[MattTCG]

Quote:

Nah, I don't like messing with EQ. I'm really happy with them as is. I'm just really spoiled by the D7000 and Pro 900's bass. If I get the E17 in the future, I'll probably use a low level bass boost. I like the E17 because I'll be able to tone down the Pro 900's treble as well. This is a what if, however.
I do have a reason to use the Pro 900s. They isolate well, and I tend to listen to my pc setup during late hours. I can't do it with the HE400, as my roomate sleeps with the door open, and would definitely hear the HE400.
Also, the Pro 900 is considerably easier to lay in bed with while gaming. The HE400 tends to be masked by my pillow, and you know how sensitive the HE400 is when the drivers get even partially covered. I have to use them sitting up.

 
Just wanted to say that the hardware eq on the e17 works wonderfully well. The he400 responds well to eq tweaks from the e17. I listen to most all hp's flat. But I will occasionally hit the bass for about +4 and he400 likes it just fine. 

 

[Hakone]

Okay, just switched to velours. I now really get what the fuzz is about. I like how they sort of "opened up" in the sense that the upper register became clearer and the bass was placed in a more natural position.
 
It might just be me listening a tad differently, but I swear detail retrieval became even better too. Anyway, it is now time to check out long time wearing comfort. 

 

[TMRaven]

I wonder what his previous headphones were.

 

[jfindon]

I'm really getting annoyed that my replacement velour hasn't come back to me yet, and I have no idea where it is   Shipped it back last Tuesday and it was delivered to them on Thursday.  I wish I knew what was going on.

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

I'm really getting annoyed that my replacement velour hasn't come back to me yet, and I have no idea where it is   Shipped it back last Tuesday and it was delivered to them on Thursday.  I wish I knew what was going on.

 
I hope that you at least ordered two pair. For the price, two pair is mandatory.

 

[wje]

Quote:

Nah, I don't like messing with EQ. I'm really happy with them as is. I'm just really spoiled by the D7000 and Pro 900's bass. If I get the E17 in the future, I'll probably use a low level bass boost. I like the E17 because I'll be able to tone down the Pro 900's treble as well. This is a what if, however.
 

 
I don't think I've seen so many contradictions in one paragraph before. 

 

 

1. First, you don't like messing with EQ.
2. Then, if you get the E17 amp, you probably use the low level bass boost.
3. Also, if you get the E17, you'll tone down the treble on the Pro 900s.

 
So, you really don't like to mess with EQ because you desire to use the bass boost on the E17 (if purchased) and then tone the treble down on the Pro 900s.  In all reality, using EQ settings are far better than using bass boosting and the single treble control.  The problem with both features on the E17 is that they are tied to a specific frequency on the lower end and also the higher end.  Meanwhile, if an EQ were used, you would have much more *precise* control over the frequencies of issue.
 
I wasn't trying to creat a disturbance by pointing these items out.  Just simply trying to understand the rationalism for using bass and treble controls, but not liking EQ controls.

 

[Fearless1]

Quote:

I also received my HE-400 yesterday and I have to say they are a little different from what I was expecting. I'm already 5 hours into them, so I don't know if they are burned in enough to give a quick review, but I think I'll give my 2 cents so far. The EQ is very flat with the mids being a tad bit recessed. The soundstage isn't very big and the imaging isn't defined enough to perk my ears . I would describe it as a "in-your-head" sound. One thing is for certain...this is a dark headphone...and warm too. Combined with the relatively flat sound signature, I would describe it as very safe. A slight coloration is apparent, which does make the mids pop out a bit. I actually think the mids seem a bit boring. The instrumentation sounds too close and coercive. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I was leaning towards a slightly separated sound signature with vocals that are a bit more forward.
 
The HE-400 blend the vocals in well...like a human statue cemented deeply in a wall with a few body parts shallowly sticking out. The vocals aren't audacious as to reach out and touch you, rather they want you to be pulled in. I was listening to Dave Matthews Band and a couple of other bands, and everything sounded very temperate and "together." 
There isn't much of a sparkle in the highs. I was trying to listen for some crispiness in the treble, but alas, this is a dark hp. I would describe the highs as kind of tame and even a bit rolled-off. The highs are very easy-going and comfortable to listen to. The bass isn't that strong in my opinion. I didn't think of myself as a basshead, but after listening to this hp, I think I might be. There were a few instances where the bass did come alive, but when it did, I didn't jump out of my seat. It is definitely not overbearing and prominent. For the most part, I would describe it as being very mellow..like a cat brushing itself against your leg. 
 
Overall, I would say I'm not totally impressed, but that's probably to be expected with only 5 hrs. time. By the way, I'm using a yamaha htr-5590 receiver to drive it and it drives the HE-400 fine. I find myself reaching for the bass knob and turning it to 3 o'clock (12 o'clock is neutral). I give the treble a bit of a push as well to 2 o' clock. My setup was connecting my ipod and my CD player (via optical cable) to the receiver. It's probably not the most ideal setup, but I figured it was good enough to start off with. I am thinking of getting a e17 pretty soon. By then, I will have probably have burned them in enough to witness a slight change in sound 

Plain and simple you are not giving them enough power.

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

 
I don't think I've seen so many contradictions in one paragraph before. 

 

 

1. First, you don't like messing with EQ.
2. Then, if you get the E17 amp, you probably use the low level bass boost.
3. Also, if you get the E17, you'll tone down the treble on the Pro 900s.

 
So, you really don't like to mess with EQ because you desire to use the bass boost on the E17 (if purchased) and then tone the treble down on the Pro 900s.  In all reality, using EQ settings are far better than using bass boosting and the single treble control.  The problem with both features on the E17 is that they are tied to a specific frequency on the lower end and also the higher end.  Meanwhile, if an EQ were used, you would have much more *precise* control over the frequencies of issue.
 
I wasn't trying to creat a disturbance by pointing these items out.  Just simply trying to understand the rationalism for using bass and treble controls, but not liking EQ controls.

 
wje, what may have neglected to take into account is that Christmas came early for this poor boy. He has been waiting, somewhat impatiently, for the big day and arrival of this wonderful hp. Now, during the posting of his comments, you must also consider that he is most likely headphone intoxicated, deprived of sleep and other bodily necessities. Hence the reason for his somewhat erratic comments. 

 

[jerg]

Quote:

 
I don't think I've seen so many contradictions in one paragraph before. 

 

 

1. First, you don't like messing with EQ.
2. Then, if you get the E17 amp, you probably use the low level bass boost.
3. Also, if you get the E17, you'll tone down the treble on the Pro 900s.

 
So, you really don't like to mess with EQ because you desire to use the bass boost on the E17 (if purchased) and then tone the treble down on the Pro 900s.  In all reality, using EQ settings are far better than using bass boosting and the single treble control.  The problem with both features on the E17 is that they are tied to a specific frequency on the lower end and also the higher end.  Meanwhile, if an EQ were used, you would have much more *precise* control over the frequencies of issue.
 
I wasn't trying to creat a disturbance by pointing these items out.  Just simply trying to understand the rationalism for using bass and treble controls, but not liking EQ controls.

 
I think it's just a matter of personal preference with regards to hardware vs software equalizations. A lot of people really despise software EQ.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy
 
"I don't know how these are 'dark', but I'm not hearing it. perhaps with the pleather pads, they were certainly warmer and less airy, but not with the velours. The clarity was definitely improved, and with it came a slight tonal shift towards more brightness than with the stock pads, yet still wonderfully organic and meaty."

 
I do have the pleather pads and have ordered the velours, so they should be coming in by the end of the week. I curious to see how the tone will change. I hope they are a bit brighter. I still think they are on the dark/warm side. I feel like I'm wrapped in a warm blanket drinking a cup of hot cocoa. I think I might have developed an affinity for bright headphones, so I will probably have to develop an ear for the dark sound. Maybe it's from being surrounded by low-quality headphones all these years? 

 
 
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy
 
"Marty, your receiver may also be on the warm side, making the He400 sound darker than it truly is.

Also, you sure yours are the latest revision? Your post sounds like what I expect in the original HE400."

 
You might be right...but then again, I don't have another headphone/amp to compare it with. I am pretty sure my headphone is the latest revision. If I'm not mistaken, the 1/4 inch jack is the attachment and the 3.5 mm jack is fixed?

 

[jerg]

Quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy
 
I don't know how these are 'dark', but I'm not hearing it. perhaps with the pleather pads, they were certainly warmer and less airy, but not with the velours. The clarity was definitely improved, and with it came a slight tonal shift towards more brightness than with the stock pads, yet still wonderfully organic and meaty.

 
I do have the pleather pads and have ordered the velours, so they should be coming in by the end of the week. I curious to see how the tone will change. I hope they are a bit brighter. I still think they are on the dark/warm side. I feel like I'm wrapped in a warm blanket drinking a cup of hot cocoa. I think I might have developed an affinity for bright headphones, so I will probably have to develop an ear for the dark sound. Maybe it's from being surrounded by low-quality headphones all these years? 

 
 
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy
 
Marty, your receiver may also be on the warm side, making the He400 sound darker than it truly is.

Also, you sure yours are the latest revision? Your post sounds like what I expect in the original HE400.

 
You might be right...but then again, I don't have another headphone/amp to compare it with. I am pretty sure my headphone is the latest revision. If I'm not mistaken, the 1/4 inch jack is the attachment and the 3.5 mm jack is fixed?

 
The velours raise the upper midrange / lower treble considerably, as well as broaden the treble shelf of mid/upper treble:
 
So it does in fact depress the darkness. Also the velours reduce a few midrange humps considerably too.

 

[wje]

Quote:

Marty, your receiver may also be on the warm side, making the He400 sound darker than it truly is.
 

 
Actually, before I was addicted to crack headphone audio, I was heavily into the home theater scene with a secondary interest on 2-channel audio.  At the time, the Yamaha HTR-55## series of receivers were far from warm receivers.  They were thin and bright sounding -- yet, far from being warm.
 
I think that they are not getting a properly amount of current supplied to them.  I wouldn't use that particular Yamaha receiver as a benchmark to judge headphones on.  If the HE-400s are not sounding somewhat decent with it, then it is also quite unlikely that other headphones will sound good with it, too.  That particular receiver was made during a time period where manufacturers were fudging lots of numbers on their specs and basically making cheap, low-quality gear.  However, surprisingly, the gear that is being produced today by Yamaha is along the likes of some of their original gear - is of better quality and is more neutral sounding, just as it should be. 

 

[Pulse14]

I is sad

 
Email sent this morning to the US customer service division, waiting to hear back.

 

[wje]

Quote:

I is sad
 
 
Email sent this morning to the US customer service division, waiting to hear back.

 
That looks like a knife cut on the cable and the strain relief. 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Let me clarify: Outside of hardware subtle bass boosts (like on the Fiio E7, and which I rarely used), I don't mess with broadrange EQ or whatnot. Everytime I've tried it, it usually makes things a little worse.

I prefer to keep the headphone's innate sound and become used to it, as you can't EQ or boost every device you plug your headphones into, so I expect the sound to be what I'm used to, for the most part.