HiFiMAN have been producing mid level and high end audio products for quite some time, straddling the line between affordable and audiophile quality. The HE-1000 are of the aforementioned audiophile level, at $3000 you really have to have discerning ears to want to pick up these cans. The headset is quite pretty, built with leather, wood, and aluminium with soft cloth for the earcups and a window blind design on the exterior which HiFiMAN claims has a positive effect on the audio quality. techPowerUp tested these headphones out, you can read the description of their experience in the audio soundstage these headphones create in their review … or not.
"HiFiMAN is constantly developing their planar technology, and today, we will take a look at their latest state-of-the-art headphone. It is dubbed the HE-1000 and features a nanometer thick diaphragm, leather headband, and milled aluminum. We take HiFiMAN's most audacious and pricey headphone for a ride!"
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It’s a nice set, but most
It’s a nice set, but most people would be better off with Sennheisers HD800. Sounds just as nice and “only” costs $1500.
Have you actually listened to
Have you actually listened to either of those headphones?
Most people would be better
Most people would be better off with a pair of $70 HD518s and pocketing the change.
And people complained about a
And people complained about a $5,000 OLED monitor…
With that price, even if the
With that price, even if the audio quality is mediocre, people will swear that you hear angels singing directly to your ears when using these headphones.
True!
Its called
True!
Its called I-dont-want-to-look-like-a-total-douche-for-wasting-my-money-itis.
These headphones seem
These headphones seem awesome.
Audio can be measured objectively, there are reasons for the price of these, and marketing isn’t a major one of them.
Sure it can be measured
Sure it can be measured objectively! However, the many frequency response curves, SPL & dynamic range figures, etc., all meet a subjective end – the human ear. Scopes, graphs and computers will say one thing, but headphones are not designed for machine use. With sound, subjectivity is boss.
The flip-side of course, is that there IS something to say about choice and quality of components (like cone composition, voice coils and magnets) as well as the level of engineering. As testament, I’d choose some Etymotic ERs over Skullcandy or Beats. But thats on a fine day. On the average day, my Etymotics remain the drawer and Skullcandy’s sub brand, 2XL, takes the beating.
Cutting it short (and skipping the whys and why nots), you’re on point in your assertion. The power of marketing and perception, however, cant be underestimated. Talk to Bose and Monster; they’ll tell you.
The reasons for the price of
The reasons for the price of these is that other headphones companies had released expensive models in the past so hifiman had to also release one so that they wouldn’t loose audiophile customers with more money than sense.
Technically there is not much difference to their older models that can/could be had for less than 1/6th of the price.
Objectively it’s not better either.
I currently own the Hifiman
I currently own the Hifiman He-6 (along with the requisite beefy amp to drive them) and while I’m curious to hear these and the edition X version I just can’t imagine the increase in sound quality over the 6’s would be enough to justify the cost for me to upgrade.
But for those of you that haven’t gotten the chance to hear headphones of this caliber like Audeze’s planers, or Sennheiser HD800s to my ear you don’t hear the benefit as much really with protools produced music unless the producer seriously went above and beyond – where cans like these shine is with any acoustic music with real instruments in a real space. That’s where you start to hear how close they are to reproducing the ambiance of the room and raw detail you hear in live performance. If that kind of music isn’t your thing you’d be better served saving your money for sure.