Cahudson42
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- Sep 21, 2019
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HE400i, HE4xx, Sundara, Ananda, HE1000se, Deva, HE5Xx - on and on - maybe not you, but they sure confused me. How are they different and/or similar - or dissimilar? How do I compare and evaluate expectations for my current HE400i, and new Drop HE5XX and others vs. price?
Found this 'tree'...
https://hifiman.com/evo-fhp/tree.html
Made no sense at all. (To me, anyway) Then, finally, an old version where the branches were labelled: 'Symmetric double sided magnets' on the rightmost branch, ' Asymmetric double sided' on the center, and 'Single sided' on the left branch. Finally. Some sense to the tree.
So - when evaluating and comparing - it makes sense (to me anyway) to first compare within branches - then between.
For example, rather than compare the Deva / HE5XX to the HE400i or Sundara, they should first perhaps he compared to the Ananda and even the HE1000se. Similarly, the first comparison between the HE400i and Sundara might make sense. Then, after selecting your preferred within a branch, compare between branches.
Light maybe dawned late for me, and perhaps this has been totally clear to other members. But if not..
For me, I now have some inkling of what I am hearing with my new HE5XX vs. my (still very pleasing )HE400i. The HE5XX is the first HP for me where I don't want to take it off.
Even with no EQ, and a simple string of Amazon Music, LG V20 Quad DAC, and Liquid Spark (low gain even) - I'm not wanting to stop listening.
Perhaps there is a good reason why Drop is blowing out the HE4XX at $120 - as at $180, I personally would never get it over the $220 HE5XX.
And while the Deva/ HE5XX may not exactly be 'hidden gems' - they just might be 'great value' compared to the Ananda and HE1000se.
Your own comments and evaluations - both within branches and across - encouraged and appreciated!
Found this 'tree'...
https://hifiman.com/evo-fhp/tree.html
Made no sense at all. (To me, anyway) Then, finally, an old version where the branches were labelled: 'Symmetric double sided magnets' on the rightmost branch, ' Asymmetric double sided' on the center, and 'Single sided' on the left branch. Finally. Some sense to the tree.
So - when evaluating and comparing - it makes sense (to me anyway) to first compare within branches - then between.
For example, rather than compare the Deva / HE5XX to the HE400i or Sundara, they should first perhaps he compared to the Ananda and even the HE1000se. Similarly, the first comparison between the HE400i and Sundara might make sense. Then, after selecting your preferred within a branch, compare between branches.
Light maybe dawned late for me, and perhaps this has been totally clear to other members. But if not..
For me, I now have some inkling of what I am hearing with my new HE5XX vs. my (still very pleasing )HE400i. The HE5XX is the first HP for me where I don't want to take it off.
Even with no EQ, and a simple string of Amazon Music, LG V20 Quad DAC, and Liquid Spark (low gain even) - I'm not wanting to stop listening.
Perhaps there is a good reason why Drop is blowing out the HE4XX at $120 - as at $180, I personally would never get it over the $220 HE5XX.
And while the Deva/ HE5XX may not exactly be 'hidden gems' - they just might be 'great value' compared to the Ananda and HE1000se.
Your own comments and evaluations - both within branches and across - encouraged and appreciated!
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