**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread** - Page 555

Did you order them with the velour pads? I'm not sure if they come with them or not, but if they don't, try giving them an order. 

The sound is different with both, so it doesn't hurt to find out which one suits you best. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techno Kid 

 

From all the impressions and reviews I've seen I'm pretty sure I'll like them a lot, I'll have them tomorrow so I'm getting excited.

EDM is not my thing, but HE-400 is probably perfect for the genre. If this is your first mid-fi full-size, I'm sure you'll be impressed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniping 

To me, HE-400 is really really good with EDM. I think you'll like the HE-400, but that's just me. 

HE-400 is definitely great for EDM. Such clean and crisp bass that can hit amazingly low. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

The jergpad measurements got finished. Thanks purrin!

 

1. FR; green = jergpads, blue = velour

 

 

(Note that these measurements are with v1 of jergpad; v2 is more open-sounding with better bass extension)

 

Overall much more even and full upper end, less peaks / dips, sibilants would thus be tamed as reflected by my subjective impressions. 

 

Things that are not readily shown by the measurements are that the midrange is much thicker and more satisfying with the jergpads, without the glare/ringing of stock pleathers.

Cool.

Now you have to get the 1.0/2.0 strapped on to the HE-400s! I can't relate to the HE-500s so this is not necessarily telling me much. Also, on my monitor, it is extremely difficult to see that dark blue line.

What stands out the most is the approximately 10 dB boost the Jergpads gave what looks like 6 kHz or so. Certainly, the upper treble regions are a little flatter as a result. Otherwise, there appears to be a fairly slight bump in its deep bass region, and a dip around 2 khz or so. The HE-500 is an interesting plot - it seems to have about 3 prominent response peaks, but it otherwise relatively flat.

Well, after some initial burn in, I am loving these headphones, just loving them.  They have enough bass to be enjoyable on EDM, and just sound glorious on alt/rock.  I'm looking forward to when these reach closer to the full burn in period!  I might down the line look into switching to different pads, but so far I adore these!

Which reminds me, may as well let these burn in and enjoy my other headphones while I still can...

Hi everyone, 

I was wondering if I could get a little clarification on something. I recently received a Marantz 2245 vintage receiver in pretty good condition. Hooked it up to my PC with RCA to 3.5mm jack. The sound in incredible. The HE-400 really punches my head with that bass whenever I listen to EDM. The only problem I am having though is that there is a good amount of static in the background. This is very apparent when listening to quieter songs like Jazz. 

Does anyone who has experience with connecting vintage receivers to their PC know where the static is coming from? My guess is the sound card and internals of the computer are causing some static. In which case I am assuming a DAC will fix this.

I currently don't have a DAC as it is currently in the mail. (FedEx made some mistakes and the DAC has been sent left and right, hell and back). I ordered the Schiit Modi and I'm really hoping this is the fix I am looking for to tame that occasional heavy static. Can anyone offer any input on this? Does the fact the Modi uses USB to connect to the PC change anything? 

Thanks, 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saoshyant 

Well, after some initial burn in, I am loving these headphones, just loving them.  They have enough bass to be enjoyable on EDM, and just sound glorious on alt/rock.  I'm looking forward to when these reach closer to the full burn in period!  I might down the line look into switching to different pads, but so far I adore these!

 

Which reminds me, may as well let these burn in and enjoy my other headphones while I still can...

There's no change in this headphones after any specific hour of listening.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

There's no change in this headphones after any specific hour of listening.

This has been my experience too. Everything has been consistent from when it was fresh out of the box until now. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

There's no change in this headphones after any specific hour of listening.

Except for hours 37-46. Those hours are awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohnoitztotoro

Hi everyone,

 

I was wondering if I could get a little clarification on something. I recently received a Marantz 2245 vintage receiver in pretty good condition. Hooked it up to my PC with RCA to 3.5mm jack. The sound in incredible. The HE-400 really punches my head with that bass whenever I listen to EDM. The only problem I am having though is that there is a good amount of static in the background. This is very apparent when listening to quieter songs like Jazz.

 

Does anyone who has experience with connecting vintage receivers to their PC know where the static is coming from? My guess is the sound card and internals of the computer are causing some static. In which case I am assuming a DAC will fix this.

 

I currently don't have a DAC as it is currently in the mail. (FedEx made some mistakes and the DAC has been sent left and right, hell and back). I ordered the Schiit Modi and I'm really hoping this is the fix I am looking for to tame that occasional heavy static. Can anyone offer any input on this? Does the fact the Modi uses USB to connect to the PC change anything?

 

Thanks,

Does it get louder as you increase volume? Is it a steady, smoothish pink noise type hiss or is it random and scratchy?

I can't wait to get mine tomorrow and am really tempted, yet scared, to try the Jerg mod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limniscate 

I can't wait to get mine tomorrow and am really tempted, yet scared, to try the Jerg mod.

Oh no rush. 

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the headphones' signature, appreciate its strengths and discriminate its weaknesses, then start contemplating mods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy4 

Does it get louder as you increase volume? Is it a steady, smoothish pink noise type hiss or is it random and scratchy?

Hard to say because when there is a lot going on during the song it is hard to tell. As far as I can tell, It does seem that it is a bit random and scratchy. I didn't hear a consistent pink noise hiss the entire time I was listening. Certain times the static would come up and then go away. I did not really test if it got louder with the volume increase so hard to tell. I can test that later tonight.  

Thanks again, 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohnoitztotoro 

 

Hard to say because when there is a lot going on during the song it is hard to tell. As far as I can tell, It does seem that it is a bit random and scratchy. I didn't hear a consistent pink noise hiss the entire time I was listening. Certain times the static would come up and then go away. I did not really test if it got louder with the volume increase so hard to tell. I can test that later tonight.  

 

Thanks again, 

Well if it's not at that loud of a volume in comparison to the music it's going to be completely masked in busy parts of the song, whether it's interference, a low SNR, or whatever. A good track to test what it sounds like is just a silent track. Try "Magic Window" by Boards of Canada.

My guess is that it's either a combination of amplifying a not too clean signal from your soundcards headphone out, the receiver itself doesn't have that great of a SNR, or maybe even a ground loop(but that's usually more of a hum). If the static is not amplified depending on your volume but instead stays consistent regardless of where the volume knob is, then it is probably interference from some component in your computer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohnoitztotoro 


Thanks a lot for this. I've tried some quiet songs last night such as Diana Krall and there was definitely static in the background. If its the computer causing the static that's actually more relieving to me. Is it safe to say that I can most likely fix the static issue with an external DAC then? If so, would the schiit modi suffice?

If it is the computer causing the static, this would fix it. But if it is interference from some computer components, then you would also hear it when nothing is playing at all.

Just to make sure though, have you tried the he-400 with any other devices? Or any other headphones with this receiver/PC combo? It could possibly just be part of the recording and you didn't notice it before, as the HE-400's are really revealing when it comes to that kind of stuff.

EDIT: Also, what kind of soundcard do you have?