[MartynB85]

Has anyone here compared these to the Focal Elear? I know there is a massive price difference but is there anything you prefer about the 400i to the Elear?

 

[HungryPanda]

two totally different headphones (400i is Planar magnetic, Elear is Dynamic). As you say vastly different in price so I see no point in comparing them.

 

[MartynB85]

  two totally different headphones (400i is Planar magnetic, Elear is Dynamic). As you say vastly different in price so I see no point in comparing them.

It wasn't a comparison exactly that I was looking for. Yes they are very different, the only reason I ask in that I have the 400i but am thinking of buying the Elear. 

 

[DavidA]

 
It wasn't a comparison exactly that I was looking for. Yes they are very different, the only reason I ask in that I have the 400i but am thinking of buying the Elear. 

While I haven't heard the Elear yet a friend who has them and the Utopia told me to pass on the Elear since it might sound lifeless to me since he knows my taste in sound signature.  He said to think of the HD-650 with better defined bass and a slightly more rolled of highs to get an idea of the Elear, so for me I already think the HD-650 is not the most exciting headphone so the Elear mght sound too dark/warm for me.

 

[Sinox33]

I just got my 400i a week ago and so far I am not that impressed
 
Headphone is used or burned between 10 to 20 hours
 
It just didn't meet my expectations that were "wow this headphone is going to sound fantastic"..
 
This is my first pair of planar magnetic headphones
 
Is it because the headphones aren't burned in completely?
 
I really want to like these and enjoy them as much as possible...
 
I am using a Creative Sound Blaster Z as a dac and amp
 
Honestly I felt like it's my old HyperX cloud but with more treble and imaging.. no more upgrades after these
HyperX Cloud is a gaming headset 

 

[DavidA]

  I just got my 400i a week ago and so far I am not that impressed
 
It just didn't meet my expectations that were "wow this headphone is going to sound fantastic"..
 
This is my first pair of planar magnetic headphones
 
Is it because the headphones aren't burned in completely?
 
I really want to like these and enjoy them as much as possible...
 
I am using a Creative Sound Blaster Z as a dac and amp

what were your previous headphones?  what genre of music do you prefer?  What were your expectations of the HE-400i?
 
Burn-in will not change the sound that much, if any.
 
I've never tried the SB Z but out of a Xonar DG the HE-400i is decent.  Mine are the older back plate version and have been modded with a more open grill and sorbothane in the cups.

 

[peter123]

  I just got my 400i a week ago and so far I am not that impressed
 
Headphone is used or burned between 10 to 20 hours
 
It just didn't meet my expectations that were "wow this headphone is going to sound fantastic"..
 
This is my first pair of planar magnetic headphones
 
Is it because the headphones aren't burned in completely?
 
I really want to like these and enjoy them as much as possible...
 
I am using a Creative Sound Blaster Z as a dac and amp
 
Honestly I felt like it's my old HyperX cloud but with more treble and imaging.. no more upgrades after these
HyperX Cloud is a gaming headset 

I don't think that burn in will make much difference. Nothing is for everyone so if you're happy with the Hyper X Cloud I'd suggest you sell the HE400i, stick to the Cloud's and use your money on something that you value more. This is not sarcasm but the reality of life 

 
I've got  the Takstar Pro80 (which is the non-gaming original headphones that the Cloud's are based on) and although they're very good for their price I don't hear them as being anywhere near the level of perfomance that the HE400i offers. We all hear things different and like I said, if it's not worth it to you spend your money on somethinbg that is important to you instead and you'll be more happy 

 
Just my 2c.............

 

[Sinox33]

 I edited my answer and wrote :
 
Honestly I felt like it's my old HyperX cloud but with more treble and imaging.. no more upgrades after these
HyperX Cloud is a gaming headset 
 
I prefer trance, chillout, ambient, some pop some metal and about rarely hip hop and rap

 

[Sinox33]

  what were your previous headphones?  what genre of music do you prefer?  What were your expectations of the HE-400i?
 
Burn-in will not change the sound that much, if any.
 
I've never tried the SB Z but out of a Xonar DG the HE-400i is decent.  Mine are the older back plate version and have been modded with a more open grill and sorbothane in the cups.

Honestly I felt like it's my old HyperX cloud but with more treble and imaging.. no more upgrades after these
HyperX Cloud is a gaming headset 
 
I prefer trance, chillout, ambient, some pop some metal and about rarely hip hop and rap

 

[DavidA]

  Honestly I felt like it's my old HyperX cloud but with more treble and imaging.. no more upgrades after these
HyperX Cloud is a gaming headset 
 
I prefer trance, chillout, ambient, some pop some metal and about rarely hip hop and rap

My suggestion is try and see if you can audition other headphones, you might like a HD-700, Grado 80e, or DT-990 for those genres that you listed.  Agree with the other poster that the HE-400i might just not be your cup of tea so if you can sell them you might want to move on to something else.

 

[Sinox33]

  I don't think that burn in will make much difference. Nothing is for everyone so if you're happy with the Hyper X Cloud I'd suggest you sell the HE400i, stick to the Cloud's and use your money on something that you value more. This is not sarcasm but the reality of life 

 
I've got  the Takstar Pro80 (which is the non-gaming original headphones that the Cloud's are based on) and although they're very good for their price I don't hear them as being anywhere near the level of perfomance that the HE400i offers. We all hear things different and like I said, if it's not worth it to you spend your money on somethinbg that is important to you instead and you'll be more happy 

 
Just my 2c.............

I don't know man I think I will try to use it more for atleast a month.. if nothing improved.. I will consider selling it
Thanks for your reply

 

[peter123]

  I don't know man I think I will try to use it more for atleast a month.. if nothing improved.. I will consider selling it
Thanks for your reply

That sounds like a wise idea. Try to use the HE400i exclusively for a week or so and then go back to the Cloud's, maybe that will make it more easy to hear the difference. Good luck!

 

[Sinox33]

  My suggestion is try and see if you can audition other headphones, you might like a HD-700, Grado 80e, or DT-990 for those genres that you listed.  Agree with the other poster that the HE-400i might just not be your cup of tea so if you can sell them you might want to move on to something else.

I'm hoping that it becomes my cup of tea after maybe let's say getting used to it after using it alot

.. I don't know I am kinda feeling pessimistic about the future 
Thanks

 

[DavidA]

  I'm hoping that it becomes my cup of tea after maybe let's say getting used to it after using it alot

.. I don't know I am kinda feeling pessimistic about the future 
Thanks

What are you looking for in terms of a sound signature?  Do you want a good solid bass?  Is sound stage and imaging important?  If gaming then you might want something with great positional audio.  I know it might be hard to put into words what you are looking for but don't give up, there is a headphone out there that will sound good to you, just need to do a little searching and coming to this thread you are on the right track.

 

[mrs1986]

  I'm hoping that it becomes my cup of tea after maybe let's say getting used to it after using it alot

.. I don't know I am kinda feeling pessimistic about the future 
Thanks

You will get used to the difference in sound and when you go back to the Hyper X's you will realize that you love the 400i's... It is happening to me, it is not instant love with these planar headphones...