The high-end headphone scene never ceases to amaze me. Competition is fierce, especially at the upper reaches of the high-end, $1,000+ headphones that are still getting better all the time. Not only that, the Hifiman HE400S ($299, £219, AU$419) is easy to recommend to folks who want to get a taste of high-end sound without breaking the bank. It’s a great headphone for the money.
I initially reviewed the EL-8 in 2015, but Audeze has since made a slew of running changes, including new thinner and lighter in weight diaphragms. The original andcurrent EL-8planar-magnetic diaphragms are huge (100mm), that’s more than double the size of most conventional dynamic headphone drivers, and their impedance is rated at an easy-to-drive 30 ohms. The headphones build quality feels remarkably substantial, it weighs 1 pound (480 grams), and the cables are user-replaceable. I’m reviewing the closed-back version, which does a great job sealing out external noise. There’s also an open-back EL-8 that sounds similar, but lets you hear the world around you. The open- and closed-back EL-8s sell for the same price: $699, £599, AU$1,149, and the headphones are made in California.
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