HiFiMan HE-5 Re-Release?

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Nov 16, 2017.

  1. LFF

    LFF Friend

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    They are different from the woody HE-5's.
     
  2. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

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    Will you be offering the code-x conversion on these? I'm interested as I'm sure many others are too.
     
  3. joch

    joch Friend

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    I emailed HFM yesterday; got reply today.

    I'm not sure if It offers any definitive assurance.

    Me:
    "Hii

    I recently received the headphones...are these the classic HE-5 as advertised, or did you send me headphones with HE-5LE drivers?"

    HFM:
    "Hi there, they are HE5 though the drives [sic] will be fresh and the cups are different, being no longer wood so that will have an effect.

    Mark"
     
  4. seersha

    seersha Acquaintance

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    I agree that the response you received is not assuring. I am very curious about this headphone and would like to test one, as well as the original he5. What confuses me about their response is what they mean by the drives will be fresh. I translate this to the drivers are different. Do you agree?
     
  5. joch

    joch Friend

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    I'm reading this as the drives are fresh, whatever that means. In other words I don't know.

    Arguments can be made that nobody but HFM really knows how many iterations (versions, changes) there were in the HE-5 lifecycle, whether this could extend into the 5LE.

    What's presented now are different pads, different cups, and different star shaped dampening cloth last seen on the 5LE.

    It could well be this "HE5" driver is not really NOS but is made recently from old tooling. Or not. However the old and new measurements seem similar. Maybe. They are closer than HE-500 measurements.

    I don't know. I just trust mine will sound much better after Luis gets through them.
     
  6. PTS

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    Just got back from @E_Schaaf's place this evening, and wanted to report that his own personal mods to the HE-5 are incredible! I tried them with an EC Aficionado, Adcom speaker amp, and HiFiMan's EF5. I told him that he should start doing this mods for others; he agreed it's something that he'd be willing to take on.
     
  7. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Thanks @PTS . Yes, I'm happy to take on HFM modding projects for any members here. I won't charge an arm and a leg... just a finger or two. Considering sending my HE5 on a limited loaner to anyone who might be interested. Given I've seen HE5s (re-issue or originals) selling secondhand for around $400 lately, with my mods I consider the sound quality achieved a very attractive bargain.

    My mods are different from Code-X mods and I can tailor the mods to suit a moderate range of tonal and dynamic taste profiles. Hoping to have custom pads made soon as well.
     
  8. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    You know, the main thing that holds me back from trying on the oldskool HFM stuff is that anything without a suspension design hurts like heck - I have a very pronounced klingon ridge.

    Is there anythi g that can be done there? Because I'm interested ...
     
  9. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I use pilot pads on my own pairs and the comfort is improved over stock, but the thickness of the pad reduces the useable yoke length so not advised for those with big noggins.

    Im considering asking Zach if I can use his headbands (prefer these to the Audeze bands)... will keep you posted.
     
  10. PTS

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    Those with HE-5s, what amplification have you found drives them to their full potential? Ideally a combo of tubes and power, as HFM headphones tend to be a little dry through solid state alone.

    My EF5 did a very good job, but it could be better.

    @E_Schaaf's loaner Aficionado tube pre-amp stage into an Adcom solid state power amp was seriously impressive. Better than the Af on it's own, but using an expensive Af for just the pre-amp seems overkill.

    Evan recommended the Saga, but I've owned one and although transparent, doesn't lend much tube coloration to the sound.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2019
  11. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    @PTS I've been really into the Stratus with my CodeX. A good 2a3 has plenty of power imo for them. Otherwise for SS a F5/F7 firstwatt or clone would be awesome, not your typical solid state. Or a Rag or Mjolnir2 or whatever else schiit has up its sleeve would work well too.
     
  12. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    WTF- I thought you evolved into becoming mega spiritual being with 2 channel and vinyl source playing prayer songs?
    sell my those Code-X when you wish to achieve spiritual enlightenment. :p
     
  13. brencho

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    Hahaha I see what you did there. I re-acquired some codex cause they're so good for nighttime and I'm stubborn. Now I know who to call in the event of true enlightenment
     

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