**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 480

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marleybob217 

I have completed the first version of the marleypads :D

 

First sound impression: They sound like the velours but more balanced. They still sound as dynamic, so bass is much more punchy than with the jergpads. But mostly imaging and soundstage is back, it is amazing.

 

The jergpads do sound more romantic though, however I like a more dynamic sound.

I'll open up a new thread where I'll write up a how-to marleypads in case anyone is interested in replicating this experiment.

 

p.s. When I say jergpads, I mean my implementation of the jergpads. Maybe I did something wrong? But I think most of the problems of the jergpads (smaller soundstage, slightly slower sound) are inherent problems of the pleather pads. They are less deep and softer.

Also major props to my girlfriend since she did all the stitching and pattern designing!

What is a more "romantic sound"? And what do you consider to be "dynamic sound"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMateoHead 

What is a more "romantic sound"? And what do you consider to be "dynamic sound"?

Probably the amount of midrange bloom / emphasis. Pleathers / modded pleathers will always put the ears really close to the drivers, thus emphasizing the midrange, and pushing back the treble and bass quantity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

Probably the amount of midrange bloom / emphasis. Pleathers / modded pleathers will always put the ears really close to the drivers, thus emphasizing the midrange, and pushing back the treble and bass quantity.

Yeah sort of, things sound is a bit slower and warmer on the jergpads. It's a little bit like the HD650.

With dynamic I mean more punch to the sound, specifically more punch in the bass.

The main differences between the jergpads and marleypads are the following: the marleypads seem to have better imaging, a bigger soundstage, tighter and punchier bass but the mids and treble are pretty much identical. I definitely like the marleypads better (biased much?) however some might like the jergpads more. It's much closer to the sound of the HD650.

The jergpads are still undefeated in terms of comfort. I did soak the velours in soapy water, which did make them a bit softer.

But I think that the hardness of the pads actually contributes to the dynamic sound of the velours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac336 

 

im using banana plugs to female trs jack.  cheapest and most versatile way to connect HPs to the amp

check out my last 4 comments in this thread

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/629352/hifiman-he-500-on-a-speaker-amp-emotiva-mini-x-a-100-project/675#post_9145842

 

the emotiva takes the he400 to their full potential IMO. 

Ugh!  It looks like Comcast is cutting out the use of personal Web pages.  My "taps.PDF" is no longer loading.  But, here is the guide on the necessary cable to connect to a speaker amp:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marleybob217 

I have completed the first version of the marleypads :D

 

 

 

The inspiration for these pads came from the jergpads. The balanced sound was amazing but I thought these pads could be even better with deeper pads. Having my ears so close to the driver resulted in a more intimate soundstage, and imaging of instruments wasn't as impressive.

 

So I took the velour pads and stitched leather over them :D

I also added some damping holes to reduce reverb, which wasn't really apparent but I thought it couldn't hurt.

 

First sound impression: They sound like the velours but more balanced. They still sound as dynamic, so bass is much more punchy than with the jergpads. But mostly imaging and soundstage is back, it is amazing.

 

The jergpads do sound more romantic though, however I like a more dynamic sound.

I'll open up a new thread where I'll write up a how-to marleypads in case anyone is interested in replicating this experiment.

 

p.s. When I say jergpads, I mean my implementation of the jergpads. Maybe I did something wrong? But I think most of the problems of the jergpads (smaller soundstage, slightly slower sound) are inherent problems of the pleather pads. They are less deep and softer.

Also major props to my girlfriend since she did all the stitching and pattern designing!

Hey! I would love to hear bout this mod..update us when u have it online if u can ok? Thanks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marleybob217 

Yeah sort of, things sound is a bit slower and warmer on the jergpads. It's a little bit like the HD650.

 

With dynamic I mean more punch to the sound, specifically more punch in the bass.

 

The main differences between the jergpads and marleypads are the following: the marleypads seem to have better imaging, a bigger soundstage, tighter and punchier bass but the mids and treble are pretty much identical. I definitely like the marleypads better (biased much?) however some might like the jergpads more. It's much closer to the sound of the HD650.

 

The jergpads are still undefeated in terms of comfort. I did soak the velours in soapy water, which did make them a bit softer.

But I think that the hardness of the pads actually contributes to the dynamic sound of the velours.

Soapy water? Now i am confused..somewhere else a person states to wet the pads with just water..and then push the water out a couple of times and let it dry..but now u say soapy water? Guys..whats better???

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 

Soapy water? Now i am confused..somewhere else a person states to wet the pads with just water..and then push the water out a couple of times and let it dry..but now u say soapy water? Guys..whats better???

I actually thought the guy said to use soapy water before he said just water :p

The question is: How dirty is earpad? I don't think it matters much for the softness of the pad though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 

Hey! I would love to hear bout this mod..update us when u have it online if u can ok? Thanks!!

I'm writing it up tomorrow, it's currently 3:20 am so I should sleep...

Quote:

Originally Posted by merkil 


So you need to convert to xlr first and then to taps? You can't make a straight cable from trs to taps?

You can't use a TRS (3 conductor) and mate it to the 4-pin XLR.  A speaker amp or receiver, can't (in most cases) operate with both ground (negative) signals connected together.  There are very few that will allow the ground to operate in such a manner.  Very few.  In fact, I'm not even sure on which ones to name, since I've only heard of a few pieces in passing.  Yet, 99% of all the other gear requires the use of 4 separate conductors (2 Positive, 2 Negative.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wje 

 

You can't use a TRS (3 conductor) and mate it to the 4-pin XLR.  A speaker amp or receiver, can't (in most cases) operate with both ground (negative) signals connected together.  There are very few that will allow the ground to operate in such a manner.  Very few.  In fact, I'm not even sure on which ones to name, since I've only heard of a few pieces in passing.  Yet, 99% of all the other gear requires the use of 4 separate conductors (2 Positive, 2 Negative.)

You can with the emotiva.  the emotiva has separate grounds. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac336 

You can with the emotiva.  the emotiva has separate grounds. 

Thanks for the clarification.  I knew there were a few, and yes, the Emotiva is one of them.

So how was the Asgard 1 with the HE-400 overall? Did it drive them well? Anybody have any insight to whether it might be a good idea to find an Asgard one for cheap second hand once the price goes down, as it should, as a secondary rig/bedroom rig/etc? Any insights to whether it drives the Mad Dogs and LCD 2 as well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

So how was the Asgard 1 with the HE-400 overall? Did it drive them well? Anybody have any insight to whether it might be a good idea to find an Asgard one for cheap second hand once the price goes down, as it should, as a secondary rig/bedroom rig/etc? Any insights to whether it drives the Mad Dogs and LCD 2 as well?

If you check, people are trying to sell the Asgard 1 at the moment in the F/S forum for $190.  You always have the right not to buy, but as much as I'd like to think that the price should go down, as do you, it's really hard to tell.  All the Schiit Asgard 1 sellers have to do, is offer to ship their product to International destinations and they will still sell at the asking price.  However, as buyers in the U.S., we have the right to go and buy our Shiit directly from Schiit, so we don't have to buy our Schiit from the F/S forum.

Hmm ... saying Schiit 3 times in a single sentence be a violation of forum policy? After all, this is supposed to be a family friendly forum.

However, in all honesty, I'd still consider the Emotiva amp option for $219 and go with speaker taps and the XLR 4-pin "balanced" connection over the $249 Schiit Asgard 2 amplifier option.  Such an option, would give your HE-400s the right "juice" without a doubt, and have a 2nd life, if you wanted to re-purpose the amp at a later time for an audio setup.  Just my .02

But, I should probably refrain from talking about the HE-400, because I've sold off my pair.  I'm HifiMAN "free" at the moment.  Too many other "distractions" in my life at the moment took me away from being able to properly enjoy them.

Hello everyone, I'm pondering whether to sell my Q701 and get HE400. (Currently using Q701 & Audinst Hud MX1). I like the combo a lot but can't properly enjoy bass heavy and electronic music as I find Q701 's treble a bit too much with some genres and songs. Lately I've been listening to electronica - Aphex Twin, Autechre and such. Would HE400 suit me well? I want more bass extension and less treble than what Q701's have to offer

I've read few posts stating that HE400 are sibilant and bright - any truth to that? Do you guys reckon Audinst HUD MX1 would go well with HE400? Thanks in advance.