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Gabrielcccc
10
Nov 10, 2018
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SUNDARA OR EDITION XX
Hi,
I am a newbie to HIFI seeking for advice :
I own the HE-4XX that I like a lot and I am thinking to upgrade, and at the moment I do not think about changing brand. I own also a Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro, which is more punchy, but for long listening sessions, the HIFIMAN is much more enjoyable and I don't have any discomfort in my ears. Btw, After reading a lot the other comments, I agree that the headband of the HE-4XX (which is also used in this drop) are more than ok and very resistant. I am not sure that using the newest design from Hifiman would improve anything.
Back to my question :
The choice in the budget range 600$ is at the moment : Massdrop Edition XX (600$, same headband) or Sundara (500$, wider frequency response, newest headband).
Which one would you choose ?
Is there any noticeable difference to the HE-4XX and for which part of the frequency range ?
for info:
I am listening with a combo OPPO HA2 + Darkvoice 336 SE, mostly to rock, pop, electronic music at home in a quiet room.
THX for your feedback
Windigo
7
Nov 10, 2018
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GabrielccccEdition xx is very close to ananda (same driver, different build and maube tuning). I have not heard them but they are supposed to be a pretty big step up from sundara, which is somewhere between 400i and 560. As for how big of a difference there will be between these and he4xx, I wonder aswell because I also have them.
ghostblade2000
3
Nov 10, 2018
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Gabrielcccc
10
Nov 10, 2018
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WindigoThx a lot. I will then look if I find more info about the Andara edition or maybe will I even find a shop to try it first.
Gabrielcccc
10
Nov 10, 2018
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Windigohomework done.
OMG, all these Hifiman models is just crazy. This is a jungle.
So if I understand correctly from a thread in head-fi.org, not only Hifiman is having different series HE-4xx HE-5xx ... but also they are introducing new make of the same model, so something like HE-4xx v2, HE-4xx v3....
So in the current line-up, the Massdrop model should be correctly associated like this (from the more expensive to the less expensive) :
Shangri-la Sr, (50,000$)
Shangri-la Jr (8000$)
Susvara (6000$)
Hifiman Jade v1, v2, v3 (2500$ with amplifier)
HE1000v1 ->HE1000v2 -> HE1000V3 aka HE1000se (around 2000-3000$)
He6-> He6se (2000$)
Edition X v1 -> Edition X v2 -> Edition X v3 aka Ananda (around 1000$)
*** current MASSDROP MODEL in term of sound (with headband from HE4 serie) ***
around 400$-500$:
He4 -> HE560 v1 v2 v3
HE400S -> HE400i -> Sundara
other models : He5, He5Le, He500,
Does it make sense ?
If so, then this massdrop offer seems quite interesting
MiiD82
76
Nov 12, 2018
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Gabrielccccso I guess you do not want a bright or fatigued headphones characteristic in many models of beyerdynamic.
As for your question I have the Edition X V2 ... and if the XX will sound similar ... that according to the graphics it seems that it is likely you will be able to listen for hours and hours. The Pads are super comfortable and they lodge the ears perfectly, headphones like the dt 880, hd 58x, he4xx, ... I no longer seem so comfortable XD
The band of the head for what I have seen can be replaced and hifiman sells, the truth although aesthetically in my opinion is not pretty is supercomoda.
The Hifiman sundara have also had the opportunity to listen but not as much as I like .... above through an oppo has XD-2 (also I have the darkvoive) but I could only do through oppo. I loved if I'm honest, I do not think you have fatigue problems when listening to them but I also have to tell you that the V2 are in another category in my opinion. If the XX get a similar sound I would have it clear.
Gabrielcccc
10
Nov 12, 2018
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MiiD82Thank you a lot for your reply, this is helping me a lot in my decision process. Actually I will most likely ending getting one. From all negative quality comments that I am reading about the new headband design, e.g. sundara, I prefer to stick to my well-known HE-4XX headband, it is comfortable and very resistent. and I am just thinking about all the nice hours that I will spent with this higher end model.
For those interested, and if my research about the Hifiman models is right, by comparing what you get for the price, these models are the most promising at the moment:
Hifima Arya (sound of the HE1000-v2 for a lower price point)
Hifiman Edition XX (sound of the Edition X serie for a lower price point)
Hifiman HE-4xx (sound of the 400-serie for a lower price point)
So in my case, the Edition XX is the next logical step up from the HE-4XX
(Btw, has somebody had the opportunity to listen to the HE-6se ? how does he differs ? It seems to reincarnate the roots of Hifiman , and should be different from all new headphones coming after )
Jodet
67
Nov 14, 2018
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GabrielccccKeep the HE4XX. They are comfortable and sound great. I've owned lots of expensive headphones and I'm tired of them. I enjoy my 4XX and 6XX now.
Gabrielcccc
10
Nov 14, 2018
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JodetThanks Joset for your reply and what for a coincidence :
After Reading a lot of reviews I finally took the time to go in a physical shop and tried several headphones in a price category of 1500 - 5000 EUR. Unfortunately no hifiman was there but I could try the Audeze, Focal, Audio technica, Abyss all connected with an amplifier+DAC over 1000 EUR. The result ... was , except for the Abyss, very disappointing. With my 170$ Worthy HE-4XX I get easily 95% of the sound quality of these much more expensive models.
Now I am indeed again in doubt, I could not try a higher end hifiman but from this listening session I have now the impression that real differences are only noticeable by a factor 10 in the price. So a usual HE-400i would have cost me 300-400$ so the next noticeable difference would be in the range 3000-4000$. That’s a lot.
in the mean time I had ordered the Dekoni ear pad for my HE-4XX I will wait to get them before taking any decision. At least this is an investment in a price range of only 30-40$ :-)
Jodet
67
Nov 14, 2018
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GabrielccccGet a great headphone amp and you're done. I'd rather have a $1500 amp and $200 headphones than have a $200 amp and $1500 headphones. Next week is Thanksgiving, Violectric will be having there black Friday sale. Get a really get Violectric and step off the merry-go-round. I wish someone five or ten years ago told me to just get a pair of HD600's and be done with it.
MiiD82
76
Nov 14, 2018
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GabrielccccYou did well to approach and try things. The truth is that an investment of double or triple audio is not going to imply that quality jump, but it may fill you up. I have loved the 4xx and I like them even more than the beyerdynamic DT 880 of 600 Ohms, Ath m40x, ... but no more than the HD 58x. All my headphones had something that I liked a lot of them, the hifiman edition x V2 gathered everything I liked to give it to me in a single headset.
Could you try the Sennheiser HD 800 or the improved HD 800s? to me it seems they are in another category totally different from the he 4xx.
I have not tried the focal clear but I think they are very good, the elear did not seem so much.
But the truth if you continue enjoying them do not hurry, maybe one day they will break down and have to do it out of necessity, meanwhile enjoy them.
Gabrielcccc
10
Nov 14, 2018
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MiiD82Hi,
the Sennheiser 800s was in the shop but I was not recommended to try it. The shop owner told me that in my case, if I have already problem hearing at the Beyerdynamic 1990 I would have discomfort as well with the 800s since they are bright.
I tried the focal clear which are very detailed and are this kind of headphone to “slap into your face”. Since I have still sensible ears, I am 40, I fear however to dislike them after long listening sessions.
The Audeze were of course very similar in their sounding to the hifiman and good sounding as well, but OMG these cans were all huge and so heavy. I can’t imagine wearing these chunks for hours.
The Abyss AB1266 were the most expensive ones and also the best sounding, but they are huge and completely out of my budget.
The only headphone that I am still dreaming about is the Abyss Diana. Never heard of that brand before. It is also a planar magnetic, very good sounding, but at the opposite of the Audeze’s. It’s compact and light like an on-ear headphone, it feels and looks so luxurious, I was impressed. Because of it’s size and 40ohm impedance it can be used inside or as a mobile solution so it is versatile too. At 3000$ It is however something that will require for me a long time Of réflexion.
In the mean time I will wait more reasonably on my 40$ Massdrop ear pad to improve my HE-4XX. Life can be simple sometimes ....
MiiD82
76
Nov 15, 2018
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Gabrielccccthe truth is that the HD 800 are a bit bright and not for everyone, but the soundstage and imaging issue ... definition, ... uff.
the HD 800s are less aggressive perhaps on those frequencies.
I'm not a friend of the beyerdynamic highs either and the only one I have is the DT 880 but I do not love his treble either.
I hope to read your impressions of the 4xx with the new pads, as I may have decided to try them in the future.
the treble of the hifiman sundara and edition x V2 is the most pleasant thing I've heard. the treble of the edition x V2 has never created fatigue when listening for hours.
ukmichaeldavid
54
Feb 19, 2019
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GabrielccccYou can get the HE560 v2 used via Amazon from Adorama including balanced cable for $200. I got two they are amazing.
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