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NuForce HEM2 & HEM4 IEMs
01 / 07
NuForce HEM2 & HEM4 IEMs
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1K requests
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622 Sold
Product Description
NuForce’s HEM line features the latest balanced armature driver technology, custom-designed linear-phase crossovers, and the excellent sound quality we’ve come to expect from the company. Inside the acoustically calculated, vibration-free Lexan earpiece, each in-ear monitor has a different number of Knowles drivers that increases with the model number: The HEM2 has one per side, while the HEM4 has two Read More
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jaydunndiddit
3262
May 7, 2018
The EDC3? I think they would pair better with trance or house since they're so neutral. They'd be OK for some EDM but may not sound as dynamic or punchy as the HEM2. They would have more clarity and detail than the HEM2 so it depends on which you favor more.
I still think the EDC3would go well for jazz but may lack the impact/punch. Tonally, I think they'd match well. I listened to the jazz bands you mentioned and they're a bit different than what I normally listen to, female jazz musicians: Etta James, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, etc. and think the EDC3 do a wonderful job with their voices.
I still think the EDC3would go well for jazz but may lack the impact/punch. Tonally, I think they'd match well. I listened to the jazz bands you mentioned and they're a bit different than what I normally listen to, female jazz musicians: Etta James, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, etc. and think the EDC3 do a wonderful job with their voices.
KTech
57
May 13, 2019
I think a more apt comparison might be the HEM2 vs the EDC. I own theEDC3 and just bought two pairs of the regular EDC for me and my girlfriend because while I love my EDC3, they are neutral as hell. I love the way they sound for most genres but I'd probably go for something like the EDC for dnb and edm just to liven it up a bit. The EDC3 work wonders with strings and vocals but their bass is subdued, extremely nice, but not the central theme of the iem.
TStafflinger
6
Feb 2, 2018
Anybody here who knows how these sound compared to the NuForce x Massdrop Edc Iems?
MFillmore
106
Feb 4, 2018
TStafflingerYeah. So I would argue that the nuforce EDC is actually slightly more natural sounding than the HEM2 and HEM4. The HEM4's bass is a little bit lacking in my opinion. They voiced the HEM2 to have more bass it seems like. But I actually think the EDC has better bass then either due to it being a dynamic driver and all. If you have the EDC and you're happy with it then don't bother with either honestly unless you're looking for something different than the EDC. The wide soundstage of the EDC isn't replicated in either the HEM2 or the HEM4.
HEM2 is an interesting balanced armature execution. They definitely tried to make it sound different from the slightly treble forward sound you might expect from a single BA. A bit warmer. HEM4 I would argue executes well on the mids to upper mids, thus vocals sound good on it to me. If you've never tried a BA before, these certainly will show you what that technology can do. But if you're happy with the EDC/dynamic driver sound....save your dollars.
HEM2 is an interesting balanced armature execution. They definitely tried to make it sound different from the slightly treble forward sound you might expect from a single BA. A bit warmer. HEM4 I would argue executes well on the mids to upper mids, thus vocals sound good on it to me. If you've never tried a BA before, these certainly will show you what that technology can do. But if you're happy with the EDC/dynamic driver sound....save your dollars.
jersey_boy
197
Feb 5, 2018
TStafflingersee my prior comments comparing these here: https://www.massdrop.com/profile/jersey_boy/comments/1836380
I've owned most of the entire line. hem2 is a better headphone than edc + it comes with the pelican case. hem2 can periodically be found on amazon and newegg for well under 100$. when prices get that low, its a no brainer. check camelcamelcamel. until i went and dropped 1300$ on a pair of campfire vega, my daily edc headphones were hem2's because i liked tonality, fit of the shell, and staging width relative to price.
I've owned most of the entire line. hem2 is a better headphone than edc + it comes with the pelican case. hem2 can periodically be found on amazon and newegg for well under 100$. when prices get that low, its a no brainer. check camelcamelcamel. until i went and dropped 1300$ on a pair of campfire vega, my daily edc headphones were hem2's because i liked tonality, fit of the shell, and staging width relative to price.
Futility
46
Jul 5, 2016
I have participated in the previous Nuforce Blue Box (HEM 2-4-6-8) gamble. I got HEM4.
Coming from my old UE TripleFi 10s, I had mixed feelings about the sound of HEM4.
* Much more comfortable fit. Nuforce just want to stay inside your ears unlike the TF10 (even with L/R swap mod). * More resolving, yet lacking something, muddy. In hind sight, it's probably the V shaped treble of Ultimate Ears.
My advice to new owners: be prepared to be disappointed, initially. This is normal. The HEMs require some burn-in to open up (and this is coming from a burn-in skeptic me). So, keep on listening or leave them playing constantly for a day or two.
Another advice is to do the "spiral dot mod": http://www.head-fi.org/t/802247/nuforce-hem-discussion-impressions/30
If you don't want to follow external link or if it gets removed, you essentially replace the included rubber tips with other - wider bore - tips.
The trick is, since HEM nozzle is very thin, most of the wide tips won't fit the stem. So, you have to made the stem thicker by putting one of the original tips in reverse and rolling it back (inside out) onto the IEM body. Afterwards, you put a wide bore tip of your choice on the now-thicker stem of the earpiece. A lot of people seem to prefer JVC Spiral Dot you can buy from 'zon or 'bay. This is what I used but I'm fairly sure any tip with a wide bore (opening) will do.
After listening for HEM4s for a week I came to prefer them over my old TF10s. They are definitely more sensitive and resolving. In fact, they will make you hate imperfections in your audio tract and give you a bout of upgradetitis. I am not a musician and do not have golden ears, plus I'm 40, so my upper frequency threshold is naturally lower; yet, I noticed the following with HEMs:
- minor noise floor on my ALC1150 (yes, this is no audiophile grade soundcard but very decent compared to old days integrated solutions) - difference in sound between AIMP3 player and Foobar2000. The latter is slightly more detailed, using the same (WASAPI or ASIO) settings - on my OnePlus One phone (once again, not the best DAC source) I noticed the difference between PowerAmp and UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro)
Most testing / comparing was performed with lossless sources, some were hi-res (96/24 to 192/24).
So, as a consequence, I have now switched to Foobar as my windows media player, I have bought UAPP for my phone. I have ordered a Centrance DACportable as a combo solution for my phone and work desktop. Still yearning for "mo' better", I have bought HEM8 (private party, $350) which was, also, an upgrade to HEM4 in bass and treble department (but it's a subject for a different conversation).
In conclusion, a little fly in the ointment. In solely my humble opinion, these IEMs should be priced a bit lower: HEM2 - $125, HEM4 - $200, HEM3 - $275, HEM8 - $350. If needed, cut costs on fancy "premium packaging" which, while nice, adds little to the audio quality. Keep the OFC silver plated cable, or make it more rugged and offer it as accessory at a non-gouging price.
TL;DR From personal experience with HEM4 and HEM8, both are great IEMs. Both REQUIRE initial burn-in for a few days. Wide bore tip mod highly recommended. Should be priced lower - search for a better deal elsewhere.
Coming from my old UE TripleFi 10s, I had mixed feelings about the sound of HEM4.
* Much more comfortable fit. Nuforce just want to stay inside your ears unlike the TF10 (even with L/R swap mod). * More resolving, yet lacking something, muddy. In hind sight, it's probably the V shaped treble of Ultimate Ears.
My advice to new owners: be prepared to be disappointed, initially. This is normal. The HEMs require some burn-in to open up (and this is coming from a burn-in skeptic me). So, keep on listening or leave them playing constantly for a day or two.
Another advice is to do the "spiral dot mod": http://www.head-fi.org/t/802247/nuforce-hem-discussion-impressions/30
If you don't want to follow external link or if it gets removed, you essentially replace the included rubber tips with other - wider bore - tips.
The trick is, since HEM nozzle is very thin, most of the wide tips won't fit the stem. So, you have to made the stem thicker by putting one of the original tips in reverse and rolling it back (inside out) onto the IEM body. Afterwards, you put a wide bore tip of your choice on the now-thicker stem of the earpiece. A lot of people seem to prefer JVC Spiral Dot you can buy from 'zon or 'bay. This is what I used but I'm fairly sure any tip with a wide bore (opening) will do.
After listening for HEM4s for a week I came to prefer them over my old TF10s. They are definitely more sensitive and resolving. In fact, they will make you hate imperfections in your audio tract and give you a bout of upgradetitis. I am not a musician and do not have golden ears, plus I'm 40, so my upper frequency threshold is naturally lower; yet, I noticed the following with HEMs:
- minor noise floor on my ALC1150 (yes, this is no audiophile grade soundcard but very decent compared to old days integrated solutions) - difference in sound between AIMP3 player and Foobar2000. The latter is slightly more detailed, using the same (WASAPI or ASIO) settings - on my OnePlus One phone (once again, not the best DAC source) I noticed the difference between PowerAmp and UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro)
Most testing / comparing was performed with lossless sources, some were hi-res (96/24 to 192/24).
So, as a consequence, I have now switched to Foobar as my windows media player, I have bought UAPP for my phone. I have ordered a Centrance DACportable as a combo solution for my phone and work desktop. Still yearning for "mo' better", I have bought HEM8 (private party, $350) which was, also, an upgrade to HEM4 in bass and treble department (but it's a subject for a different conversation).
In conclusion, a little fly in the ointment. In solely my humble opinion, these IEMs should be priced a bit lower: HEM2 - $125, HEM4 - $200, HEM3 - $275, HEM8 - $350. If needed, cut costs on fancy "premium packaging" which, while nice, adds little to the audio quality. Keep the OFC silver plated cable, or make it more rugged and offer it as accessory at a non-gouging price.
TL;DR From personal experience with HEM4 and HEM8, both are great IEMs. Both REQUIRE initial burn-in for a few days. Wide bore tip mod highly recommended. Should be priced lower - search for a better deal elsewhere.
Uzuzu
1431
Jul 5, 2016
hem 2 only single driver armature per side and 150...
what.... I might expect that from a company like Shure, who fares better in the business because of general good products, but this......
why these aren't 60 for the hem2 and 120 for the hem4 respectively, I have zero idea. Wouldn't pay a dime more than that for either.
Still looking for good iems... 100-500 dollars, taking suggestions at this point.
needhelp
331
Aug 2, 2016
UzuzuOne of the most silly comment in massdrop.
Do yourself a favor. Buy whatever you can afford and dont give comments on things you have no experience.
In short. Cut the bullsh1t and nobody wants to listen your made up bullsh1t story.
Come back when you have some valid opinion
Do yourself a favor. Buy whatever you can afford and dont give comments on things you have no experience.
In short. Cut the bullsh1t and nobody wants to listen your made up bullsh1t story.
Come back when you have some valid opinion
asigal
140
Jul 5, 2016
I was referring to the Phantom Sabre. I haven't heard the Hybrids, so I can't speak about them.
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Nov 15, 2018
Oh, look! It's the Nuforce HEMs AGAIN. What a surprise...
Let's see, a total of 134 have been sold so what does that come out to be? Something like one or two sales each time it has dropped?
Massdrop should be changing their name to Nuforce (or SMSL) Direct sometime before the end of the year because that's just about all they're offering these days.
RobKM
14
Mar 1, 2018
How do the nuforce hem2 compare to the Fiio FH1? I just bought the FH1 but I really like the look of the nuforce hem2
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 3, 2018
RobKMThe HEM2 is much smoother and coherent. The FH1 has boomy bass that bleeds into other frequencies. Even compared to the the Fiio F9, I would choose the HEM2 just because it's balance is better. It has the least amount of bass between the Fiio units but its bass doesn't interfere with any other part of the frequency range. Also comfort and weight goes to the HEM2. The Fiio's, especially the F9, felt larger and heavier and have thicker nozzles.
WildMurph
131
Feb 2, 2018
If a dual/quad armature is unnecessary for you, the white HEM1's are for sale on amazon for $80...
Link: http://a.co/bV5keh8
lVlr.VVhite
6
Mar 2, 2018
christiank24He linked the dynamic HEM which is the same specs-wise as the EDC, but refered to them as the HEM 1 which uses a BA driver.
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