[number1sixerfan]

These units are loaned to dealers and they do not own them. Sennheiser will not sell you these demo units and you have to place an order and get a new unit for full MSRP.

I was referring to the OP insinuating that he had a potential second hand used sale available as well, not home demo units from Sennheiser.

 

[simorag]

I have the HE-1 at home for evaluation since 10 days now, and I am enjoying them immensely. I am comparing them with my AB-1266 and Valkyria, both driven by the AIC-10.

I am taking plenty of notes and will do a proper writeup or two when I have time, but I just wanted to chime in, with (unsolicited, unnecessary) reassurance of our lucky fellow @Joey_V : you made a great purchase!

This system is an unflappable pleasure-generating machine (especially for the edhonist, rather than the analytical, audiophile), regardless of the music genre that you throw at it.

I definitely could not find an actual flaw - although the HE-1 are not "perfect" or the best at everything - and, for example, I sure don't find the soundstage being narrow or congested.
It sounds grand, expansive, three-dimensional here, even in comparison to something like the AB-1266 (which indeed has a further expansion of the staging, but not by much).

Indeed, the internal DAC can be bettered, and the direct comparison with the Rossini APEX / Clock shows it clearly, as it should given the additional investment. Also, the source plays an utterly significant role, like with all top systems, and the HE-1 is no exception. They cannot recover what has been lost or damaged upstream.

Many of the impressions I have read seemed to be coming from a minimalistic setup with a simple laptop connected to the HE-1, and in this context indeed they can be hampered dramatically.

I will report back with more detail my feelings, also in comparison with my other gear, in due time.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

I have the HE-1 at home for evaluation since 10 days now, and I am enjoying them immensely. I am comparing them with my AB-1266 and Valkyria, both driven by the AIC-10.

​

I am taking plenty of notes and do a proper writeup or two when I have time, but I just wanted to chime in, with (unsolicited, unnecessary) reassurance of our lucky fellow @Joey_V : you made a great purchase!

This system is an unflappable pleasure-generating machine (especially for the edhonist, rather than the analytical, audiophile), regardless of the music genre that you throw at it.

I definitely could not find an actual flaw - although the HE-1 are not "perfect" or the best at everything - and, for example, I sure don't find the soundstage being narrow or congested.
It sounds grand, expansive, three-dimensional here, even in comparison to something like the AB-1266 (which indeed has a further expansion of the staging, but not by much).

Indeed, the internal DAC can be bettered, and the direct comparison with the Rossini APEX / Clock shows it clearly, as it should given the additional investment. Also, the source plays an utterly significant role, like with all top systems, and the HE-1 is no exception. They cannot recover what has been lost or damaged upstream.

Many of the impressions I have read seemed to be coming from a minimalistic setup with a simple laptop connected to the HE-1, and in this context indeed they can be hampered dramatically.

I will report back with more detail my feelings, also in comparison with my other gear, in due time.

Eagerly awaiting your impressions and comparisons.

I listened to the HE1 with the Lina DAC via Roon for a couple of hours and they truly excel at every genre you throw at it. I agree with you that they are not perfect and the soundstage width is a lot more reduced compared to the 800S. However, they're tonality is something I have never heard before. The treble is maybe the most impressive part to me because the extension and detail up top is better than Susvara whilst having even better treble control. It never gets peaky or shouty and you can really turn the volume up on these and get an even fuller sound.

The bass on the HE1 is almost a miracle because I don't understand how they've got planar mid bass slam like an LCD 4 whilst having the texture and detail of an estat.

 

[chesebert]

I have the HE-1 at home for evaluation since 10 days now, and I am enjoying them immensely. I am comparing them with my AB-1266 and Valkyria, both driven by the AIC-10.

​

I am taking plenty of notes and will do a proper writeup or two when I have time, but I just wanted to chime in, with (unsolicited, unnecessary) reassurance of our lucky fellow @Joey_V : you made a great purchase!

This system is an unflappable pleasure-generating machine (especially for the edhonist, rather than the analytical, audiophile), regardless of the music genre that you throw at it.

I definitely could not find an actual flaw - although the HE-1 are not "perfect" or the best at everything - and, for example, I sure don't find the soundstage being narrow or congested.
It sounds grand, expansive, three-dimensional here, even in comparison to something like the AB-1266 (which indeed has a further expansion of the staging, but not by much).

Indeed, the internal DAC can be bettered, and the direct comparison with the Rossini APEX / Clock shows it clearly, as it should given the additional investment. Also, the source plays an utterly significant role, like with all top systems, and the HE-1 is no exception. They cannot recover what has been lost or damaged upstream.

Many of the impressions I have read seemed to be coming from a minimalistic setup with a simple laptop connected to the HE-1, and in this context indeed they can be hampered dramatically.

I will report back with more detail my feelings, also in comparison with my other gear, in due time.

Oh wow, HE-1 with Rossini....hmm which to buy: 911 Carrera or a headphone rig

 

[Joey_V]

Oh wow, HE-1 with Rossini....hmm which to buy: 911 Carrera or a headphone rig

Why not both?

 

[Joey_V]

Just to end the thread - I jumped off the ledge.

Thanks to everyone on the threads and behind the scenes (PM) who have helped me. Several Headfi guys guided me and it was very helpful to get different perspectives on the expedition to HE1.

 

[SHAMuuu]

I have the HE-1 at home for evaluation since 10 days now, and I am enjoying them immensely. I am comparing them with my AB-1266 and Valkyria, both driven by the AIC-10.

​

I am taking plenty of notes and will do a proper writeup or two when I have time, but I just wanted to chime in, with (unsolicited, unnecessary) reassurance of our lucky fellow @Joey_V : you made a great purchase!

This system is an unflappable pleasure-generating machine (especially for the edhonist, rather than the analytical, audiophile), regardless of the music genre that you throw at it.

I definitely could not find an actual flaw - although the HE-1 are not "perfect" or the best at everything - and, for example, I sure don't find the soundstage being narrow or congested.
It sounds grand, expansive, three-dimensional here, even in comparison to something like the AB-1266 (which indeed has a further expansion of the staging, but not by much).

Indeed, the internal DAC can be bettered, and the direct comparison with the Rossini APEX / Clock shows it clearly, as it should given the additional investment. Also, the source plays an utterly significant role, like with all top systems, and the HE-1 is no exception. They cannot recover what has been lost or damaged upstream.

Many of the impressions I have read seemed to be coming from a minimalistic setup with a simple laptop connected to the HE-1, and in this context indeed they can be hampered dramatically.

I will report back with more detail my feelings, also in comparison with my other gear, in due time.

Excellent point on the HE-1 being essentially flawless and really being a marvel of engineering... Yet the brain might still want a little more...

And perhaps that is just because of the mystique and hype prior to one hearing it. Because just looking at it, you cannot believe it is real.

With a porta pro or one of it's siblings, you expect nothing... So the surprise of being able to enjoy it immensely is quite comical

I never thought I'd see the HE-1 in the flesh let alone have 2 demo sessions

Owning one must be insanely insane XD

 

[Joey_V]

Excellent point on the HE-1 being essentially flawless and really being a marvel of engineering... Yet the brain might still want a little more...

And perhaps that is just because of the mystique and hype prior to one hearing it. Because just looking at it, you cannot believe it is real.

With a porta pro or one of it's siblings, you expect nothing... So the surprise of being able to enjoy it immensely is quite comical

I never thought I'd see the HE-1 in the flesh let alone have 2 demo sessions

Owning one must be insanely insane XD

Yes… and yet the past week I’ve been out of town or unable to find time between house chores and work to make my way up to my lair to listen. I did make a beeline after we got home from vacation to visually check in on the HE1. And there she still lay dormant…

 

[SHAMuuu]

Yes… and yet the past week I’ve been out of town or unable to find time between house chores and work to make my way up to my lair to listen. I did make a beeline after we got home from vacation to visually check in on the HE1. And there she still lay dormant…

Your HE-1 adventure has bits and bobs of comedy gold. I've had a few good laughs reading about your demo session and trying to source it, and finally obtaining it.

It's great you appreciate it. XD

 

[Joey_V]

Your HE-1 adventure has bits and bobs of comedy gold. I've had a few good laughs reading about your demo session and trying to source it, and finally obtaining it.

It's great you appreciate it. XD

Hahaha
Thx
I am seriously hoping to power it up tonight before I go to bed
I keep adding to my playlist of music to play even while I’m at work