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Okgo90
0
Jul 20, 2018
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I'm new to this community and ordered one for personal use. Can someone tell me what is so special about HIFIMAN?
Jul 20, 2018
Cokeman
1971
Jul 20, 2018
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Okgo90They make probably the best Planar headphones of anyone.
Jul 20, 2018
RaymondLu
165
Jul 20, 2018
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Okgo90They sell types of audio gear usually expensive, for cheaper. An example is their planar headphones. These are usually fairly expensive (Audeze) or are suggested to be modded (Fostex). Their headphones are cheaper than Audeze and are generally liked. One thing to watch out for is their build quality. There have been many complaints in the past, though they might be resolved now. (One example is hot glue used to hold their magnets in the 400 line) In the end, you should do your research and make a decision on your own accord. I personally like them as a company as they are reasonably priced. As for this product, its only a few bucks. Just keep expectations reasonable and you'll be fine.
Jul 20, 2018
FrostyP
502
Jul 20, 2018
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Okgo90Poor quality control, terrible customer service, an arrogant owner who wants his company to compete with Sennheiser even though nobody at the company has the engineering chops
Jul 20, 2018
FrostyP
502
Jul 20, 2018
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CokemanYou havem't actually used any other planars have you
Jul 20, 2018
Cokeman
1971
Jul 20, 2018
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FrostyPI’ve used tons. Hifiman has amazing customer support. My HE560s broke so I call them and they send me a brand new pair and a Sundara headband for free. Hifiman is regarded as the top end planar maker. Audeze is awful, hifiman’a quality problems is in their build. Audeze can’t do driver matching to save their life.
Jul 20, 2018
Squee
183
Jul 23, 2018
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CokemanThere's some hyperbole in there, and by some, I mean a lot. Hifiman is known for making planar headphones accessible for less money: The HE400(i)(s), HE500, etc lines were much more accessible than Audeze's in terms of price.
But are they the end all of planar technology? No. They built a name for themselves doing what Monoprice is doing now, making planar accessible to those with smaller budgets. They do push the diaphragm game by making smaller and thinner diaphragms to decrease weight and increase efficiency, but they do have a track record of poor quality control and customer service, despite your anecdotal experience.
Unlike you, my Hifiman products worked perfectly out of box, and never broke; I owned the He400i, He400s, HE4xx, He560, RE600s v2, all without issue or worry. But that doesn't mean I can ignore the large body of evidence from other users with negative experiences with Hifiman's products or services.
Don't let that dissuade future purchasers from getting Hifiman. I think their value level is insane, and I'm personally eyeballing a pair of Sundara's. But enter the experience with eyes wide open.
I'll also add that my only experience with Audeze is through the LCD2F and LCD2C, but I think both of these sounded more compelling to my tastes than the HE1000, while also acknowledging the weight of those units makes them more uncomfortable to wear over time than the HE1000 would.
Jul 23, 2018
Cokeman
1971
Jul 23, 2018
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SqueeNo, my point is that on a technical level Hifiman is the best Planar maker right now. Audeze has major quality issues particularly with driver matching. And then in the world of Planars there isn't much else. Monoprice planars are terrible, Fostex makes the T50 series, Mr Speakers make a few meh ones, and then Advanced. Hifiman is just the best on a technically level.
Jul 23, 2018
Squee
183
Jul 23, 2018
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CokemanI don't think that's true. "Better" in the world of headphones should be measured as a function of sound quality, and I don't think Hifiman is the peak of planar headphone sound quality. As for driver matching issues with Audeze, that probably happens about as often, though probably less often, than issues with Hifiman headphones, which are typically issues with production. As a function of the research and science that goes into the headphones, I'd have no opinion. But question of to what end the research and science is done, it's to improve sound quality, decrease cost, or improve comfort. I think among the last two functions, Hifiman is probably a forerunner, but if it still doesn't sound the best, I don't know that you can say they're the best technically.
Jul 23, 2018
Cokeman
1971
Jul 23, 2018
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SqueeI'm not saying Hifiman has reached the pinnacle, simply that they are the front runner with the technology right now. And Audeze driver matching problems is actually very very common. Hifiman has problem with the build of the structure, Audeze has problems with their drivers.
Jul 23, 2018
FrostyP
502
Jul 23, 2018
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CokemanAre you a paid fanboy? Audeze's offerings are leaps and bounds ahead of Hifiman and if you'd actually been paying attention you'd know Audeze has put money into improving their QA process, something Hifiman refuses to do.
Jul 23, 2018
Cokeman
1971
Jul 23, 2018
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FrostyPHifiman doesn’t have problem with their drivers. And if you were paying attention you would of noticed that the new generation of Hifiman headphones they have switched to metal forks to stop the breaking of the plastic ones. And no I’m just stating the facts here, the LCD-2 really just isn’t very good compared to something like the HD800 or Edition X. The LCD-X is very meh sounding for $1800 with somewhat hollow sounding mids and no real life to the sound. The LCD-3 is very bright and a sharp sounding. And the LCD-4 is majorly intense sounding and not that enjoyable to listen to, not to mention the weigot.
Jul 23, 2018
Squee
183
Jul 23, 2018
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CokemanHifiman has had issues with drivers, actually. A simple google search will yield multiple sources discussing dead drivers, and build quality issues resulting in dead drivers. In fact, they're perfectly open in pricing driver replacements, so saying bad drivers don't come from Hifiman seems disingenuous.
I don't want to be having this conversation about Hifiman vs Audeze here. I won't say you should appreciate Audeze more, but please respect that in the headphone community, Hifiman QC and production quality has had its reputation roughed up from prior issues. But just as I don't share your optimism, I don't share Frosty's enthusiasm to paint all Hifiman experiences with a broad brush. We should be celebrating Hifiman trying to provide an iem for 10$. As per usual, their VALUE EQUATION is otherworldly. Having happily owned the RE600s v2 for some time, I'm excited. But buyers should be aware of all related concerns as potential customers.
Jul 23, 2018
Cokeman
1971
Jul 23, 2018
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SqueeNo I’m not saying that Hifiman never has bad drivers, obviously with any product you occasionally get a bad one. What I’m saying is Audeze doesn’t seem capable on many of their headphones of properly matching drivers and if you measure them the two sides are very different. This is not something rare it is extremely common on Audeze headphones.
Jul 23, 2018
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