APRIL 2017
HIFIMAN
HE-1000 V2 PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES
REVIEW / HIFIMAN / HE-1000 V2 PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES
HIFIMAN
HE-1000 V2 PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES Distributor: Addicted to Audio $3499.00 RRP
“new headband design, thicker bevelled polyester-coated earpads”
Following seven years of research and development, the HiFiMAN HE1000 headphones were released as part of the world’s first in nanometerthickness diaphragm technologies. With a sound to match, this has earned the company a CES 2016 Innovation Award which propelled HiFiMAN as a serious contender in the arena of hi-fi offerings. Hot in pursuit of this welcomed accolade, the company released an updated version of their planar-magnetic flagship – this time, touted the HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2. Much like its predecessor before it, the V2 presents the same underlying design as the V1. However, several changes were introduced as part of Fang Bian’s attempt to polish and refine the product that had originally made a stamp in the audio community. The changes include a new headband design, thicker bevelled polyester-coated earpads, improved cable designs and a higher matchability with amplifiers. Weighing in at a reduced profile of 420 grams, the V2 remains relatively light for a headphone of its stature. This is helped by the well-designed suspension system which distributes weight evenly in much the same fashion as the original HiFiMAN Edition X (which is just 21 grams lighter). The HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 retails locally for a hefty $3499 which places it smack in the middle of Mr. Speakers Ether Flow headphones ($2399) and Focal Utopia ($5500) headphones. Though not the cheapest offering, the HE-1000 V2 represents the era of higher priced offerings from companies in an ever-growing and developing industry.
“the optimal balance between higher driver efficiency and high technicality in sound” The Packaging
The Design & Build
HiFiMAN have opted for the same packaging
With an advanced asymmetrical magnetic
details as the HE-1000 before it. Included is a
circuit, HiFiMAN engineers have strived
leather-trimmed hard case with a foam interior
to achieve the optimal balance between
which houses both the headphone and
higher driver efficiency and high technicality
cables. Important to note is that the cables
in sound. The window shade grill is one
have been updated from the previous nylon
of several design choices that have been
covered two core design to a new rubber
adopted from the previous iteration of the
sheath enclosing a three-core crystalline
well-received HE-1000 class of headphones.
copper with silver plated wire topology. Some
Another is the heavily-praised nano-thickness
limitations of these cables which come in both
diaphragm which has earned HE-1000 many
a 4-pin XLR balanced and 3.6mm termination,
fans in the rendering of a precise and tight
is their springy nature which may not be
sound with low distortion. Like the Edition X,
the best design in situations which require
the HE-1000 (V2) is also a distinctive looking
moving around.
headphone that stands out in the high-end
The illustrious manual which symbolises
world of audio.
a sense of luxury and professionalism in
With a revised headband, the V2 is able
HiFiMAN’s high-end offerings rests below the
to accommodate a variety of head-shapes
foam insert. One point to note is that while
and sizes to allow for a more comfortable
the packaging is HiFiMAN’s most luxurious yet
fit during listening than its predecessor. The
(and rightly so), there still lacks a case which
headband combines a special metal alloy
would be useful in situations of travel and
and the head-support utilises soft-grade
long-road commutes.
calf-skin material. One limitation to this, however, is that when the headphone is lifted
Comfort With the well-structured headband and use of light wood trim, the HE-1000 V2 is a surprisingly comfortable headphone for its size and 420 gram weight. It combines pleather earpads with calfskin head-support to allow optimal comfort during long listening sessions. The patterned holes on the headband also allow some room for breathability which is
off the head, the calfskin depresses itself as opposed to maintaining its structured arch shape. This needs to be readjusted before it springs back into an arched shape and hence an improvement to future series of HiFiMAN headphones could be to enable the headsupport to maintain its shape as with other previous versions. With that said, however, the V2s are a pair of headphones which can be worn for hours on end.
especially useful during the hotter seasons to
The housings of the diaphragm are rotatable
avoid excessive heat entrapment.
in both the horizontal and vertical planes to
Like the Edition X before it, HiFiMAN are masters of comfort. The revised V2 adds to the original HE1000’s design by now taking into account a more versatile and accommodating headband as well as greater number of placeholder holes to enable a more optimal fit.
allow listeners different variations to achieve an optimal fit. Finally, the cable connects are angled away from the user to prevent cables rubbing along clothing to not only improve ergonomics but also reduce microphonics.
Sound impressions (w/stock cable) Like all audio products, burn-
tighter and more impactful which
and more resolute signature. In
in is definitely recommended
fixes the minor shortcomings
“Dance Hall Days” by Imperial
(100 – 200 hours). Usually with
of the former model. With that
Mammoth, for example, the
other headphones, I do not
said, however, the headphones
capabilities of the V2 become
notice much of a difference, if at
have taken slightly different
evident through the projection
all, between stock and burn-in
angles in their signatures; the
of sonic cues in the dimensions
sound but with the HiFiMAN
V1 – a more laidback approach
of depth and width, propensity
HE-1000 V2, improvements in
whereas the V2 – a more vivid
to handle gradations in sound
sound are perceivably noticeable.
and forward presentation. Overall
levels and a subjectively pleasant
The reasons for this remain
though, an incredible start for
tonal signature.
unknown but my suspicions
the V2s on this section of the
point me towards the nanometre
frequency spectrum.
diaphragms which require some time to ‘settle’.
The Bass
The Mids
The Treble Out of the box, the treble of the HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 appears
Compared to the original HE-
hot and splashy. With burn-in,
1000, the midrange frequencies
however, the treble becomes
The HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 is one
have been brought more forward
more controlled and refined
of those rare headphones that
resulting in a slighter smaller
with an articulate presentation
encapsulates magnificent bass
soundstage. However, whilst
of percussion attacks. With that
amongst a tight and extremely
some may consider this a
said, however, the treble does
intelligible sound signature. To
downside, I would consider this
lean north of neutral with a more
elucidate, sub-bass quantities
an advantage especially as the
forward sound than the former
are not only delivered with
HE-1000 did tend to lack a bit
HiFiMAN HE-1000. This means
clarity and precision but they
of immersion and captivation
that although high-frequencies
are also displayed with heft and
through a ‘distant’ sounding
are presented in a crisp and
authority. Next to the Edition X,
sonic presentation. The HE-1000
extensive manner, the V2s are
the HE-1000 V2’s bass extends
V2 deals with this by offering
less forgiving with compressed
deeper with more refinement and
a more forward and realistic
files and music tracks of lower
accuracy. Although the former
performance which as a result is
quality. Compared to the
headphone has more mid-bass
more involving and impactful than
Edition X, the high frequencies
presence, the HE-1000 V2 still
the former model. Compared
of the V2s are brought more
does well in delivering a capably
to Sennheiser’s HD800, the
to the forefront giving these
strong bottom-end performance.
midrange of the HE-1000 V2 has
headphones a new sense of
greater body and weight whilst
energy which departs from
simultaneously revealing less
the traditional laid-back soft
sibilance and harshness.
sound character of HiFiMAN
In “Bassline” by Kalin & Myles, bass stops on the dime with impact and incision. This is substantiated in D’Angelo’s
With the stock cable, however,
“Prayer”, where complex
there does appear to be a
basslines and nuances are
tendency for an ever so slightly
skilfully rendered and handled
thinner note portrayal (which
with ease. In addition, there
can be fixed with aftermarket
is excellent transition from
cables as described below).
low-frequencies to midrange
Nonetheless, the HE-1000 V2’s
frequencies which add to the
midrange is neutral and linear
V2’s coherent sound signature. In
with perceptively fast leading
comparison to the previous V1,
transients. Both male and female
the V2’s bass presents as slightly
vocals benefit from this cleaner
flagship headphones. As with Sennheiser’s HD800, both microdetails and auditory cues are extracted from tracks highlighting the V2s’ capabilities as a reference-grade product.
The Matching Schiit Audio Gungnir Multibit and Mjolnir 2 Amp
ALO Continental Dual Mono DAC/Amp Surprisingly, this small device is able to
Schiit Audio Yggdrasil and MicroZOTL 2.0 Amp
This pairing is an excellent synergy with the
drive the HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 to sufficient
The MicroZOTL2.0 Amp is a unique amp
HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2. The result being a
levels. The resulting sound is slightly more
which is quite unlike any other tube amps I
transparent and yet open sound with plenty of
euphoric with a charming midrange, rounded
have reviewed. Paired to the Yggdrasil, the
detail retrieval while still managing to retain a
bass and more airy treble section. Though
resulting sound of the V2s is very liquid with
natural feel and organic tone. The tubes of the
commendable for a ‘transportable’ solution,
an ever-so slightly recessed midsection
Mjolnir 2 do well in working in tandem with the
I would still highly recommend the Schiit
which is sweet and agile. Although the speed
slightly forward treble of the V2s producing
combo above for that more holographic and
and articulacy of the solid-state is captured
a sound which can indeed be listened to
revealing sound.
in this sound, the MicroZOTL2.0 also does
for hours on end (much like the Edition
well in instilling the same pleasant harmonic
X headphones). This combination is also
distortions which make tube amps popular for
capable of driving the V2s to sufficient audio
headphones in general. Bass, however, is not
levels, although the volume level does need
as tight as found in the Ragnarok which might
to be turned higher than the more efficient
be the biggest disadvantage of this amp.
Edition X.
The Soundstage & Imaging
Aftermarket Cables
The HE-1000 V2 presents an expansive
Lavricables is a store run by an audiophile
soundstage with great width and height.
with an interest in pure silver cables for hi-
Although the original HiFiMAN HE-1000 did
reference headphones. In this review, I had the
have a slightly larger dimension in terms of
opportunity to test their Master Silver HiFiMAN
width, it was this quality that some users
HE1000 Upgrade cable which costs US$334
found ‘distant’ and not as forward as they
by the 2 metre-cut. The cable itself is made of
perhaps liked. The V2 while still retaining
12 separated cores of 6N purity silver braided
a beyond average width, tastefully renders
together with the aim of reducing capacitance
tracks more forward with a greater height –
levels and skin effect on higher frequencies.
recapturing the essence of immersion.
Joints are soldered with silver and a Teflon
Instrument separation is also outstanding
insulation used for the bare wires.
and perhaps the best I have ever heard from
With regards to sound, the Master Silver cable
a planar headphone yet. This, along with
initially starts off as slightly harsh but definitely
the speaker-like quality of these ‘weight-
improves with burn-in. Compared to the stock
less’ headphones, makes the experience of
cable, the Master Silver improves on midrange
listening truly remarkable.
frequencies with a fuller and weightier sound. Whereas before, there was slight graininess in upper mids to lower highs, the Master Silver eradicates this and helps to extend the frequency spectrum. The cable also infuses a bit of musicality with a more rounded bass and a slightly more expansive soundstage. This is therefore, a highly-recommended purchase to get the best out of these flagship pair of headphones.
SPECIFICATIONS
Style / / Open Back Driver type / / Planar Magnetic
Conclusion
Impedance / / 35+/-3 Ohms
The HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 represents the re-update to the original HiFiMAN HE-1000
Sensitivity
headphones which have previously won many accolades within audiophile circles. Like its
/ / 90 dB Frequency response / / 8Hz - 65 KHz Weight / / 420g
predecessor, the V2 is a reference-sounding headphone with outstanding detail retrieval and soundstage production. At $3499, however, the V2s constitute a significant investment and should only be considered for those who wish to get a share of the very best sound in an openback format. Of course, audible differences are not a stark departure from the original V1 but the V2s are definitely the quicker and more involving model with excellent ergonomics and design. Combined with a beautifully layered and accurate sound then, the HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 deem worthy of a welcome in any audiophile’s collection and certainly, an audition.
WORDS/IMAGES: Patel Smit