Johannes AU wrote:I like the sound of planar magnetic drivers too, but the price is too dear for me (and the prices go higher and higher due to the Hi-Res trend), so I bought the Austrian Audio Hi-X55, it sounds so clean and nice, also comfortable to wear.
The lower tier Hifiman are not expensive.
I have the:
• Hifiman HE-4XX (Drop version $159) which I use for mixing in my studio, despite having 30 times more expensive ‘phones - it just fits my taste and leads to great mixes.
• Hifiman HE-5XX, the Drop version of the Deva, $220.
It’s positively warm neutral, bass rolls off below 35 Hz, if the baffle is sealed to the driver it goes down to 22 Hz.
Very lightweight and comfortable.
Not too far away in resolution from my significantly brighter:
• Hifiman HE-1000 V1, slightly V-shaped, bright but smooth treble, close to STAX resolution.
The only downside of the Hifiman ‘phones:
These guys don’t know how to built a sturdy gimbal joint.
So many versions, but the lower tier ones seem to have a tendency to break if not handled carefully - did not happen to me I have to admit.
Or on the HE-1000: the joint squeeked and had to high play, I had to make a new brass insert with better fit.
A really small (and no cost) part with such a huge effect when properly manufactured.