HIFIMAN HE1000SE + Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs Sennheiser HD800s and Focal Utopia and Koss Massdrop musings

[focal4me]

I just picked up a HE1000SE (HIFIMAN was having some crazy sale in May. It may still be happening or perhaps they are always having sales?). These are quite spectacular especially at the $1200 I paid for refurbished plus 10%. Normally >$2000 no?

Anyway with a $2800 Benchmark DAC3 HGC (amp and DAC combo) I'm very impressed. Amazing, clarity sound stage and depth and breadth. (Baroque music mostly)

I also tried the Benchmark's DAC component with an external $600 Rupert Nerve Designs RNHP....the Benchmark HGC's internal amp is better...better sound stage and clarity.

I also tried the Benchmark HGC DAC3 and RNHP with $2000 Sennheiser HD800S....it hurt to say it since Senny's have been a go to headphone for so many decades, but HIFIMAN is much more open, better sound stage and brighter, with either the Benchmark amp or Nerve amp. I REALLY wanted to love the HD800s's. They were my dream headphones but with this combo they didnt deliver.

I did try the HGC DAC3 with a pair of $5000 Focal Utopias and it was a total disaster. Horrible. I thought something was broken. That bad. Either the Benchmark couldn't drive those Focals or I got some dud Focals. I didn't have the Nerve amp at the time to try as well. Maybe the Focal Utopias just needed way more power than the Benchmark HGC DAC3 could deliver.

Ive had the$600 KOSS Massdrop's electrostatic system (with amp included!!!) for years now and frankly for the money they are downright amazing.

 

[staticV3]

Either the Benchmark couldn't drive those Focals

Focal Utopia are 80Ω, 115dB/V.

It literally does not get any easier to drive in the headphone world.

A lack of power is nigh impossible.

 

[focal4me]

Then I got a dud pair, or they are highly overrated because the HE1000SE are to die for on the same DAC/AMP.

 

[jkim]

The HE1000SE should be substantially brighter than the Utopia in the treble. Even the HD800S is somewhat brighter than the Utopia. Just equalize them. You will be fine with that.

 

[focal4me]

yes much brighter in treble than the HD800s and the "broken" Utopia's I received. CORRECT.

Sound stage is much bigger with HE1000se. HD800s behave like the singer is in front and all the instruments are behind the voice.

The KOSS Massdrop also have incredible soundstage. Just not as detailed but for $600...wow. And light as a feather on your head.

 

[spede]

Others disaster might be others fortune. Hifimans can sound best ever for a while until boosted upper treble starts to annoy, kinda tough to EQ down.

 

[focal4me]

I havent found that to the case using the Benchmark HGC DAC3.