[Thujone]

  MODS:
Has anyone removed the foam and leather padding to make the HE-400 lighter? And use no plastic retaining ring, grill, or earpads?
 
Should the sound have more air and faster attack/decay, because of less reflective and dampening surface? Earspeakers, essentially. But no subwoofer. No reverberating bass. I know magnets, mylar, and wire (teflon coated silver, it seems) will be exposed.

 
Taking the drivers out makes them pretty light, definitely more airy.
 
Welcome to head-fi.

 

[manbear]

MODS:
Has anyone removed the foam and leather padding to make the HE-400 lighter? And use no plastic retaining ring, grill, or earpads?

Should the sound have more air and faster attack/decay, because of less reflective and dampening surface? Earspeakers, essentially. But no subwoofer. No reverberating bass. I know magnets, mylar, and wire (teflon coated silver, it seems) will be exposed.

Is foam heavy? Do headphones with no earpads sound like a good idea?

 

[TMRaven]

I think Justin measured the previous HE velours at like 20-30grams or something. 
 
It's funny as I was cleaning the pads to the HE-400i hifiman loaned me, I put the 400i on without the pads and turned the volume up.  It sounded remarkably like an HE-400i with pads.  Those hifiman drivers could almost care less if there was a seal on ear-side.  Of course comfort takes a big hit, haha.

 

[Lohb]

  I think Justin measured the previous HE velours at like 20-30grams or something. 
 
It's funny as I was cleaning the pads to the HE-400i hifiman loaned me, I put the 400i on without the pads and turned the volume up.  It sounded remarkably like an HE-400i with pads.  Those hifiman drivers could almost care less if there was a seal on ear-side.  Of course comfort takes a big hit, haha.

Taping the ears flat with sticky tape would improve the seal.

 

[jeffbear7]

mmm I love the He400s, but even after using them so long, the treble spikes are bothering me. I mainly hear them when I play the music loudly. If I play them on lowered volume, the sibilance doesn't bother me as much or I don't hear it much. I like to listen to some songs on louder volumes every once in awhile to feel immersed, but that sibilance. I use the Focus-A pads. I really don't want to EQ though. Still, it's my go to cans

 

[Ekul61]

mmm I love the He400s, but even after using them so long, the treble spikes are bothering me. I mainly hear them when I play the music loudly. If I play them on lowered volume, the sibilance doesn't bother me as much or I don't hear it much. I like to listen to some songs on louder volumes every once in awhile to feel immersed, but that sibilance. I use the Focus-A pads. I really don't want to EQ though. Still, it's my go to cans

same issue here.. I bought the 400i to reduce your h

 

[richbass]

   
 
I just got the LCD3 in.  At first it was a little laid back in the upper midrange, but that problem soon alleviated itself as I grew used to its signature within a matter of seconds.  Its upper midrange has far more bite than the LCD-X.  It also sounds remotely like how I remember the LCD2 to sound, only less artificial and with better treble sparkle.
 
In short this is my favorite audeze so far, and far more neutral than the LCD-X in my eyes.  I'll try to compare it some more to 560 eventually.

Did u do a comparison yet?

 

[TMRaven]

Yea it's right here.

 

[oldsoulrevival]

So, this week I picked up the HE-400 from Amazon, and I am honestly floored. It's the second set of hifi headphones/earphones I've owned (I also own the Shure SE-425), but I previously wasn't really sure how into the whole audiophile thing I was. I loved my Shures because they were incredibly comfortable, super sound isolating, and had great sound. However, I never really had "fun" listening to them. Of course I enjoyed whatever music I was listening to - they are great in ears - but I never understood what people meant when they said something like "the he-400s are just fun to listen to!" 
 
Well, I get it now. I powered up the HE-400s this week and listened to everything from Michael Jackson, to Dave Matthews, to Miles Davis, to Tool, and I feel like I'm rediscovering music for the first time in years. I've always been a music nut, but these phones have really taken my experience to a new level, and I feel like a kid all over again. My fiance didn't really understand why i wanted to buy another pair of good headphones...but then she tried them. I played her "Don't Stop Till you Get Enough" and she basically started laughing with delight at how great it sounded, noting how clear each instrument was and how detailed and live the sound felt. It was precisely the reaction I was hoping for. 
 
Anyway, long story short - I might have to start frequenting head-fi more often. I am absolutely LOVING these headphones.
 
Also, I know there are plenty of discussions about mod pads, but does anyone have an opinion about modded pads vs. the hifiman Focuspad-A?
http://head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=203

 

[richard51]

  So, this week I picked up the HE-400 from Amazon, and I am honestly floored. It's the second set of hifi headphones/earphones I've owned (I also own the Shure SE-425), but I previously wasn't really sure how into the whole audiophile thing I was. I loved my Shures because they were incredibly comfortable, super sound isolating, and had great sound. However, I never really had "fun" listening to them. Of course I enjoyed whatever music I was listening to - they are great in ears - but I never understood what people meant when they said something like "the he-400s are just fun to listen to!" 
 
Well, I get it now. I powered up the HE-400s this week and listened to everything from Michael Jackson, to Dave Matthews, to Miles Davis, to Tool, and I feel like I'm rediscovering music for the first time in years. I've always been a music nut, but these phones have really taken my experience to a new level, and I feel like a kid all over again. My fiance didn't really understand why i wanted to buy another pair of good headphones...but then she tried them. I played her "Don't Stop Till you Get Enough" and she basically started laughing with delight at how great it sounded, noting how clear each instrument was and how detailed and live the sound felt. It was precisely the reaction I was hoping for. 
 
Anyway, long story short - I might have to start frequenting head-fi more often. I am absolutely LOVING these headphones.
 
Also, I know there are plenty of discussions about mod pads, but does anyone have an opinion about modded pads vs. the hifiman Focuspad-A?
http://head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=203

i had them for more than a year and half, and i begin to love them really, but its necessary to pair them with a very good dac and a very good amp... I will recommend to you a very good interconnect.... If you had that they are without defects they have their own personality....Best regards

 

[Lohb]

 
I am absolutely LOVING these headphones.
 

....and HiFiMAN have no intention to keep producing them.

If it weren't for the treble spike, I'd have kept 400's in my collection.

 

[mandrake50]

i had them for more than a year and half, and i begin to love them really, but its necessary to pair them with a very good dac and a very good amp... I will recommend to you a very good interconnect.... If you had that they are without defects they have their own personality....Best regards

If you don't have any of the above, and still are enjoying the sound, I would not worry much about It !
I run mine out of My HTC DNA or even my Sansa Fuze and they sound just fine. Like most headphones they can sound better , or at least different with other DACs and/or amps. Whether you need any of that to enjoy them is questionable. As far as the interconnects, you can not be very concerned with them until you have nothing else to spend money on...

 

[richard51]

If you don't have any of the above, and still are enjoying the sound, I would not worry much about It !
I run mine out of My HTC DNA or even my Sansa Fuze and they sound just fine. Like most headphones they can sound better , or at least different with other DACs and/or amps. Whether you need any of that to enjoy them is questionable. As far as the interconnects, you can not be very concerned with them until you have nothing else to spend money on...

you are  absolutely right about that...but i speaked out of my enthusiasm for my present amp and dac and cable, and also i wanted to testify to the greatness of the He 400  ....For me perhaps i am a bit demanding,

the greatness of the He 400 is only evident now...

 

[oldsoulrevival]

  ....and HiFiMAN have no intention to keep producing them.

If it weren't for the treble spike, I'd have kept 400's in my collection.

 
That is unfortunate. Glad I got a pair of them while they last, then. In my research I saw that people often preferred the sound of the 400 to the 400i, so that is why I didn't go with the new model, and the common complaints about comfort really haven't bothered me at all. It's a little snug, but not enough for me to complain about. Definitely going to try the velour pads that everyone says offers a big improvement.
 

 
you are  absolutely right about that...but i speaked out of my enthusiasm for my present amp and dac and cable, and also i wanted to testify to the greatness of the He 400  ....For me perhaps i am a bit demanding,

 the greatness of the He 400 is only evident now...
 

 
Yea, I have a good DAC/AMP set up now, but I will likely get a new stack for myself soon. I am not particularly worried about the interconnects right now, though. In the end, Like Mandrake said, if you enjoy them, that's all that matters. I am sure I can always find something that improves or changes the headphones, but right now I am loving them with what I've got.

 

[beaver316]

If you don't have any of the above, and still are enjoying the sound, I would not worry much about It !
I run mine out of My HTC DNA or even my Sansa Fuze and they sound just fine. Like most headphones they can sound better , or at least different with other DACs and/or amps. Whether you need any of that to enjoy them is questionable. As far as the interconnects, you can not be very concerned with them until you have nothing else to spend money on...

 
When I had my HE-400, they sounded absolutely lifeless out of My HTC Desire HD. Plugged them into my M-Stage and it was normal service resumed.