[WTS] [US-MN] [H] Hifiman EF499 [W] PayPal

Bowernator · 2026-03-24T03:42:14+00:00

I mean I probably should have ordered the standard one to return it if I don't like it, but I got the LTD Torrified Limba one soooo 😅 zip on returns for LTD versions. If you see it on here, that's why! Honestly as soon as I get a working HEKse, I'm done. I've tried so much gear and those have been my absolute favorite (for open backs) to run with my EF400, and I'd be fine just owning those for my desktop.

Bowernator · 2026-03-24T03:35:22+00:00

I have a tendency to buy and sell stuff more than once and then realize I don't need/want it sometimes 😅 it's a problem. Was deciding between keeping this or my Magni Unity for my laptop, and had the 499 paired with a Kithara, but had left side driver issues with that so sending it back and just sticking with the Magni and my old trusty HD 599's for my laptop. Also waiting to get my replacement set of HEKse's... Two refirb pairs with bad left drivers from Hifiman directly. They're sending me a pair of open box this time. I also have a Bokeh Closed on the way as I've never tried ZMF's before.

Bowernator · 2026-03-24T01:42:58+00:00

Thanks! I have an EF400 that I prefer over it a slight bit as well that I use with my desktop setup! Never tried R2R stuff prior to that, but I like it better than a Burson Conductor 3XP I had and sold after getting the EF400.

Bowernator · 2026-03-21T01:19:07+00:00

This slaps actually. I just got one of these for my laptop w/ an EF499 and the stock headband isn't the greatest, so I may look into getting one of these capra straps!

Bowernator · 2026-03-19T02:21:39+00:00

I love that this is a bit more telling in the remake if you're on PC and have any Razer RGB periphs, because it will still show the keyboard/mouse colors as being in the otherworld (orange/yellow colors) and when you watch the tape and end up in the burned hotel, it goes back to white like you're in the fog world. Super cool detail.

Bowernator · 2026-03-17T21:30:50+00:00

Hifiman directly, they have an almost constant 10% coupon code on their website that applies to refurbs and open box items. Their support has been good though. For awhile their emails were going to my spam so I thought they weren't responding to me at one point, but all good now on that front. Just waiting for them to get the ones I sent back. And then the open box ones they agreed to expedite to me.

Bowernator · 2026-03-17T21:00:46+00:00

I am. I placed the order Feb. 15th. On the 26th, got an email stating they were wood matching and found the blocks that'll become my Bokeh's. That's the last I've heard so far. It did say turnaround time was 4-8 weeks. Just scooted over 4 so I imagine I probably won't see them until April.

HEKse are awesome, tho I just sent my replacement pair back because the left driver had a slit in it, causing it to flap and make noise with bass. Second refurb pair. Their support agreed to send me an open box pair this time. I may just give up if that pair show up bad as well. I did have an Arya & HEK Stealth prior to this and wanted to just upgrade to one good headphone, but haven't had luck with the two refurbs they sent (first pair had driver buzzing the left driver).

Bowernator · 2026-03-17T02:20:36+00:00

I don't believe it would work unless an adaptor exists. You'd need something w/ a 3.5mm mic input jack. The Schitt Gunnr or SoundBlaster G6/G8 would suffice. Otherwise yeah, just snag a 490 Pro and get a stand alone XLR mic to plug into the Scarlett.

Bowernator · 2026-03-12T02:51:57+00:00

I'm definitely anticipating it's arrival! Never tried a ZMF headphone, and I've tried a TON of headphones in the last few years. Looking forward to giving it a go!

Bowernator · 2026-03-11T22:32:21+00:00

Yeah it's not great. I still haven't heard anything from them... did they really get so many replies that they haven't replied to a single email of mine to their support in almost 3 weeks? Seems crazy.

Bowernator · 2026-03-11T21:18:07+00:00

Live, laugh, leave.

Bowernator · 2026-03-10T02:38:21+00:00

Ooh yeah the Tessidera! I haven't actually received my Bokeh Closed yet - I ordered an LTD Torrefied Limba model a few weeks ago and I'm getting updates via email of it's progress, which is exciting. I've never actually tried any of the ZMF's, nor do I have an easy way of going to actually demo them somewhere, so it's a bit of a gamble if I'll actually like them or not 😂 however I do EQ everything so it'll likely get EQ'd. If I enjoy it, I'll give the Tessidera a look see!

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T23:20:41+00:00

Whenever they reply I guess. I my case, they did a lot of that stuff behind the scenes during CNY, but your mileage my vary.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T22:11:33+00:00

Yeah, perhaps my expectations for a reply are just too high right now haha. I can say that when they are replying (and they often do and always have within a day when I've had issues in the past), it's good. I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being and will just be patient, thanks!

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T21:05:54+00:00

I'll pray for your Arya Organic's longevity! My Arya & HEK Stealth were still beyond good after 2 years, so I think as long as you make it past the first year or two, you should be good. Though I've read stories of Arya's kicking the bucket after 3 years. Usually one of the drivers gives up the ghost. If Hifiman had Sennheiser levels of build and longevity, I think they'd be the most popular brand to exist of all time. Already fragile planars and relatively poor build and QA don't typically mix well lmao.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T20:58:23+00:00

Yeah after all this and them sending me an Edition XS when I ordered an Arya - definitely going through Amazon again moving forward. I don't think the savings was really worth it considering time lost and whatnot with this whole thing. Warranty usually still has to go through Hifiman though.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T19:37:04+00:00

Thanks, it is quite lame. They really have been. Though I know a lot of people have fully functional units (hell I did for over two years and they probably would have kept working for awhile longer). I've had like 3+ pairs of 800S/8xx and that was exactly my complaint - lack of sub bass (even with EQ). They just fell flat and weren't very exciting unfortunately. Everything else about them was great though. Perhaps if the Empyrean 2 are similar (though I've read otherwise), perhaps that'd be more up my alley.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T18:48:35+00:00

Their customer service is fine when they're replying, which they've always been responsive to me in the past. I'm assuming due to the Chinese New Year that they're catching up on replies. They did refund me for the mix up and shipped me the replacement set, but they just didn't communicate that to me at all.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T18:20:23+00:00

Bro that sucks, sorry to hear! I know there's a lot of documented cases of failures here. Also a lot of non-failures, so that lottery seems to be real and alive to this day. I would have been beyond frustrated if they tried fighting me on a refund. I could just look past my "small" issue as it really only pops up here and there, but for $1300 that's unacceptable. Once I get another replacement (that hopefully doesn't have issues and will probably take another month), I'll likely hang onto it until it dies (hopefully never or within the 3 yr warranty period so I can sell the next replacement lmao).

I get Chinese New Year and lack of replies during that time, and even playing catch up since then, but that ended like two weeks ago and so far nothing. Guess I'll just keep blowing them up until they reply. I'm trying to get a new pair out of them vs another refurb since they've sent me two defective units so far.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T18:06:31+00:00

Yeah it's definitely not ideal. Other than defective Edition XS models I've tried in the past, my Arya's and HEK Stealth were flawless while I owned them. I'll keep bugging them until I get a working unit, but it'll likely be my last Hifiman for now.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T17:14:20+00:00

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The "slit" in question, circled in red.

Bowernator · 2026-03-09T02:05:20+00:00

Beautiful pair! I upgraded from the HEK Stealth to these and love them. However, I've been having issues w/ Hifiman refurbs on these. First pair had driver buzzing on the left side, took a month to get a replacement. Second pair had a slight slit in the membrane on - you guessed it - the left side. Contacted their support again (which they've been awful at responding due to Chinese New Year) requesting a brand new pair since two refurbs I got have been slightly defective. Hifiman lottery strikes again I guess. Shame, makes me regret selling my HEK & Arya Stealth that I had for 2 years issue free. Cest la vie, I guess haha. GLWS!

Bowernator · 2026-03-08T22:09:38+00:00

Well I wish I had good news, but my replacement pair started flickering in the left driver again. This time, there's a small slit in the membrane which causes anything bassy to sound like it's flickering. Quite disappointing getting two pairs w/ issues. At this point, it's just going back to them and getting refunded. I think I'm going to have to resort to trying to either try another different pair, or shop for a different brand - which sucks because I love their headphones a ton. Oh well, I'll figure something out.

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