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How does the bass compare to HEK Stealth?
HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled
- Thread starter leylandi
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Andrew_WOT
Headphoneus Supremus
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Absolutely, it's like collecting every released Porsche 911 under the sun.
And Hifiman definitely would like you buying every single iteration of many.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hifiman-he1000-unveiled.974264/#post-18343124
There is a term for this - FOMO.
The sixth is an updated version of the SE from the beginning of 2024 with a more even frequency response and less pronounced highs.
Dalmonegrig
100+ Head-Fier
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5, but the new Stealth Magnets technology + Unveiled.
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SmartCheetah
100+ Head-Fier
I think @jonh1 is saying that there was a silent iteration of the HEKse this year.
I'm also not sure if the HEK Stealth introduced any new technology, the HEKse also utilizes Stealth magnets.
Dalmonegrig
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Most likely you are right. Then the only thing left is Unveiled!
This silent revision was probably way earlier - some listeners say it was already in 2021 and this could be correct since German distributor Sieveking Sound lists 2020 models of the HE1000V2 and the HE1000se (see the line: SerenityPads). 2020 could also be the year of the HE1000V2, when the connectors were changed from 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm and the grille from stainless steel to aluminum.
SmartCheetah
100+ Head-Fier
So far, I assumed there was one silent revision in 2021/2022, which happened when they replaced the cables from grey to black. The 2024 theory is something I read here on Head-Fi.
I got my HEKse in July, and it's indeed quite smooth and not that bright, especially in the upper treble. In fact, it has been the least piercing of all the Hifiman models I’ve owned, even though it's significantly more resolving. If anything, it can be a little shrill in the higher mids - something the Unveiled seems to have fixed.
By Fegefeuer: "They fixed the treble a good while ago. In my case it was a Dec 21 version vs my 2018 one. News of improved treble caused confusion among those only knowing the first revision or having only read impressions of it" - Head-Fi.org.
Toddy
100+ Head-Fier
Exactly. To U or not to U is the question… that probably the majority of HE1000se owners ask.
I got mine (SE) three weeks before the announcement of the Unveiled. And although I
I got the chance this weekend to compare the sundara to the HEKse and I must say that I was really impressed with the sundara's stock tuning, out of the box, this is a headphone I can listen too without any EQ, the HEKse I can also do but less so, because it's so much energetic in the treble, not peaky but definitively the detail is brought forward more so, I feel I will get fatigue more quickly with the HEKse than with the sundara, BUT the sundara does have a peak in the treble that only comes with certain recordings and with certain female vocalists from time to time, but it's not so frequent that it becomes an issue for me.
Frankly, I have been really impressed and surprised with the SQ of Hifiman's offerings throughout their entire line up, now I can see why so many people love the sundara, the only criticism I have with the sundara are the ergos, it's comfortable enough but the fact that there's even less cup swivel even compared to a focal headphone does lead to a kind of clampy feel with the headphone, not anything near as bad as something as an HD6X0 out of the box clamp force by any means.
The HEKse is definitively more clear and detailed than the Sundara and it just run circles around the sundara with the spacial presentation and sound stage, the HEKse it's more extended both in the low and high end, it's more sparkly, but the Sundara does feel a little bit more punchy in the bass and I think I enjoy more the vocals on the sundara than the HEKse eventhough the sundaras are less clear and detailed.
Spawn300Z
Headphoneus Supremus
The HEKSEs scale real well. You will have less issues with them if you consider upgrading your amp.
SmartCheetah
100+ Head-Fier
This is true. I used to have the S17 Pro amp and the EF400 DAC/amp a few months ago. The HEKse sounded great, as did my HD620s (for closed-back), which were only 1/6 of the price. They weren’t better, of course, but still really solid. Since then, I’ve upgraded basically everything in my chain, including all cables. Now, the gap is huge when I switch between them, even though the HD620s have also improved with the new gear.
I’m sure the Sundara is a great headphone, especially at the price they’re going for now. So are my HD620s. But the performance of the HEKse is on another level - as it should be for the price.
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Spawn300Z
Headphoneus Supremus
Look for at least a Hifiman Prelude. I hear good things about it and it won’t break the bank. Maybe you can find a used one.
SmartCheetah
100+ Head-Fier
I upgraded to the M-Field in September, but I’m already in contact with a local audio store to audition the Prelude (and the HE1000 Unveiled) as a potential upgrade path. I’ll bring both my M-Field and HE1000se with me.
The M-Field is a mighty amplifier, though, and I suspect the Prelude might have a worthy contender. Both are based on MOSFET technology, so this should be interesting. If they’re close in performance, it would show how impressive Flux Labs devices are in terms of price-to-performance ratio. Then, I’ll wait for their flagship amplifier, which is set to replace the Volot early next year, at least according to some gossips. It'll likely be pricier than the Prelude, but I have a feeling it’s going to crush everything else in its price range and up.
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