[Richsvt]

I just pulled the trigger on a pair. This will be my first planar magnetic phone. Can't wait to hear all the things I've been only reading about so far. Does it still use the same plug configuration as the older HE series?

 

[TeskR]

I just pulled the trigger on a pair. This will be my first planar magnetic phone. Can't wait to hear all the things I've been only reading about so far. Does it still use the same plug configuration as the older HE series?

Its got a right angle 1/8 inch jack, with a 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter.

 

[Richsvt]

Thanks, sorry meant to ask about the connector on the ear cup side. Is it still that screw-on type?

 

[NotaLefty]

Thanks, sorry meant to ask about the connector on the ear cup side. Is it still that screw-on type?

Yes.

 

[Richsvt]

Ok then, thanks

 

[zeissiez]

I have the 400i with me for a month now. I like it a lot. Previously, the D5000 was my fun can. The 400i replaces it now.

The greatest qualities of the 400i in my opinion is intimacy of the mid, openness, clarity, transparency, details, tonal balance and timbral accuracy. It's hell of a bargain for this kind of sound. Surely, if the bass is tilted up a bit more like the D5000 will be more fun sounding. And layering compared to the big boys is a bit limited. But even without that doesn't take away how much it achieves.

Compared to the 560, the 400i sounds much more closed in while the 560 has a more laid back presentation. The 560 has better bass extension and more articulate there. Overall, the 560 sounds more refined. It's quite straight forward choosing between the two, pop 400i, classical 560. The 400i doesn't scale so much. Straight from my iPhone 5, it sounds great. With my SPL Phonitor, there's better authority and better transparency, but not as much as the big cans. The small plugs suggests that it's meant for portable devices.

Vs the hd650 via the SPL Phonitor, the 400i has much better clarity, wider soundstage and more detailed. The hd650 is mid focused. Vocal is great for both.

All in all, i think it's probably the best bang for the buck in the market at this moment.

 

[Ekul61]

Not was well as I would have liked.  The Dogs are clearly great headphones, and gave me a lot of good listening over the past year.  The 400i's are simply better all-around headphones for me, and very genre neutral.  The Dogs shined on stellar material, but fell flat compared to the 400i's on the majority of my collection.

That being the case, I just mailed the Dogs to Mr. Speakers for the upgrade to the Alpha Prime.  Even if they are stellar, flagship-level headphones, the 400i's seem like the best deal in the entire hobby to me right now.  They just amaze me on every amp I have, and every source, including my darn HTC One cellphone.

im starting to hear that the 400i is every bit as good as the 560

 

[torta]

My demo HE-400i's sounded so much better after I burned them in for 150 hours. And they were even better when I put in Telefunken E88CC platinum tubes, so burn them in a bit, and with any luck they will sound good to you.

Oh, where are the tube sockets hidden? Would love a bit of tube sound myself

 

[reddog]

Oh, where are the tube sockets hidden? Would love a bit of tube sound myself

I was using a lyr 2 to drive He-400i.

 

[q2klepto]

Has anyone replaced the stock Focus Pads with something like Audeze Lamskin/Vegan Pads on the 400i? I'm thinking itll increase soundstage, but not sure how itll affect sound. 

 

[RingingEars]

I just wanted to stop by and sub to this thread.
I got in on the Geek pulse+HE-400i deal so I should see the 400i in April/May(maybe March. Not sure yet).
Anyway. Just wanted to say hi. I will be a new member to the 400i club soon

 

[RingingEars]

+1 Frank Zappa and King Crimson are fantastic. A friend gave me cd's of Yes and I rarely listen to that type of pop music. And I rarely base my listening habits on how many chaps listen to a particular group.

Really? Yes? Ok I'll give you guys Boston, but Yes? Yes I like Yes 

 

[kcazbarach]

can anyone do a direct comparison on the he 400is to the he 400s in terms of comfort?
 
I pretty much had to do the headphone mod because of the comfort of the 400s (or lack thereof).

 

[beaver316]

  can anyone do a direct comparison on the he 400is to the he 400s in terms of comfort?
 
I pretty much had to do the headphone mod because of the comfort of the 400s (or lack thereof).

 
When I had the HE-400 comfort was so-so. Clamp was fine, but almost every session I would get pain on the top of my head since the padding is almost non-existent. 
 
With the HE-400i I have no complaints whatsoever. Clamp was a little tight at first but I stretched out the headband a little and now it's perfect. And off course there are no pressure points since it's using the suspension style headband. 
 
And lastly about the pads, the HE-400i Focus pads are softer, thicker and use a better velour material than the HE-400 pads.
 
All in all, HE-400i wins comprehensively.

 

[mandrake50]

I just wanted to stop by and sub to this thread.
I got in on the Geek pulse+HE-400i deal so I should see the 400i in April/May(maybe March. Not sure yet).
Anyway. Just wanted to say hi. I will be a new member to the 400i club soon

I bought into the 560 plus Pulse deal. I would like to think that perhaps the phones may be shipped sooner than the pulse. It has been asked whether this could happen on the LH forums. Larry said he thought that it could. Look for an announcement. I sure hope they do something like that. I hate to wait 6 or 7 months for something that they can have in stock in a few days or so.

BTW, I agree with Beaver316. The 400i is way, way more comfortable to use, long term, than the 400.