New HiFiMAN headphones

[Leonardo Drummond]

I'm not sure whether this has been mentioned here, but it appears that HiFiMAN is launching some new models. Have you guys seen it? Major updates, apparently.

 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57616687-47/hifimans-advanced-headphone-tech-at-ces-2014-improves-sound-quality/

 

Just when I thought I had finally assembled my definitive setup...

[acidbasement]

Well, if Guttenberg likes it... 

 

 

 

It must exist.

[RudeWolf]

Square headbands? Eewww...

[padam]

They copied the shape (and headband design) of the beautiful SR-Omega, shame on them.

[Hopstretch]

If only they would copy the sound.

[spritzer]

Well they are as good as the WES driving a SR-007Mk2, so pretty much shit then... 

[Leonardo Drummond]

I'm not too fond of the square headband either, but all I can see in that picture is wood... I like wood. Very much.

 

And Birgir, no love for HiFiMANs? I actually prefer my HE500s to the LCD2s by a wide margin. I can see that the mids and treble on the Audez'es are more cohesive and very neutral (IMO), but I can't get past the bass which is, for me, just too much. Add to that serious comfort issues and it's a win for the HE500s. I know I'm the exception, though

[spritzer]

The Jade and the HE-5 hold a special place for me as some of the worst headphones ever made so no, they are not good.  I really don't get why people think the HE-6 is good... 

[justin]

it's news to me

[robm321]

I'm not too fond of the square headband either, but all I can see in that picture is wood... I like wood. Very much.

 

And Birgir, no love for HiFiMANs? I actually prefer my HE500s to the LCD2s by a wide margin. I can see that the mids and treble on the Audez'es are more cohesive and very neutral (IMO), but I can't get past the bass which is, for me, just too much. Add to that serious comfort issues and it's a win for the HE500s. I know I'm the exception, though

 

Guess I'm also the exception. I feel the exact same way. I also like the HE-6. 

[spritzer]

it's news to me

 

Why would they tell the dealers who are supposed to flog the unsold stock...

[Leonardo Drummond]

Guess I'm also the exception. I feel the exact same way. I also like the HE-6. 

 

Never heard that one, unfortunately!

[tin ear]

hmm, can't access the link - oh well. i also like the he-6 and would take it over the audeze phones i've heard.

edit: the link is working now. can't say that i like the new designs but hifiman isn't synonymous with style.

Edited January 8, 2014 by tin ear

[wink]

I was disappointed that Sennheiser didn't have a top line new offering at the show.

I guess we will have to wait until later in the year for a supposed answer to AKG's K812.

[Audiojunkie]

I was disappointed that Sennheiser didn't have a top line new offering at the show.

I guess we will have to wait until later in the year for a supposed answer to AKG's K812.

 

They have an answer for the K812, the HD800s still smoke 'em. 

[Torpedo]

This. Looks like the AKG 812 is a reply to nothing since everything seems to be better.

[Leonardo Drummond]

This. Looks like the AKG 812 is a reply to nothing since everything seems to be better.

 

That's what I thought. It seems that the K812 Pro is an answer to the HD800s, which are apparently better. So Sennheiser won't have to move a finger, I guess.

[nikongod]

I was disappointed that Sennheiser didn't have a top line new offering at the show.

I guess we will have to wait until later in the year for a supposed answer to AKG's K812.

 

This sort of thing pisses me off. Like a lot. 

 

Why should they be expected to? 

Moore's law does not apply to mechanical things. 

[Grahame]

But it does apply to the compute power for simulation and FAE - assuming they do that. Cars seem to manage to improve over time.

[RudeWolf]

I was disappointed that Sennheiser didn't have a top line new offering at the show.

I guess we will have to wait until later in the year for a supposed answer to AKG's K812.

 

They'll just bump the prices so the HD6XX gets 900$ and the HD800 goes to 2k. Instant flagshipses!

[nikongod]

But it does apply to the compute power for simulation and FAE - assuming they do that. Cars seem to manage to improve over time.

 

 

FAE=failure analysis engineering? 

 

I don't think headphones (or speakers) are that easy to simulate. 

Advances in computer tech & more importantly the VERY good availability of compact rapid prototyping machinery might help things out, but I think senn is large enough that they could afford older & more expensive rapid prototyping. 

 

Once you reach a certain point is just really hard to make improvements. 

[Grahame]

FAE = Finite Element Analysis, or FEM ( / Finite Element Modelling) .

Agreed on the diminishing returns as you approach an optimum (assuming we are close ...) 

But some headphone manufacturers don't give the appearance of Kaizen

[Dusty Chalk]

This sort of thing pisses me off. Like a lot. 

 

Why should they be expected to? 

Because they posted a picture of the Orpheus on their Facebook page from their glory days.  I forget what they said about it, but it was something like the pinnacle of headphones.

 

No, they shouldn't always have to come out with something moarbetr, and yes, they should wait until they get it right to come out with a product.  So I agree with the sentiment.  But I am still interested in whatever they come out with next.

[wink]

I'm a neo-luddite, and I don't see much Kaizen in the changes I've seen in the last half century.

[nikongod]

But I am still interested in whatever they come out with next.

 

I am also interested to see what is new, but I don't necessarily expect better.  

 

Does Kaizen need to affect the finished product to apply? It sounds like it is being applied well if you have a consistent product, and you just improve your worker's lives a bit by upgrading their chairs or doing something else that is not necessarily obvious to the end user.