HEDD Audio HEDDphone D1

[bigtor1927]

You can simulate the effect these headphones produce by installing the VST plugin in the APO Equalizer.The effect will of course be approximate, but some conclusions can be drawn. This requires a plugin class called "transient shaper." For example, MTransientMB from the MFreeFXBundle plugin package. But you can use any other plugin you prefer. Before installing the plugin, reduce the volume by -15 dB to avoid clipping.For experimentation, you can download a ripper and record an audio excerpt from the system. AI chat bots can help you do this. Then you will receive information about the signal level in the plugin and see how the signal itself changes visually.
Best song for test lewis and clark - tommy emmanuel or similar.

 

[bigtor1927]

I wonder how they got this headphone to get planar speed etc, like it genuinely sounds like a planar driver. I’m guessing it’s the TPCD?

These headphones are significantly superior to planar magnetics in terms of “speed,” and this is immediately noticeable. I listened to them in a store using A/B switching against various Audeze and HiFiMAN planar models. The sound of headphones of this type often feels somewhat unnatural. It’s hard to describe, but there is a constant sense of discomfort during listening—you simply can’t fully relax and enjoy the music.

In addition to the usual harmonic distortion, there are many other issues: phase distortion, intermodulation, and so on. The planar magnetic driver is not really about speed at all; unfortunately, it is too large and temperamental. I also used to consider planar magnetics to be something advanced and technically superior to the “old” dynamic driver, but apparently we have all become victims of marketing and the popularity of certain models that delivered a merely “different” sound rather than genuine improvements aligned with the true philosophy of hi-fi sound authenticity.

Thanks to a diaphragm that is extremely light yet rigid, combining metal strength with a carbon membrane, these headphones produce a very natural sound, responding instantly to transients and stopping just as quickly. I highly recommend that everyone audition this model in an audio salon or any other accessible environment. For me, these headphones truly became the endgame in my search for better sound, as most headphone models merely alter tonal balance—brighter timbre, weaker or stronger bass.

Their sound is reminiscent of listening to very expensive studio monitors in a properly treated room. Of course, excluding the stereo image created by two speakers, it still sounds like headphones. However, everything else—texture, clarity, vocal and percussion naturalness, instrument separation, and overall transparency—is simply incredible. Perhaps electrostatic headphones sound similar.

Reddit user KamilScott posted a mini review and comparison of the Sennheiser HD 630 and the HEDDphone D1—his impressions are worth reading. The feeling the D1 delivers is comparable to the first time you heard music through truly high-quality headphones: “Oh my God, how transparent the sound is, how perfectly everything is audible—new, previously unheard nuances everywhere.”

P.S.I apologize for the clichéd expressions, but there is no other way to say it.

 

[heyheybay]

I just created an account today to leave my impressions, I ain't some expert lol so dont have graphs to analyze but went in to my local store to try the senheisser he1 60,000$ USD priced headphones which were here on tour for a week, got an hour session with those with my own music in a private room with the built in tube amp and dac that the system comes with, was totally blown away as expected, the box even opens automatically like a convertible car.

Just for reference I have a bunch of headphones that I own such as the final audio d8000 pro, audeze lcd 2, hifiman arya stealth being some of the higher end ones. After my session the store employee recommended these HEDD d1s. I went in totally blind as in I had never even heard of this brand and just had an hour session with the rolce royce of headphones so already expected these to be average at best comparatively, but to my surprise I was simply blown away with these HEDD d1s. Same songs I tried just minutes back on the Senheisser He1 sounding basically 95% the same, honestly dont even know deep down whether the pricing bias is playing a factor in my impressions as a better idea would have been to take a friend or family member that simply does not know the price of each headphone to try them one after the other and I strongly believe most of them would say they sound largely the same, thats how good these were, after a session with the most expensive headphones in the world, I felt that these were right up there hanging with it especially in terms of Bass and treble. I also consider the final audio d8000 pro right up there as well but those are nearly 5 times the price of these HEDD d1s so in conclusion these are definitely a winner, my store did not have them in stock so just had this demo unit but it looks like I will be picking these up later this year, this could really be the headphone that sort of wraps up this hobby again till the next big thing arrives as I was out of the headphone/audio loop for the past 3-4 years. This was also just playing off my chord mojo and a laptop, thats it, crazy good for the price as normally after owning the d8000 pro's I thought I would be sort of done with this hobby for a few years but as the great Michael Corleone once said, just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

 

[hiagain]

Very well tuned and designed headphones. It's tuning and dynamics is well presented in low volumes, which I admire.

 

[zonk]

Measurements by oratory1990

 

[Zoide]

I'm so tempted to try the HEDD D1... I know they're totally different types of headphones, but has anyone compared them to the DCA E3?

Let me know if you have the D1 and live in the Netherlands. Maybe we could do a mini-meet.

 

[Zoide]

Last week I visited a neighbor who has the D1 and is selling the HE600. I tried those versus the HD550 and my E3, and concluded that:

• The HE600 is good, but not amazing. It didn't move me.
• The HD550 sounds surprisingly good for the price, not too different from the D1
• The D1 was my clear favorite! I found myself bobbing my head to the rhythm and really enjoying the music instead of analyzing the sound. It also helps that they look nice, feel well-built, are comfortable, and are super easy to drive.
• In comparison, the E3 sounded "dead". The guy said it's because DCA damps the hell out of all their headphones and makes them super boring. I had never felt that with them, and I don't know if what he said makes sense from an objective point of view. And who knows, maybe after a while the D1 will lose its newness factor and I will want to go back to the E3. I do like their luxurious leather pads and how they feel like little pillows on your head. But for now, I'm almost sure I will sell the E3.

The guy's D1 wasn't for sale, so the very next day I went to a local shop (Netherlands) and bought the D1 new! I can't remember when was the last time that I bought new headphones instead of used... That tells you how much I liked them.

 

[Sebby]

Last week I visited a neighbor who has the D1 and is selling the HE600. I tried those versus the HD550 and my E3, and concluded that:

• The HE600 is good, but not amazing. It didn't move me.
• The HD550 sounds surprisingly good for the price, not too different from the D1
• The D1 was my clear favorite! I found myself bobbing my head to the rhythm and really enjoying the music instead of analyzing the sound. It also helps that they look nice, feel well-built, are comfortable, and are super easy to drive.
• In comparison, the E3 sounded "dead". The guy said it's because DCA damps the hell of all their headphones and makes them super boring. I had never felt that with them, and I don't know if what he said makes sense from an objective point of view. And who knows, maybe after a while the D1 will lose its newness factor and I will want to go back to the E3. I do like their luxurious leather pads and how they feel like little pillows on your head. But for now, I'm almost sure I will sell the E3.

The guy's D1 wasn't for sale, so the very next day I went to a local shop (Netherlands) and bought the D1 new! I can't remember when was the last time that I bought new headphones instead of used... That tells you how much I liked them.

In comparison to the HD550, can you go a bit more into detail? Clamping force, pad size…?

 

[Zoide]

In comparison to the HD550, can you go a bit more into detail? Clamping force, pad size…?

I didn't try the HD550 for very long because I was mainly interested in trying the D1 and his HE600, but my very unreliable impressions were:

• Great sound (maybe a bit brighter than neutral?)
• Lighter clamp than the D1, but less comfortable. Maybe the pads are less plush and a bit smaller? (My ears are not too big though, so I usually don't have trouble with them hitting the pads or the inside of the cups)
• Build quality and overall industrial design not as nice as the D1
• Very lightweight!
• The guy was had ~100 headphones and he was very surprised by how good the HD550 was. He had just gotten the D1 and was considering returning them because of the massive price difference versus the HD550. That said, he hadn't had time to do in-depth comparisons yet, so he might have changed his mind since then
• I just loved the D1, so I didn't hesitate to buy them at a store instead of spending more time comparing them vs the HD550

 

[Zoide]

Measurements by oratory1990

Thanks for sharing.

Could someone please explain what it means for the preference rating to be the same before and after EQ if the deviation from the target is lower after EQ?

 

[zerolight]

Both of these headphones are actually my absolute favorites at the moment, with the Aune taking the top spot.
While the D1 sounds very direct and 'close,' the 5000 feels wider and more 'indirect,' likely due to the angled position of the drivers.

Both headphones are very comfortable, but even here, the Aune is number one. That said, the AR5000 is among the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn.
The bass on both is sensational; it feels authentically fast and punchy. However, I perceive it more physically with the 5000.

In my opinion, the D1's big weakness lies in the range between 1 to about 4 kHz, where it frequently comes across as intrusive. This cannot be fixed with EQ. The Aune, on the other hand, always reproduces this frequency range pleasantly.
In terms of treble, I see the D1 slightly ahead.
I get the slight impression of hearing more detail here.
When I consider how affordable and comfortable the Aune is, and how incredibly 'satisfying' it sounds overall, it’s easy for me to say:
for me, this is the almost perfect headphone!
It sounds pleasant and 'warm,' yet never intrusive, sluggish, or boring.

If anyone should ask me in the near future which headphones they should listen to, I would name exactly these two models.

Have you tried the DMS fix for peakiness (admittedly around 4 to 6k) by putting in a 150ohm impedence adapter at the end of the cable?

 

[glocktopus]

@zerolight I bought a 150ohm impedance adapter off AliExpress but I can't use it because the D1's 3.5mm jack is threaded and the impedance adapter is not. Was planning on picking up an non-threaded cable for the D1 tomorrow. I don't think I experience the peakiness in the treble the same way as DMS though. It's just that the impedance adapter was cheap so I figured I'd give it a go.

I do get a bit of a bump on a sine sweep between 5 and 6k but it doesn't pop out to me when listening to music so I haven't bothered EQing it.

 

[VisualDarkN]

How are you guys like yours a couple of months later?

 

[A Surfer]

@zerolight I bought a 150ohm impedance adapter off AliExpress but I can't use it because the D1's 3.5mm jack is threaded and the impedance adapter is not. Was planning on picking up an non-threaded cable for the D1 tomorrow. I don't think I experience the peakiness in the treble the same way as DMS though. It's just that the impedance adapter was cheap so I figured I'd give it a go.

I do get a bit of a bump on a sine sweep between 5 and 6k but it doesn't pop out to me when listening to music so I haven't bothered EQing it.

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

 

[glocktopus]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

Agreed. I'd forgotten I even posted about the treble peak. I do EQ them sometimes but it's only a bass shelf for music that really needs extra oomph.

How are you guys like yours a couple of months later?

Love it. Best piece of audio equipment I own.

 

[PBSequence]

How are you guys like yours a couple of months later?

Sound-wise: love them. They’ve replaced my HD800S as the default headphones on my desk.

Apart from the sound, I had to sent mine in for repair/replacement. The plastic hinge that connects the cups with the headband (the part with the HEDD logo) just suddenly snapped one evening. Warranty procedure was painless but I’m not 100% happy with the build quality, seems like a fragile part to me.

 

[VisualDarkN]

They finally got here! My HEDD D1 are actually on my head, despite UPS trying their hardest not to.

First impressions:

- They sound wonderful now during my first listening. Extremely natural and balanced, like everything is in the right place with the right intensity. I haven't looked into EQ, bass is already at my limit (not a bass head). If anything i could push the voices a bit forward and add a tad high treble. Bass is so good, precise and full but not that boom that I hate, might still EQ it down if anything.

- Build feels solid and most of the plastic almost got that metallic feel. Adjustment feels great. Not a light headphone but weight seems to be actual built quality and not just for weight.

- Cable feels great, but that fabric got the common thing that I get some handling noise against my shirt.

- Fit is great for my ears, cups feel spacious on my slim head. I agree that the headband padding gap together with the stiff padding is weird, basically rests on those two edges on both sides of the top of my head.

- Clamp force is medium-loose on my head, I can get movement if shaking. I can see why some complain about the D1 being dark and muddy. If I push in on the top of the ears cups the sound goes all-in on that bass boost era of the early 2000's. Might be a fit issue for some! For me they sound pretty much the same no matter how I put them on.


All in all so darn happy so far! Might have to mod headband comfort just a bit but sound seems so worth it. Still much more comfy than the Hifimans I tried but with a much more balanced sound than all of the headphones I tried in Stockholm.

 

[VisualDarkN]

I wouldn't use that target for measurements done on the older KB0065 ear (which is what GadgetryTech uses). I would recommend using the 2013 target (warmer) or the 2015 target (brighter), both of which were actually made on that system.

View attachment 494641
Preamp: -4.5 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 20 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 0.200
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 150 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.500
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 450 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 1.400
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3200 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 3.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4300 Hz Gain 5.0 dB Q 3.000
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 11500 Hz Gain -6.0 dB Q 1.800

There ya go! Try that. If you need more treble feel free to just boost with a high shelf filter of Q: 0.4 and frequency of 2500 Hz (to taste).

Just tried this one with my new D1s. It does something extremely weird for me as it makes, specially male, singers sound like the are speaking in a headset mic rather than singing. It's as if all fullness of their voice disappears, together with any reverb. Any ideas on why? Tried tweaking but haven't found the culprit.

 

[solderdude]

Sounds like either something is broken or L and R are in opposite polarity (signal swap on an XLR for instance).

 

[VisualDarkN]

Sounds like either something is broken or L and R are in opposite polarity (signal swap on an XLR for instance).

They sound great without EQ and Peace seems to work fine too when I manually tweak and with other headphones. But as soon as I put in anything close to that preset things sound extremely off to me. Maybe my head and ears are so far from either that target or measuring rig?