**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 121

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

Is the default equalizer app in foobar accurate though? It's only 18 bands.

 

This plugin enables a 31 band equalizer, maybe you can get a more intricate result?

I use that eq for my tuning needs. It is a little bit of a pain in the A to use, but if you know what frequencies you want to play with, its quick to set up and it automatically tweaks gain to reduce distortion.

So far, I've done nothing to the HE's but drop 1 khz 3 dB and surrounding freqs by 1-2 dB. This picked up the midbass slightly (to my ears). The HE's have a major dip to 2 khz, and then ramp up hard to about 10 khz (about 10 dB over 2 Khz). I tried dropping 10 khz 2-3dB and scaling back through 3-5 khz by similar amounts. I didn't really like it. 

With the 31 band EQ, if you really want to get nutty, you can actually make adjustments to each channel - though I am not sure why you would do this. I set and forget.

The HE's take really well to EQ adjustments. Though you should be aware that the freq response is so "flat" at stock settings that it seems easier to make the sound worse than improve it!

Also, to the person having trouble swapping pads:

It is super easy really. Pinch the edge of the pads and gently tug away and look for one of the plastic tabs that is holding it to the cup (you won't see it). You'll know you have one when no space opens between the pad and the cup. There are four of them (at 12, 3, 6, and 9 O'clock relatively speaking), but you only need to get one to pull off.

Pinch at that point, and then feel around under the pad until you detect the "ring" that connects to the cup / pad. Press down with a firm but gentle grasp and push down (like you want to deform the circle into an "oval". You should feel/see the plastic tab (shaped like a hook) release. Then just pull up and the whole pad should come off nice and easy.

To put the pads back on, gently "slide" the pad back in to the cup. You should be able to get 3 of the 4 tabs in without any special maneuvering. When you accomplish that, gently pinch the top and bottom of the ring and forcefully bend it so the last tab can "scoop" itself into position like the other tabs. I did all my pinching and pulling from "12 o clock".

The whole operation is fast and pretty straight-forward. You shouldn't have to manhandle the things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

Sure.

 

Foobar bar EQ, and below that the Electri-Q parametric EQ file.

 

 

 

HE400 Treble Fixer EQ foobar.zip 0k .zip file

 

 

 

 

HE400 Treble Fixer EQ.zip 0k .zip file

Where did you get Electri-Q? My search gave me really outdated results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniping 

Where did you get Electri-Q? My search gave me really outdated results.

http://www.head-fi.org/a/how-to-equalize-your-headphones-a-tutorial

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuna47 

I enjoy the treble it would be a duller can without it
I come from lastly the k702 so these are very mellow in comparison

Eh I kinda agree with that notion actually; the upper treble sparkle works wonders with non-vocal music, just adds that extra edge of detail which makes the music pop. It is only non-optimal with certain vocals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

 

Eh I kinda agree with that notion actually; the upper treble sparkle works wonders with non-vocal music, just adds that extra edge of detail which makes the music pop. It is only non-optimal with certain vocals.

It's only weakness. That treble does so many wonders for everything but the human voice most of the time though I think it's worth looking past.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RushNerd 

It's only weakness. That treble does so many wonders for everything but the human voice most of the time though I think it's worth looking past.

Is it really noticeable? Like say would someone who's coming from a Sennheiser ie80 notice it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

 

Is it really noticeable? Like say would someone who's coming from a Sennheiser ie80 notice it.

more like 600/650. 

Can anyone tell me that to which IEM the sound of HE-400 is identical in Sound Signature?

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

 

Is it really noticeable? Like say would someone who's coming from a Sennheiser ie80 notice it.

Oh hell yeah, The ie80 is super dark and does not show sibilance ever. The HE-400 will sound like white hot treble for the first few hours.

After which you will get used to the extra delicious treble.

I totally loved the IE80s signature, but i never thought of them as dark  They felt perfect in terms of balance. Im actually starting to miss them, i was in love with their sound.