**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 125

Cheap tube amps are a bad buy IMO. Tubes waste a lot of power in heat. As a result, saving expense by using cheap components will give poorer results. If you don't want to spend what it takes to have a power supply that can offset the lost energy, SS is more efficient for budget performance.

It's easy to be on the fence with the 400's low end, but unlike some dynamic headphones: It's all there. As long as you have the raw power that they crave, a large amount of 30-60Hz will do wonders, there is nothing I can do that will tax these drivers too hard.

I had the power. The NFB5 had about 3.5watts to the HE400 (I preferred the NFB5 to the Lyr which I also owned). The HE400 just doesn't have the emphasis on bass I wanted. I KNOW it's there. I just want it more prominent than it was. No amount of power is gonna transform the bass anyways. Even my SA-31 that puts out almost 2x the power of the Lyr at 40ohm wasn't gonna make a big difference). The difference is there, but not a huge one in terms of emphasis. Even unamped, the HE400 had really good bass. Just not emphasized to my desired level.

You can call it loose or uncontrolled, but I prefer it that way.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 11/5/12 at 8:00am

I understand. Matt was right about the denons though, that is more or less the only that that trumps the 400's low end (but even then It's completely different.) within a reasonable price range. I've always been able to tell that the 400's are not designed to be bass heavy or put a strong presence on it, I do that myself. I'm totally satisfied with using EQ for now, because I know the step up from here is the LCD2 (which would give you that bass level you want.) I'm just worried that I would still like the 400s more. Matt said the difference is more in the sound sig anyway.

The LCD2 doesn't have velours though. Just some vegan pads as an alternative, which I'm not even sure I'd like. That and I don't like how heavy it seems to be and also how ugly they are (IMHO). If I'm gonna spend so much on a can, they better be beautiful in every way. The LCD2 reminds me of a waffle maker.



Giving up the HE400 was almost as hard as giving up the D7000...twice. I love both those cans, so much. But I know myself. I hardly used the D7000 because they got so hot and sticky so fast, and the HE400 bugged me not having the bass I wanted with my music.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 11/5/12 at 8:48am

Mine arrived too! Had to run out soon after they were delivered, I felt like I was abandoning a child, it was scary.

The 650 bass must drive you up the wall then. That was one of the main reasons I picked the 400 over it. I would be interested to know what pair of headphones you pick for you bass needs though, you got me stumped. Ultrasone maybe? Pretty pricey.

I don't have the HD650 yet, and I got it for it's velvety mids, and unfatiguing sound signature (FWIH). It should be here in an hour or so.

I use my DT990/600 for my main music/gaming/bassy needs. This is about the 5th one I've owned, and this time, it will more than likely be the headphone I stick with, at least until and if ever Hifiman makes a bassy planar (as in bass enhanced). That or some other open, velour padded headphone satisfies me in the bass section.

The 990/.600 has the perfect amount of bass. Strong, but not overly so. It could use refinement, like less sizzle on the treble, and a fuller sound like the HE400, but the DT990/600 is the closest I have come to having everything I wanted in one headphone. It checks more boxes than the HE400 for me.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 11/5/12 at 9:42am

You are killing me, I had the 990/600 and returned minaly because of their bass response, I thought it was rather weak. I literally think the 400 is better in every possible way to the 990, but It's nice to see that someone prefers the 990, maybe they are a better match for you?

The bass is stronger on the 990/600 without a shadow of a doubt. Stronger, in that it's louder, not necessarily as refined as the HE400. The HE400 definitely has more sub bass, but for music and games, mid bass is prioritized over sub bass, and the HE400's mid bass isn't excatly basshead worthy.

Remember, this is all without EQ.

Sound-wise, the HE400 walks all over the 990/600. It just lacked the bass for me.

Ok this sounds fair. And to be fair I never got a chance to use the 990s with anything but my Essence ST card at the time, which doesn't drive them well. You are right on the mid-bass, and plus the 990s are pretty comfy.

 

Thanks. The plug doesn't come off. :)

 

 

The LCD-2 r1 and LCD-3 are both a big jump in overall sound quality compared to HE-400 for me. More details, more controlled, less harsh, darker, more umpfh in the midbass when amped well.

 

 

HD 650 is much darker sounding and forgiving compared to HE-400. HD 650 are one of the headphones I use the most. They might be uncomfortable due to high clamping force, but extend the headband to the maximum and bend the metal until it gives a better fit. Compared to D7000 they have a wider sound stage, less thump (but it's there), less harsh and overall smoother.

 

The bass quality/control of HD 650 is very dependent on amping!

My amp shouldn't be a problem.

I'm more worried about the veil. We'll see. Should be any minute now.