HiFiMan Edition S

I've seen a few posts based on meets. Is anyone getting a pair? I'd be interested in opinions.

 

I think it's a dynamic headphone, like the HE-300. Nothing wrong with that but if was buying Hifiman I'd want planars.

 

Agreed. I'd be looking to use it for travel -- i.e., easy to pack.

 

Just a heads up to you guys, in a lot of the earlier English marketing material it is called a planar headphone. That was a mistake, it is actually a dynamic headphone.

 

Wonky in what way?

 

I just purchased and will find out.

 

Initial impressions are it is still slightly U shaped in a certain spot to simulate a very large Soundstage when back covers are open.
The bass has qualities of a closed headphone in that it had deep tight articulate extension and weight,
but it does not have the associated fake sealed closed cup bass pressure.
The bass is like a planar in that sense.
The treble has extremely good presence and air without being artificial or sibilant.
Treble is not plastic or metallic so that is a great achievement.
It does seem a bit subdued in lower treble/upper midst , which create a slight "U" shape.
This is where they altered the headphones from neutrality, to make it unique to have that similar sound they trying to achieve with their HEX.
The good thing, is that they picked a spot to make the headphones sound juicy and alive, being a slight U shape signature.
It is not really U shaped because the tonality of vocals is very realistic, making a headphone like a Sony MR1 sound unnaturally mid-centric and not as "Live".
This signature of slight dip makes you want to increase volume wich then sucks you into a rather large impression of sound field.
So at louder volume is very impressive,
Yet at low volume seems lacking.

The headphones I can tell need break in because bass has elevated from neutral to slightly bassy,.

I will be comparing it to my Oppo PM2 and Ultrasonic ED5 for realism and Soundstage.
It reminds me of both in that regard.
Bass of PM2 & Soundstage of ED5.

ED5 is a closed headphone which uses some technology to increase the stage ro be more larger and spacious than the PM2 with velour pads (!),
With unique ability to separate the sounds within the 3 dimensional soundfield, which turns out this hifiman headphone has similar ability to do.
Both have a larger Soundstage over my PM2!

I would say they key points of this headphone is Soundstage and bass.
The bass is fairly exellent with unusual extension and articulation.

The treble is very very articulate as well.
These headphones have high resolution over most mid level and I would consider these as upper mid level or high level portable solution.

The issue lies in its signature with the slight dip.
It does not sound laid back or recessed. .it sounds alive and fun with a technical resolution,
But the slight dipped signature makes you want to raise the volume to get those mids.

 

I am very disappointed with the composition of the plastics used for the headband.
It is very hard and brittle.
It is almost shocking anyone would use such a headband.
The plastic band was actually able to stretch open slightly for less tight fit,
But it immediately snapped in half when I applied two finger pressure to squeeze it closed a bit.
This is extremely upsetting how cheap the plastic is to not be adjustable.
I was so pissed off I put the things aside for a time while I decide to return or not.

I decided that I hate the headband too much,
But I real love the soundstage and detailing from the drivers.
They are truly exceptional.

So I decided against sound judgment to return for replacement,
And Frankenstein hack them into a better headband in defiance of the stock plastic garbage .
I will place them into a quality headband they deserve.

 

I gave it what it deserved...
Something that won't break:

 

What headband is that? They look really good, better than most hifiman products at least...

What amp/dac do you use them with?

 

The headband is a thick padded metal headband with all metal hinges and is just one of the best looking portable headbands I ever seen.

The only issue is that it is a bit smaller than the original cheap one.

It was also wider and I simply bent the metal more narrow to grab the original cups, which are also metal ..

I had to drill one hole in other cup to hardwire them.
I could also easily install plugs as there is enough space inside to do so,
But I was impatient.
I also will be replacing the cable yet again for a thinner one.

The dam thing is just my fav headphone so I put in the time to mod them.

The headband comes from a $60 headphone that I bought and was disappointed with as it had no trebles.

Since then I found many other choices of headbands.
I will gather them and link them soon.

 

I accidentally deleted my rom's internal memory with cache in TWRP recovery on my phone and lost like 20 headband pics!


I will upload some soon but they all came from AliExpress site as cheapo and mid priced headphones to use as donor headband parts.

 

Looking forward to the pictures!