**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 161

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMateoHead 

I just wanted to ask if any of the Headphone nuts here every get recurring ear problems from listening to their phones? Other than occasional and scary "ear ringing" for example.

 

I've switched back to my HD595s today for the sake of comfort, and because both my right, and now my left ear have been getting plugged / achey a lot this week. My theory is that, phones insulate and "heat up" your ears, and possibly promote movement of wax to places it might not normally go. Also, the circular design of the HE-400s may be applying more force to my lower ear (the cartiledge spots near the lobe).

 

Chances are, I need to take a long headphone break. But I have not been at extreme volumes. But both my ears are complaining.

Headphone use should not end up causing physical issues with the ears beyond ear sensitivity/pain/ringing from excessive volume.  If you're getting pain, fluids, etc, that is being caused by something unrelated to over the ear headphones. 

Maybe it's from IEMs maybe it's from your past was build up issues....but pain and fluid sound like a more serious problem than headphones....infection, or maybe just impacted wax, etc.  But if the peroxide is burning....I would seriously get that looked at if you value this hobby.  Peroxide in the ear should feel funny....not burn...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 

 

But as we are all family here and wants best for each other...listen to these words...GET OF UR BUTT and check ur ears with ur doc..if ur having a infection of sort u can get deaf in worst case scenario..Sorry..but had to act as a worried big brother would.. so dont take it as an offence..i want u to enjoy ur music as i do..and with hearing loss its much less enjoyable...i had an infection because of my westone in ear phones and my girl had almost grap my hair to push me to the doctors..but by god..am so happy she did..as i had a bad infection in my front lab or something because of ear smear pushed backinto my ears that caused my severe headaches..i had to take anti biotics for two weeks and some iggy fluids to flush my ears out twice a day..and worse..No headphone for 2 months so pls do the right thing..before u put any fluids in ur ears..it can make things worse if u dont know whats wrong inside ur earcanal or deeper inside...i know we all mean well..but best advice is checking with ur doc..maybe its nothing and just ear smear ..but better be safe then sorry my grandma always told me..and she got to an age of 103!

+1 I agree.   Though you've made me a afraid to ever use my SE535s again   Which tips were you suing with your Westones?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMRaven 

Can't say I've had issues with the connectors so far.

Depends on the cable.  Moon Audio cables and the stock HE-400 Canare tend to wiggle themselves off quite frequently for me and many others.  The HE-6 cable and Q cables virtually never have a problem with their high flexibility.  Any cable that acts as its own strain relief is usually fine.  Any cable that applies pressure to the connector if it's moved, including the stock one, is probably not fine.

It's annoying, but the most annoying thing seems to be for cable makers...they hate those SMC connectors.  People that change their cables often tend to also have issues with it.  SMC (mini-F) was meant for connections that rarely get touched such as satellite dish installs and things...they were never meant for high-flex. However I don't have any intention of getting replacement connectors installed in my cans, either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy4 

Another issue with the connectors is that they have no protection from any accidental yanking. Headphones could get damaged as a result.

I don't think there are any connectors that solve that particular problem.

You guys must not screw them on that tightly.  I've never once had the stock cables fall off or get loose on me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEMCrazy 

 

I don't think there are any connectors that solve that particular problem.

Well maybe not completely, but I imagine mini XLRs aren't going to get ripped out of their sockets before they just come out. Really not a huge deal with headphones though, generally the worse thing that happens with snagging is them getting knocked to the floor, which you'd have to have way too loose connectors to prevent that. But I do snag mine quite a bit due to the large amount of slack in the cable.

Can't say the stock connectors affected me either, never had any issues with them. Just screw them on fairly tight and forget about them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMRaven 

You guys must not screw them on that tightly.  I've never once had the stock cables fall off or get loose on me.

Yeah, I do a final twist with some needle nose pliers and I have yet to have any issues with them coming loose.  i'll occasionally do a quick attempt to turn it on my own while I'm wearing them but they never budge,

165 Unread Posts...   guys can't you write sssslooooowwwe--e--e---r-r---------r

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMRaven 

You guys must not screw them on that tightly.  I've never once had the stock cables fall off or get loose on me.

I hand tighten as much as possible.  Again, the Moon and stock cables tend to have that issue, but the Q and HE-6 stock cable rarely do with their flexibility.  Sometimes they do though.  I also wrap the cable paralell to the headband when I put it on my stand, and I think the "up-sweep" of the cable has a habit of loosening them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy4 

Well maybe not completely, but I imagine mini XLRs aren't going to get ripped out of their sockets before they just come out. Really not a huge deal with headphones though, generally the worse thing that happens with snagging is them getting knocked to the floor, which you'd have to have way too loose connectors to prevent that. But I do snag mine quite a bit due to the large amount of slack in the cable.

Do I hear the need for a shorter aftermarket cable?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scyy 

Yeah, I do a final twist with some needle nose pliers and I have yet to have any issues with them coming loose.  i'll occasionally do a quick attempt to turn it on my own while I'm wearing them but they never budge,

Ouch!  I'm not sure I'd want to tool-tighten those connectors....they're just soldered in there, and to much force could easily break them free! It's a good idea overall and no doubt works.  For the connector it's fine, but the connector attachment inside the headphone, I'd be a little afraid of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEMCrazy 

Headphone use should not end up causing physical issues with the ears beyond ear sensitivity/pain/ringing from excessive volume.  If you're getting pain, fluids, etc, that is being caused by something unrelated to over the ear headphones. 
Maybe it's from IEMs maybe it's from your past was build up issues....but pain and fluid sound like a more serious problem than headphones....infection, or maybe just impacted wax, etc.  But if the peroxide is burning....I would seriously get that looked at if you value this hobby.  Peroxide in the ear should feel funny....not burn...
+A1 I agree.   Though you've made me a afraid to ever use my SE535s again   Which tips were you suing with your Westones?
I was using the white/grey foam plugs..my problem was that the westone sticked to deep inside my ears or something.and i have very small ears ..and i used it to long of a period..sometimes i used it for 6hours nonstop..i understood from the doc that was not a good idea.. so since then i use over ears phones..i am not saying all people will have this problem..but for me..cant take the risk anymore..its one heck of a headphone..one of the best u can buy in my opinion..so my westones are for sale now..only used for 4 months...

That's awful.  I love the Shure Olives with my 535's (I think they fit Westone too) so they're probably a bit more sanitary than the white foam.  But still that's pretty scary stuff.  I do have a bit more reservation about using IEMs for that reason, it's always struck me as a possible risk in that sense, though I don't often hear about people with issues from it.  I find it interesting that 6 hours was a problem since people that need in-ear protective plugs for work/safety purposes probably wear them longer than that!

I certainly wouldn't take the risk either! Yikes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 


I do the same with my double helix cable..first by hand and then one twist extra by a plier..no problems at all

Does the DH really need tool tightening?  Is it the Molecule?  Seems pretty flexible to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEMCrazy 
Ouch!  I'm not sure I'd want to tool-tighten those connectors....they're just soldered in there, and to much force could easily break them free! It's a good idea overall and no doubt works.  For the connector it's fine, but the connector attachment inside the headphone, I'd be a little afraid of that.

THe biggest problem/reason for tool-tightening isn't torque, it's that you have f-all room to work with there, and can't get a decent purchase to get them even fingertight, in my experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEMCrazy 

 

Do I hear the need for a shorter aftermarket cable?

 

Yep, I got a four foot one on my way for just that reason. After I switch it in I shouldn't have the problem of my rolly chair whipping these things to the ground anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEMCrazy 

 

I hand tighten as much as possible.  Again, the Moon and stock cables tend to have that issue, but the Q and HE-6 stock cable rarely do with their flexibility.  Sometimes they do though.  I also wrap the cable paralell to the headband when I put it on my stand, and I think the "up-sweep" of the cable has a habit of loosening them.

 

 

Do I hear the need for a shorter aftermarket cable?

 

 

Ouch!  I'm not sure I'd want to tool-tighten those connectors....they're just soldered in there, and to much force could easily break them free! It's a good idea overall and no doubt works.  For the connector it's fine, but the connector attachment inside the headphone, I'd be a little afraid of that.

 

 

That's awful.  I love the Shure Olives with my 535's (I think they fit Westone too) so they're probably a bit more sanitary than the white foam.  But still that's pretty scary stuff.  I do have a bit more reservation about using IEMs for that reason, it's always struck me as a possible risk in that sense, though I don't often hear about people with issues from it.  I find it interesting that 6 hours was a problem since people that need in-ear protective plugs for work/safety purposes probably wear them longer than that!

 

I certainly wouldn't take the risk either! Yikes!

 

 

Does the DH really need tool tightening?  Is it the Molecule?  Seems pretty flexible to me!

My guess is that you did not wind up the cables before connecting them to the sockets, so there is residual torque strain inside the cable that works against the direction of the connection screw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

My guess is that you did not wind up the cables before connecting them to the sockets, so there is residual torque strain inside the cable that works against the direction of the connection screw.

I bet that's it, I always twisted mine a good few turns to the left prior to twisting it on to the hp.  Probably why it hasn't been as much of an issue for me. 

And to IEMcrazy, it's not like I'm twisting it as hard as I can, just enough to ensure it's as secure as its going to get.

Since 2400 posts is beyond my available time, can someone summarize the consensus (or post links) about mods for the HE-400 ?   And, is there a consensus that the velour earpads simply sound better - or are there some dissenters ?

Thanks !