[TMRaven]

Dynamic and electrostatic are referenced to how the drivers function in their respective technologies.  Planar Magnetics are isodynamic when utilized in that sense.  Either way we all know what people say when they say planar magnetic, orthodynamic etc.
 
Planar Magnetics are known to have perhaps the best bass capability out of all 3 driver approaches.  The combo of really huge diaphragms to move lots of air and very powerful magnets means effortless and impactful bass extension, although some typical cone drivers can have a wide amount of excursion.

 

[dunndeal]

I just bought the he-400 about a week ago and I just wanted to say it feels like an upgrade to my hd 598s. After about 100 hours there was an increase in clarity in the sound. I've been listening to these hooked up to a fiio e17/e9k and at first I had to crank up the knob to around the 12/1 o clock to get to a decent volume. After the 100 hours I've kept the volume around the 9 or 10 o clock and I get some pretty good bass and clarity. As my friend described it: the 598s sound like someone's singing in your ear, but the he-400s sound like"a party in my ears"

 

[Okamoto]

It has probably been posted here uncountable times, but here's a good text from Tyll explaining how planars work:
 
www.innerfidelity.com/content/how-planar-magnetic-headphones-work

 

[pebpeb]

Great read! thanks for the link

 

[catspaw]

Sup Guys.
I now have the He-400 and DT660 and im looking for somethign with less treble.
Would you say the LCD-2 is a good option for lower treble and less recessed mids?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Absolutely. The LCD2 would fit that bill perfectly. What's great, is that you keep that lovely planar magnetic bass.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Absolutely. The LCD2 would fit that bill perfectly. What's great, is that you keep that lovely planar magnetic bass.

 

[catspaw]

Well, in that case now my only problem is finding them in Poland. So far i have not been able to locate any shop (internet either) that sales them in Poland TT.
 
Hell, i might even take a trip to the states and get one, i assume it would actually cost me the same amount... considering how inflated the price is on those in Poland.

 

[davidsh]

HE-500 also an option...

 

[jerg]

Quote:

Well, in that case now my only problem is finding them in Poland. So far i have not been able to locate any shop (internet either) that sales them in Poland TT.
 
Hell, i might even take a trip to the states and get one, i assume it would actually cost me the same amount... considering how inflated the price is on those in Poland.

 
Then get HE500. The only nitpick I would say is it doesn't sound quite right with either of the stock earpads (pleathers are too muddy/closed-sounding, and velours don't tone down its treble enough) and a mod-job on the earpads will make their sound signature impeccable.

 

[catspaw]

The treble in the HE-500 is about the same as in the 400 as far as i know, so that would be a no go.

 

[jerg]

Quote:

The treble in the HE-500 is about the same as in the 400 as far as i know, so that would be a no go.

WHAT? You cannot be more wrong.
 
HE500 has one of the smoothest-sounding treble responses out there, smoother than LCD2 even, it's the complete opposite of HE400's biting energetic treble response. You could literally pick any other headphone under $1k (except maybe electrostats) and your statement would be more valid.

 

[catspaw]

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMAN_HE500_graph_frcompare.jpg
 
It looks kinda similar to me...
 
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/hifiman-he-400.php
 
Hell...
it actually looks like the HE-500 has a higher peak than the HE-400, unless im reading it wrong.

 

[jerg]

Quote:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMAN_HE500_graph_frcompare.jpg
 
It looks kinda similar to me...
 
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/hifiman-he-400.php
 
Hell...
it actually looks like the HE-500 has a higher peak than the HE-400, unless im reading it wrong.

Don't post graphs if you can't interpret them properly ("It looks kinda similar to me..."), also comparing graphs across two different sources (even if they are measured by the same person, the compensation curving, smoothing, and scaling are different) makes the comparison null. 
 
 
 
Here are two pairs of measurements (each pair with exact same plotting parametres*** this is important!).
 
 
Measurement pair 1:
 
 
HE400: http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE400.pdf
HE500: http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE500.pdf
 
 
 
Measurement pair 2:
 
 
HE400:
HE500:
 
 
 
Note the critical difference being the 12kHz peak of HE400 that even has some temporal ringing trailing after it, THAT is the problematic peak. HE500's cleanly-decayed smooth hump centered around 10kHz is actually very smooth-sounding and adds to the treble detail and spark with no grain or tizz. Also, the upper midrange valley in HE400 accentuates its already biting treble, while HE500's midrange is in-line in levels with its treble hump meaning the treble sounds coherent, not standing out of laying back.
 
Lastly, measurements are just measurements - they are but a window to the truth. Impressions/reviews-wise you can't find enough praise for HE500's treble smoothness. You don't have a real perspective to argue with, if you haven't auditioned it yet!

 

[catspaw]

Well, im surely going to test the HP before buying them  ( i guess there is no harm in giving the HE-500 a try as well), but on the graphs you link the HE-500 still seems to have an acentuated treble (might not be harsh or bright, but im simply not looking for a hp that has a treble peak).
 
Thou as you say, ill have to ear myself before beeing sure (however i heard many times the HE-500 needs some burn in, and that before it they sound very bright.... i wont have the time for the burn in probably).