Is the HiFiMAN HE 1000se worth the upgrade from the HiFiMAN Edition X V1?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the HiFiMAN Edition X V1 to the HiFiMAN HE 1000se buys you 10.0 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (8.5 to 9.5). Worth checking: active noise cancelling goes No to No and weight goes 399 g to 440 g. That costs $200 more, or about $20 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.59.5
- Value6.56.5
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Edition X V1 | HE 1000se | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | No | |
| Weight | 399 g | 440 g | |
| Driver | 131.2 mm planar magnetic | planar magnetic | |
| Frequency response | 8 Hz - 50 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Edition X V1 to HE 1000se". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.