**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 270

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

 

 

No doubt, the HE400 are a very fun and practical headphone no question.  The HE-400s bass is much deeper and will go down lower than the HE-4.  However, I find the bass on the HE-4 to be tighter and more controlled.  The HE-4 is a very fast headphone. Very spacious and airy.  Really good for classical music.  For more of the different kinds of pop, rap and bass heavy music I would go 400s hear.  For the classical music, Jazz piano, female vocals - I would go HE-4.  Sound stage is I don't know around the same.  But the airy and spacious sound of the HE-4 might give the impression of a bigger sound stage.  This is just my opinion.

It might be because he4 have velour pads by default and he400 leather pads - maybe when you would try he400 with velour ones it would be a game changer ? Just guessing ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by merkil 

 

Thank you for showing me this. Just listened to the album because of the sample you posted. Really good, I love the lounge feel on some of the tracks. 

My pleasure, the album really something. My personal favourite would have to be track 6 'Mr Handogate'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicman 

It might be because he4 have velour pads by default and he400 leather pads - maybe when you would try he400 with velour ones it would be a game changer ? Just guessing ...

I use all sorts of pads.  The pads don't make or break a headphone for me.  The HE-400s a game changer?  A good headphone, but not a game changer..

Does anyone think the velour pads make the HE400s sound more sibilant and less bodied? I think I'll be selling my velours as I prefer the sound with pleather pads.

Don't know about the HE-400, but that was similar to my impression with the velours on the HE-500.

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

 

 

I use all sorts of pads.  The pads don't make or break a headphone for me.  The HE-400s a game changer?  A good headphone, but not a game changer..

Good to know that pads don't change the distance between he4 and he400 - I am going to order he4 and lyr (I will try it free and see the synergy, I can send lyr back up to 10 days), I would love emotiva a-100 but buying overseas takes too much time and extra cost (customs, sale tax, shipping, issues with warranty etc)

I think my ears somehow recovered.

I had another listen with the HE-4 yesterday and found them a bit too bright to my taste, pretty much as I remembered them before I got the replacement unit.

I think the cold I had last week changed my perception (of treble mainly) and made the 4s a perfect match.

If you like bright sound, these should definitely be on your wishlist. From memory, their sound signature is pretty much like the DT-880, with much more energy at both ends and with the planar magic that won't make these sound "acid" like the DT-880.

I'm not sure I will keep these, especially if the NFB-27 replaces the SA-31.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSitthi 

Does anyone think the velour pads make the HE400s sound more sibilant and less bodied? I think I'll be selling my velours as I prefer the sound with pleather pads.

I don't think so. The velours add mids and clarity to my ears, what you are hearing isn't added sibilance. It's just sibilance that was already there on the recording.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clemmaster 

I think my ears somehow recovered.

 

I had another listen with the HE-4 yesterday and found them a bit too bright to my taste, pretty much as I remembered them before I got the replacement unit.

I think the cold I had last week changed my perception (of treble mainly) and made the 4s a perfect match.

 

If you like bright sound, these should definitely be on your wishlist. From memory, their sound signature is pretty much like the DT-880, with much more energy at both ends and with the planar magic that won't make these sound "acid" like the DT-880.

 

I'm not sure I will keep these, especially if the NFB-27 replaces the SA-31.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

I wouldnt say the HE-4 has much more energy in the treble than the DT880. Similar, if anything. But yes, its brighter than the HE400 by a noticeable amount. Still, the treble is less abrupt than that of the HE400...

Ha ha ha - yeah, this sig may be a drastic change for some coming straight of the 400s or even A/Bing with the 400s.  But it's not the treble thats bright.  It's just a airy headphone with lots of air.  Now the T70s are bright. whew.  The DT880s are bright for some.  The 4s has a airy presentation with smooth treble tilted upwards a tad bit..  No etch and not harsh at all.  

This is IMO..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

I think it's probably that people may misunderstand more bright as being the same as having sharper/more pronounced treble.

Spot on.  Not the same thing at all..  As soon as you say the word "bright"  All Hell breaks loose.  That's why I use the word airy - it's less scary - if you know what I mean..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

I think it's probably that people may misunderstand more bright as being the same as having sharper/more pronounced treble.

Yep, the HE-4 never sounded harsh to my ears. The K-601 do (on the same setup) to the point I cannot not listen to them more than 5 minutes before fatigue comes.

I once used to own the K-701 which is even brighter than the 601s (the reason why I kept them over the 701s).

So don't worry about HE-4. They have treble energy but a very good one, much less fatiguing than the aforementioned cans (+ DT-880).

In addition, they probably have the tightest bass I heard so far, yet with less quantity than both the 400s and the 500s (which to my ears are pretty much the same in that regard).

Basically, they are a the best upgrade for K-701 or DT-880 owners.

newbie here, looking for advice. just starting out, i have nothing.  i have a budget of about $1,000. looking for headphones, MP3 player, amplifier and DAC. thinking about getting the HiFiMan HE-400's Headphones ($399) and the HiFiMan HM-602 Portable Music Player ($399) with built in amp & dac. any thoughts ?