Performance

The HE-5LEs are based around an orthodynamic driver which means that they are quite inefficient, translating into “powerful amplifier needed”. These beasts require a gutsy amplifier in order to sound great, something that can deliver a lot of current. Because of this they might not sound that brilliant with your off-the-shelf tube based amplifier. Head-Direct recommends that you run them with their own EF-5 hybrid design, but I think you can get them to sound good on pretty much any design capable of driving low impedance, low efficiency loads well.

Before the review began the headphones were allowed to burn in for 200 hours as per Head-Direct's request. Once fully operational the headphones were put through their paces on the following setup. HiFiMAN HM-801 (line-out) to Head-Direct EF1 (Tubes used: Sylvania grey plate and RCA Cleartop 12AU7). The HE-5LE allow for balanced operation which is of course preferable due to the theoretical advantage when it comes to power delivery. Unfortunately we do not yet have a balance amplifier to test with so the EF1 will have to do for this review. On the amplifier side Head-Direct has confirmed that they are working on a balanced amplifier temporarily dubbed the EF-6 (which will probably be its commercial name as well) to go with its recent line of high performance headphones such as the HE-5LE and the $1300 HE-6 that have just been announced.

First off the HE-5LEs impressed me greatly, the speed and weight of the bass and midrange is just mindblowing, and is definitely unique to this type of can. Bass extension is good, but what is really interesting is its speed and weight. When it comes to amount of bass these are very close to perfect, they are not incredibly bottom heavy like the Ultrasone PRO900s, but not anemic like the AKG K701s. Bass presence is comparable to that of the much higher priced HD800s from Sennheiser.

The superb bass presentation and lack of midbass hump makes the entire lower region near perfect to my ears, and I actually find myself preferring the presentation of the HE-5LEs over that of the HD800s. Also the faithful rendering of the midrange gives the HE-5LEs an edge over the HD800s. Vocals sound natural which is a major accomplishment, it is very life like. I think the reason behind this better rendering is the speed, the fact that the decay is always correct elevates them from just sounding good to sounding superb. Coloration is kept at a minimum and there are no odd bumps in the higher midrange like some headphones have. This means that vocals in the higher midrange never sound sibilant which I regard as a positive.

Even though the midrange is highly detailed, and involving you never quite get the sense of space that you get from a set of Sennheiser HD800s. The HE-5LEs are in that regard much more intimate. Like comparing a set of Grado headphones to a set of Sennheiser HD600s. If I could have my way I think the golden middle way would be something in between the two, I love the texture and precision of HE-5LEs just as much as I miss the perfect sound stage of the HD800s.