HiFiMAN RE-400 Waterline review w/ pictures
1)Equipment and cabling
A)Headphones
HiFiMAN RE-400 Waterline
Type: Closed, tiny, in-ear, dynamic driver monitor
Frequency response: 15 - 22.000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ω (may vary by up to 10%)
Efficiency: 102 dB
Weight: 16 g (with cable)
MSRP: 99$ 79$
This was my first in-ear-monitor purchase. Also the very first IEM made by HiFiMAN. Their cheapest headphone yet, priced at 100 USD. How will these compare? They share the general HiFiMAN house sound and neutrality and [size=13px !important]offer[/size] good build quality as well. There is a dedicated RE-400 review below where all will be discussed and compared.
B)Amplifiers, Digital to Analog Converters, Preamplifiers and more
C)Cables
The RE-400 cable (not removable)
2)Unboxing and accessories
The RE-400 comes in a rectangular shaped glass-like box. The inside of the box is cut for the individual pieces found inside, that is the headphone, 6 different tips (one comes pre-installed) a clip and that’s about it. The box itself is made from two pieces and these like to fall apart a lot. It doesn’t really hold together well and it really contains only the most basic things. Although they come cheap, a better box would be nice.
Update: Now comes with a nice hard-shell carrying case, more ear-tips and even two pairs of foam tips [all reflected in comfort/fit]. Packaging rating improved.
Package overall 8.5/10
3)Design, build quality and comfort
A)Design/Build quality
I am glad I can say that the build quality of the RE-400 is the best yet of all the HiFiMAN headphones. The headphones look finished and sturdy and could definitely take some abuse. The only issue I had was with the jack of the cable, which snapped, but this was mainly my fault and was briskly replaced with a different jack by my local dealer.
The cable is a bit kinky and likes to get stuck on clothing but is in turn rubberized and of nice quality.
I am definitely happy with the overall feel of these headphones, from top to bottom they feel like a well-made product.
The shells are made of aluminium and feel great in the hand. The cable, on the other hand, ...
Update: The [cable's] build quality unfortunately did not hold up to initial expectations. The shells are not to blame, they are made from aluminium and feel very sturdy the cable, however, is a different story. I had the jack break once and the internals of the cable [meaning the thin wires that are underneath the sleeves] are probably significantly damaged. I need to stress that I took very good care of the IEM, but the cable has a will of its own and it coils down all the town, which is probably the culprit of it. Still it is a thing worth mentioning and a nominal design flaw. I'll bump the build quality down by 3.
Update 2: Since my inititial issue many months back, these headphones have been holding rather well, though the cable is still microphonic and tangly... I will boost the build quality up for now, assuming the teething problems have been fixed by now.
Build overall 8.5/10 (Build quality 8/10 Design 9/10)
B)Comfort
Only one of the 4 [size=13px !important]stock[/size] tips fit me. They came preinstalled on the monitors. Changing the tips is not that hard but since I don’t have any other tips available right now, the stocks will have to do. They isolate quite well. Medium insertion seems best for sound quality and comfort, isolation. They fit in nicely so I can wear them for hours, adjusting here and there. I was worried about the fit a little, but everything seems ok. Decent comfort and fit.
Update: It now comes with more tips, including a two pairs of foam ones.
With them, the white middle-sized tips [pictures further down] currently offer the best comfort/fit ratio. I want to stress out that fit is really important for the overall balance and bass presence. Luckily, there're many tips included now, so finding the ones that fit shouldn't be a problem anymore.
Comfort/Fit overall 9/10
4)First and further impressions
There wasn’t much burn-in with this IEM so to speak. Back then I still used my trusty Samsung Wave I (S8500). For now, there is no external amplifier to speak of. I am considering one for the future, as I will probably need one for the RE-600, which I’ll be buying (and subsequently reviewing) most likely. Initially, I was really surprised by how good the sound was. The vocals were butter smooth, midrange was full and lush, bass was nicely detailed, slightly lacking in depth and punch, but very nice. Highs were very smooth but still didn’t lack excitement. Soundstage width was great, extending even out of my head slightly. Instrument separation was still top notch like with all other HiFiMAN. I didn’t perceive any burn-in with these, really, other than changing my phone for a Galaxy Ace II.
They certainly didn’t disappoint.
First impressions overall 9/10
5)Sound
Update: I am now using a Sansa Clip+ and the RE-400 are great with it!
Update 2: I've now purchased the HiFiMAN HM-601LE and the RE-400 is simply stupendously great with it. I will change the review scores and corresponding sections slightly to reflect this marked perceived improvement. I am also using a different set of ear-tips, which come with them now [see pictures] and those give me nearly perfect seal. This, coupled with the 601LE
makes the RE-400 a seriously amazing pair of IEMs for the asking price.
A)Low-end/bass
Pros
+ Tight
+ Lots of detail
+ Non-intrusive
Cons
- Can be a bit soft at times
Overall 8.5/10 – The low-end of this headphone is pretty good, sounding pretty much tight and punchy, very much in line with the bigger HiFiMAN headphones. As such, it also bears the same relative shortcomings - coming off a bit soft in weight and punch at times, with a bit less oomph than I'd like. But the reward is that the bass always remains tight and in line with the other frequencies, never sounding overbearing but not sounding deficient either. The IEM is certainly potent and depending on the recording it can drop some serious bass, punchy and extended, but still controlled, mind you. Now that I've achieved a proper seal, I don't think the bass is lacking or weak anymore. Instead, it is just the traditional HiFiMAN signature bass I learn to really appreciate.
B)Midrange
Pros
+ Balanced across
+ Natural and sweet
+ Instruments have their space
+ Pretty great detail retrieval
Cons
- None
Overall 9.5/10 – I don’t personally take any issues with the midrange. In many aspects, it is like a full-sized HiFiMAN lite. It lacks the ultimate spaciousness and air of the full-sizes, but it still [size=13px !important]offers[/size] an absolutely even instrument reproduction across, with a balanced but still dynamic sound. The midrange is slightly forward, just enough to keep its bite but smooth enough to not be fatiguing and providing hours on end of enjoyment. This is the area where this headphone definitely shines.
C)Vocals
Pros
+ Nicely extended
+ Sufficient presence
+ Absolutely non-sibilant
+ Clean
Cons
- Lacks some air
Overall 9/10 – The vocals work rather well for my tastes. They are present at all times, without ever sounding muted or constrained and still very much smooth and sweet. There is not a massive amount air but there is a enough to make this IEM sound more airy than most sealed headphones. They have a fair amount of extension, but not overly so and this contributes well to the smooth signature of the RE-400. These IEMs are not bright by any means, but they aren't dark either. Still, they play nice with everything I've thrown at them, producing a slightly warmer but still fairly neutral sound.
D)Highs/treble
Pros
+ Natural
+ No added presence
+ Just enough extension
+ No harsh moments
Cons
- Lacks the last bit of extension and air
Overall 9/10 – The highs work the same way as the vocals and midrange. They are sufficiently extended with some slight roll-off to prevent them from ever sounding harsh with cymbals for instance but there is enough presence there to carry all the necessary information without overdoing it. Electric guitars never sound edgy either. Together with the rest of the frequencies they [size=13px !important]offer[/size] a smooth, balanced and forgiving experience ideal for traveling or relaxing at home or work. They do many things right without doing any obvious wrongs and as such they are hard to put down.
E)Soundstage/Instrument separation/Imaging
Pros
+ Great width
+ Stellar instrument separation
+ Smooth and even tonality
+ Plays nice with everything
+ Detailed
Cons
- Lacks depth and height
Overall 9/10 – As I said, the tonality of the RE-400 is very smooth, while offering great detail retrieval and musicality. Due to the tight bass, I wouldn’t recommend them solely for hip-hop or rap, though they still perform reasonably. These offer just a sibilance-free, engaging but relaxing experience. Basically a toned down full-size HiFiMAN in all aspects with some slight roll-off at both ends. The instrument separation is excellent and the soundstage width is likewise great. Center stage is very coherent and does not exhibit any oddities or unevenness and nor does the rest of the stage. The imaging is likewise excellent.
F)Recordings sensitivity
Overall 10/10 – These belong among the more forgiving headphones for sure, and they're probably the most forgiving “audiophile” headphone I have heard so far. I never had to turn the volume down with these because of harshness or sibilance. The interesting thing is that it still extracts a very fair amount of details and it does it really well without any obvious peaks or recesses, which usually isn’t the case with other headphones. HiFiMAN has managed to master the balancing act with these, offering great detail retrieval with a smooth tonality - something that is very hard to achieve.
Overall Sound
As such the RE-400 belongs among my favorite headphones - with tight and punchy bass, present mids and smooth and extended highs. Coupled with good detail retrieval, good soundstaging and remarkable imaging and separation, these fit right into my favorite sound signature, with very few minor imperfections that are easily forgivable based on the price/performance ratio these little puppies offer.
Sound overall 9/10
6)Gaming
RE-400 – N/A (I wouldn’t consider an IEM for gaming, really. Feel [size=13px !important]free[/size] to give it a try if you want though and report back :})
[HE-6 and Pro 900 have been reviewed for gaming, to see [size=13px !important]the games[/size] that I've tested and how those did, check their individual reviews on pages 1 & 6]
7)Portability
The RE-400 would be my top pick for portable headphones. It doesn’t really need any sort of amplifier to sound top notch. The signature also works really well when you want to focus on other things or just relax. Every song works here so you don’t have to worry too much about quality and specific playlists and as such it could very well be your perfect travelling companion.
Portability overall 10/10
8)Unique trait
Smoothness
The tonality of the RE-400 is one of smooth nature and rich detail. This tonality is particularly inviting to me because there are not all that many headphones with such traits. There is a bit less highs and vocals presence and bass than with the HE-6, making it similar enough in tonality but different enough in presentation. If you want a totally smooth pair of in-ear monitors this is the right one to choose. The RE-600 should [size=13px !important]offer[/size] similar tonality as well with more body and less roll-off at either end. W will soon find out.
10)Value
This was my very first serious IEM purchase. I was a bit skeptical about just how good such a tiny driverlike this one can sound. I was quickly reminded that at HiFiMAN they simply know what they are doing and how to produce top notch sounding products. Even in direct comparison with full-size offerings, this little fellow muscles up and certainly holds its own ground. It is not as extended or airy or spacious as its higher brethren but the price is much more feasible and honestly, an IEM just cannot sound that way. Still, for just around 100 USD you get a sneak-peak into the HiIFiMAN house sound. The performance was smooth throughout coupled with a highly enjoyable signature straight off your DAP's jack. I've tried an amplifier to see how much difference it would make, and there was none - the X1 just sounds phenomenal with these. As is, this headphone is simply too good to resist at the price point and everyone who is looking for a very decently priced, neutral-warmish IEM to get, you might as well pick this one up. You certainly won’t regret it.
Overall value 9.5/10
11)Conclusion
This is a seriously good IEM, absolutely suitable for portable use. I am not a huge fan of IEM due to their inherent shortcomings [lacks the soundstage of full-sized headphones, etc].
I am one of the few who don't mind carrying around full-sized headphones, provided they are not difficult to amplify well.
Still the RE-400, being a bit of my IEM premiere, did not disappoint me and I sometimes prefer it to full-sized headphones when I want that smooth, detailed yet non-fatiguing sound.
For a hundred bucks, this is a great, great IEM, even though the cable could have definitely been better made, at least initially.
RE-400 final score 9/10
Thanks to anyone reading this. Hope you liked it!
I consider them above any audeze soundwise...but as i heard from hifiman themselves they are working on new models i hoped on a even better sounding one.. Especially building quality... And connectors that are not vertical?
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