LFF Code-X love/impressions

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by gbeast, Sep 3, 2016.

  1. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    More impressively, it has *survived* all those years. This being HFM even their steel has a half-life and spontaneously disintegrates while in a sealed box...
     
  2. InsanityOne

    InsanityOne Acquaintance

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    Without getting too off-topic: I think the used prices of the HE-500 and HE-4 are dependent on two major factors:

    Quantity: Far fewer HE-4's were produced versus the HE-500.
    Rarity: HE-500's are always being sold, HE-4's rarely ever pop-up on the used market.
    Misinformation: Buyers and sellers mistakenly place the HE-4 in the same "category" as the HE-5 and HE-6 (similar to how the HE-300 and HE-500 used to be put in the same "category") when in reality they are not really in the same league. Having compared the HE-4 to an HE-500 directly (given it was quite some time ago), I would still argue that the HE-500 is the "better" headphone between the two. But then again, they both have fairly different tuning so that may be a pointless comparison to make.

    I think you're right, most of the original pairs of Hifiman headphones out there today have probably exchanged hands at least once if not twice. I know for a fact that my woody HE-4's have been through a minimum of three owners and my Code-X's have been through something like 4 or 5 or more owners. After awhile their lineage gets more and more difficult to track.

    I don't think that age necessarily adds to the value of a headphone though. The only reason there are 7-10+ year-old headphones out there that still command high prices (above retail in some cases) on the used market is because their reputations are storied and more of them are breaking down or going off the market due to owners getting a pair and never letting them go thus decreasing the supply.

    The older Hifiman's have stood the test of time better than their newer generation headphones, but at least we can replace the headband assemblies with an arguably better solution from Audeze should the original headbands fail. The cups on the other hand, that may be something we will have to get creative with. I know that Lohb has made Hifiman cups from wood in the past (my woody HE-4 is evidence of that) so I know there are some community members out there who have the dimensions. If worse comes to worse we could always scan a HFM cup and 3D print them.

    The only remaining concern that leaves us with is the drivers themselves. Hopefully they never begin to lose tension or separate. If the magnets themselves ever come apart then the driver will be irreparably damaged. I'm not sure if that is possible, but I will just continue to enjoy them while they last.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2018
  3. Ray

    Ray Friend

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    Recently acquired a pair of he5se phones and after a day or so of listening I feel these drivers are more similar to the original he-5 than the reissues. Still has that notorious splashy treble fuckery but there’s plenty potential with mods on these. I’ve got a small head and find the new design to be quite comfortable. Luis could probably do wonders with these.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2018
  4. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

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    Any promising mods for the re-issues? I have a pair that i had in storage in France, finally going to bring them home after the holidays. @E_Schaaf First thing i'm going to try is taking the grill off.
     
  5. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    You can get pretty close to Code-X performance simply with damping mods and a pad swap... And you don't necessarily have to start with a HE5 or HE6. I've done HE400s and HE4xxs with solid results - you can get pretty close to the Code-X tone with many of the older HFM planars, but of course without the dynamic performance and staging of the HE5 and HE6.

    LFF works some magic that isn't fully understood (by anyone but him) and probably shouldn't be publicly disclosed (he invested his time in the research, so he rightfully deserves the business this has brought him), but damping + pads can get you 95% of the way there, or maybe even better depending on your sonic preferences.

    After playing with a variety of damping and pad configurations with the older HFM planars, I'm realizing that a lot of the Code-X desirability comes down to mystique of LFF's particular knowledge. LFF clearly has invested more research than many other modders when it comes to these older HFMs, and he's concocted a recipe that works with consistency.

    That being said, there are only a few things he can do that laymen like us cannot.

    I still think there's a fair bit of uncharted territory in terms of modding materials, measurements, and various configurations that could be explored with some time and tinkering. None of my LFF headphones are in the same configuration as he gave them to me, but most of my work has been with pad swapping and modding the pads themselves... the pads really do make the biggest amount of difference, and I think @cskippy was hinting at that later in his time with the Code-6.

    FWIW I preferred many other pads to the LFF pads, and those differences are at least as large (though they address different issues) as those made by damping and Luis' secret sauce.

    Keep in mind that the Code-X isn't meant to be a "perfect" headphone by any means, Luis simply modded a HE-5 to suit his own taste, people liked it, so he made more for others. I think he discussed this earlier on in the thread.

    There's no reason you can't explore your own modifications to craft a headphone that suits your own taste instead - this is the path I'm finding myself go down.

    From what I can tell, Luis hasn't revised his modding procedure since the early pairs of Code-X. I'm a tinkerer who never settles (my modding curiosities are insatiable), so I'll keep experimenting and see if I can come up with something that suits my preferences even better.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2018
  6. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    I hate to digress, but has anyone seen Luis recently, or at least got in contact with him in the past few months? Forgive me if I'm mistaken but he's been off the radar for some time, perhaps because he's busy with his studies. As much as I enjoy these healthy discussions about how a Code-X based on the latest HE5se would sound, I don't see much chance of any new Code-X being built in the near foreseeable future.
     
  7. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    had good email replies from Luis a couple months ago. guy is still super swamped with real life work/schooling.
    it's possible he comes up for air next year once those commitments are completed.
     
  8. Ray

    Ray Friend

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    I’ve acquired quite a collection of older hifiman cans and have begun to experiment. The he400’s can be purchased cheap and would be a great starting point for someone looking to trying modding. I agree with @E_Schaaf says about damping being a major factor and pads also. I’m to a point now to where I’m satisfied with the sound and wouldn’t need to seek the services of another.
     
  9. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    What ever happened to the LFF somewhat unannounced new open headphone?
     
  10. LFF

    LFF Friend

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    Hello My Friends!

    Sorry for my extended leave but I needed to take some time off to be successful in my school endeavors. I appreciate the many emails I got from many of you just asking if I was doing ok. The honest truth, was no, I was not doing well. The stress of school was enormous and it has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. School and work took a major toll on all my aspects of life, from my hobbies to the relationship between myself and my family members. That said, I finished and only need to take my board exams to become licensed as a professional. It really was a year of pure and absolute hell. If I ever came across as short/curt or taking a while to respond, please accept my apologies.

    As of this coming week, I will be returning to work on my hobbies again. Here is where I am at:

    PENDING ORDERS

    If you have a pending order, you will be my first priority. I need to finish some headphones and ship them out. Most should be done either this week or the following.

    NEW HEADPHONES

    They are coming. I have two open headphone designs which have been in the works for about a year before I took some time off. I will be working on these come January and hope to release them come February. Pricing for these headphones will start at around $800.00. Both are orthostatic headphones.

    MODIFICATIONS

    I am running out of materials for mods to HiFiMan headphones, especially those for 4’s, 5’s, and 6’s. If you were thinking of sending them in, please do. I’ve already been given a 3 month wait period for one of the things I use.

    MASTERING / REMASTERING

    I will be doing these if there is demand.


    If you guys have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.
     
  11. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    so very glad to hear of your school success! and hopefully a return to a more regular lifestyle in coming months / years!
     
  12. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Great to hear from you, @LFF! And yeah, school can be a proper buttfuck without lube sometimes, but for the most part it's worth it (and hey it can be fun.... I think). Good work getting through that, and looking forward to any new projects!

    Eventual SBAF reference test tracks when things loosen up pls :))
     
  13. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    [​IMG]
     
  14. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Glad to see you back here my friend. Good luck with the boards!
     
  15. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    What the difference between the models? Any chance that we could get a sneak peak? photo or 2?
     
  16. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    If your Code-X has the stock HE-5 headband, I strongly recommend you replace it with the new headband currently offered at the Hifiman Store.

    http://store.hifiman.com/index.php/original-headband.html

    I got the idea from @brencho's recent FS post of his Code-X, which had its headband replaced. The new headband is noticeably more comfortable and flexible than the stock one. The downside is that the yokes do not have L/R designation, but the orientation of the cable and earcups (as long as you don’t turn them 180 degrees) should be able to tell you which side is which.

    While the headband at the website and @brencho's Code-X has navy blue yokes, it seems that they've been updated with black ones which I personally prefer.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2019
  17. InsanityOne

    InsanityOne Acquaintance

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    At $75 it isn't a "cheap" replacement, but it is still about $50 cheaper than either the Hifiman hybrid headband or Audeze LCD suspension headband which are the only two real "upgrades" over the original headband. Although for those of us who like the wood accents on the stock headband, some light modding may be in order to switch the blue / black caps with the original wooden ones.
     
  18. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    Thinking of listing my code-x (wood cup in hebo). Apparently this is the only one LFF did in full hebo.
    I don't actually know what is a fair price for these. Extremely good condition.
    just don't get enough use from them now that my 2.0 is sounding the way i want.

    some photos for idea of condition and colour.

    I think $1400usd is a good starting point? let me know what you think and I'll list them this weekend. Thanks

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2019
  19. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    Full hemo = blood of virgins was used for staining
     
  20. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    $1400 would be a good deal. Somewhat a select crowd that buys these and I think most have them have already owned a pair.
     

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