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New Hifiman HE-5LE planar magnetic headphone
- Thread starter thinker
- Start date
Audio-Omega
Headphoneus Supremus
Is the stock cable made of silver, copper or both ?
Solude
Headphoneus Supremus
HE-5LE is copper with 4pin XLR and an adapter to 1/4". HE-5 is silver plated copped, 1/4".
harj
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I thought the he-5 cable was silver in colour to the eye like this one seen on 6moons review.
The one I had delivered by Ampcity is black in colour and has a silver plug fitted to it. I just wanted to know if I had the right cable?
Also it would be nice to here thoughts regarding the cloth on the mesh grill, how many people have kept it in place?
The one I had delivered by Ampcity is black in colour and has a silver plug fitted to it. I just wanted to know if I had the right cable?
Also it would be nice to here thoughts regarding the cloth on the mesh grill, how many people have kept it in place?
Audio-Omega
Headphoneus Supremus
Do you think balanced cable would provide some sound difference out of an unbalanced headphone output ?
FauDrei
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Huh?
By "balanced cable out of unbalanced headphone output" you mean headphone cable with 4 wires terminated with classic 1/4" TRS as opposed to 3 wire cable with the same TRS connector?
Theoretically yes - 4 wire cable with ground wires joined at TRS jack (f.e. K701) would have lower impedance to ground than 3 wire cable with ground joined "somewhere in the headphone earcup" (f.e. K702). This means 4 wire cable would have less crosstalk and "better separation".
Practically - none to barely, if at all, audible difference.
...if that was your question at all...
By "balanced cable out of unbalanced headphone output" you mean headphone cable with 4 wires terminated with classic 1/4" TRS as opposed to 3 wire cable with the same TRS connector?
Theoretically yes - 4 wire cable with ground wires joined at TRS jack (f.e. K701) would have lower impedance to ground than 3 wire cable with ground joined "somewhere in the headphone earcup" (f.e. K702). This means 4 wire cable would have less crosstalk and "better separation".
Practically - none to barely, if at all, audible difference.
...if that was your question at all...
Audio-Omega
Headphoneus Supremus
Yeah that was my question. It comes with a 4 pin xlr cable with an adapter to 1/4 inch headphone output. How does balanced sound out of your A-GD Roc ?
FauDrei
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The "everlasting" balanced vs. single ended debate...
Well, I'm a believer that differential ("balanced") drive does something more than just double the power, output impedance, slew rate and cost. To my ears it just sound better than single ended drive on the same volume levels.
Perhaps it would be enough to say that, after getting Roc, I've reterminated (recabled) all my better headphones to NC4MXX plug. It just controls them better this way. From time to time I try the SE output (via NC4FXX to NP3X adapter) and it is nice and relaxed... but it never lasts - after, say half-hour, off goes the adapter and back to 4 channel drive.
So the short answer would be: Roc sounds better "balanced".
Well, I'm a believer that differential ("balanced") drive does something more than just double the power, output impedance, slew rate and cost. To my ears it just sound better than single ended drive on the same volume levels.
Perhaps it would be enough to say that, after getting Roc, I've reterminated (recabled) all my better headphones to NC4MXX plug. It just controls them better this way. From time to time I try the SE output (via NC4FXX to NP3X adapter) and it is nice and relaxed... but it never lasts - after, say half-hour, off goes the adapter and back to 4 channel drive.
So the short answer would be: Roc sounds better "balanced".
Solude
Headphoneus Supremus
Yes the full amp can sound better than half the amp Where balanced v se gets interesting is say a balanced Roc v se B22. Same price but does balanced beat out better design... no Roc so no answer.
K3cT
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I finally get to hear the HE5-LE on a loan from a very good friend and I'm not sure what to say. Well, the positives are they are much less brighter and more balanced than the old HE-5 but on the other side, I don't seem to necessarily prefer it automatically over the Grado HF2 despite the former being way more technically adept. I seem to have an issue with cohesiveness but we will get back to it later after I become familiarized with the sound. Impressions subject to change of course.
TimJo
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Quote:
I thought the he-5 cable was silver in colour to the eye like this one seen on 6moons review.
The one I had delivered by Ampcity is black in colour and has a silver plug fitted to it. I just wanted to know if I had the right cable?
Mine is black with a silver jack as well. The one in the picture is probably an aftermarket cable, or possibly a prototype?
Quote:
Mine is black with a silver jack as well. The one in the picture is probably an aftermarket cable, or possibly a prototype?
No that is the HE-5 stock cable, it looks just like the one that came on my factory replacement HE-5: a silver-coated cable with clear insulation, a black Neutrik connector, and a gold TRS plug.
TimJo
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^ Interesting. The one I was referring to was the 'Silver HE-5 replacement cable' that came in the HE-5LE box (along with a set of four pins for making a cable).
K3cT
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Hmm... this can seems to play nicer when you crank up the volume which makes it not so suitable for low-volume listening unfortunately.
Solude
Headphoneus Supremus
HE-5 silver clear jacket
HE-5LE black not clear jacket
HE-5LE black not clear jacket
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