Head-Direct manufacturer of several in-ears recently launched the radical HE-5 headphones which featured an ortodynamic driver. The HE-5s received tremendous critique after the initial pre-order had been shipped, but issues with the wood cracking and effectivity problems of the driver made the HE-5s a short lived success. Boasted as having audio performance that was on par with much more expensive solutions like the Sennheiser HD800s, when paired with a decent amp propelled the HE-5s to Head-fi stardom, but the wooden cups proved too fragile.

Head-Direct have now made a second version of the HE-5s dubbed the HE-5LE which feature similar specs but the driver coating has been made thinner which means that the new version should have a better low end and perform better across a variety of headphone amplifiers. The driver cups are now made of plastic with a hexagon mesh covering the back ensuring no mid range oddities. Please note the HE-5LEs are still power hungry, and given the low impedance low efficiency driver design be sure to pick up an amplifier that can deliver a serious amount of current. The Head Direct HE-5LE is now priced at US $649.