[Atavax]

hopefully i am able to cancel my first order for the non preorder version. They haven't shipped yet, despite it being nearly a week since i ordered : /

 

[Oregonian]

Hey guys, just got the HE 400.  I have to say that they are the best pair of over ears I've owned.  Traded leathers for velours and haven't tried leather yet.  For over ears, they are the best I got.  But all I have to compare it to atm is my jh16's so ill post amateur impressions for those curious.  Im just running it through my fiio x5 + jds labs c5 amp:

Highs:  The highs are either raised or im just used to the jh16's rolled back treble.  So this is what they mean by fatigue, finally got it haha.  I'll get used to it though because it's not too bad.  Its definitely more sibilant than the 16's.  Also sounds a bit tinny, and you can hear the sharp 'S's in the high hats and words with 's' in them.  I hope it 'burns in' and goes away. 

Mids:  Female vocals sound a little more 'female' than on the jh16's.  I think this is what they call 'tonality' which is slightly better than the jh16's. Sometimes the jh16's sound a little too thick in this area, but the he-400s are just right in comparison. I also thought the mids would be horribly recessed like I've read many times through these forums.  Surprisingly, it doesn't sound like it at all! 

Lows:  Definitely not bass head headphones.   And some have described the bass as 'flat' and I would have to agree.  Its bass does exist though, and I think should do the job for non-bass heads.  It goes pretty deep. In comparison though, the jh16's have about 10x the bass power and detail.  bass speed seems to be on equal footing.  All in all though, the bass quantity isn't where I'd hoped, but it is still good enough to satisfy me when listening to tracks other than electronic/hip hop.  I can get more bass if I squeeze the cups against my head hard enough too.

Distortion:  You can listen to it pretty loudly, but anything with bass will distort and you'll have to turn it down unfortunately.  And if you're thinking about eq-ing bass, just forget about it.  Guaranteed distortion even at low levels.  In comparison, the jh16's can go up till your ears bleed and not distort. 

Details:  Its a step more detailed than my 16's.  Still a plus.  It sounds more organic than my 16's too, not like the 16's are bad though.

Sound stage:  It's surprisingly maybe just a hair bigger than the jh16's. That either speaks alot for the 16's or the he-400 stage is just meh. 

Resonance:  This is what I noticed right away coming from my jh16's to the he-400's.  Even though these are open back, I can hear the sound echo off the protective grill.  It took a few minutes to get used to, but if I concentrate, it'll still bother me.  It's not bad though because it's heaven compared to closed end headphones.  Surprisingly, the jh16's have NONE of that resonance/ echoey sound even though it is completely sealed.  However, you won't notice this if you come from closed headphones/earbuds. 

Comfort:  Okay, the jh16's beat it hands down because they're ciems.  But I'm sure you all knew that.  But anyway, people say that it's too tight, but I would actually like it a little tighter.  I got a big head too, nearly tore my mom in half when I was born.

I know its an unfair comparison, seeing that the he-400s are $300, and the jh16's $1300.  But the HE-400 holds its own very well against the jh16's and even traded a few blows.  If the HE-400 was able to put out as much bass as the jh16's, they would definitely be my go-to's.  For those that don't care about gobs of bass, or don't mind just a smidge of sibilance, these will definitely be your go-to's. 

Also this was done with less than hour of use so my impressions will probably favor the he400 more later.  At least I don't hate it out of the box like I did my jh16's, which is very promising.  These will be my desktop headphones, used in conjunction with my oculus rift head set.  I'd use my jh16's instead but the he400 cables are alot more durable than my custom silver iem cables.

Gotta say, out of a vintage amp these have PLENTY of bass and do not distort in the bass at all. It may be your C5 is the issue. Out of a Pioneer 50 WPC integrated amp it has lots of headroom.

 

[chengsta]

Gotta say, out of a vintage amp these have PLENTY of bass and do not distort in the bass at all. It may be your C5 is the issue. Out of a Pioneer 50 WPC integrated amp it has lots of headroom.

I was thinking that my amps probably weren't strong enough.  I tried a digizoid zo2 with same results.  I probably need a full powered desktop amp or something.

 

[Lohb]

 
I was thinking that my amps probably weren't strong enough.  I tried a digizoid zo2 with same results.  I probably need a full powered desktop amp or something.

Yep, I never bought the C5 based on output before.
You need to daisy chain the Zoid into a portable amp such as E12 at the very least for planars.
 
Edit : Though the Ifi iCan with internal battery is looking like a better buy than E12 DIY which is a more refined E12. 

 

[coletrain104]

if you wanna improve soundstage and resonance issues, this is a good option
http://www.head-fi.org/t/619447/hifiman-regrilling-mod

 

[chengsta]

Yep, going to do the regrilling mod.

 

[UprightMan]

  Hey guys, I just picked up a pair of these, should be coming in the mail in the next couple of weeks.
 
However, I'm having a problem deciding on a suitable DAC/Amp combination (or all-in-one). My budget is around the $150 to $200 mark, can't really stretch beyond that.
 
At the moment I'm looking at the E17 with a view to picking up an E09k and the Audinst HUD-MX1, but I'm not sure about whether those'll be enough to drive it. The Schiit Modi/Magni combo is intriguing but the lack of portability and extra RCA outputs is kind of a problem as I want to plug my speakers into it and possibly take it around with my laptop.
 
Any other recommendations/advice? Cheers in advance.

 
I have FiiO E07k/E09k and like it a lot.  I listen to different styles of music and having ability to adjust gain/bass/treble is very handy.  

Others that I considered in this price range (so you should to) are ODac and O2 (amp) as well as the Schiit stack (Modi and Magni or Vali) - which you already mentioned...

 

[tim3320070]

  Hey guys, just got the HE 400.  I have to say that they are the best pair of over ears I've owned.  Traded leathers for velours and haven't tried leather yet.  For over ears, they are the best I got.  But all I have to compare it to atm is my jh16's so ill post amateur impressions for those curious.  Im just running it through my fiio x5 + jds labs c5 amp:
 
Highs:  The highs are either raised or im just used to the jh16's rolled back treble.  So this is what they mean by fatigue, finally got it haha.  I'll get used to it though because it's not too bad.  Its definitely more sibilant than the 16's.  Also sounds a bit tinny, and you can hear the sharp 'S's in the high hats and words with 's' in them.  I hope it 'burns in' and goes away. 
 
Mids:  Female vocals sound a little more 'female' than on the jh16's.  I think this is what they call 'tonality' which is slightly better than the jh16's. Sometimes the jh16's sound a little too thick in this area, but the he-400s are just right in comparison. I also thought the mids would be horribly recessed like I've read many times through these forums.  Surprisingly, it doesn't sound like it at all! 
 
Lows:  Definitely not bass head headphones.   And some have described the bass as 'flat' and I would have to agree.  Its bass does exist though, and I think should do the job for non-bass heads.  It goes pretty deep. In comparison though, the jh16's have about 10x the bass power and detail.  bass speed seems to be on equal footing.  All in all though, the bass quantity isn't where I'd hoped, but it is still good enough to satisfy me when listening to tracks other than electronic/hip hop.  I can get more bass if I squeeze the cups against my head hard enough too.
 
Distortion:  You can listen to it pretty loudly, but anything with bass will distort and you'll have to turn it down unfortunately.  And if you're thinking about eq-ing bass, just forget about it.  Guaranteed distortion even at low levels.  In comparison, the jh16's can go up till your ears bleed and not distort. 
 
Details:  Its a step more detailed than my 16's.  Still a plus.  It sounds more organic than my 16's too, not like the 16's are bad though.
 
Sound stage:  It's surprisingly maybe just a hair bigger than the jh16's. That either speaks alot for the 16's or the he-400 stage is just meh. 
 
Resonance:  This is what I noticed right away coming from my jh16's to the he-400's.  Even though these are open back, I can hear the sound echo off the protective grill.  It took a few minutes to get used to, but if I concentrate, it'll still bother me.  It's not bad though because it's heaven compared to closed end headphones.  Surprisingly, the jh16's have NONE of that resonance/ echoey sound even though it is completely sealed.  However, you won't notice this if you come from closed headphones/earbuds. 
 
Comfort:  Okay, the jh16's beat it hands down because they're ciems.  But I'm sure you all knew that.  But anyway, people say that it's too tight, but I would actually like it a little tighter.  I got a big head too, nearly tore my mom in half when I was born.
 
I know its an unfair comparison, seeing that the he-400s are $300, and the jh16's $1300.  But the HE-400 holds its own very well against the jh16's and even traded a few blows.  If the HE-400 was able to put out as much bass as the jh16's, they would definitely be my go-to's.  For those that don't care about gobs of bass, or don't mind just a smidge of sibilance, these will definitely be your go-to's. 
 
Also this was done with less than hour of use so my impressions will probably favor the he400 more later.  At least I don't hate it out of the box like I did my jh16's, which is very promising.  These will be my desktop headphones, used in conjunction with my oculus rift head set.  I'd use my jh16's instead but the he400 cables are alot more durable than my custom silver iem cables.

I think a lot of your issues can be solved with a more powerful amp and pleather pads vs. the velours. It's not a D7000 with the bass but quite good and I have never heard sibilance.

 

[coletrain104]

anybody to tell me whether they hear a hiss with the Vali and this headphone?

 

[TMRaven]

10x more powerful bass than the HE-400, wow.  I need to get myself some jh16s.

 

[Sasasd]

  anybody to tell me whether they hear a hiss with the Vali and this headphone?

 
I have Vali and I hear hiss only by covering cups with my hands. Very minor "issue" IMO and I hate hate hiss alot. With Superlux 668b and Soundmagic E30 IEMs hiss is unbearable.

 

[chengsta]

  I think a lot of your issues can be solved with a more powerful amp and pleather pads vs. the velours. It's not a D7000 with the bass but quite good and I have never heard sibilance.

So I"ve had the digizoid zo2, fiio e11, and jds c5 and its either that none of them have been able to power the he-400 when it comes to the bass, or it really is at its limit and distorts when the bass hits.  I've spent some crazy cash on audio gear lately (for portable), so its going to be a while before I can get something expensive again.  The fiio e12 is the only amp within my price range that supposedly powers the he 400 just fine, do you reckon it would work?  Is it really just due to it being underpowered?  Can anyone else whos got the e12/he-400 combo chime in on their thoughts with bassboost/distortion?  I would hate to get it only to have it also distort too.
 

  10x more powerful bass than the HE-400, wow.  I need to get myself some jh16s.

 
10x, and perhaps maybe even 15x is certainly what it sounded(and felt) like.  But you make it sound like maybe I really am just underpowering my he-400. 

 

[Oregonian]

Chengsta - sounds like you are all about portables but if/when you get a chance to set up a home system, consider a vintage amp or receiver.  You can find them for around $100 to start and nothing beats them for value for driving headphones like the HE-6 or HE-400. 

 

[TMRaven]

10x, and perhaps maybe even 15x is certainly what it sounded(and felt) like.  But you make it sound like maybe I really am just underpowering my he-400. 

 
I don't know really.  Anything's possible, but the HE-400 will sound pretty good just out of an iPod.
 
I've not heard those JH16's, but they sound like some kind of extremely potent headphone if their bass is that powerful.   The HE-400 has one of the hardest hitting basses you'll find in an open headphone.

 

[Saoshyant]

Chengsta - sounds like you are all about portables but if/when you get a chance to set up a home system, consider a vintage amp or receiver.  You can find them for around $100 to start and nothing beats them for value for driving headphones like the HE-6 or HE-400. 

Any suggestions on a good $100 receiver for which to keep an eye open?