Had the opportunity to try out the HE1000SE, Arya Organic, and Arya Stealth. HE1000SE seemed like the clear winner to me, not surprising given its relative price. Did not perceive any sort of upper frequency harshness with the HE1000SE, while I did with the Stealth. What stood out to me the most about the HE1000SE was the overall clarity, the Organic and Stealth both sounded muddy in comparison on some tracks.
Hifiman HE1000-SE
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MrHaelscheir
100+ Head-Fier
Interesting how different folks' ears work or couple with these headphones. Over balanced cables, I did notice and measure that the HE1000se will for the same amp volume setting play around 1 dB louder than the Arya Stealth, which may influence A/B results as "louder" may or may not sound "bigger" or "clearer" if not "more detailed", though maybe not to the seemingly exaggerated levels some people find. It is also good to ensure that the pads were actually resting on your head at the same height; for my Arya Stealth and HE1000se, if for the latter I prefer to have four holes exposed below the strap clip, I found that the former needs to have only three holes exposed though I before getting the HE1000se had preferred wearing it with four holes exposed.
I lately A/Bed https://app.idagio.com/recordings/12229508?trackId=12229519&utm_source=pcl (Takashi Yoshimatsu Symphony No. 5 op. 87, the first movement, recorded by Sachio Fujioka, BBC Philharmonic / July 2002, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester) which at least when listening loudly presents quite the massive sound front. I at first felt that I was noticing some subtle differences in presentation that had me actually preferring the Arya Stealth as sounding maybe a bit "clearer" or "fuller" there, even when disabling my -1 dB digital preamp that I used to volume-match the HE1000se to the Arya Stealth (my DAC/amp adjusts volume in around 2 dB increments). Perceived width was relatively similar, whereby with some headphone seatings, it could seem almost as though the HE1000se's "soundstage" was "taller". Placing a +2 dB peaking filter with a Q factor of 2 at 2 kHz helped bring the HE1000se's upper midrange closer to the Arya Stealth's level, slightly closing the gap in perceived sound. There could have also been subjective effects from the differing feel of fresh versus three-months-worn pair of pads, the latter feeling more "inviting". Otherwise, I personally found that the differences in expansiveness, texture, and presentation diminished the more I went back and forth while applying this volume and EQ match.
Effectively, with measurably similar frequency responses (magnitude and phase) after matching the upper midrange with EQ and ensuring similar playback volume, I personally experienced very similar and already very good sounds.
I lately A/Bed https://app.idagio.com/recordings/12229508?trackId=12229519&utm_source=pcl (Takashi Yoshimatsu Symphony No. 5 op. 87, the first movement, recorded by Sachio Fujioka, BBC Philharmonic / July 2002, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester) which at least when listening loudly presents quite the massive sound front. I at first felt that I was noticing some subtle differences in presentation that had me actually preferring the Arya Stealth as sounding maybe a bit "clearer" or "fuller" there, even when disabling my -1 dB digital preamp that I used to volume-match the HE1000se to the Arya Stealth (my DAC/amp adjusts volume in around 2 dB increments). Perceived width was relatively similar, whereby with some headphone seatings, it could seem almost as though the HE1000se's "soundstage" was "taller". Placing a +2 dB peaking filter with a Q factor of 2 at 2 kHz helped bring the HE1000se's upper midrange closer to the Arya Stealth's level, slightly closing the gap in perceived sound. There could have also been subjective effects from the differing feel of fresh versus three-months-worn pair of pads, the latter feeling more "inviting". Otherwise, I personally found that the differences in expansiveness, texture, and presentation diminished the more I went back and forth while applying this volume and EQ match.
Effectively, with measurably similar frequency responses (magnitude and phase) after matching the upper midrange with EQ and ensuring similar playback volume, I personally experienced very similar and already very good sounds.
I had the Arya V2 for 2+ years and bought the HEKSE last summer. Ended up selling the Arya V2 last month. HEKSE has more sparkle and has somewhat of a silkier sound on top with more detail and better imaging. I generaly found its sound less clinical...contrary to what many reviewers say. This through my Schiit Mjolnir 3. Maybe its just the pairing!
Yeah my impression is different. Arya sounds congested and inside of head compared to Hekse to me but also more focused and sharper. Hekse's staging and separation unrivaled. It's easier to pick up imaging on Hekse. Imaging locations have better contrast to them. More space to work with. They are different headphones with different character to me. Arya Stealth is energetic/fun type of headphone. Hekse is detailed and spacious type of headphone. Hekse is more effortless and lightfeet. Arya Stealth more physical, intense and intimate.
Would like to hear other Hifiman offerings some day. Very curious about HEK Stealth, Arya Organic, HE6sev2. Can't be curious about Susvara because of it's price lol.
I've yet to hear the HE1000 V2, HE1000 Stealth, and Susvaras. Might try to go to Can Jam and see if I can try some of them out, though the noise and limited time will probably make it hard to truly get a good sense of their capabilities. Bad news for my wallet but of the ones I have heard, I find that my order of preference just happens to match the order of their prices.
jaysec
New Head-Fier
Hey everyone, it’s been some time since I was attempting to order HE1000se from HiFiMan’s website, but I decided to hold off until there’s a restock in the warehouse in Poland. It’s been 4+ months and they’re still out of stock and I was told they don’t plan to ship brand new HEKse to Poland anymore, only refurbished. So after many emails I’m deciding to order them from China which would cost an extra $550 in taxes. I was told they could devalue the price to $100 for the shipping company and customs but since I have no personal experience with this I’m not sure if it’s safe. Has anyone from EU ordered HEKse this way?
Hubert481
500+ Head-Fier
Take the refurbished - it looks like new
excellent condition
i took the Stealth from poland
excellent condition
i took the Stealth from poland
jaysec
New Head-Fier
I was considering ordering refurbished but I was told that refurbished HEKse come with og transparent cables and if I’d order brand new I’d get the black ones which is what I’m after.
Buying refurbished from Hifiman is a decent choice.
The driver are refurbished but the earpads are brand new.
Plus there is a 3 year warranty.
The refurbished 1000se I got a few months ago came with black headphone cables.
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morpheus69
100+ Head-Fier
did the refurbished come in the pleather box? or the brown cardboard?
Pleather, which I was surprised.
borkenarrou
500+ Head-Fier
If they give you the invoice for $100 I don't see any reason to worry about.
Can someone recommend a cable with same sound signature like the stock one, short with jack 3.5. I am looking for a softer, not so expensive..
Could I suggest Forza Audioworks Hybrid Noir?
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