**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 371

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hifi Man 

Well, this is the kind of news that I was fearing. I had an original goal to use a budget of 500 dollars to get a pair of headphones. I'm not able to spend another 80 dollars I hadn't planned to spend, especially when I'm not sure what the difference in sound will be. Though, it looks like there's enough people on this site to convince me that they do in fact need an amplifier. In that case I will probably end up returning these headphones and the DAC (it's a schiit modi). Is there any headphones + amplifier that would sound good for metal? I want to take advantage of the return policies I have right now, and in the end I'll probably still want a high end audio equipment upgrade from my Logitech G35s. 

 

Maybe this isn't the right thread to ask. Is there a thread I can use for this discussion?

I'd kind of compare your situation to buying a Mercedes Benz, but then not having any money left over to put gas into it to be able to drive the vehicle. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by modulor 

If you can manage to get the Magni to complement the Modi, you will most certainly be golden - it is an excellent value for what you can get out of these headphone for the price.  The extra wattage really brings the HE--400 to life from my experience.  I currently use the Magni connected to my sound card, a Titanium HD, but will plan on getting the Modi eventually.  If you have a decent sound card, I'd say swap the DAC for the amp for the time being if funds are short.  I listen to quite a bit of metal (Ulver's Bergtatt is melting into my ears right now), and I find my current combo works brilliantly, albeit with the occasional minor EQ tweak here and there.  

 

As for an alternative, I've not had an opportunity to try many other full size headphones out yet, but I'd suggest looking into Beyer's DT880/DT990, Denon D2000 (if you can find one) or possibly Grado's SR225 or lower models (I have a friend who has these and is also an avid metal fan).

I love ulver! That is a good idea. I also listen to quite of bit of death metal such as defeated sanity. In the album psalms of the moribund I noticed that the headphones don't really emphasize on the punchy quality of the bass. It all kind of sound flat.

Here's my modded pad

I solved the side gap problem by sticking the ring to the pleather sides with cloth tape.

I hope there isn't any problem in doing that.

I'm liking the sound with these pads more than with the velours, so i guess i did it at least half right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catspaw 

I have had the same problem at the begining of using the HE-400.

 

...

 

I love them over all, but at some points they are way too dark for my taste.

I don't use EQ and i don't want to use it with any headphone. if the signature is wrong to  my ear , I sell the headphone. Fortnunately I hav my "end-game " headphone for the most part of my use. I just need a compliment. it seems he-400 is just not the good candidate for that.  he-500 seems to be a far better one but too expensive for me now.  he-400 gave me a taste of otho-dynamic headphones and hifiman stuff . I liked all of the he-400 except its signature :)

Just got my HE-300 in and I really, really like the sound. I think it's different enough to make me want to use it alongside the HE-400. I can offer more detailed impressions if anybody is interested but as it's the lesser of the Hifiman line, I'll just keep it to this brief mention right now. Also: sooo light in comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hifi Man 

I love ulver! That is a good idea. I also listen to quite of bit of death metal such as defeated sanity. In the album psalms of the moribund I noticed that the headphones don't really emphasize on the punchy quality of the bass. It all kind of sound flat.

I sampled that album as well as some others I have, and like most death metal, I think that is the nature of the recording unfortunately.  The lower end certainly is present and well textured, but will probably never be as impactful as say a closed back headphone (the Denon D2000 comes to mind, as I think they would  complement the genre's recording style better).  After a little EQ, that album sounds pretty decent to me just streaming from youtube, but again it won't have the punch that a higher quality recording or closed back headphone might provide.  The moments of sub-bass (track 4 for example) are quite nice.  It's totally listenable to me and I'm enjoying it quite a bit - cymbals can sound incredible on these headphones as this album is showcasing.  I'll have to pick it up haha!    You also have to remember the sound signature of these is a bit unique, and after listening to them more or less exclusively for a period I find it grows on you.  The extra power from a good amp would be most beneficial.  The D2000/D5000/D7000 is a headphone series I've always wanted to try, but since being discontinued they are harder to come by - one day I will own one, oh yes...  If I were to pick a closed back headphone right now, it would have to be one of those based on what I've read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by earphiler 

Do these headband pads have memory foam, standard foam or fiberfill/pillow form type stuff?  Not sure if it's easy to tell from the outside.

I wanna say fiberfill/pillow form type stuff, definitely not memory foam and i don't think it's standard foam but I could be wrong. I like it though

Honestly, I thought that since HE400 has such a big velour following, that you all would have at least 1 pair of stock pleathers just collecting dust in the corner.

Those are just huge sonic potential earpads just waiting to receive the mod and become reborn.

...Grant those pleathers their wish please.

There's a reason why I named this mod "jergpad" instead of "awesomepad" or other random names, it is because the mod improves the sound so much that I want my forum namesake on it as soon as I heard it. Kind of like Kramer mod for KSC75s. I would never say name the grill mod "Jergrills", as that mod only has a subtle impact on the sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorrodje 

 

I don't use EQ and i don't want to use it with any headphone. if the signature is wrong to  my ear , I sell the headphone. Fortnunately I'm my "end-game " headphone for the most part of my use. I just need a compliment. it seems he-400 is just not the good candidate for that.  he-500 seems to be a far better one but too expensive for me now.  he-400 gave me a taste of otho-dynamic headphones and hifiman stuff . I liked all of the he-400 except its signature :)

Why is that?  Such a journey may last a lifetime and you'll still not be able to achieve the right sound because the perfect headphone might not be out there for you.  Plus, you'll spend / lose a fair amount of money with so much buying and selling going on.

So I've tried the velours for the first time ... on the HE-300. They're nice. I'll try them on the HE-400 sometime. Am trying Jerg's mod tonight, sans the dust screen removal, because I fully believe dust can kill headphones in less than a year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

So I've tried the velours for the first time ... on the HE-300. They're nice. I'll try them on the HE-400 sometime. Am trying Jerg's mod tonight, sans the dust screen removal, because I fully believe dust can kill headphones in less than a year.

So you'll do the optional step of regluing the dust screen onto the mounting ring?

If you are planning to do everything else without even at least cutting out the dust screen temporarily, it's gonna be nearly impossible to pull off a neat mod job. The dust screen is right in the middle of everything, and you'll need it out of the way to work on e.g. creating all the holes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

So I've tried the velours for the first time ... on the HE-300. They're nice. I'll try them on the HE-400 sometime. Am trying Jerg's mod tonight, sans the dust screen removal, because I fully believe dust can kill headphones in less than a year.

I'd like to know your results, so far nobody has posted any impressions (or pics) of his new mod with the dust screen.

Im really contemplating this, maybe tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

Honestly, I thought that since HE400 has such a big velour following, that you all would have at least 1 pair of stock pleathers just collecting dust in the corner.

 

Those are just huge sonic potential earpads just waiting to receive the mod and become reborn.

 

 

 

...Grant those pleathers their wish please.

 

 

 

 

There's a reason why I named this mod "jergpad" instead of "awesomepad" or other random names, it is because the mod improves the sound so much that I want my forum namesake on it as soon as I heard it. Kind of like Kramer mod for KSC75s. I would never say name the grill mod "Jergrills", as that mod only has a subtle impact on the sound.

although jergrills sounds quite cool, similar to bear grylls

also.. J$ beyer pads vs jergpad

can you please quickly note the main difference?