HiFiMAN HE1000 v2 + HEX v2 release soon?

Well, I've had the hex v2 in house on loan just today. And honestly, I don't get it. How have HFM made something that sounds this good? I had v1 and v2 HEX and HEK. I appreciated them for what they were. There are still things about HEK that I enjoy. But the hex was always a little, "limp dick" to borrow a phrase (looking at you Marv).

It took my about 30 minutes to figure the HEK v2 out and arrive at a truly impressive experience. First off, the build quality is actually pretty decent. More metal instead of plastic. The pads are leagues better on comfort and function. The cables are newly refashioned. I'm not sure that I'm a fan. They are rubbery and very springy. As far as I can tell the cable wire is cooper.

Immediately I could tell that the v2 hex was way better than the original. No break in right out of the box I was digging it. Great punchy bass...extended, textured. This is real audiophile level bass that satisfied me more than the bass on Elear. The mids are very natural and tonally accurate. Female vocals are rendered effortlessly without any sibilant quality. And then there's the treble. WTF...the v2 actually has some sparkle. And it's nicely done. Well extended while maintaining tone. Cymbals hit hard but without making me wince. Good micro detail and plenty of air.

There were two changes that makes hex v2 even better. First, the Jot is THE amp for these. I tried a few other amps but it was no contest. Jot has the goods and near perfect synergy with the hex v2. And next, I switched out the stock 1/4 cable for a high quality after market balanced cable. The dynamics and driver control get a noticeable bump going balanced.

Disclaimer, yes it's early and yes it's the honeymoon period...granted. Also my ears are fatigued today. I was away for several days and flew in late last night. My body and ears are fatigued. But despite being tired the hex v2 impressed the hell out of me.

For me, these are better than Elear. Better tone and more coherent across the spectrum and much more comfortable as well. Compared to the 800 S they are more full bodied and richer sounding. But then they image really well and throw a huge sound stage. Still trying to get my brain around the improvements and what I'm hearing.

Maybe I got a magic pair?

 

Hah, I was listening to the V2 today at a show, and the amp wasn't cutting it.. I forget, it may have been through a DAVE- and I found myself pining for my Jot and a balanced cable.

Edit: Had a think, and yes, it was a DAVE. Very underwhelming. I am sure it's fine as a somewhat overpriced DAC, but it doesn't seem to be the Alpha and Omega of amps.


(My lowly HE-560 sound incredibly snappy and absorbing balanced out of the Jot.. Clearly, some love planars being put firmly in their place and told what to do )

 

Not really sure. I'm not a loud listener. Good full medium is plenty for me. Save your hearing people!!

 

Okay, I just crunk it up to 12 on the Jot which is damned loud over balanced with this very efficient hp. I didn't notice any breakdown of the sound, neither bass or tone. These really need to get on a SBAF tour wish list.

 

I highly agree with @Ice-man 's impressions
Have been keep listening for three days.

I have to say that HEX v2 is really, really nice. I could assume sub-bass response would improve (due to more angled pad), but never imagined this magical midrange (I didn't AB, but based on my past experience, very sure midrange became better than v1). Honestly, to my ear, it bested my Elear in accurate bass, juicy midrange, and more cohesive and full-bodied sound, although Elear is still better in delivering dynamics and punches.

On the negative side, HEX v2 is a little rolled off on the very top octaves. For some recordings (generally EDM), I prefer brighter sound to get sparkling cymbals, where my Ether flow shines. But that looks like a "trade-off" to some degree.

Now I am highly wondering. Why did Fang Bian seldom mention this f****** gorgeous HEX v2 in recent interviews? Clearly HEX v2 is shadowed by Shangrila or HEK v2 now.

 

Yeah, the mids are f'ing gorgeous to be completely honest. I'd listen to this for the mids alone, but it's also very balanced with the rest of the signature. Maybe my balanced cable is helping with the highs because I'm hearing lot's of clarity up top.

The hex v1 was prone to breaking up and just couldn't take much power from a desktop amp. The v2 can take more for sure, as I have much more play on the volume knob with this one.

 

You couldn't make this shit up. So now HFM are insisting that customers put a $50 value for customs on their returning HEK v1 else HFM will charge the customer the duty! Lol. So, apart from being, you know, illegal & all that... It means we can't even insure them for loss/damage during shipping.

So, we're paying $650 in addition to the original $3000 to essentially fix shoddy build issues (eg cable entry port) on what should be a $1400 retail headphone in the first place. On top of that, we have to pay customs fees (at BOTH ends!) and international shipping charges for us EU people.

Oh, and the thing people really want, the v2 pads, are being held back because, ummm what did HFM say again... Oh, they "haven't decided the price yet". Ho ho f'ing ho.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/817037/hifiman-s-lucky-upgrade-opportunity/135#post_12938236

Sorry, pissed off with HFM (can you tell?)

PS... Happy for the HEX free upgraders, that's how it should be done.

 

I feel you @pedalhead and agree with everything you've said. I've been with hifiman since the early days. I spent time with he400, 500, 5, and 6. Built quality was honestly about the same. But I have to give them credit on the hex v2. The build quality is better. And the sonics are initially impressive. Just need more time to thoroughly evaluate.

But company policies obviously need to be addressed. The only way to tackle that one is with your wallet, which makes it tough for me as I really like the hex v2. But I do worry about the build quality. The hex v2 is something that I'd like to own and for a long time without worrying about build quality and defects. I noticed last night that the warranty for the hex v2 is only one year. It really should be three. That would be more appropriate and make me feel better about the purchase.

Audiophiles are a funny crowd. We spend often ridiculous amounts of money to get the sound we're wanting. But we want fair pricing (looking at Schiit and company here) and we don't want to be extorted (looking at most companies charging over $2k for a headphone because the market will bear it).

And if you are a company charging top money for a product, then you better bend over backwards with customer service to make your customer feel warm and fuzzy about the purchase. /rant over

 

Thanks mate, I really wish I didn't like the sound quality of the HEK! Rather pissed off because, having played with a HEK v2 yesterday, the build quality and fit are way better then the v1... about on a par with the HE560 (which imho seemed reasonable for the price), which the HEK should have been like in the first place.

Agreed totally on the customer service thing. HFM haven't yet worked out that if you're playing at this level, people expect a different level of service than when they buy a $200 headphone.

 

I want to qualify a few of my earlier remarks on hex v2. First, this headphone, 24 hours later, continues to impress me. But now that I've had more time with it, I feel I need to emphasis a few things. The pairing with the Jot is responsible for much of the magic and really aids in bringing out the extension in the treble. A good balanced MB dac is also a key contributor in the goodness that I'm getting with this headphone. I didn't have either the amp or dac before when I had the hex so I think that it's fair to point this out.

Still the hex v2 has made some very nice strides forward with regard to an improved signature and improved build. Enough so that I'd like to keep it in my collection. Do I feel that with the price drop that $1300 is a fair price. HELL NO. But at $1000 it's a comfortable recommendation.

 

Not sure if this has been addressed before, but what do you think of HE-1000 v2 vs HE-X v2?
Also, do you consider HE-1000 v2 a headphone on the neutral (e.g. Utopia, Code-X), warm (e.g. HD650) or bright (e.g. HD800/S) side?

 

I won't have hek v2 in until next week. I'll plan to do comparisons.

 

So the dynamics improved?

 

What exactly did hfm change from hex and hek v1 to the newer v2 anyway?

 

Not sure about Hex v2, but the HEK V2 has new pads, tighter construction (quite a bit better), shallower cups, more headband adjustment for smaller heads. It's a bit lighter too. Sound-wise, the changes reportedly address the softness of the HEK v1 a bit (from a brief listen I think it does). Not sure about other Sonic changes, need to get some quiet time with one.

 

Wait, and they don't self-insure your cans in transit for you, either? Leaving aside the customs fraud (a minor detail!), that's really shady. Combine that with how reluctant UK dealers are to touch their stuff now (including the owner of Audio Sanctuary, who were showing the HEK V2 we were listening to), it doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

I like some of their headphones, but daaaym if it doesn't feel like a massive punt having anything to do with them. I certainly wouldn't feel safe spending a four-digit amount on their products any more.

 

Yeah bonkers stuff. I've been in touch with HFM this morning, asking if I can use a local dealer to upgrade my HE1000. At first they said no, but then sent another email just now suggesting that maybe I could but I would need to pay a "service fee". In true HFM tradition there's zero detail so I'm trying to find out a bit more about it.