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ProfessorPat
380
Oct 30, 2018
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So Massdrop is picking up all of those crappy old headbands left over after Hifiman decided they sucked and changed it twice to fix it? Why else would we not get the band that all of the new models get? The diaphragms are 1 or 2 microns thick? You’re not sure? What is that mess about? Are we not using a uniform size from driver to driver? And impedance has absolutely nothing to do with efficiency. Why pretend that it does? Are you trying to cover for Hifiman consistently being one of the least efficient brands out there? Not so much an issue as an annoyance, but I see Hifiman is still using 3 pole plugs for a 2 pole connection... are they cheaper? Sennheiser doesn’t waste a stereo plug on a driver connection. Even Monoprice doesn’t do that. What’s with the weird cables? Trying to scare people into only buying HFM cables? Maybe they’re great, but this is a bad first impression for these, adding to my bad impression of Hifiman from last time around. I think Audeze is still my next step in the planar world at this point...
Oct 30, 2018
dleblanc
246
Oct 30, 2018
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ProfessorPatDude what's with the stand off'ish attitude. If it doesn't please, just skip it! Also, just a random chime in, but the old headbands actually had less warranty issues that the current gen, at least in our boutique, we've seen more returns with sundara headband issues than any model before.
Oct 30, 2018
ProfessorPat
380
Oct 30, 2018
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dleblancIf the comment annoys you, please just skip it! Seriously though, it’s a discussion. Why can’t there be a negative take? Do you want pure praise for everything? My experience with Hifiman in general has been mediocre, and the inconsistencies and odd design choices seem to warrant further suspicion. Massdrop is notorious for bad description pages on products with info people can check against, so poking holes in strange claims, like the impedance nonsense and the strange use of “or” seems to be a necessity these days on these collabs that only exist here. I’ll take your word on the band, but with everybody doing suspension bands these days, it seems bizarre to go the other way. I’ve never had a straight band like that be as comfortable, but I also wouldn’t want a band prone to failure, so I’d concede that if they are incapable of fixing whatever the weak point in the new design is. As I said, it may be a great buy, and it may be capable of completely reversing my opinion of the brand, but my first impression is a bad one so far, and it’s completely devoid of anything related to how it actually sounds.
Oct 30, 2018
dleblanc
246
Oct 30, 2018
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ProfessorPatAt 599$, sound wise I think it's an exceptional value, try to audition and HEXv2 beforehand and form your own opinion, but this is going toe-to-toe with an LCDX if it's essentially the HEXv2. Another thing to be said is the cups and cushions make for great comfort, the headband not as comfortable as current generation products, but more robust in my opinion. I'm skipping this because i have HEKv2, but I'm pretty jealous of the price on this; it's probably the best deal I've seen for Hi-Fi collabs on massdrop
Oct 30, 2018
Squee
183
Oct 30, 2018
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ProfessorPatI'm not sure how much inventory you'd have to throw out with a tight QC at the MICRON level. Variation of 1 to 2 microns at that level of production is probably inescapable without a high cost from tossed inventory by narrowing the acceptable depth. Impedance actually does have an effect on efficiency, but on its own, it doesn't reveal much. The amplifier you are using has an ideal impedance at which it transfers the most power, so matching the headphones to the amp using impedance as a guide for power transfer isn't unheard of. That said, there's track record of the HEX being efficient outside using impedance as a guide, and moving to the new drivers, which are more efficient than previous generations, does suggest these will be easy (especially for planars) to drive. The choice for 3 pin connectors on the driver end is odd. Although there's a bit more accusation than evidence to support claims of ill-intent it in your post. I think you have a valid question or two, but your tone might be too abrasive and give people the idea the you are bringing previous bias into a purely theoretical discussion for people who are looking for unbiased analyses on this product because actual product reviews haven't appeared yet.
Oct 30, 2018
ProfessorPat
380
Oct 30, 2018
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SqueeYes, the tone is abrasive. Innocent sounding questions tend to elude attention from those that can actually answer things. At least, that’s the impression I’ve been left with elsewhere. That, or they regurgitate some limited info. It’s not supposed to be this unmoving hostility so much as it’s meant to stir up a response. I suppose it could be ignored due to a perceived unwillingness to budge... Anyway, “1 to 2” may have been the phrasing to use if things are varying due to manufacturing tolerances. Or implies some ignorance or mystery as to what you’re getting, rather than explaining it as a necessity. At least that’s the impression I get, and it’s not a good interpretation to end up at if the former is in fact the reality of it, which it likely is. As for efficiency, the lack of a number here is not inspiring. Again, an issue I have with Hifiman, is that even when they do provide this figure, it is completely ambiguous as to whether it is specified in dB/mW or dB/V, and the difference has pretty significant implications. The 4XX was awful compared to everything I had at the time in that regard. This may be more akin to the models it resembles in this department, which would be welcome, but claiming efficiency on impedance alone is ridiculous. Impedance has an effect on power transfer, but it doesn’t imply any standard level of efficiency. If it did, a 35 ohm 4XX and a 32 ohm Grado should not be worlds apart. As for the cable thing, it’s just an annoyance of mine. I doubt they hide the fact that any 2.5mm plug, stereo or mono, will work, or insist that you have to buy their cables, but the presence of that plug while everybody else uses a different one does seem odd. If you don’t inquire, or know that in advance, the HFM cables are the only thing that appears correct. I do think cables will become a concern though, so it’s something worth mentioning. The included cable looks short. So just in case anyone is curious, HFM’s input jacks work with any 2.5mm cable. My M1060’s cable was fine in the 4XX when I couldn’t take how short that one was.
Oct 30, 2018
Squee
183
Oct 30, 2018
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ProfessorPatThat's all totally valid, and I think probably easier to digest as constructive criticism. I do know that the HEX in particular is efficient enough to run well off mobile devices, and if this continues in that line, I'd expect the claim to be atleast semi-accurate, though actual sensitivity numbers, like you mentioned (in either measurement) would go a long way in helping readers determine if it fits their needs. I've also used cables from my EMU Teaks to run the HE4xx and HE400i with no problem, just to add on to your concern with cables. However, with the move to 3.5mm from 2.5mm, I don't know if that assumption would/should carry over.
Oct 30, 2018
ProfessorPat
380
Oct 30, 2018
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SqueeI can’t think of any logical way to run a third wire short of a shield and there’s no way to connect the other end on a TRS plug without dumping it on your ground wire, and a floating shield wouldn’t accomplish much when running to the ungrounded end of things. It’s highly likely it’s still an unused ring terminal on a 3.5mm plug. Would be nice to confirm, but it’s pretty highly likely that it’s the same setup.
Oct 30, 2018
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