has a three-dimensional factor that is not comparable in the slightest with the HE1000 Stealth, but it is obvious that this also partly depends on the reproduction chain. Now you've clearly noticed this while playing, right?

I use a tube amplifier so that only enhances the holographic presentation of the SE. I did compare it against the 800S on the same amplifier and it wasn't even close. The 800S was a lot more vague with its positional imaging and the depth was basically non existent in comparison. For example I can hear an enemy on BFV in a building from the outside and i will know exactly which room they are in with the HEKSE. It's like a sixth sense wall hack with this headphone a lot of times.

 

[Chuy24]

I use a tube amplifier so that only enhances the holographic presentation of the SE. I did compare it against the 800S on the same amplifier and it wasn't even close. The 800S was a lot more vague with its positional imaging and the depth was basically non existent in comparison. For example I can hear an enemy on BFV in a building from the outside and i will know exactly which room they are in with the HEKSE. It's like a sixth sense wall hack with this headphone a lot of times.

What tube amp are you using? I’ve been looking for a nice match for it.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

What tube amp are you using? I’ve been looking for a nice match for it.

Amp and tube combination through links below;

https://www.hifonix.co.uk/detail/ca...x5IGMDH6PC2bZKodecykln3smdqmAhyhoCmyIQAvD_BwE

https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/5814a-ge-usa-nos-valve-tube-lc31/

https://reverb.com/uk/item/50620347-6p6s-6v6gt-reflektor-matched-pair-1960ies-vintage-production?gclid=CjwKCAjw-KipBhBtEiwAWjgwrCNdmmi6C5M5mB7iNmpU3-9QiQfK8fAQdsVFCtYa5Lxz8K50_mAryRoCKuwQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=20304708451&utm_content=campaignid=20304708451_adgroupid=_productpartitionid==merchantid=5290328114_productid=50620347_keyword=_device=c_adposition=_matchtype=_creative=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google

Rectifier tube kept stock as its sounds the best to me.

 

[Chuy24]

Amp and tube combination through links below;

https://www.hifonix.co.uk/detail/ca...x5IGMDH6PC2bZKodecykln3smdqmAhyhoCmyIQAvD_BwE

https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/5814a-ge-usa-nos-valve-tube-lc31/

https://reverb.com/uk/item/50620347-6p6s-6v6gt-reflektor-matched-pair-1960ies-vintage-production?gclid=CjwKCAjw-KipBhBtEiwAWjgwrCNdmmi6C5M5mB7iNmpU3-9QiQfK8fAQdsVFCtYa5Lxz8K50_mAryRoCKuwQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=20304708451&utm_content=campaignid=20304708451_adgroupid=_productpartitionid==merchantid=5290328114_productid=50620347_keyword=_device=c_adposition=_matchtype=_creative=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google

Rectifier tube kept stock as its sounds the best to

Sweet! Have heard nothing but great things about that Cayin. Might join you soon!

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Sweet! Have heard nothing but great things about that Cayin. Might join you soon!

You can't really get better build/sound quality for the price when it comes to tube amplifiers, it really punches above its weight and its really an excellent combination with the HEKSE. It keeps the treble harshness to a minimum while delivering a wide and holographic presentation alongside the warmth in the midrange plus a fantastic punch/texture in the bass.

 

[Chuy24]

You can't really get better build/sound quality for the price when it comes to tube amplifiers, it really punches above its weight and its really an excellent combination with the HEKSE. It keeps the treble harshness to a minimum while delivering a wide and holographic presentation alongside the warmth in the midrange plus a fantastic punch/texture in the bass.

You’re making want to get one right now RIGHT NOW.

 

[1290R]

I have the Hekse and it's really a remarkable headphone! I play guitar and drums and everything just sounds right! It's my #1 headphone and I own/had many!!

 

[Chuy24]

I want to try it on an r2r dac as well.

 

[Giangi]

I want to try it on an r2r dac as well.

Perfect with oor+hypsos and R26

 

[squashi]

Part 1 of my shootout:

I have owned all of these headphones concurrently:
Susvara: stock cable
Atrium: ZMF OFC cable
Utopia: Black dragon cable
Bravura: Full electrostatic system with Sonoma m1 energizer/DAC, connected to DAP with coax
HEKSE: stock cable with EQ (Poweramp EQ) If you are younger, far too bright without EQ; I can't listen to it without EQ. My EQ adds a tiny bit of bass and tames the highs.
LCD-5: ZMF OFC cable with EQ (Poweramp EQ), when the result is different I also compare the kilobuck cable viking weave ansuz (no EQ). I prefer no EQ + kilobuck cable! Without cable, I prefer my EQ, which adds a bit of bass, and adds to the 2 dips in upper mids/highs. if you don't want to customize your chain or try EQ, don't get LCD-5 IMO.


"Glossary"
My ~$3k chain: apple music on dx320 (using internal ROHM DAC to lineout on modded amp12exn-s module) -> iFi 4.4 to xlr cable -> iFi Pro iCan Signature (solid state). Approximating DAC price to other desktop DACs I know it compares to.
My DAP: apple music on dx320 with modded amp12exn-s (with opamp upgrades). Quite powerful class A amplifier, Similar to a ~$1.5 desktop chain.
Susvara ~$24k chain: extended listened to: Tidal -> unknown streamer -> Chord Dave -> AVM A 6.2 ($10k speaker amp) (unknown connecting cables, but easily kilobuck+)

I am not doing a ranking here, since I think words are more nuanced. for reference: amazing > great > good > ok > bad. Keep in mind these terms are relative to the headphones I am comparing. Also good/great means between good and great. If I don't specify chain, then that rating applies to all chains from DAP to my $3k chain.
money no object winner highlight
$3k chain winner highlight
DAP winner highlight

resolution/separation (excluding bass):
Susvara - amazing+ with a ~$24k chain (dave+speaker amp), great with ~$3k chain, good/great on my DAP (incredibly, but rest of susvara suffers)
Bravura - amazing
LCD-5 (probably a contender for top place will update after trying Chord Dave) - amazing+? with ~$?? chain, great/amazing with my ~$3k chain, good straight from DAP
Utopia - good/great with my ~$3k chain, good on my DAP
Atrium - always ok/good
HEKSE - always good/great

instrument naturalness, most are ranges since it depends on the instrument:
Susvara - great/amazing on $24k chain (mid range shines), good/amazing on my $3k chain (lack bass impact), and ok on DAP due to sounding weird and lacking bass
Bravura - good/great: bass forward instruments won't have impact, realistic but never fully immersive
LCD-5 - good/amazing usually, but great/amazing with my viking weave ansuz cable. Especially drums and other bassy instruments
Utopia - ok/amazing metallic: amazing for some instruments, just ok for most instruments
Atrium - good/amazing, due to long decay it varies a lot for each instrument
HEKSE - good/great has impact and realistic but never fully immersive

vocal texture + tone:
Susvara - great/amazing
Bravura - good realistic but never fully immersive
LCD-5 - good, but great with viking weave ansuz cable. Tone suffers without EQ or proper chain
Utopia - ok/good sometimes metallic
Atrium - great/amazing + lush vocals (may be positive or negative for each song/preference)
HEKSE - good realistic but never fully immersive

vocal placement:
Susvara - usually in the background with instruments, but sometimes brought closer
Bravura - brought up front and close
LCD-5 - in the background with instruments
Utopia - in the background with instruments (but feels upfront due to small stage)
Atrium - brought up front and close
HEKSE - in the background with instruments

stage size:
Susvara - great/amazing
Bravura - good/amazing variable on track (heavy bassy tracks are closer)
LCD-5 - good, but good/great with viking weave ansuz
Utopia - ok/good
Atrium - good/great
HEKSE - amazing

energy level:
Susvara - chill/effortless: like mac and cheese, smooth and rich, can't stop eating
Bravura - in the middle: like pizza, strong but lowkey
LCD-5 - very energetic: like wagyu, amazing but how long can you endure the fattiness
Utopia - energetic: like foie gras, rich, overly fatty
Atrium - mostly chill: like grits, mostly smooth but with punch at times
HEKSE - in the middle: like bacon, nothing crazy but noticeable

imaging:
Susvara - on $24k chain: great/amazing. on $3k chain: great. DAP: ok
Bravura - good/great
LCD-5 - on $3k chain: great/amazing, but incredibly amazing with viking weave ansuz cable. On DAP: good/great
Utopia - on $3k chain: great. DAP: good
Atrium - always ok
HEKSE - always good/great

bass texture/resolution:
Susvara - on $24k chain: great/amazing. on $3k chain: good. on DAP: bad
Bravura - great/amazing
LCD-5 - on $3k chain: amazing On DAP: great
Utopia - on $3k chain: great. DAP: good/great
Atrium - always ok/great: decay is great, resolution is not
HEKSE - always great

bass impact:
Susvara - on $24k chain: great. on $3k chain: ok/good. on DAP: bad
Bravura - ok (great for an estat!) but, depending on volume, very high bass impacts seem to "shock" the headset, which very slightly "muddies" those milliseconds
LCD-5 - on $3k chain: amazing. on DAP: great. Can suffer without EQ or right chain
Utopia - on $3k chain: great/amazing. DAP: great
Atrium - always great
HEKSE - always great

MSRP:
Susvara - on $24k chain: $30k. on $3k chain: $9k. on DAP equivalent desktop: $7.5k
Bravura - full system $6k
LCD-5 - on $3k chain with viking weave ansuz: $8.5k. on $3k chain: $7.5k. On DAP equivalent desktop: $6k
Utopia - on $3k chain: $7k. On DAP equivalent desktop: $5.5k
Atrium - on $3k chain: $5.5k. On DAP equivalent desktop: $4k
HEKSE - on $3k chain: $5k. On DAP equivalent desktop: $3.5k

-I think EQ'd HEKSE is very underrated a bang for buck option (remember not comparing stock HEKSE). I also think Bravura is an amazing all-rounder which is unbeatable for the price!
-I have tried my best to be music genre agnostic in this comparison!

In my part 2 of this review, I will compare all of these headphones in the following genres of music:
vocal heavy pop
"trashy" pop
hiphop
metal
progressive rock
opera
orchestra
classical
choral and a capella
any other genres?

I was asked to add my PEQ for the HEKSE, I'll provide my PEQ, but please remember this may not match, due to different chains and preferences:

"type": "low shelf", "frequency": 105, "q": 0.699999988079071, "gain": 5.800000190734863, "type": "peaking band", "frequency": 1944, "q": 1.8799999952316284, "gain": 2.594168186187744, "type": "peaking band", "frequency": 95, "q": 0.30000001192092896, "gain": -2.3714957237243652, "type": "peaking band", "frequency": 3162, "q": 2.130000114440918, "gain": -4.599999904632568, "type": "peaking band", "frequency": 5058, "q": 5.679999828338623, "gain": -3.700000047683716, "type": "high shelf", "frequency": 10000, "q": 0.699999988079071, "gain": -4.199999809265137,

 

[Reader]

NO WAY! lol... HE1000 Stealth, is V2 with stealth magnets.

You are entitled to your subjective opinion, but objective facts like lower impedance and higher sensitivity of Stealth over V2 cannot be explained by simple change of magnet's shape.