Just like their forerunner, they remain one of the finest pair of non-electrostatic headsets that I have ever heard and will continue to be a reference point to judge other headphones in this class by. The HE1000 V2 remain true to the wonderful “alive” sound that’s so appealing about the originals, but bring some refined cosmetics and comfort updates along with a modestly tighter bass signature to the table. For prospective buyers who are looking for the best headphone around, your search is not complete until you listen to these. For owners of the originals, your investment has not been lost because the HE1000 V2 is not a revolution but an evolution from what you currently have. You can sleep well knowing that you still have a state of the art pair of headphones. An upgrade path is available if you wish but to me, the slight difference in sound and comfort is like a difference between cinnamon or chocolate on my cappuccino. I just happen to like them both!

Tonally, the Hifiman HE1000 V2 takes stock of the feedback from many users and moves away from the darker tonality of the V1 and offers something different. This is a more intimate presentation, but also a more dynamic and aggressive stance with excellent control and finally some impact.

They are beautifully made, comfortable to wear, come with cables that should assure their usability with virtually any source, and reveal the character of whatever amplifier they are used with. Most importantly, they provided more musically meaningful information than virtually any transducer I’ve heard at any price. Let’s face it: You can get far better sound for your money with headphones than with speakers. The HE1000 V2s are truly good headphones. That’s really all that needs to be said.

Like its predecessor, the V2 is a reference-sounding headphone with outstanding detail retrieval and soundstage production. At $2999, however, the V2s constitute a significant investment and should only be considered for those who wish to get a share of the very best sound in an open-back format. Of course, audible differences are not a stark departure from the original V1 but the V2s are definitely the quicker and more involving model with excellent ergonomics and design. Combined with a beautifully layered and accurate sound then, the HiFiMAN HE-1000 V2 deem worthy of a welcome in any audiophile’s collection and certainly, an audition.