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Hifiman 400 vs Beyer DT880 question

post #1 of 16
2/10/13 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 

I think I have my target locked for the next headphone purchase. I'm looking at the Hifiman 400 planars and I was wondering how they stack up to the DT880.

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post #2 of 16
2/10/13 at 9:48pm

Comparisons have showed the HE-400 is better.

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post #3 of 16
2/10/13 at 9:58pm

Imo the DT880 is a bright, detailed headphone.  The HE-400 are a warm, more fun headphone (not to say it isn't detailed).  The mids are better on the 400, while on the DT880 it seemed to me like the mids were a bit distant.

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post #4 of 16
2/10/13 at 11:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

Comparisons have showed the HE-400 is better.

 

You probably need to expand on that statement a little.

 

(But you knew we weren't going to let you get away with that, didn't you? wink.gif)

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post #5 of 16
2/11/13 at 12:30am
Thread Starter 

I paid $350 for my 880's. The 400's are only $50 more. What I'm looking for is a step up in audio quality, moving from mid fi closer to hi fi.

 

I listen to a LOT of different styles of music so if I drop a lot on a headphone the one thing I ask is that it be a jack of all trades. If it gives great jazz, but rock sounds like a trashcan being destroyed with a jackhammer it won't work for me.

 

I can see the frequency responses but in actual listening how do they compare? Would I be better off buying a DT990 for instance or the HE400's?

 

I one day want to own some electrostatic speakers, until that day it looks like planars are the closest I can afford right now.
 

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post #6 of 16
2/11/13 at 2:15am

I'd like to hear some opinions on this, too. Sometimes it seems like the difference between hifi and midfi has more to do with price than anything. There's a significant percentage of people who say that they prefer the HE-400 to the HE-500, and then there are a lot of people who say that the HE-500 is as good as the HE-6. So then it would seem that the HE-400 is on a level playing field with hifi headphones. But I don't think very many people would say that that's the case. It would be interesting to hear what specific advantages and disadvantages people have heard in the HE-400 vs. the DT880's.

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post #7 of 16
2/11/13 at 2:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsujigiri View Post

I'd like to hear some opinions on this, too. Sometimes it seems like the difference between hifi and midfi has more to do with price than anything. There's a significant percentage of people who say that they prefer the HE-400 to the HE-500, and then there are a lot of people who say that the HE-500 is as good as the HE-6. So then it would seem that the HE-400 is on a level playing field with hifi headphones. But I don't think very many people would say that that's the case. It would be interesting to hear what specific advantages and disadvantages people have heard in the HE-400 vs. the DT880's.

The simple answer to your conundrum is that, preference does NOT equate to objective differences in performance.

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post #8 of 16
2/11/13 at 3:51am

HE-400s aren't better than the DT880s, merely a sidegrade with different sound signatures.

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post #9 of 16
2/11/13 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pp312 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

Comparisons have showed the HE-400 is better.

 

You probably need to expand on that statement a little.

 

(But you knew we weren't going to let you get away with that, didn't you? wink.gif)

I didn't think I was. I don't really feel like digging up the link of a comparison I saw..

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post #10 of 16
2/11/13 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kodhifi View Post

I think I have my target locked for the next headphone purchase. I'm looking at the Hifiman 400 planars and I was wondering how they stack up to the DT880.

 

Heya,

 

The HE400 might be technically better in some areas. But ultimately it's all about preference. I consider them equals. The HE400 is for someone who wants the Hifiman house signature sound, and planar mids, in the mid-fi budget range. The DT880 is for someone that wants the Beyer house signature sound, and a different comfort/built factor. The Beyer is more comfortable to me. The HE400 is a little more fun to me because it responds differently to amplification, and I like how orthos control mids/bass with plenty of current supplied from a good amplifier. So I prefer the sound of the HE400. But I prefer the build quality and comfort of the DT880.

 

Side grade, different flavor.

 

Very best,

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post #11 of 16
2/11/13 at 10:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

I didn't think I was. I don't really feel like digging up the link of a comparison I saw..

 

 

So you're simply referring to a subjective comparison you read somewhere? Your post seemed to imply a proven fact. 

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post #12 of 16
2/12/13 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pp312 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

I didn't think I was. I don't really feel like digging up the link of a comparison I saw..

 

 

So you're simply referring to a subjective comparison you read somewhere? Your post seemed to imply a proven fact. 

Haha, I guess sotongue.gif I have heard the DT880. I own it; no HE-400 though..frown.gif

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post #13 of 16
2/12/13 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kodhifi View Post

I think I have my target locked for the next headphone purchase. I'm looking at the Hifiman 400 planars and I was wondering how they stack up to the DT880.
I own both and use the he400, the 880 was my go to can before my he 400 kicked them out. Some advantages of the he 400 are speed and bass, and less fatiguing, disadvantage is comfort. Both are great. Have fun with whatever purchase you make.
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post #14 of 16
2/13/13 at 3:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

Haha, I guess sotongue.gif I have heard the DT880. I own it; no HE-400 though..frown.gif

 

Okay, you can make amends for that dreadful faux pas by giving us a brief but undoubtedly fascinating mini review of the 880. tongue.gif

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post #15 of 16
2/13/13 at 7:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pp312 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

Haha, I guess sotongue.gif I have heard the DT880. I own it; no HE-400 though..frown.gif

 

Okay, you can make amends for that dreadful faux pas by giving us a brief but undoubtedly fascinating mini review of the 880. tongue.gif

I'll give you one later. There at MCA right now..

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