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HiFiMan - A Contronym - A Story Retold

Hifiman, a name  prominent for excellence (SQ) and inferiority (build, reliability, customer service).  The story has been told many times.  I will briefly relate a recent example.  I have a pair of HE6SE V2s.  I bought them fully cognizant of their poor build quality and uncomfortable headband design.  However, their frequency balance appeals to me and they are a bargain at the discounted prices they are offered for.   I have the HP amplification to drive them properly.  The issue I have is with customer service.  The thin, cheep, leather covering to the headband is flaking off even at non contact points. I do not have an issue poor build quality because I knew about this prior to purchase.  The issue is that the cans are still in production and offered new but they will not sell me a replacement headband.  I would not have an issue if they were out of production.  But this is poor customer relations to not sell a replacement since parts are in stock.  Their solution is to offer trade in for a newer model.  I do not want a new model, most of which while providing more detail are brighter and leaner.   I do not want the spend associated with an upgrade. I just want a new headband, not new cans. So, for now it’s an aftermarket headband cover and eventually an after market Audeze style banded headband.  It will be higher quality and more comfortable.  Sorry for venting.  

jsalerno277
freediver
1,214 posts
 

Well I've sold 2 pair(HE400i & Sundara 2020) & still have 2 pair(Ananda Nano & Deva Pro) & never had a single even small problem with them..As with anything consumer related,some times there are issues,some times there aren't..

jsalerno277 OP
190 posts
 

@freediver  Glad your experience is good.  I also had the 400i.  The headband yoke broke within two weeks.  A replacement, upgraded part was provided under warranty.  The replacement had a metal insert.   Point - design and parts quality issue.  No issue with customer service then.  I had earbuds that were well received in the press.  I  do not remember the model.  Cost 0ver $200. Wire was thin and subject to kinking, fraying, and separation from the buds.  I had to have them repaired within 4 months.  It happened again within a year of ownership.  I canned the cans.  Went to another brand with exemplary SQ and build quality. Ear-pads on both the 400i and HE6SE V2 had design, assembly and manufacturing issue.  Cheap materials, uneven glueing, uneven stitching, casing separation from the plastic attachment and at seams.  Went to Dekoni and never looked back.  HE6SE V2 cable is an embarrassment with the 400i better not by much.  Went to an aftermarket cable.  But their driver design and SQ is excellent to my ears, so I put up with the issues.   Post was venting about poor customer service.  The replacement headband for the HE6 is available but they will not sell one to me.  They only will offer a trade on one of their newer models which will require me to spend more.  As I said, for now an aftermarket cover and then a strap style replacement.  

larsman's avatar
larsman
1,979 posts
 

I've got Hifiman Susvara, and while their sound is superb, I've never liked the design of Hifiman cans, especially that cheap headband mechanism. I sure wish they made something that sounded that good that had the look and feel of Meze Empyrion or Elite. 

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