[marshallmole]

  Even compared to my HD800 and T1, HE5-LE is not inferior at all. It has some nice musical qualities I don't hear from HD800 and T1. Especially when driven in balanced, simply one of the best in my collection.

I agree. I actually did a comparison between 5LE and T1 a while ago, but nobody seemed to care for it...

 

[JamesHuntington]

You're most welcome!

I've tried some of the newer Hifiman planars, so far for me, the older HE5-LE and HE6 are still the some of the best, and my favorite among the Hifiman planars. Unfortunately Hifiman discontinued HE5-LE. Even compared to my HD800 and T1, HE5-LE is not inferior at all. It has some nice musical qualities I don't hear from HD800 and T1. Especially when driven in balanced, simply one of the best in my collection.

I have he5le and really like them. Have not heard the others you mention. Have the sennheiser hd600 and they're very bland after having the 5le. Had the yamaha yh100, sound is great but they're less than comfortable. Glad I got my 5le. Only paid $420 US with shipping for them. They looked unused but were supposed display model for a large US distributer.

 

[davidsh]

Got the 5le as well, though not digging it. Has some nice aggressive qualities with an up-front soundstage, though.

 

[earfonia]

Have been listening to HE5-LE driven by Audio Technica AT-HA5050H,... Wow!!! Simply sonic bliss!  They just sound so good, make me speechless 

 

 
 
AT-HA5050H is not a balanced amp, but drives my HE5-LE better than my balanced Amp (Yulong A28)
Really a must try for HE5-LE users (probably HE6 as well) !
 
AT-HA5050H is estimated to launch in 2nd or 3rd quarter this year. Sneak Peek of the Pre-Production unit here.

 

[preproman]

Should try to mod the 5LEs.  The Grill mod and the Fuzzor mod might take them up a level.  

 

[Enomino801]

I did the felt removal mod today on my HE-500's... OMG! What a difference in the soundstage. Combed with my Moon Audio Blue Dragon cable, I feel like I'm listening to a different pair of headphones. 

 

[Synthax]

Hello Hifiman Users,
Please advise me: which HiFiMan headphones (except HE6 and he1000) sound most smooth, and have best midrange. I've very fragile ears to any harshness. Thank you for you help

 

[davidsh]

That's a tough one. It really depends on what you find fatigueing. HE-560 seems to me the least fatigueing Hifiman phone

 

[Synthax]

That's a tough one. It really depends on what you find fatigueing. HE-560 seems to me the least fatigueing Hifiman phone

Lets say, are your HE500 harsh compared to Stax?

 

[davidsh]

I find the HE-500 more fatigueing, though not harsh in any way.

 

[Synthax]

I find the HE-500 more fatigueing, though not harsh in any way.

So the Staxes are non fatiguing at all ? I have some experience with headphones. But I enjoy the most for now, the vintage Sansui SS100 orthodynamics. For the fullfilled and extra smooth presentation. Neither of headphones actually in production offer such a smoothnes. But SS100 lacks a bit of heights extension. So thant's why I'm thinking about some upgrade. T1 for example is too technical for me, same with HD800. Audeze are a bit better than SS100 but too expensive for me. HE500 in my country you can buy for 350$ used.

 

[conquerator2]

The HE-500 should be a decent choice, along with the 400i. The 560 is the technically superior model and one I happen to like the most, but by all accounts it seems less warm than the others.
The 400S is also worth a look [I'll hopefully get to test it soon.]

 

[phillyd]

That's a tough one. It really depends on what you find fatigueing. HE-560 seems to me the least fatigueing Hifiman phone

I'd go with the HE-560, maybe do a grill mod. I love the grill modded 560's.