**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 275

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

They are impressive. The only headphones that have made my jaw drop this hard was the D7000, HE-400, and HD650 (with it's mids). I always find problems with headphones. Like the HE-400 having a bit too much treble, or the HD650 being a little slow for certain genres, that keeps them from being as amazing as they could've been. The Annies... just... I honestly can't find anything.

I'be really interested in a in depth comparison between the K702 and HE-400.

Sigh.. the HE-400 are already overpriced here with the straight converted price from 399 USD to 399 euro, and the K702 Anniversary are 555 euro. That's 730 USD

Quote:

Originally Posted by spittis 

Sigh.. the HE-400 are already overpriced here with the straight converted price from 399 USD to 399 euro, and the K702 Anniversary are 555 euro. That's 730 USD

Is it straight converted on Hifiman's website and eBay page as well? I know the euro price on Amazon was bad but I didn't think that Hifiman charged any more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spittis 

Sigh.. the HE-400 are already overpriced here with the straight converted price from 399 USD to 399 euro, and the K702 Anniversary are 555 euro. That's 730 USD

Typical European prices, we always get shafted over here. What I try to do when buying expensive gear is just to import from the US since a direct conversion will always lead to lower prices, and request your seller mark the package as low cost to avoid import taxes. Paid 300 euro for a brand new HE-400 myself :)

It helps if the people at your customs office dont give a rat's ass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy4 

Is it straight converted on Hifiman's website and eBay page as well? I know the euro price on Amazon was bad but I didn't think that Hifiman charged any more.

No probably not if you buy straight from them, but all the resellers in Finland got them for 399€.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaver316 

 

I'be really interested in a in depth comparison between the K702 and HE-400.

I second, as I had decided on the HE-400 (literally about to get them this weekend), but if the K702 65th Anni. can compare, naturally I am very intrigued!  Fortunately I am patient :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by spittis 

Just adding a bit to this - I think many people have way too high expectations on how much amplifiers (and DAC's) improve sound. I've personally tried computer on-board sound, some cheap computer sound cards, a couple of semi-cheap DAC's and headphone amp combos, up to stuff like the Dacmagic Plus I'm using myslef right now. Do I hear differences between the gear? Yes I do, but really, even when comparing computer on-board sound to the DM Plus where there's basically a 600$ difference I'd be hard pressed to say that the increase in sound quality is over two times (if you really have to get a number). This might be a touchy subject but I think many times people exaggerate the improvement to justify the money spent

 

This obviously depends on how hard to drive the headphones are etc, but in general - people should worry more about the headphones and less about the source, especially with not so picky headphones like the HE-400. While I haven't tried the M&M stack I'd be suprised if they didn't provide you with about 95% of the sound these headphones have to offer.

I think you are 100% correct.  So, I just did the logical thing purchased 3 pieces of Schiit.   I mean, why spend more?  Right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

^^ Nice  purchase!! What did you get?

(2) Magnis, and (1) Modi.  I need them for two different areas / applications.

I can't tell you how $#?!*% frustrated I was this past break with my Asus Xonar DG, as well as other sound cards this past break on my computer.  So much noise in the background.  Such a mess.

I have a Modi on the way as well. Hopefully it will be a sonic step up over my Muse. In any case it eliminates the need for a power cord, another box (USB to SPDIF), and gives me the ability to listen to high resolution music. These points alone made it a worthwhile purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

For those interested in what I feel of the K702 Annies (first impressions)
Just got the K702 Anniversary.
Holy balls.
These are gorgeous. Prior to these, I owned the white K701 and white Q701, The finish on those was almost like a toilet white. Porcelain. The Annies though? The finish is matte, and looks AMAZING. I mean, I thought I was used to how the K/Q's looked, then I saw these... I'm blown away just looking at them.
Then I put them on my head, no sound... just... OMFG. I always raved about the Steelseries Siberia and their self adjustment. Those were nearly perfect. I wish the cups were bigger on those (they were small and not deep.)
The K701 and Q701 had similar self adjustment, but for whatever reason, they were always fully extended and hella tight on my head. Then there was the bumps on the headband that were torturous. Pure torture until you wore them long enough to not mind them, but they never truly disappear.
Here comes the K702 Annies. Not only did they do away with the bumps, but the headband no longer pulls down on my head. I wonder if it's because the bumps are gone, leaving more space for just enough extension to not make them so tight. The cups clamp so lightly, I almost thought these were Audio-Technicas for a moment. They clamp just tight enough to feel secure, but it's light.
Speaking of light I mean, these babies are LIGHT. I mean, wearing the HE400 next to them is...well, they surely feel like bricks on the head next to the Annies.
HOLY COW. These ARE the most comfortable full-sized headphones I have owned, bar none. It is indeed perfection.
Comfort...10/10
These are IT.
On to the most important part...sound.
Before I start, let me state that I do NOT suffer from new toy syndrome. If I'm not impressed, I will be the first to say it. I will be quick to mention the pros and cons in a headphone's sound.
So what did I hear when I first turned on the music?

Warmth. Clarity. Openness. Refinement.
This is surely a refined Q701. Not only does it sound fuller than I remember of the Q701, but the bass. Dear god... the bass. What. The. CRAP? These have FANTASTIC bass. I will tell you right now, this is the most balanced headphone I have heard that ALSO has a satisfying amount of bass. The DT880 is also incredibly balanced with bass, but they have that treble peak. These DO NOT.
I am absolutely MINDBLOWN by the Annies. I paid $429 for these... and I will tell you all right now, that yes, it's worth it over the Q701, and I would seriously choose these over the HE-400 if I could only own one. The HE-400 is amazing, simply amazing, but the K702 Annies has this balance between fun and straight business without any glaring faults that make them so damn enticing.
This is one of those times that I can't find anything bad to say about the sound.
They really DO sound like a mix between the Q701 and HD650. It is a perfect blend. Just.... lovely.
Stay tuned.
My faves have changed...in order.
D7000
K702 Annies
HE-400
HD650
HE-4

Now you have my attention! I'm still quite fond of my Q's but wouldn't hesitate selling them if all you say is true! Do the Annies have more sub-bass or mid-bass, or just more bass in general? And, oh, do they retain that super wide sound-stage that the earlier versions are so famous for? And what about the imaging: any improvements there? Sorry for bombarding you with so many questions, but my mind is reeling from an attempt to imagine the sound signature you describe: the sonic child of the the hd650 and the Q701! What an exciting prospect indeed! 

There is no down-right better or worse, unless you vivisect every minor aspect of sound and compare them head-to-head between the two headphones, and label your preference for each aspect and sub-aspect. Even then it'd still be preference rather than objective differences in performance, except the aspects where one of the headphones is blatantly flawed.

Hey there, another happy HE-400 owner, just got them today.

Out of the box, I was disappointed.  I was like wut, where's the hype.  Why does everything sound so MUDDY?  

Then I realized I was listening to indie rock with the Fiio E17's bass boost turned up 6 steps.  Whoops.

(Question to those using the HE-400/Fiio E17, what gain setting are you using?)

Turned off the bass boost, restarted the song.  Things are sounding pretty good.  In fact, with Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (my go-to first listen for any new headphone) I definitely was hearing astonishing clarity in Ed Droste's voice like I never heard before.

I tried the velours.  Didn't like them comfort wise, and didn't hear a difference in the sound.  Oh well, with less than an hour on them I didn't think I would be able to anyway.  Put the comfies back on and I'm chillin.

Two hours later, I'm starting to get acclimated to these.  Jigsaws are falling into place, to use a Radiohead reference.  In fact, I put on "Paranoid Android" and I was pleased with how smooth the sound was.  Loving the midrange that virtually everyone has raved about.  

Dream Theater - Stream of Consciousness floored me.  (that is a spotify link)   I'm not much of a metal fan or a Dream Theater fan, but that song and the HE-400's got along so nicely, that after 11 minutes went by, it felt closer to 4 or 5 minutes instead.

Definitely satisfied with the $400 I paid for these.  And I'm sure they will open up even more the more I listen to them. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMac 

Hey there, another happy HE-400 owner, just got them today.

 

Out of the box, I was disappointed.  I was like wut, where's the hype.  Why does everything sound so MUDDY?  

Then I realized I was listening to indie rock with the Fiio E17's bass boost turned up 6 steps.  Whoops.

(Question to those using the HE-400/Fiio E17, what gain setting are you using?)

 

Turned off the bass boost, restarted the song.  Things are sounding pretty good.  In fact, with Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (my go-to first listen for any new headphone) I definitely was hearing astonishing clarity in Ed Droste's voice like I never heard before.

 

I tried the velours.  Didn't like them comfort wise, and didn't hear a difference in the sound.  Oh well, with less than an hour on them I didn't think I would be able to anyway.  Put the comfies back on and I'm chillin.

 

Two hours later, I'm starting to get acclimated to these.  Jigsaws are falling into place, to use a Radiohead reference.  In fact, I put on "Paranoid Android" and I was pleased with how smooth the sound was.  Loving the midrange that virtually everyone has raved about.  

 

Dream Theater - Stream of Consciousness floored me.  (that is a spotify link)   I'm not much of a metal fan or a Dream Theater fan, but that song and the HE-400's got along so nicely, that after 11 minutes went by, it felt closer to 4 or 5 minutes instead.

  

Definitely satisfied with the $400 I paid for these.  And I'm sure they will open up even more the more I listen to them. 

Try some Ronald Jenkees, showcases the tactility of HE400's bass extremely well.