HiFiMAN HE5XX Review - NOT an HE500, but is it the Deva?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

One key difference I didn't mention is that the Deva is single-entry while the HE5XX is dual-entry - and you DO need an amplifier for this headphone. It's low impedance but also low sensitivity.

[@disastrousemouse]

Yeah... rare is the planar that doesn’t after a certain purchase price. It’s like HiFiMan figures if you can spend over $500, you probably have a decent amp. My Oppo PM-3 is an exception, but it lacks high end. That planar energy in the HE-500... too bad it’s not as resolving at the top end. Lacks the smallest bit of coherence compared to my Ollo S4X. Maybe I lack power, though. Bass speed and slam is intense with HE-500, but so, so accurate.

[@yuh6543]

@@dkdid925 it doesnt need one.

[@devinleighton5982]

i guess im asking randomly but does any of you know a method to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost the account password. I love any tips you can give me!

[@devinleighton5982]

@Noe Eduardo thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@devinleighton5982]

@Noe Eduardo It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out :D

[@aemicek544]

you're a pinnacle of the community, sir

[@metal571]

Yes he is

[@nonnegaard]

the*

[@CaptnKrksNippls]

This is exactly the kind of in-depth discussion that this hobby needs. Love the content you put out man and we're lucky to have you.

[@jkhmonkey_kfp_pentium_ii_cpu]

As a bystander, I found the whole 5xx situation interesting to watch. It was like people on Head-Fi, SBAF, Drop, etc. were going all audio CSI on the headphone.

[@kimbalxyz2]

Ya it was kinda crazy, it was like someone slapped their mother. In fairness Drop should not have compared it to the he-500.

[@JL3001]

Thanks for going in-depth on these two headphones...I appreciate the work you and Chrono put in to this channel! I hope you get an actual HE-500 to review one of these days.

[@disastrousemouse]

I have an HE-500. It was my first step up from my pre-2010 HD650, and it blew my mind. It also strengthened my neck muscles, for I have a small head.

[@passsacaglia]

what is better? I'm in between!

[@Clout_chasing_boy]

Clear and concise. Far away from the zeos madness

[@BoBo_huh]

Really solidifying ur place of one of the best reviewer I've ever watched in this community

[@divinecurrent9053]

Thank you for clearing this mess up, or at least giving enough evidence to show these are 99% the same headphone acoustically. I like to think this is simply miscommunication and not an attempt to pull the wool over our eyes/heads so to speak. Actually, all the drama surrounding the 5XX drove me to get an original HE-500, and it’s absolutely fantastic. I like it better than the Sundara with a pad swap to Hifiman’s Velpads.

[@mirkalf3148]

God bless Resolve. I've not come across a reviewer I've trusted this much since Metal571.

[@metal571]

I'm very glad that my channel's replacement is working out so well lol

[@TheHypeCom]

@@metal571 we will never forget you and your amazing work metal... and of course you are welcome to come back again if you feel like it ^^

[@TonkyTronicus]

So they took a great sounding, dorky looking headphone, swapped out the headband and painted them black? Now we have a sexier headphone. Why the anger? I think the 5xx sounds fantastic for instrumental music. They had me listening to 3 straight hours of Japanese Jazz Fusion and I've never listened to that in my life.

[@johnhayes8476]

The different color paint makes them sound totally different. 🎨

[@TonkyTronicus]

you jest, but the moondrop starfield product page boasts "starry sky paint technology" so there may be something to that ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@ANSWERTHECALLOFJESUSCHRIST]

@@TonkyTronicus 😁

[@freyahEVE]

This is what I have been waiting for. Thanks!

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

Great work, congratulations!

[@AY-dw4om]

One of your better research Jobs. well done ! Although my believe is opposite, the deva/5xx is way and beyond better than Sennheiser models you mentioned. the 560S is close but still second. To each his own opinion.

[@zeinharis8467]

This brings back my memories on the HE500 which I have back in 2011, paired with dac from Centrance and amp from Burson the headphone sings beautifully

[@mingkee27]

I believe there's a difference on wiring You can plug TRS cable for both L and R on Deva (you can use Boom Pro with Deva and Deva Pro) I don't know HE5XX because I don't have it

[@0Wayland]

I'd love to hear your thoughts of the Denon D7200. Great vid!

[@stephenbaxter2555]

Could the Deva WIFI dongle be used with the Drop HE5XX.... or due to the dual sided inputs mean this is not an option? Great in depth review, thanks

[@autoexec5367]

Definitely worth the wait! Thank you.

[@dasninjastix]

Great video, I was dying to know how close the 5xx was to the wired Deva. I don't quite understand Drop being so coy about the whole thing, I think the wired Deva is a fantastic entry-level planar but that color scheme is not going to work for everyone.

[@MaaZeus]

Why won't Hifiman just rerelease HE-500 as it was... It was and still is one of the best headphones ever made, there are no clear compromises in sound. Even bass is almost dead flat right from 20hz with major roll offs, a trait newer Hifimans have apparently forgotten with frequency response graphs that look more like dynamic headphones instead of planars of old. I bought HE500 when they were still new and I will keep mine forever.

[@astronym4851]

Hey ! thx for the video =) What about the HE400i (2020) ?

[@JohnAntikainen]

I just ordered the HE-5XX recently, and now I wish I had the Deva to compare it with when it arrives.. since the HE5XX will be the non-review sample.. not that it will be any different, but still. Just curious about that, as well. Excellent breakdown and review of the HE-5XX and showing how it compares to the Deva.

[@higochumbo8932]

Sorry to be slightly off-topic. This clearly settles my doubt about this vs the Sundara (I was a bit confussed after DMS' video), but is there something you would recommend over the Sundara in the sub-Elex range? I was quite set on the Sundaras, but the cheapest I can find them in Australia is 430 usd and I don't know if they are still the best pick at that price. I have had weird picks like the Sivga Phoenix or the Monolith M1570 recommended over them. Cheers =)

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

No for me it goes Sundara and then Elex. I don't think there's much in between that I'd buy. The Ananda is another really good headphone to consider.

[@higochumbo8932]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow Thank you!

[@maro3600sho]

Great review man , I wanted to ask if you got a chance to listen to the Clairvoyance? If so ,how do they compare to the Monarch?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Not yet - I keep pestering them about it but I think they're still working on getting one out to me haha.

[@frostzxs]

Waiting for Deva Pro review ;)

[@miladesn]

Do he400i 2020 edition please. You have reviewed their entire lineup, might as well get the entry level one as well.

[@jeremyabramson4343]

The Hifiman HE-R10 closed-back, blue tooth, magnetic planar headphones just became available on the Hifiman website today ($5,500). This should be the most expensive bluetooth capable headphone in the world. You should be the first to review it.

[@BuzzingGoober]

OK, but how do all these planars all sound when EQ'd similarly? Im uncertain exactly how each of these Hifiman's really are different from each other other than tuning. I mean what about the planar drivers in these headphones really differentiate one another?

[@malek8736]

Thank you. Will you review the SPL Phonitor One d?

[@garygriffiths7353]

I love hifiman stuff but am confused by their product line. As the sundara is cheap these days, what is the point of the he400i, he4xx and he5xx?

[@MrB10N1CLE]

Not everyone can justify $350, but perhaps they can work with $170.

[@dkdid925]

Yeah i couldnt justify $350 with my mom so i got the Deva

[@beezlebub3955]

@@MrB10N1CLE my choice exactly, I was on the fence between the 4XX and 5XX, and I got the latter, and I love them, my only complaint is the headband and it’s lightness, I wish they clamped harder, I bent the band and gimbal inward and it’s still light on pressure, but the damn sound, I’m in love with it

[@alivm8088]

so which one you perfer soundwise? he500 or sundara ? i have both i just want to know your openion

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Both are good. For technical performance, he500. For tuning, the new revision Sundara.

[@hal9xxx321]

oof, thank god you've made this video. Btw, is upgrading to Sundara from HD 650 worth it? I'm just a broke college student and I'm kinda tempted to sell my Sennheiser for the Hifiman

[@GiulianoM14]

I did exactly that. Keep in mind that they have pretty different sound signatures. But imo it's a big improvement. I had to sell mine cause they where very uncomfortable to me. Keep our of the Hifiman QC issues tho. I would look at other options aswell.

[@velgus]

Personally consider it a big upgrade (assuming the HD6XX is equivalent to the HD650, as most people seem to indicate it is). Way better soundstage and better detail retrieval across the entire frequency response (except maybe low-mids). Sold my HD6XX, as I can't see myself using it over the Sundara, though some people prefer Sennheiser's signature. YMMV though, may want to see if there's a headphone store near you with it, where you can try it in person. Don't personally have the comfort issues J.MAGNI mentioned.

[@keegancrocker4587]

Try the sedna earfit crystal or xlastic air pods tips.

[@TheSuppressFurry]

21:55 In the US at least this won't void your warranty, Unless you physically damage it while opening.

[@riseuplight]

This video is a work of art

[@OriginEnjoyer]

can Resolve review the new hifiman he400i 2020 version?

[@albertguev]

awesome investigative skills

[@shawnpwatsons1]

How is this compared to Edition XX?

[@staceejaxx3071]

For casual listening sessions and mainly watching movies would you recomend the 400i 2020, 4xx, 5xx or deva?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

400i 2020 or yeah something else. Maybe a 560s

[@rileygibson7342]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow Which would you recommend for gaming, the HE-5XX or the HE-X4?

[@orthosympa6993]

​@@rileygibson7342 the HD560s is better than both for music and gaming. If you're on a tight budget, the HE-X4 is fine too. The Pc 38x is also excellent but has a smaller soundstage. the HE-5XX is simply a bad headphone at the 200$ pricepoint

[@akumu5506]

For music gaming and movies and all around use what would be best suited for me 5xx or 4xx or 400i 2020?

[@dannybos7024]

400i

[@HiFiGOAudio]

Well-detailed video!! Deva, I don't like its color scheme looks pretty dull to me LOL. I was having some hopes with the HE5xx but after your review I feel like Sundara is gonna rock some more time with me :) Thank you!!

[@MrZattack101]

I would like to know how your opinion compares to Joshua, DMS, and Zeos about the he5xx

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

I agree with much of what Josh has said about them.

[@malek8736]

Hi, Andrew. I hope you add these to your review list: SPL Phoniter One d & iFi NEO iDSD

[@OBMWorld]

HE5XX is better than Sundara in sounstage and sounds? Thanks and regards for your reviews.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Not really

[@Tallnerdyguy]

No, but at nearly 1/2 the price....

[@OBMWorld]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow Thanks 😃 I'm have Sundara, and happy quality/price. Thanks for your videos and regards.

[@benficaM8888]

hmm you can technically buy HE5xx (i prefer black color). and then buy the bluetooth transmitter for Deva?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

No, but also, I can't recommend either of them really

[@chickenpasta7359]

I just got these and holy hell they're so light compared to my 4XX I love these

[@En_Joshi-Godrez]

You got scammed

[@chickenpasta7359]

@@En_Joshi-Godrez I still own them. I own an HD 6XX and HE4XX and still use the 5XX far more than either of the two.

[@bombadt-yt9818]

just HiFiMan being HiFiMan again, as usual. DROP is doing a helluva good job being their spokesperson!

[@LifeLongCaboose]

Time for you to compare it to the new 400i 2020.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Yeah I do want to get my hands on that one.

[@LifeLongCaboose]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow I'd also love to see some measurements or a video on some mods for the HE5xx, the blue tak or tape mod for bass extention looks interesting.

[@trellusg]

That’s enough evidence for me, lol. Also, I have both and while I thought I could discern some very minor differences acoustically to my ear they sure sounded very similar and differences may have been due to how they fit on my head differently due to my small head. And yeah I don’t think I could tell the difference in a blind test at all, unlike when I compared the 5XX to the 5Se which definitely sounded different.

[@bryanedward5355]

This is just Great... this channel cleaning the bullshits of the audio industry

[@bullcompost]

If it wasn't for the lack of trustworthiness (yes, I wrote exactly that), I would consider Hifiman my favourite headphone manufacturers (at least judging from what I read/hear about their products, as I have yet to try any). I understand all the mitigating circumstances about the 5xx/deva and communications, but due to the past incidents with Hifiman headphones (fragility, poor matching etc.), this is simply nowhere near good enough. We are not talking about the quality of a 7p ball point pen that either writes or does not. Hi-Fi is a field where quality should be the top priority. You can't charge hundreds or thousands of pounds/dollars/euros for something that is so poor. No doctor has ever prescribed hi-fi headphones and some cost hundreds or thousands. If I bought some of those, I'd expect nothing less than top quality. I understand issues with sound quality, due to various compromises, but as a whole that's not the main issue for Hifiman (as many of their products are considered exceptional, in that regard). What I am talking about is marketing: I object to collaboration with a company, Drop, which found itself at the centre of many questionable behaviours; I also object (more) about correcting someone with wrong information (single sided vs double sided); I also (even more) object to such a shameful way to deal with the "error" and appalling way to deal with it, without admitting mistakes and rectify them. I object to the way headphones are named in a way that makes it harder for people to know what they're buying (it's becoming harder and harder to try for oneself). The bottom line is I would not accept so many issues when buying something necessary (where my bargaining power is lower), let alone when I am buying something whose value is strictly bound to the level of satisfaction; something that is not necessary, but that can make or break the way I feel about it; something that may cost more than anything else bought in years (I am considering the various models, for various budgets). Subject to having the money and a chance to try it, the most likely end-game headphone I could buy would be the Susvara (about £6,000). All the cars I've ever bought in the first half a century of my life are worth less than that. No way I am going to put up with a company that produces products where drivers can fail after short periods, where structural parts can break, that uses marketing practices that can be misleading, joint ventures with companies with such a troubled track record, inconsistent quality, and so on. If Hifiman wants to offer products with the exceptional sound quality as some of its best ones and wants to charge the eye-watering prices headphones cost now, they have to do much better than that in any field related to their honesty (or lack thereof). I heard many praises about their customer services (which would be working under extra stress, if the marketing department and the quality control let it down), so I am certain there are may employees and managers/directors who really care about quality and honesty, but there's still a long, long, very long way to go.

[@worldtravelerjon]

If I want the best sound stage for less than $500, is this the one?

[@dannybos7024]

No. K702.

[@WheezyTech]

CSI: Resolve

[@Tallnerdyguy]

Nobody likes being wrong. Ever.

[@saxxon66]

I do not agree, HE5xx comes fairly close to the HE500. I do own both and this sounds amazing and is very light compared to the HE500. Bass extension is also very good and not sibilant at all. The HE500 are more sibilant prone than these. Full recommendation, instant buy for the money asked.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

I mean, it comes close in the sense that it's a planar...

[@saxxon66]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow Sitting here and doing some AB testing, listening to the Hamilton Soundtrack I can hear differences, but the tuning of these two headsets (HE5xx and HE500) is very much the same. No night and day difference. Btw great teardown of the two headsets and comparison!

[@mikehunt9832]

@saxxon66, I respectfully disagree with your assessment. I AB'd the HE500 and HE5XX as well (SDAC-B > 789 > balanced out). The HE500 is easily the more dynamic headphone than the HE5XX, which is clearly heard in the first 10s of Mozart's 35th symphony in D Major, final movement (IV. Presto). The HE5XX sounds muted in comparison. When it comes to punch, the HE500 takes the cake as well. Furthermore, the HE500 has a peak at around 9.5-10kHz, which causes cymbals to shimmer a bit more but is largely outside of the 7-8kHz sibilance range. Unless you are underamping the HE500, the HE500 is largely a warm-sounding can in contrast to the brighter HE5XX, latter of which is a characteristic of the HE5XX that Drop's marketing wasn't lying about for a change. Furthermore, the sub-bass is almost non-existent on the HE5XX on Idealism's "Ikigai" kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5rTla2haK1natk. With the HE500, the second lower registering sub-bass passage (~38Hz) is a bit louder than the preceding passage with a higher sub-bass register (~49Hz). On the HE5XX, the second sub-bass passage is noticeably lower in volume due to its bass roll-off.

[@db2udblast584]

5xx is the best with tube amp.

[@saxxon66]

@@mikehunt9832 Going into details I tend to agree with you. The HE500 are more warm sounding, have slightly better bass extension and have better dynamics. My point is that these two are very similar sounding headphones. I say if you like the HE500 you will very likely like the HE5xx also. considering the price point, the weight of the headphone and the availability I stay to my recommendation.

[@tpacalypse]

Do the HE5XX and the Deva sound better than the Audioquest Nighthawk Carbon or the Nightowl?

[@ResolveReviews]

Yes, but it depends what you're looking for.

[@justina9914]

Sundara or sivga p ii?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Sundara

[@justina9914]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow thank you. Also the philips fidelio x3 is 199 right now, worth it?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

@@justina9914 Probably not, but I haven't heard it.

[@topaz5960]

Damn andrew that's what I'm waiting for haha

[@neocui]

So after all, the crops are watered with Brawndo... You are being way too kind to Will Bright.

[@bakarenibsheut12]

1:24 The telltale sign of a headphone reviewer; calling Joshua Valour "Josh Velour"

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

It's more fun that way

[@bakarenibsheut12]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow Agreed :)

[@carlcont1983]

Nice!

[@gamingaudioisdead]

Mythbusters 🎧

[@cryptoclyps5049]

You’re giving them way too much credit. Doesn’t sound like a misunderstanding

[@fatdoi003]

at least Deva has a better headband

[@kyle1538]

The HE 4XX isn't similar to the original HE 400 either, nothing shocking here.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

It is similar to the 400i though

[@frankfang4605]

Oh boi. More difference between left and right channel than between two different headphones? Should I say hifiman has a good quality control or not?🤔

[@johnhayes8476]

I’m so glad I’m just never wrong.

[@AY-dw4om]

Why all reviewers on you tube are such un professional. just EQ the damn peak you mentioned and normalize the tonality correctly. then review the product.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Doesn't fix the technical performance. But I agree, it's better to EQ

[@archlocker]

"IN MY OPINION". Yes, exactly.

[@MrZattack101]

good videos and good worded, but very long winded. I would think you can get the same amount of info into a 10 minute video. Considering you only talked about 2 topics, if they are the same as the deva and how its different than the he500.... You should have started but saying how its a deva reskin and they sound exactly the same. I really thought I waited 30minutes for a plot twist. But the easiest way to tell if they are the same is if it sounds the same.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

My videos are normally much shorter, with this specific topic, because it was potentially controversial, I had to cover all the bases and tell the whole story.

[@bunozen1]

Drop = cheap

[@yjfuykyil]

They use a different driver, though, so that makes your measurements suss, as usual.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

How is the driver different? I took them apart, the driver is identical. Also, the measurement rig I'm using is a GRAS 43AG industry standard system. How is that 'suss'?

[@dannybos7024]

Elaborate. He showed everything, what more do you want?