**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 496

do your guys' he-400s slip off a bit when tilting your head back?

 

edit; i'm thinking it's just the weight of the headphones =/ to have such a strong clamp where it doesn't move around hurts my jaws

Edited by DFoo - 2/16/13 at 3:04am

 

Yes, because they weight 500 g :D Applies to all Hifiman cans probably :)

I find changing the pads so easy. Can't believe people have trouble doing it.

 

 

Using a speaker amp with the HifiMAN phones, in general, can result in benefits.  Usually, the speaker amp is less costly, and can provide more benefits and obviously, more benefits than a headphone amp.  There is a down-side, the size can be a bit prohibitive when using a speaker amp and the headphone amps tend to be a bit better sized.  Some headphone outputs on amps, as well as receivers, can be a limiting factor as the resistors and various components used in the circuit itself, can lead to a sound that is somewhat changed in character.  Sure, buying a good, but potentially costly headphone amp is a good direction.  However, similar, if not better results can be achieved in going with a speaker amp and balanced connectors.

 

I've been lured in all too many times to more portable amps designed for headphone use.  In the end, something just wasn't right, and there were not benefits that pleased me, so I made my journeys back to my full-sized, and less costly gear, but reap the benefits of better, and less restricted sound.

 

Just my .02 based on some real life experiences.

Edited by wje - 2/16/13 at 4:29am

  Only enough force to get the tabs into the slot.  This is rather plyable plastic we're dealing with, not something rigid, so they're going to have a give from the getgo.  It's not like they're going to be super hard to bend and then all of a sudden they give way and bam!  You just snapped an earpad.

 

 

 

Speaking of hard earpads, I'd like to see what some of these people having trouble with HE-400 pads say about AD700!

You don't need tools to replace the ear pads. That just invites scratching, puncturing, etc. These things were assembled in China after all.

 

I can usually slide the first 3 tabs in by "dropping" the rings in (east, west, and south). I then pinch the plastic ring and twist the last tab away from the cup until I can just barely snap it in place. When I think I have it in, I just spin he pad in the housing to make sure it is secure. Piece of cake.

Listening to some bamboo LCD2's that I just got from Headamp's loaner program.

First impression on sound: HE-400 bass + HD650 mids and treble + refinement = LCD2.

So if you love both the HE-400 for it's bass, and everything else on the HD650, the LCD2 is for you.

Hate the pads though. Seriously. UGH. And it has that airplane pressure feel when you put them on. Not the greatest feeling. The weight of the bamboo LCD2 doesn't feel much different from the HE-400, so that's not really a concern.

Really wish I had the vegan pads.

Not gonna lie, I would sell the HE-400 and get the LCD2 + Vegan pads, as endgame. Can't afford it though, and I wouldn't give up my Annies for the air, soundstage, gaming prowess and comfort.

So basically

LCD2 + Annie = I'd be done.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 2/16/13 at 9:53am

I have the vegan pads, still not very comfortable.....

Well, I mainly mean for the change from sticky/hot pads, to something closer to velour. I'm sure I'd much prefer the vegan pads. Nothing else bothers me comnfort-wise. The airplane pressure is a bit bothersome though.

That sound is fantastic though. THAT BASS. It reaches doooooown.

Seriously though, the LCD2 sound-wise basically voids the need to have the HD650 and HE-400 at once, as long as the smoother treble is more preferable than the HE-400's sparkle.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 2/16/13 at 9:51am

Exceeellleenttt.  That's all I've ever asked for in a headphone: HD650 mids and highs with HE-400 bass and then some.  People have described as LCD-2 pads to give a vacuum like suction.  I sorta know what that means but I can't say I've ever experienced that on my ears before.  I guess I'll find out soon.  In the meantime I'll be taking my vacuum's hose and putting it to my ear.

I think you will be in love. Absolutely. Let me know how the Rosewood LCD2 feels on the head. The bamboo LCD-2's weight is basically a non-issue for me.

Dammit, why'd they have to be so expensive?

That's not to say the LCD2's sound is for everyone. The treble is gonna sound slightly veiled if people prefer HE-400 sparkle in comparison. It also sounds kind of like a closed headphone in air/soundstage.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 2/16/13 at 10:06am

The HE-400's weight is a non-issue for me, in fact I could go heavier and still be fine I think.  The only thing that bothers me about them is the pads, and I think the LCD-2 pads would be plush enough to negate that stiff-hard feeling the HE-400 pads give.

 

I'll also be able to figure and and resolve this whole 'LCD-2 has more impact but less bass presence or  LCD-2 has more bass presence compared to HE-400' ordeal.

I've been thoroughly impressed and pleased with the HE-400, but I'm not the only one.

 

I work at an audio/video production studio and there are DT-770 PROs provided for everyone, so I brought these in just to mix things up. As a woman from Finland I work with walked by, she could easily hear the music through the open grills and thought I listened to it too loudly. I gave them to her to see it wasn't loud. "You are right," she said, and went to hand them back. "Oh wait," she took the headphones again and listened for a minute. "Das high quality sound!"

 

Who am I to disagree?

That is a good description. They have that same addictive tonality as the HD-650s. Don't yell at me, but the J-money pads on the HE-400 really emulate that sound with a bit more sparkle. A/B comparing them (fast because I can change them quick!!!) they sound strikingly similar.