Thousand of High Fidelity Men. Review of HIFIMan - HE1000. Part 1

[Eisener Bart]

I've been incredibly lucky to catch a pair of newest HIFIMan's top headphones – HE1000. I've intended to ride to San-Francisco's store AudioVisionSF at first day upon my vessel arrived to Oakland (Northern California).



But finally vessel reached the berth later and I hadn't any reason to rush to the store due to the lack of time. I've been busy as a bee next day and could not leave the vessel. I found store's site in Internet, it was written in black and white that store is closed on Thursdays. I've been angry like a hell but than I've got information that vessel will be delayed with completion of Cargo Operations till P.M. Thursday. I made a call to store with hope that it will be opened despite on info on their site. And miracle, man's voice answered me – they will! I waked up next morning and ride to San-Francisco in elevated mood.

Upon making of 1st step inside you can be sure – you came in right place!



I've been already there in the beginning of March 2015, exactly when truck crushed at night shop-windows. 5 workers sat on the sidewalk in the front of store and created various kind of noise using all suitable instruments. That's why Randolph Johnson (owner) heartly welcomed me – this time I came in right moment.

My first question was:
- Man, can you show me some headphones for heavy music? I spent a lot of time to find something! Can you astonish me?

Randolph just waked up from the chair, came closer to the wall with headphones and took something glamly painted and connected to Nordost cable.

- WTF is that? - I asked.

- Alpha Prime. Pre-top of Mr.Speakers.

And at the next moment I've seen HE1000. It was connected to some device of British brand ifi, which I am familiar quite well - I made a huge review about 3 items a couple of years ago. I catch up HE1000 and asked to connected to some higher grade headamp if possible. Randolph did it by one movement. Next guy was Moon Neo 430HA.

Then we got some difficulties with musical content. USB flash memory with my test compilation was useless because there wasn't device to connect it to. Randolph offered me a compromise as burning of my test material on CD-R meanwhile I've started to dig out on the shelf with store's CDs. CD-Player was temporary chosen as source of musical signal: CD-Transport with funny name WTF-1 and DAC WDS-1 from Woo Audio.



You may see result of my digging in collection of CDs below. Nothing special but that material was known by me at least. By the way, 2nd Disc from soundtrack Matrix Reloaded is quite suitable music for testing. But my first revelation was …. Marylin Manson (from 1st Disc of soundtrack). He sounded on HE1000 more than convincingly.



Switching over from Alpha Prime to HE1000 I've rather quickly concluded that first headphones are really suitable for all kind of heavy music. But it should be tested on Hi Fi gear (not Hi End!) due to the exceeded limits of resolution. Or if PC will be used as a source of signal – less audiophile software player should be used, for example – AIMP. Also I realized that my luggage consists only from 2 heavy duty plastic suitcases and its for sure not from rubber!

Thus I decided to concentrate of audition on HE1000. Freshly burnt-out compilation was cooked already and …. I saw that I couldn't leave store without these HEADPHONES! Do you know this feeling, yeah? And then Randolph poured oil on the hellish flames:
It was shipped to store yesterday.

Oh, Man, it's a federal audiophile offensive! I am listening the unbroken-out headphones!!! It means that headphones were broken-out maximum 10 hours instead of minimal 150 as clearly described by manufacturer.



Newly cooked CD consisted only from 9 track instead of 16. God blessed me, main tracks were placed and I've started to receive sound revelations like from the horn of plenty. First, HE1000 high-octanely throws down the opuses of Manson-bastard. Second, classic music sounds fantastically, violin of Ruggiero Ricci can catapult you into open space without usage of any prohibited chemical substances or engineering constructions. Mozart's Requiem in version of Great and Ugly Philippe Herreweghe on Harmonia Mundi gave me such level of participation – I liked to kick out the conductor and take his place on the music stand by myself. Third, on jazz tracks the level of the presence of singers forced me to open my eyes. Fourth, deep, very deep lows, but on heavy music (like Opeth band) I still felt lack of punch despite I tried to add the volume. I don't believe that it was problem of headamp (Rated at 667mW at 600 ohms and 8W at 50 ohms, the Neo 430HA will effortlessly drive any headphone to its full potential). I have no idea about all headphones of all manufacturers in the world, but HE1000 was controlled by 430HA absolutely. Fifth, soundstage, transients and space effects – no any questions.

Comparing with my Audeze LCD-X I may resume only that HE1000 are headphones of much more higher class. I will arrange of proper shootout upon arrival to home.

When I paid out for the phones I opened box immediately. I would like to check everything and make a companion – my headphones from box vs demo-headphones. I may conclude that just un-boxed phones had more “haze” in sound.



And - yes, Providence has a sense. If I visited store at first day I hadn't any chance even to keep HE1000 in hands. Happy man – I caught one of the first HE1000 at California and guessing I am first on the territory of ex-USSR.

[4N6]

Great story and review. I am quite interested in the HE1000's. Thanks for posting this!

[Eisener Bart]

Thank you, Kevin.

I've been afraid that nobody cares on AA. :-)

I plan to make parts 2 (construction and materials) and 3 (listening). I need more time, just came back home from contract (4.5 months at sea).

[edkoz]

Thank you for the story. I enjoyed the read. I look forward to the next edition.
Ed

[audioguy3107]

Man, great review, good pics too, enjoy the phones!

- Buck

[Eisener Bart]

Ed, Buck, thank you a lot.
I'll do my best.

[4N6]

Originally Posted by Eisener Bart

Thank you, Kevin.

I've been afraid that nobody cares on AA. :-)

Unfortunately, there are only a few on AA that are headphone lovers. I am also in the Navy and understand how a great stateroom system can make for a MUCH better time at sea! Good luck with the rest of your voyage!

[Masterlu]

Eisener... Nicely Done

Headphone lover here!

[John49]

Originally Posted by Eisener Bart

Thank you, Kevin. I've been afraid that nobody cares on AA. :-) I plan to make parts 2 (construction and materials) and 3 (listening). I need more time, just came back home from contract (4.5 months at sea).

I care! I am very interested in your views on the HE-1000s, as I may buy a pair...

[Robert_Anderson]

Awesome, Sergio! Glad you are having so much fun. I'm in Singapore right now, but can't find a pair of 1000's to audition. I did have a moment of weakness and picked up a pair of Abyss - pretty awesome so far!

Keep the posts coming.