HiFiMAN HE1000se | Planar Magnetic Open-Back Headphones

I purchased these from Bloom Audio's Stephen Kostas, shortly before the latest price drop. Fortunately, however, I still managed to get a good deal! Efgaristau, Steve!

There is a multitude of reviews on the HE1000se (or "HEKSE", as they are commonly known) online for you to read or to watch in video format - most of which are by reviewers far more competent than I, so this will be extremely concise.

Firstly, I own several headphones in the sub-thousand-dollar range, and so, I will compare them briefly.
The main difference between these headphones and say, the HiFiMan Edition XS for example, is the enormous soundstage of the HEKSE.
The second most noticeable difference would probably be cleaner bass region of the HEKSE, which makes them absolutely perfect for funky electric bass recordings, such as disco (Barry Gibb needs these!).

So, I would posit that these are purely for those audiophiles that have BOTH the desire to gain a greater soundstage and detail, and the bank balance to match.

This was not the plan. To buy a headphone set at $1999.00 was never going to happen. However, I did want to see what all the hype was on the Hifiman HE1000se. The “S” in the model # is totally accurate.
I have enjoyed high end speakers starting back in the 70’s. Through the years I noticed the high end market for Cans but smugly dismissed them.
PT Barnum quoted as saying “A sucker is born every minute”.
Simply, … I WAS WRONG!!!
I just can’t return these. ENJOY!!!
Hal Bierman / Arkansas Bullion & Coin