HiFiMan HE4XX
May 9, 2018 at 9:42 AM Post #481 of 1,381
Ok, thank you for all of your input. Comfort is a huge factor. And my small head another huge factor haha. I'll likely grab the HE4XX then and worse case scenario I'll do what Loki993 said and sell them and grab something else. I'm trying so hard to not get sucked in and buy and try too much but i'm failing lol.

Well I have done the buy and try on more than a few headphones. I list out my reviews, small reviews, on each in my personal info.

https://www.head-fi.org/members/humblepie.478484/
 
May 16, 2018 at 10:34 AM Post #483 of 1,381
I just saw the InnerFidelity measurements of HE4XX and got really confused by the efficiency measurements. As per this, HE4XX efficiency is only 88.2 dB/mW SPL and not 93, as rated at Massdrop. How reliable is this? InnerFidelity measurements seems to be accepted my most, but as I am new to this, I am not sure.
 
May 16, 2018 at 10:42 AM Post #485 of 1,381
That is understandable, but this is around 5 dB/mW worse than the rated value. Relatively, those measurements show HE400i to have an efficiency within 1 dB/mW of the rated values. How can be the rated values be this off the mark?
 
May 16, 2018 at 11:17 PM Post #486 of 1,381
I just saw the InnerFidelity measurements of HE4XX and got really confused by the efficiency measurements. As per this, HE4XX efficiency is only 88.2 dB/mW SPL and not 93, as rated at Massdrop. How reliable is this? InnerFidelity measurements seems to be accepted my most, but as I am new to this, I am not sure.

Sensitivity is xxdB/1mW, efficiency is xxdB/1V. Generally the latter has a higher dB value. Also it isn't all that uncommon for manufacturers to take the efficiency value and call it "sensitivity" (AKG used to do this), advertise only efficiency given the higher dB value (Sennheiser, AKG, etc), only state the dB value with no denominator/ratio to mW or V, if not outright take the higher dB value from efficiency and slap it over 1mW.

Or since this is measured at a particular frequecy, some manufacturers will not state "at 1000hz" and instead measure it at a frequency where it's stronger than 1000hz, like somewhere between 50hz and 150hz. Then buyers don't complain about it being "hard to drive" since they get loud and clean enough bass if the driver isn't as susceptible to driver distortion and damping factor issues.
 
May 17, 2018 at 12:17 AM Post #487 of 1,381
Sensitivity is xxdB/1mW, efficiency is xxdB/1V. Generally the latter has a higher dB value. Also it isn't all that uncommon for manufacturers to take the efficiency value and call it "sensitivity" (AKG used to do this), advertise only efficiency given the higher dB value (Sennheiser, AKG, etc), only state the dB value with no denominator/ratio to mW or V, if not outright take the higher dB value from efficiency and slap it over 1mW.

Or since this is measured at a particular frequecy, some manufacturers will not state "at 1000hz" and instead measure it at a frequency where it's stronger than 1000hz, like somewhere between 50hz and 150hz. Then buyers don't complain about it being "hard to drive" since they get loud and clean enough bass if the driver isn't as susceptible to driver distortion and damping factor issues.

Sorry, it seems like I mistook sensitivity for efficiency. But the matter at hand remains. Hifiman or any other manufacturer should have their own standard method for testing all their headphones, right? They quote 93 dB SPL/mW for 400i and 98 dB SPL/mW for 400s. Innerfidelity measurements shows similar values. But for 4XX, eventhough they quote 93 dB SPL/mW, the measurement shows 88 dB SPL/mW. With this, most sub-$300 (or even sub$500) portable headphone amplifiers that I was looking at won't be able to drive them to 115 dB.

PS: I was seriously considering ditching my desktop amp for a fully portable solution as some tests showed that I can make do with 115 dB.
 
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Jun 1, 2018 at 1:40 AM Post #488 of 1,381
Just got these. Not really a fan, actually. I guess I like REALLY warm headphones... love how fast this driver is but the SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. You know what I mean. Not the typical planar bass either. Treble reminds me like a less harsh DT770. Guitars really shine. If you hate how warm HD650's and want more treble, these are for you.
 
Jun 1, 2018 at 3:36 AM Post #489 of 1,381
Burn in give them better bass (as well as a capable amp) but they are not basshead phones, sure.

For my ears, like them, without grills.
Lot of air and details. At the price of somewhat arsh treble on bad recordings, of course.
Nice bass, to my taste.
It let me enjoy my music.
 
Jun 10, 2018 at 11:07 PM Post #491 of 1,381
Does anyone make a decent two or three meter replacement cable for these (that doesn't cost an arm and leg)?

The only compatible replacement I've got is a balanced Periapt cable. It's great, but maybe getting into "arm and a leg" territory at a little less than half the cost of the HE-4XX. A single ended version is a bit cheaper.
 
Jun 10, 2018 at 11:31 PM Post #492 of 1,381
The only compatible replacement I've got is a balanced Periapt cable. It's great, but maybe getting into "arm and a leg" territory at a little less than half the cost of the HE-4XX. A single ended version is a bit cheaper.

Thanks for that. Yeah, looking for single-ended, for now. It's a bit more than I had hoped, but the only others I'm finding are Chinese cables with 1/4" adapters (which I detest). I'll check them out. Thanks again. :metal:
 
Jun 10, 2018 at 11:52 PM Post #493 of 1,381
Jun 12, 2018 at 6:51 PM Post #495 of 1,381
Would the Alex Cavalli Tube Hybrid (CTH) by Massdrop be a good match for the HiFiMAN HE-4XX?

What about the Little Dot mk II?

What headphone amp would you recommend for these headphones?

I currently have a FXAudio SQ5, an SMSL sanskrit 6 and an Allo BOSS Dac mounted on a Raspberry Pi with the before mentioned headphone amps.

Thanks.
 

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