NEW 2015 - HIFIMAN HE400S
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nwavesailor
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Modded!
Yep, they are lookin' good!
Are you happy with the sound of your modded 400S?
is the grill from a magazine rack? Im using the same thing! :thumbup:Modded!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Has anyone here done the Brainwavz angles leather pad mod? If so please describe the difference between that and the original pads.
I have a dilemma with my new 400S.
Normally with new headphones I can determine their strengths and weaknesses, (IMHO), after a few days, and relegate them to one or two genres of music.
I've been listening to my new HE400S for three days straight and I still haven't found a genre in which they do not excel.
It's a wonderful dilemma to have.
Normally with new headphones I can determine their strengths and weaknesses, (IMHO), after a few days, and relegate them to one or two genres of music.
I've been listening to my new HE400S for three days straight and I still haven't found a genre in which they do not excel.
It's a wonderful dilemma to have.
Yes! I love it. I'm using focus-a pads. I'm getting slightly more bass extension and it sounds more open. Feels like there is more air. Mids have a little more detail. I would really recommend the mod!
I used grills from a pen holder
nwavesailor
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Thanks, Mejoshua
Good to hear the mod worked for you!
Good to hear the mod worked for you!
shotgunshane
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I have a loaner pair of 400S's. They sound really rather good for the price. I love that they are easily driven well by an iPhone. I do wish for a bit more sub bass and some air up top. I'd love to try the grill mod but can't do it since they are loaners. I'd also appreciate some impression of the grill modded 400S versus the HD600 if anyone can compare them.
mrip541
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For some reason the larger planars mess with my tinnitus even at low volumes. Switch to a dynamic headphone and my ears feel fine.
Might I ask - which specific planars?
I too was on a comparison mission between planars and dynamics at recent meets. I gave up though when hearing high end planars on high end equipment. At the first meet I heard Yggdrasil > Ragnarok > LCD-X. At the second meet I heard AURALiC VEGA > Cavalli Liquid Carbon > HiFiMan HE-1000. I feel these are both large drivers, but in no way bothered my ears.
My ears tend to seek a minimum amount of treble energy, and upon not finding it will often tire more. Too much and too little are both bad for my hearing. I'm still trying to tweak my HE-400S, but am not clear that I like the sound, with opened grills and pad replacement. It's more that my ears may be becoming tired of the open, and less controlled high frequency sound from the modified HE-400S. However I have heard other setups (previous paragraph) that did not seem to tire my ears as much.
HE400S + Focus/Focus-A pads is as smooth in the treble as it gets IMO [might even be too smooth]. The Focus-A pads are a bit more linear, the Focus regular is a bit more energy focused in the 4-5KHz area. The grill mod allows the treble to breath and extent better with a slight boost in overall presence.
I bought the Focus pads per a recommendation in this thread - love the bass improvement!
Seems though that I should also try the Focus-A pads, perhaps for a little more linear treble?
Thanks!
shotgunshane
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Some quick and dirty thoughts on my HE400S loaner:
What's up with this cable? It's the stiffest, more stubborn and annoying cable I've ever used, lol. Please give me something just a bit more pliable like a maybe a suspension bridge cable.
The suspension headband and large cups are very comfortable, especially against my sealed portable headphones I own (which I don't really have a problem with in the comfort arena to begin with). The squared off metal band above the suspension headband looks pretty goofy when in use on the head. I didn't think it got much goofier than the HP50 but surprisingly I was wrong.
Minor aesthetic quibbles aside, the 400S sounds great. Having only sealed dynamics on hand at the moment, that's all I've got to compare against. I'd say the 400S sounds relatively more neutral than the HP50, albeit a little U shaped next to the warmer, more upfront HP50, which has a downward sloping frequency response.
The 400S sounds bigger and more open compared to the sealed HP50. It puts more space and depth between the listener and performance. It's just much more spacious. I also notice the graininess or roughness of the 400S treble next to the smoother presentation of the HP50. While I appreciate the greater sparkle and treble resolution of the 400S, the tone and timbre of the HP50 treble sounds more realistic, albeit more subdued.
The HP50 bass extends deeper and is has more presence and rumble but isn't as tight and as fast as the 400S bass. The HP50 can sound a little boomy in direct comparison. For my preferences I prefer the more upfront and aggressive midrange of the HP50; distortion guitars and aggressive rock music is loads of fun. In contrast the 400S sounds a more relaxed in the middle/upper midrange and a little softer overall, but still sounds fun and engaging in it's own right. It's definitely more resolving and nuanced overall.
I love that the 400S can be powered by a smartphone and sound really damn good while doing it. Plus the price of admission is very affordable. What's not tolike love? This definitely puts HiFiman on my radar for a future headphone purchase. If I owned these, I'd be all over trying the pad and grill mods.
What's up with this cable? It's the stiffest, more stubborn and annoying cable I've ever used, lol. Please give me something just a bit more pliable like a maybe a suspension bridge cable.
The suspension headband and large cups are very comfortable, especially against my sealed portable headphones I own (which I don't really have a problem with in the comfort arena to begin with). The squared off metal band above the suspension headband looks pretty goofy when in use on the head. I didn't think it got much goofier than the HP50 but surprisingly I was wrong.
Minor aesthetic quibbles aside, the 400S sounds great. Having only sealed dynamics on hand at the moment, that's all I've got to compare against. I'd say the 400S sounds relatively more neutral than the HP50, albeit a little U shaped next to the warmer, more upfront HP50, which has a downward sloping frequency response.
The 400S sounds bigger and more open compared to the sealed HP50. It puts more space and depth between the listener and performance. It's just much more spacious. I also notice the graininess or roughness of the 400S treble next to the smoother presentation of the HP50. While I appreciate the greater sparkle and treble resolution of the 400S, the tone and timbre of the HP50 treble sounds more realistic, albeit more subdued.
The HP50 bass extends deeper and is has more presence and rumble but isn't as tight and as fast as the 400S bass. The HP50 can sound a little boomy in direct comparison. For my preferences I prefer the more upfront and aggressive midrange of the HP50; distortion guitars and aggressive rock music is loads of fun. In contrast the 400S sounds a more relaxed in the middle/upper midrange and a little softer overall, but still sounds fun and engaging in it's own right. It's definitely more resolving and nuanced overall.
I love that the 400S can be powered by a smartphone and sound really damn good while doing it. Plus the price of admission is very affordable. What's not to
money4me247
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Posted my in-depth review on the HE-400S HERE for anyone interested. Hope it is an informative & enjoyable read! 
money4me247
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HE-400S Exhaustive Comparisons:
Link to Full Review HERE
*******Important Notes*******
Personal favorite mid-tier: AKG K7xx, Hifiman HE-400i, Sennheiser HD600/HD650
Personal favorite flagships: HE-1000, Stax SR-009/007, [HD800, HE-560, Ether C, LCD-X, Ether]. In that approximate order though I can flip flop greatly on the last five in brackets depending on my mood and price point considerations. The EnigmAcoustics Dharma will also rank very highly up in there, but I’ve only listened to that one in show conditions, so hard to be more any precise than that.
Quick Summary of the HE-400S against strong Mid-Tier Dynamic Driver headphones:
AKG Q701 ($479 MSRP mid-tier open dynamic, available from Amazon at $180)
Previously owned for over a year, from memory comparison
Sound Signature Comparison: Q701 is airier, brighter and has less bass. Thinner presentation of the Q701. Sharper overall sound. Extremely clinical presentation.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Q701 has much larger soundstage, slightly more precise imaging, clinical presentation, highly emphasizes all treble detail, and is more unforgiving with source quality.
HE-400S sounds faster with better note spacing, much better impact and weight to its bass, better resolution of bass texture and bass detail, more linear treble response, and much smoother presentation
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: These vary greatly in overall sound signature. Your sound signature preference will likely determine which one best suits you. I do personally think that the HE-400S is more suitable for a wider range of personal preferences and genres while the Q701 is better suited for classical. The Q701’s lack of bass presence and impact make it a less appealing choice for rock, rap, EDM, and pop.
AKG K7xx ($199 from Massdrop, based on the 65th Anniversary K701 at $650 MSRP)
Currently owned, direct comparison; Personal Review HERE.
Sound Signature Comparison: K7xx is airier in the upper treble and has more pronounced bass. Sharper edge to the treble of the K7xx. More bass quantity over all on the K7xx with more sub-bass presence. More linear midrange on the HE-400S with relatively more upper mids emphasis compared to than the K7xx’s lower mid emphasis.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
K7xx has subtly larger soundstage, more resolving of low-level treble detail, and less forgiving.
HE-400S sounds much faster with better note spacing, has noticeably better decay times with less bloat, tighter bass response, more resolving of bass detail and textural shifts, more precise imaging, and smoother presentation.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: For those looking to keep spending to a minimal, the K7xx is a solid choice. I do feel like the HE-400S offers enough improvement to justify its higher price tag and its relatively easier to drive nature will make spending additional for an amplifier unnecessary. Pick based on sound signature and budget.
Beyerdynamic DT880 ($399 MSRP mid-tier semi-open dynamic, currently available for sub-$300)
Demoed extensively multiple times
Sound Signature Comparison: DT880 is sharper and airier with a pronounced overall treble emphasis and has subtly pronounced sub-bass presence.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
DT880 has larger soundstage, treble detail more in the forefront, subtly more pronounced sub-bass extension, and more clinical presentation.
HE-400S sounds much faster with better note spacing, tighter bass response, better bass texture resolution, more linear treble response, smoother presentation, more precise imaging
Personal Pick: HE-400S, but difficult call.
Considerations: I have great respect for the DT880. Cannot go wrong with either choice.
Phillips X2 ($299 MSRP mid-tier dynamic, available from Amazon at $289)
Demoed briefly
Sound Signature Comparison: X2 has much more pronounced bass quantity with a much more heavily emphasized midbass and lower mid. X2 has more recessed upper mid and more treble peakiness.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
X2 has more bass weight and impact with a richer and fuller presentation
HE-400S has better technical performance in other areas of speed, imaging, and soundstage. Better detail resolution on the HE-400S.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: For those looking for a warmer thicker overall sound that still stays natural, the X2 should be strongly considered. Can get a bit more ‘neutral-orientated’ tuning elsewhere.
Grado GH-1 ($650 MSRP mid-tier dynamic)
Home audition for a week; direct comparisons
Sound Signature Comparison: The GH-1 has a very unique sound signature with a very strong overall treble emphasis and a very pronounced upper mid and lower treble. The treble response of the GH-1 is quite peaky for a high-energy, vibrant sound. The GH-1 has less bass quantity than the HE-400S. Thinner presentation on the GH-1 and much sharper overall sound.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
The GH-1 has much sharper overall treble presentation and very high treble energy. The GH-1 has very highly emphasized treble detail and a very intimate feel with its strongly emphasized presence range. HE-400S has better technical performance in speed, imaging, and soundstage. Better bass impact on the HE-400S and more resolving bass texture.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: For those looking for a very bright, high-energy, and vibrant overall sound, the GH-1 can be considered. The GH-1 does have quite a bit of coloration. Would recommend a personal audition with a lengthy brain burn-in time to adjust to its very unique sound signature. Love-it-or-hate-it type sound signature.
Sennheiser HD600/HD650 ($399/$499 MSRP mid-tier dynamic)
Demoed extensively multiple times with some side-by-side comparisons in audition conditions
Sound Signature Comparison: Very close. HD600 has slightly less bass while the HD650 has slightly more bass than the HE-400S. Bass extension similar on all three. HE-400S has more treble energy and the most subtly brighter treble. Very smooth midrange on all three.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I felt the HD600/HD650 just barely edged the HE-400S in soundstage. Detail resolution seems just a bit better on the HD600/HD650 but extremely close. Will need to pair with top tier external components to really see differences. Treble extension slightly airier on the HD600/HD650. HD600/HD650 has a subtly smoother and lusher midrange, but all three headphones excel at their midrange presentation with a very linear presentation. The HD600/HD650 also has a thicker, slower, and more relaxed presentation.
HE-400S is much faster sounding with tighter notes and wider note spacing. I do feel like the HE-400S edges out in imaging. The HE-400S sounds more energetic with more treble energy and has better resolution of bass detail and bass texture.
Personal Pick: Very close to call. Would be happy with any of these options.
Considerations: For those with more expensive external components or OTL amplifiers in particular, the higher impedance HD600/HD650 may be more worthwhile. For those on a more limited budget or wanting something easy to drive or prefer the faster sound provided by planar magnetics, the HE-400S will be a very solid choice.
The HE-400S against some Planar Magnetic Offerings:
Audeze EL-8 closed (MSRP $699 mid-tier closed planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, owned & sold
Sound Signature Comparison: EL-8 has more bass emphasis and a more sub-bass extension. The EL-8 also has a lot more variation in the upper mids and treble region. Quite a lot of treble peakiness to my ears. Brightest Audeze headphone.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
The EL-8 has better bass impact, slam, and extension. I do feel like the HE-400S edges out the EL-8 in overall technical performance and overall sound signature balance. Sound stage and imaging better on the HE-400S. The EL-8 does an overall good job with its transient response. Speed is relatively comparable, though I would give the edge to the HE-400S.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: I would strongly advise a personal audition prior to pulling the trigger on the EL-8. Love-it-or-hate-it tuning. May be of interest for Grado fans.
Audeze LCD-2F (currently $995 mid-tier open planar magnetic)
Demoed in store
Sound Signature Comparison: LCD-2 has an overall darker and richer sound than the HE-400S (and the EL-8) with solid sub-bass extension. More low mid emphasis over the HE-400S. Better treble extension on the HE-400S to my ears.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Better bass impact, slam, and extension on the LCD-2. I do feel like the LCD-2 also edges out with overall detail resolution. I still think imaging and soundstage is better on the HE-400S. Speed is relatively comparable, though I would give the edge to the HE-400S as a thicker underlying richness to the LCD-2’s sound signature does give the perception of slower speeds.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: Comfort may be an issue with Audeze headphones. Would advise trying them prior to purchasing to see if the weight is tolerable for your listening habits. Pick based on sound signature differences.
Audeze LCD-X ($1,699 summit-fi planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, owned & sold
Sound Signature Comparison: LCD-X has very well-done sub-bass extension with a bit of a upper mid-recession compared to the HE-400S. This contributes to an overall darker and richer sound compared to the HE-400S with a more lower midrange emphasis. The LCD-X shares a similar lower treble bump in the 3-5kHz region with the HE-400S, but the LCD-X has an additional 15-16 kHz treble peak for an additional sparkly sensation to its treble presentation.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Better bass impact, slam, and extension on the LCD-X. Detail resolution very high on the LCD-X. I still think imaging and soundstage very close to call. Flip flopped on this a few times. Speed is relatively comparable, though I would give the edge to the HE-400S as a thicker underlying richness of the LCD-X can give the perception of slower speeds. Very close to call.
Personal Pick: LCD-X; one of my personal favorite complimentary headphones
Considerations: Comfort may be an issue with Audeze headphones. Would advise trying them prior to purchasing to see if the weight is tolerable for your listening habits. Pick based on sound signature differences.
Oppo PM-3 ($399 upper mid-tier closed planar magnetic, high-end closed portable)
Currently owned, direct comparison; Personal Review HERE
Sound Signature Comparison: The PM-3 has that well-done sub-bass extension for an overall warmer tonality than the HE-400S. More sub-bass focused emphasis to the PM-3’s bass presentation than the mid-bass focus of the HE-400S. HE400S has better treble extension and more presence in the upper mids.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
The PM-3 provides more bass impact, slam, and extension. The HE-400S provides better treble extension and treble detail resolution. Detail resolution overall in favor of the HE-400S. Imaging competitive on both with the HE-400S having the edge. HE-400S has a noticeably larger soundstage. Speed is quite close, but the HE-400S does appear faster.
Personal Pick: Depends on application
Considerations: The PM-3 is a closed portable, so hard to see it really beating out an open mid-tier headphone in aspects where open headphones shine. Pick based on your application (whether portability and/or noise isolation is required). I do highly regard the PM-3’s performance in its product category, but will be able to get some additional sonic gains going to an open pair of headphones.
Oppo PM-1 ($1199 upper mid-tier open planar magnetic)
From memory comparisons
Sound Signature Comparison: The PM-1 has a warmer overall sound signature. Difficult to get any more detailed than that as it has been quite a while since I’ve heard the PM-1.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Been too long ago since I’ve heard these to too sure. I would estimate that the HE-400S still has a larger soundstage than the PM-1 as I recall the PM-1’s soundstage being surprisingly small for an open pair of headphones. Speed likely faster on the HE-400S. Likely more treble detail on the HE-400S. More richness and lushness to the PM-1’s sound and likely more bass textural detail on the PM-1.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: The PM-1 offers similar features in terms of ease to drive and lightweight design. When I tried the PM-1 extensively with direct comparisons, I did feel like the PM-1 falls a bit behind other flagships with its technical performance, so I do personally classify it as a more mid-tier pair of headphones. The PM-1’s sound signature is well-within the range of neutral/natural presentation, but definitely heavily tilted towards a warmer overall tonality. The HE-400S offers similar benefits in weight and low power requirements and will provide a relatively brighter sound signature in comparison. Both headphones offer enjoyable smooth tunings that are relatively free from harshness and will not cause fatigue.
Hifiman HE-400 revision 4 (MSRP $400 mid-tier open planar magnetic, dropped to the $300 price point prior to being discontinued)
Previously owned for longer than a year, from memory comparisons
Sound Signature Comparison: The HE-400S offers a much better overall sound signature balance compared to the old HE-400. The old HE-400 has a bit of an unique coloration consisting of a strong upper mid-range recession along with a few treble spikes most prominently in the 8-9 kHz region. Not quite a v-shaped coloration, but the old HE-400 is sometimes more prone to sounding fatiguing, harsh, or sibilant depending on the source tracks. The relatively colored sound signature over some other mid-tier offerings made it less versatile. I personally found the old HE-400 really excels with certain specific genres (rock, metal, and EDM in particular) while less suitable for female vocals.
Technical Attribute Comparison: Great sense of detail on the old HE-400 that is competitive with other mid-tier offerings. The HE-400S loses out a touch on the sense of impact and bass extension, but still has a decent amount of weight and body to its notes. A softer and smoother overall presentation on the HE-400S with a linear enough tuning to be used as a pair of mid-tier reference headphones. I would estimate that the soundstage of the HE-400S is improved as the old HE-400 had the weakest soundstage among the classic mid-tier competitors from AKG, Beyerdynamic, and Sennheiser imo. Imaging has always been excellent with Hifiman headphones and extremely competitive against competitors.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: I would consider the old HE-400 to be a great choice for certain musical tastes or a great complimentary pair of headphones. Very competitive due to its current used price point of sub-$250. The HE-400S does greatly improve on overall tonal balance of the old HE-400, but does not provide that spiritual HE-400 bass-focused successor many Hifiman fans are clamoring for. I do feel like the HE-400S overall tuning is extremely versatile and likely many previous owners of the HE-400 who have upgraded towards more well-balanced headphones would find an extreme amount of appeal with the HE-400S. If I had started out my audiophile journey with the HE-400S instead of the old HE-400, I may have never gotten upgraditis.
Spoiler Note for the old HE-400
The HE-400 is one of my favorite headphones irregardless and still has many fans who enjoy its stellar bass presentation. Among the best bass quality of mid-tier headphones that are not tuned for a bass emphasis. Can perceive a bass-focus to its sound signature due to its upper mid-recession, but very linear tuning from the sub-bass to lower midrange. With very tight bass notes, hard-hitting impact, and a great sense of weight and body, the old HE-400 offers high-quality bass presentation without being bass cannons like some other headphones with a prominent lower frequency boost.
Velour pads are likely a required upgrade for comfort and sound improvements, though I do feel from my personal experience that the FR changes with pad swapping is not as large as suggested on the forums. Weight of the old HE-400 may be an issue, but it is not as bad as the Audeze offerings. Took me approximately one week to adjust to the HE-400’s weight, but better options out there for extremely long listening sessions.
Hifiman HE-400i ($499 mid-tier open planar dynamic)
Demoed extensively multiple times; would purchase if I didn’t already own flagship headphones
Sound Signature Comparison: Largest difference will be that the HE-400i provides a relatively darker overall sound signature with more linear bass extension. Less upper mid emphasis on the HE-400i with a more lower midrange focus, but not to the extent of the Audeze LCD offerings. For me, this would be one of my personal sweet spots for overall tuning and I personally really enjoy the tuning choice of the HE-400i.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I do personally feel that the HE-400i has superior technical performance attributes that I feel can go against up some of the flagships. While it may not beat flagships, its performance is close enough that I consider this to the point where extremely large diminishing returns hit. I do think that the HE-400S maintains enough of technical performance of the HE-400i to give pause whether the extra money being spent is worthwhile.
Personal Pick: HE-400i; it is actually my favorite mid-tier offering of the current mid-tier market and I personally would prefer the HE-400i over all other mid-tier offerings I have covered including extremely highly regarded options such as the AKG K7xx, HD600, and HD650.
Considerations: Whether the price premium is worthwhile for an individual really requires an extended side-by-side personal audition. There is enough of a difference in sound signature that I can see either headphone being preferred. I do feel that sound signature matching is much more important than technical performance attributes as enjoyment of the overall tuning is typically what first engages interest/attention.
Hifiman HE-560 ($899 summit-fi planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, Owned & Sold
Sound Signature Comparison: The HE-560 will have much brighter overall sound. It will also have a more linear bass extension and more emphasized treble extension. The HE-560 measures extremely linearly until the upper midrange and treble region. The HE-560 will have a noticeable upper midrange dip and a very prominent lower treble peak compared to the HE-400S smoother tuning in that region. The HE-400S has a touch more upper mid presence unlike the rest of the Hifiman line-up that typically exhibit a subtle recession in the upper midrange, so greater sense of intimacy to vocal presentation on the HE-400S relative to other Hifiman offerings.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I consider the HE-560 to be in the summit-fi/flagship class and it will offer technical improvements in all areas compared to a mid-tier offering. The HE-560 has a great sense of impact, amazing micro-detail resolution, and stunning overall clarity. With very wide note spacing and very tight individual notes, the HE-560 offers a faster sound than most other planar magnetic flagships which is quite an impressive feat. Note spacing and speed of the HE-560 difficult to surpass even among pricier flagship competitors. Soundstage either larger and extremely competitive against the majority of other planar competitors (with the exception of the Abyss, HE-1000, and possibly the HE-6 which I have not had the pleasure to hear yet). Very precise imaging. Overall soundstage and imaging likely only surpassed by the HD800 and a few highly performing exotic >$2k type headphones. Very few other headphones as technically competent, but the HE-560 does suffer from a love-it or hate-it type sound signature tuning dependant on treble preferences. The HE-560 deliver a crispier edge to its presentation compared to the HE-400S very smooth overall presentation.
Personal Pick: HE-560; one of my favorite flagship headphones (especially considering its value and technical proficiency). It easily provides enough technical performance improvements to justify the price difference. The HE-560 is extremely competitive among current league of $1k+ flagships. Only concern is whether its sound signature matches personal tastes.
Considerations: The HE-560 is a bit picky with amplifier pairings. I would personally recommend powerful headphone amplifier that is a bit on the warmer side of the spectrum. The HE-560 has a lower treble peak that may too much for some preferences. Extremely clinical presentation on the HE-560 with wide and abrupt note edges for a very fast and clean sound. People who dislike the emphasized lower treble peaks of the HE-560 may prefer the HE-400i or HE-400S over the HE-560 regardless of technical performance. For those wanting a smoother upper-mid and treble response with a less clinical approach while giving a snappy feel, the HE-400S may be preferable.
Fostex TH500RP ($699 mid-tier planar magnetic)
Demo conditions - did not really catch my interest, so only limited listening
Sound Signature Comparison: The TH500RP is strongly mid-centric to my ears. I typically do not enjoy this type of sound signature, hard for me to comment any further than that.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I did not demo long enough to really talk too much about its technical attributes as its sound signature does not really match my tastes. I personally felt the TH500RP is overpriced for its technical performance. Nothing in particular stood out to me that would justify a price point premium over other classic mid-tier headphones. At a discounted pricing, these may be worth another look.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: Sound signature preferences is highly subjective. Just because these were not the right fit for me does not mean that they are not good, and they may possible to someone else’s perfect headphones.
Fostex T50RP mk3 ($169 entry-level planar magnetic)
Demo Conditions Only; I may purchase these to do a direct comparison
Sound Signature Comparison: The newest T50RP mk3 does offer a well-balanced sound signature that the previous iterations always appeared to lack. Did not really find any glaring flaws during my limited audition, but limited audition in show conditions.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Sound stage below average for the T50RP (likely due to its semi-closed design). Good sense of speed on them. Impressive performance for its price point, but hard to say how it will stack up against some of the classic highly performing mid-tier headphones.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: Only demo conditions. Very exciting and impressive pair of headphones that I would love to spend more time with. From first impressions, should be a solid value choice for those with more limited with budget. It is always a mistake to equate price tag with performance, so I do think these headphones deserve some attention.
MrSpeakers Alpha Prime ($999 MSRP upper mid-tier closed planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, Owned & Sold
Sound Signature Comparison: The Alpha Prime has a darker more organic presentation with more bass emphasis and much stronger sub-bass presence. The Alpha Prime has more recessed upper mid mids and a subtly mid-centric sound. The HE-400S has more presence in the upper midrange. The Primes do not do anything wrong from a tonal balance standpoint, but they were a bit bland for my tastes.
Technical Attribute Comparison: Very good soundstage for a closed, but the HE-400S does have a better sense of space and air in relative comparison. Speed of the Primes are excellent and they are one of the fastest-sounding closed headphones. I would give a subtle edge to the HE-400S simply due to the increased bass reverberation and subtly lengthier decay times on the Primes from its closed design. The Alpha Prime has excellent bass quality with great extension and weight. Technically, I would say the HE-400S performs well enough to be compared against this flagship closed pair of headphones, but really more due to the relative strength of the open mid-tier market compared to the closed market.
Personal Pick: Dependant on application, but would still go for an open instead if possible
Considerations: The Alpha Primes are a solid pair of headphones though they never appeared to caught my personal interest. However, the Alpha Prime is one of my top recommendations for closed headphones (which also includes the K553, PM-3, HP50, and Ether C). Due to its weird price point placement, I would recommend considering either saving by going down to the K553 or jumping up to the Ether Closed.
MrSpeakers Ether ($1,499 summit-fi open planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, Currently Owned; Personal Review HERE
Sound Signature Comparison: I do view the Ether’s to have an exceptionally and very impressively linear overall tuning with most subtle bit of sub-bass roll-off (in comparison to other flagship planar magnetics) for a shade more mid-bass emphasis. The HE-400S displays that roll-off to a higher degree, but there is actually many similarities in overall sound signature and presentation between the Ether and HE-400S, so I do think that fans of the Ether will enjoy the HE-400S’ tuning and presentation style. The balance of the treble on the Ether is at a another level with much more resolving power and upper treble extension, but they both share a slightly softer presentation style that is extremely smooth-sounding with a bit more mid-bass emphasis over the sub-bass.
Technical Attribute Comparison: The Ether is a very competitive flagship and it is hard to write a direct comparison as these two headphones that sit on the opposite ends of the price point spectrum. There will be some people who view the Ether to beat out all others in the crowded flagship market while other people will view solid mid-tier offerings like the HD600/HD650 with the right component pairing to be able to outperform these. The truth is likely more complex with personal sound signature preferences and specific sonic attributes determining rankings and perspectives. I do personally view the Ether to offer a noticeable improvement in almost all aspects when directly compared against a mid-tier offering. When comparing against other flagship options, I think very picky personal criteria will be used to determine which one is most suitable. I think as long as the sound signature of the Ether matches your tastes, you will not be dissatisfied with its technical performance.
Personal Pick: Really just depends on your budget. Both headphones I hold in extremely high esteem for their relative price brackets.
Considerations: I will say that the tuning of the HD600 and HE-400S is strongly reminiscent of the Ether’s overall sound signature. For those who can afford to make that financial jump, but cannot demo the Ether prior, I would highly recommend trying those options first to see what you think. I do personally think the Ether offers sonic benefits that justify its premium price tag and it is a worthwhile jump to make from a well-recommended mid-tier.
MrSpeakers Ether C ($1,499 summit-fi closed planar magnetic)
Recent extensive demo at RMAF
I will let the recent new owners of the Ether C write their detailed impressions since I’ve only heard these in demo conditions and already wrote briefly my quick snapshot impressions. Not comfortable talking too much more based on show conditions only. I will say this pair of headphones is likely the only closed pair of headphones that can outperform open competitors. If looking for a well-balanced closed flagship, I would also say this is the most competitive luxury option currently on the market. I do personally prefer the Ether C over the Ether open for my personal sound signature preferences. If you are considering spending this type of money on a pair of headphones, likely the HE-400S is not even on your radar anymore, so no need for a direct comparison here. The Ether C is an extremely competitive pair of flagship headphones from my first impressions.
Important Concluding Notes:
Please do note that while this is a comprehensive comparisons, it is also a personal subjective biased comparison! My personal tastes and sound signature preferences do flavor my perspective. If you have different opinions or perspective, feel free to disagree!
Technical performance differences are often smaller than how it reads in writing. There will be an audible and easy to notice difference in performance from side-by-side comparisons, but it will be a personal decision whether the sonic differences justify the cost difference. Sonic performance attributes does not always correlate with price point and even when it does, the gains can be much smaller than the difference in price would suggest. I would recommend doing a personal side-by-side comparison of headphones in varying price points to get a sense of the relative degree of difference that additional spending will provide.
Climbing up from solid mid-tier products often has quite high diminishing returns and often requires finding the right amplifier to really realize the potential of some of these flagship headphones. I do personally think that finding a sound signature that matches your personal preference is the most important thing when choosing the right pair of headphones. Hopefully, my relative comparative notes will provide some insight for those doing research. Always choose based on your own sound signature preferences to ensure a good fit, and remember that people may hear differently, so your experience may vary!
Link to Full Review HERE
*******Important Notes*******
- I am defining “mid-tier/mid-fi” as headphones that are not considered entry-level or flagships. Does not mean that its actual sonic performance is not high-fidelity. The overall mid-fi open over-ear headphone category usually ranges from $200-$700.
- I am defining “flagship/summit-fi” based on performance rather than price tag, manufacturer categorization, or their current status within their company’s line-up. May not be the same as some other people’s views on certain headphones.
- Please remember these are my own personal subjective impressions. YMMV!!!
Personal favorite mid-tier: AKG K7xx, Hifiman HE-400i, Sennheiser HD600/HD650
Personal favorite flagships: HE-1000, Stax SR-009/007, [HD800, HE-560, Ether C, LCD-X, Ether]. In that approximate order though I can flip flop greatly on the last five in brackets depending on my mood and price point considerations. The EnigmAcoustics Dharma will also rank very highly up in there, but I’ve only listened to that one in show conditions, so hard to be more any precise than that.
Quick Summary of the HE-400S against strong Mid-Tier Dynamic Driver headphones:
AKG Q701 ($479 MSRP mid-tier open dynamic, available from Amazon at $180)
Previously owned for over a year, from memory comparison
Sound Signature Comparison: Q701 is airier, brighter and has less bass. Thinner presentation of the Q701. Sharper overall sound. Extremely clinical presentation.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Q701 has much larger soundstage, slightly more precise imaging, clinical presentation, highly emphasizes all treble detail, and is more unforgiving with source quality.
HE-400S sounds faster with better note spacing, much better impact and weight to its bass, better resolution of bass texture and bass detail, more linear treble response, and much smoother presentation
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: These vary greatly in overall sound signature. Your sound signature preference will likely determine which one best suits you. I do personally think that the HE-400S is more suitable for a wider range of personal preferences and genres while the Q701 is better suited for classical. The Q701’s lack of bass presence and impact make it a less appealing choice for rock, rap, EDM, and pop.
AKG K7xx ($199 from Massdrop, based on the 65th Anniversary K701 at $650 MSRP)
Currently owned, direct comparison; Personal Review HERE.
Sound Signature Comparison: K7xx is airier in the upper treble and has more pronounced bass. Sharper edge to the treble of the K7xx. More bass quantity over all on the K7xx with more sub-bass presence. More linear midrange on the HE-400S with relatively more upper mids emphasis compared to than the K7xx’s lower mid emphasis.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
K7xx has subtly larger soundstage, more resolving of low-level treble detail, and less forgiving.
HE-400S sounds much faster with better note spacing, has noticeably better decay times with less bloat, tighter bass response, more resolving of bass detail and textural shifts, more precise imaging, and smoother presentation.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: For those looking to keep spending to a minimal, the K7xx is a solid choice. I do feel like the HE-400S offers enough improvement to justify its higher price tag and its relatively easier to drive nature will make spending additional for an amplifier unnecessary. Pick based on sound signature and budget.
Beyerdynamic DT880 ($399 MSRP mid-tier semi-open dynamic, currently available for sub-$300)
Demoed extensively multiple times
Sound Signature Comparison: DT880 is sharper and airier with a pronounced overall treble emphasis and has subtly pronounced sub-bass presence.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
DT880 has larger soundstage, treble detail more in the forefront, subtly more pronounced sub-bass extension, and more clinical presentation.
HE-400S sounds much faster with better note spacing, tighter bass response, better bass texture resolution, more linear treble response, smoother presentation, more precise imaging
Personal Pick: HE-400S, but difficult call.
Considerations: I have great respect for the DT880. Cannot go wrong with either choice.
Phillips X2 ($299 MSRP mid-tier dynamic, available from Amazon at $289)
Demoed briefly
Sound Signature Comparison: X2 has much more pronounced bass quantity with a much more heavily emphasized midbass and lower mid. X2 has more recessed upper mid and more treble peakiness.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
X2 has more bass weight and impact with a richer and fuller presentation
HE-400S has better technical performance in other areas of speed, imaging, and soundstage. Better detail resolution on the HE-400S.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: For those looking for a warmer thicker overall sound that still stays natural, the X2 should be strongly considered. Can get a bit more ‘neutral-orientated’ tuning elsewhere.
Grado GH-1 ($650 MSRP mid-tier dynamic)
Home audition for a week; direct comparisons
Sound Signature Comparison: The GH-1 has a very unique sound signature with a very strong overall treble emphasis and a very pronounced upper mid and lower treble. The treble response of the GH-1 is quite peaky for a high-energy, vibrant sound. The GH-1 has less bass quantity than the HE-400S. Thinner presentation on the GH-1 and much sharper overall sound.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
The GH-1 has much sharper overall treble presentation and very high treble energy. The GH-1 has very highly emphasized treble detail and a very intimate feel with its strongly emphasized presence range. HE-400S has better technical performance in speed, imaging, and soundstage. Better bass impact on the HE-400S and more resolving bass texture.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: For those looking for a very bright, high-energy, and vibrant overall sound, the GH-1 can be considered. The GH-1 does have quite a bit of coloration. Would recommend a personal audition with a lengthy brain burn-in time to adjust to its very unique sound signature. Love-it-or-hate-it type sound signature.
Sennheiser HD600/HD650 ($399/$499 MSRP mid-tier dynamic)
Demoed extensively multiple times with some side-by-side comparisons in audition conditions
Sound Signature Comparison: Very close. HD600 has slightly less bass while the HD650 has slightly more bass than the HE-400S. Bass extension similar on all three. HE-400S has more treble energy and the most subtly brighter treble. Very smooth midrange on all three.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I felt the HD600/HD650 just barely edged the HE-400S in soundstage. Detail resolution seems just a bit better on the HD600/HD650 but extremely close. Will need to pair with top tier external components to really see differences. Treble extension slightly airier on the HD600/HD650. HD600/HD650 has a subtly smoother and lusher midrange, but all three headphones excel at their midrange presentation with a very linear presentation. The HD600/HD650 also has a thicker, slower, and more relaxed presentation.
HE-400S is much faster sounding with tighter notes and wider note spacing. I do feel like the HE-400S edges out in imaging. The HE-400S sounds more energetic with more treble energy and has better resolution of bass detail and bass texture.
Personal Pick: Very close to call. Would be happy with any of these options.
Considerations: For those with more expensive external components or OTL amplifiers in particular, the higher impedance HD600/HD650 may be more worthwhile. For those on a more limited budget or wanting something easy to drive or prefer the faster sound provided by planar magnetics, the HE-400S will be a very solid choice.
The HE-400S against some Planar Magnetic Offerings:
Audeze EL-8 closed (MSRP $699 mid-tier closed planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, owned & sold
Sound Signature Comparison: EL-8 has more bass emphasis and a more sub-bass extension. The EL-8 also has a lot more variation in the upper mids and treble region. Quite a lot of treble peakiness to my ears. Brightest Audeze headphone.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
The EL-8 has better bass impact, slam, and extension. I do feel like the HE-400S edges out the EL-8 in overall technical performance and overall sound signature balance. Sound stage and imaging better on the HE-400S. The EL-8 does an overall good job with its transient response. Speed is relatively comparable, though I would give the edge to the HE-400S.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: I would strongly advise a personal audition prior to pulling the trigger on the EL-8. Love-it-or-hate-it tuning. May be of interest for Grado fans.
Audeze LCD-2F (currently $995 mid-tier open planar magnetic)
Demoed in store
Sound Signature Comparison: LCD-2 has an overall darker and richer sound than the HE-400S (and the EL-8) with solid sub-bass extension. More low mid emphasis over the HE-400S. Better treble extension on the HE-400S to my ears.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Better bass impact, slam, and extension on the LCD-2. I do feel like the LCD-2 also edges out with overall detail resolution. I still think imaging and soundstage is better on the HE-400S. Speed is relatively comparable, though I would give the edge to the HE-400S as a thicker underlying richness to the LCD-2’s sound signature does give the perception of slower speeds.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: Comfort may be an issue with Audeze headphones. Would advise trying them prior to purchasing to see if the weight is tolerable for your listening habits. Pick based on sound signature differences.
Audeze LCD-X ($1,699 summit-fi planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, owned & sold
Sound Signature Comparison: LCD-X has very well-done sub-bass extension with a bit of a upper mid-recession compared to the HE-400S. This contributes to an overall darker and richer sound compared to the HE-400S with a more lower midrange emphasis. The LCD-X shares a similar lower treble bump in the 3-5kHz region with the HE-400S, but the LCD-X has an additional 15-16 kHz treble peak for an additional sparkly sensation to its treble presentation.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Better bass impact, slam, and extension on the LCD-X. Detail resolution very high on the LCD-X. I still think imaging and soundstage very close to call. Flip flopped on this a few times. Speed is relatively comparable, though I would give the edge to the HE-400S as a thicker underlying richness of the LCD-X can give the perception of slower speeds. Very close to call.
Personal Pick: LCD-X; one of my personal favorite complimentary headphones
Considerations: Comfort may be an issue with Audeze headphones. Would advise trying them prior to purchasing to see if the weight is tolerable for your listening habits. Pick based on sound signature differences.
Oppo PM-3 ($399 upper mid-tier closed planar magnetic, high-end closed portable)
Currently owned, direct comparison; Personal Review HERE
Sound Signature Comparison: The PM-3 has that well-done sub-bass extension for an overall warmer tonality than the HE-400S. More sub-bass focused emphasis to the PM-3’s bass presentation than the mid-bass focus of the HE-400S. HE400S has better treble extension and more presence in the upper mids.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
The PM-3 provides more bass impact, slam, and extension. The HE-400S provides better treble extension and treble detail resolution. Detail resolution overall in favor of the HE-400S. Imaging competitive on both with the HE-400S having the edge. HE-400S has a noticeably larger soundstage. Speed is quite close, but the HE-400S does appear faster.
Personal Pick: Depends on application
Considerations: The PM-3 is a closed portable, so hard to see it really beating out an open mid-tier headphone in aspects where open headphones shine. Pick based on your application (whether portability and/or noise isolation is required). I do highly regard the PM-3’s performance in its product category, but will be able to get some additional sonic gains going to an open pair of headphones.
Oppo PM-1 ($1199 upper mid-tier open planar magnetic)
From memory comparisons
Sound Signature Comparison: The PM-1 has a warmer overall sound signature. Difficult to get any more detailed than that as it has been quite a while since I’ve heard the PM-1.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Been too long ago since I’ve heard these to too sure. I would estimate that the HE-400S still has a larger soundstage than the PM-1 as I recall the PM-1’s soundstage being surprisingly small for an open pair of headphones. Speed likely faster on the HE-400S. Likely more treble detail on the HE-400S. More richness and lushness to the PM-1’s sound and likely more bass textural detail on the PM-1.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: The PM-1 offers similar features in terms of ease to drive and lightweight design. When I tried the PM-1 extensively with direct comparisons, I did feel like the PM-1 falls a bit behind other flagships with its technical performance, so I do personally classify it as a more mid-tier pair of headphones. The PM-1’s sound signature is well-within the range of neutral/natural presentation, but definitely heavily tilted towards a warmer overall tonality. The HE-400S offers similar benefits in weight and low power requirements and will provide a relatively brighter sound signature in comparison. Both headphones offer enjoyable smooth tunings that are relatively free from harshness and will not cause fatigue.
Hifiman HE-400 revision 4 (MSRP $400 mid-tier open planar magnetic, dropped to the $300 price point prior to being discontinued)
Previously owned for longer than a year, from memory comparisons
Sound Signature Comparison: The HE-400S offers a much better overall sound signature balance compared to the old HE-400. The old HE-400 has a bit of an unique coloration consisting of a strong upper mid-range recession along with a few treble spikes most prominently in the 8-9 kHz region. Not quite a v-shaped coloration, but the old HE-400 is sometimes more prone to sounding fatiguing, harsh, or sibilant depending on the source tracks. The relatively colored sound signature over some other mid-tier offerings made it less versatile. I personally found the old HE-400 really excels with certain specific genres (rock, metal, and EDM in particular) while less suitable for female vocals.
Technical Attribute Comparison: Great sense of detail on the old HE-400 that is competitive with other mid-tier offerings. The HE-400S loses out a touch on the sense of impact and bass extension, but still has a decent amount of weight and body to its notes. A softer and smoother overall presentation on the HE-400S with a linear enough tuning to be used as a pair of mid-tier reference headphones. I would estimate that the soundstage of the HE-400S is improved as the old HE-400 had the weakest soundstage among the classic mid-tier competitors from AKG, Beyerdynamic, and Sennheiser imo. Imaging has always been excellent with Hifiman headphones and extremely competitive against competitors.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: I would consider the old HE-400 to be a great choice for certain musical tastes or a great complimentary pair of headphones. Very competitive due to its current used price point of sub-$250. The HE-400S does greatly improve on overall tonal balance of the old HE-400, but does not provide that spiritual HE-400 bass-focused successor many Hifiman fans are clamoring for. I do feel like the HE-400S overall tuning is extremely versatile and likely many previous owners of the HE-400 who have upgraded towards more well-balanced headphones would find an extreme amount of appeal with the HE-400S. If I had started out my audiophile journey with the HE-400S instead of the old HE-400, I may have never gotten upgraditis.
Spoiler Note for the old HE-400
The HE-400 is one of my favorite headphones irregardless and still has many fans who enjoy its stellar bass presentation. Among the best bass quality of mid-tier headphones that are not tuned for a bass emphasis. Can perceive a bass-focus to its sound signature due to its upper mid-recession, but very linear tuning from the sub-bass to lower midrange. With very tight bass notes, hard-hitting impact, and a great sense of weight and body, the old HE-400 offers high-quality bass presentation without being bass cannons like some other headphones with a prominent lower frequency boost.
Velour pads are likely a required upgrade for comfort and sound improvements, though I do feel from my personal experience that the FR changes with pad swapping is not as large as suggested on the forums. Weight of the old HE-400 may be an issue, but it is not as bad as the Audeze offerings. Took me approximately one week to adjust to the HE-400’s weight, but better options out there for extremely long listening sessions.
Hifiman HE-400i ($499 mid-tier open planar dynamic)
Demoed extensively multiple times; would purchase if I didn’t already own flagship headphones
Sound Signature Comparison: Largest difference will be that the HE-400i provides a relatively darker overall sound signature with more linear bass extension. Less upper mid emphasis on the HE-400i with a more lower midrange focus, but not to the extent of the Audeze LCD offerings. For me, this would be one of my personal sweet spots for overall tuning and I personally really enjoy the tuning choice of the HE-400i.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I do personally feel that the HE-400i has superior technical performance attributes that I feel can go against up some of the flagships. While it may not beat flagships, its performance is close enough that I consider this to the point where extremely large diminishing returns hit. I do think that the HE-400S maintains enough of technical performance of the HE-400i to give pause whether the extra money being spent is worthwhile.
Personal Pick: HE-400i; it is actually my favorite mid-tier offering of the current mid-tier market and I personally would prefer the HE-400i over all other mid-tier offerings I have covered including extremely highly regarded options such as the AKG K7xx, HD600, and HD650.
Considerations: Whether the price premium is worthwhile for an individual really requires an extended side-by-side personal audition. There is enough of a difference in sound signature that I can see either headphone being preferred. I do feel that sound signature matching is much more important than technical performance attributes as enjoyment of the overall tuning is typically what first engages interest/attention.
Hifiman HE-560 ($899 summit-fi planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, Owned & Sold
Sound Signature Comparison: The HE-560 will have much brighter overall sound. It will also have a more linear bass extension and more emphasized treble extension. The HE-560 measures extremely linearly until the upper midrange and treble region. The HE-560 will have a noticeable upper midrange dip and a very prominent lower treble peak compared to the HE-400S smoother tuning in that region. The HE-400S has a touch more upper mid presence unlike the rest of the Hifiman line-up that typically exhibit a subtle recession in the upper midrange, so greater sense of intimacy to vocal presentation on the HE-400S relative to other Hifiman offerings.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I consider the HE-560 to be in the summit-fi/flagship class and it will offer technical improvements in all areas compared to a mid-tier offering. The HE-560 has a great sense of impact, amazing micro-detail resolution, and stunning overall clarity. With very wide note spacing and very tight individual notes, the HE-560 offers a faster sound than most other planar magnetic flagships which is quite an impressive feat. Note spacing and speed of the HE-560 difficult to surpass even among pricier flagship competitors. Soundstage either larger and extremely competitive against the majority of other planar competitors (with the exception of the Abyss, HE-1000, and possibly the HE-6 which I have not had the pleasure to hear yet). Very precise imaging. Overall soundstage and imaging likely only surpassed by the HD800 and a few highly performing exotic >$2k type headphones. Very few other headphones as technically competent, but the HE-560 does suffer from a love-it or hate-it type sound signature tuning dependant on treble preferences. The HE-560 deliver a crispier edge to its presentation compared to the HE-400S very smooth overall presentation.
Personal Pick: HE-560; one of my favorite flagship headphones (especially considering its value and technical proficiency). It easily provides enough technical performance improvements to justify the price difference. The HE-560 is extremely competitive among current league of $1k+ flagships. Only concern is whether its sound signature matches personal tastes.
Considerations: The HE-560 is a bit picky with amplifier pairings. I would personally recommend powerful headphone amplifier that is a bit on the warmer side of the spectrum. The HE-560 has a lower treble peak that may too much for some preferences. Extremely clinical presentation on the HE-560 with wide and abrupt note edges for a very fast and clean sound. People who dislike the emphasized lower treble peaks of the HE-560 may prefer the HE-400i or HE-400S over the HE-560 regardless of technical performance. For those wanting a smoother upper-mid and treble response with a less clinical approach while giving a snappy feel, the HE-400S may be preferable.
Fostex TH500RP ($699 mid-tier planar magnetic)
Demo conditions - did not really catch my interest, so only limited listening
Sound Signature Comparison: The TH500RP is strongly mid-centric to my ears. I typically do not enjoy this type of sound signature, hard for me to comment any further than that.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
I did not demo long enough to really talk too much about its technical attributes as its sound signature does not really match my tastes. I personally felt the TH500RP is overpriced for its technical performance. Nothing in particular stood out to me that would justify a price point premium over other classic mid-tier headphones. At a discounted pricing, these may be worth another look.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: Sound signature preferences is highly subjective. Just because these were not the right fit for me does not mean that they are not good, and they may possible to someone else’s perfect headphones.
Fostex T50RP mk3 ($169 entry-level planar magnetic)
Demo Conditions Only; I may purchase these to do a direct comparison
Sound Signature Comparison: The newest T50RP mk3 does offer a well-balanced sound signature that the previous iterations always appeared to lack. Did not really find any glaring flaws during my limited audition, but limited audition in show conditions.
Technical Attribute Comparison:
Sound stage below average for the T50RP (likely due to its semi-closed design). Good sense of speed on them. Impressive performance for its price point, but hard to say how it will stack up against some of the classic highly performing mid-tier headphones.
Personal Pick: HE-400S
Considerations: Only demo conditions. Very exciting and impressive pair of headphones that I would love to spend more time with. From first impressions, should be a solid value choice for those with more limited with budget. It is always a mistake to equate price tag with performance, so I do think these headphones deserve some attention.
MrSpeakers Alpha Prime ($999 MSRP upper mid-tier closed planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, Owned & Sold
Sound Signature Comparison: The Alpha Prime has a darker more organic presentation with more bass emphasis and much stronger sub-bass presence. The Alpha Prime has more recessed upper mid mids and a subtly mid-centric sound. The HE-400S has more presence in the upper midrange. The Primes do not do anything wrong from a tonal balance standpoint, but they were a bit bland for my tastes.
Technical Attribute Comparison: Very good soundstage for a closed, but the HE-400S does have a better sense of space and air in relative comparison. Speed of the Primes are excellent and they are one of the fastest-sounding closed headphones. I would give a subtle edge to the HE-400S simply due to the increased bass reverberation and subtly lengthier decay times on the Primes from its closed design. The Alpha Prime has excellent bass quality with great extension and weight. Technically, I would say the HE-400S performs well enough to be compared against this flagship closed pair of headphones, but really more due to the relative strength of the open mid-tier market compared to the closed market.
Personal Pick: Dependant on application, but would still go for an open instead if possible
Considerations: The Alpha Primes are a solid pair of headphones though they never appeared to caught my personal interest. However, the Alpha Prime is one of my top recommendations for closed headphones (which also includes the K553, PM-3, HP50, and Ether C). Due to its weird price point placement, I would recommend considering either saving by going down to the K553 or jumping up to the Ether Closed.
MrSpeakers Ether ($1,499 summit-fi open planar magnetic)
Direct Comparison, Currently Owned; Personal Review HERE
Sound Signature Comparison: I do view the Ether’s to have an exceptionally and very impressively linear overall tuning with most subtle bit of sub-bass roll-off (in comparison to other flagship planar magnetics) for a shade more mid-bass emphasis. The HE-400S displays that roll-off to a higher degree, but there is actually many similarities in overall sound signature and presentation between the Ether and HE-400S, so I do think that fans of the Ether will enjoy the HE-400S’ tuning and presentation style. The balance of the treble on the Ether is at a another level with much more resolving power and upper treble extension, but they both share a slightly softer presentation style that is extremely smooth-sounding with a bit more mid-bass emphasis over the sub-bass.
Technical Attribute Comparison: The Ether is a very competitive flagship and it is hard to write a direct comparison as these two headphones that sit on the opposite ends of the price point spectrum. There will be some people who view the Ether to beat out all others in the crowded flagship market while other people will view solid mid-tier offerings like the HD600/HD650 with the right component pairing to be able to outperform these. The truth is likely more complex with personal sound signature preferences and specific sonic attributes determining rankings and perspectives. I do personally view the Ether to offer a noticeable improvement in almost all aspects when directly compared against a mid-tier offering. When comparing against other flagship options, I think very picky personal criteria will be used to determine which one is most suitable. I think as long as the sound signature of the Ether matches your tastes, you will not be dissatisfied with its technical performance.
Personal Pick: Really just depends on your budget. Both headphones I hold in extremely high esteem for their relative price brackets.
Considerations: I will say that the tuning of the HD600 and HE-400S is strongly reminiscent of the Ether’s overall sound signature. For those who can afford to make that financial jump, but cannot demo the Ether prior, I would highly recommend trying those options first to see what you think. I do personally think the Ether offers sonic benefits that justify its premium price tag and it is a worthwhile jump to make from a well-recommended mid-tier.
MrSpeakers Ether C ($1,499 summit-fi closed planar magnetic)
Recent extensive demo at RMAF
I will let the recent new owners of the Ether C write their detailed impressions since I’ve only heard these in demo conditions and already wrote briefly my quick snapshot impressions. Not comfortable talking too much more based on show conditions only. I will say this pair of headphones is likely the only closed pair of headphones that can outperform open competitors. If looking for a well-balanced closed flagship, I would also say this is the most competitive luxury option currently on the market. I do personally prefer the Ether C over the Ether open for my personal sound signature preferences. If you are considering spending this type of money on a pair of headphones, likely the HE-400S is not even on your radar anymore, so no need for a direct comparison here. The Ether C is an extremely competitive pair of flagship headphones from my first impressions.
Important Concluding Notes:
Please do note that while this is a comprehensive comparisons, it is also a personal subjective biased comparison! My personal tastes and sound signature preferences do flavor my perspective. If you have different opinions or perspective, feel free to disagree!
Technical performance differences are often smaller than how it reads in writing. There will be an audible and easy to notice difference in performance from side-by-side comparisons, but it will be a personal decision whether the sonic differences justify the cost difference. Sonic performance attributes does not always correlate with price point and even when it does, the gains can be much smaller than the difference in price would suggest. I would recommend doing a personal side-by-side comparison of headphones in varying price points to get a sense of the relative degree of difference that additional spending will provide.
Climbing up from solid mid-tier products often has quite high diminishing returns and often requires finding the right amplifier to really realize the potential of some of these flagship headphones. I do personally think that finding a sound signature that matches your personal preference is the most important thing when choosing the right pair of headphones. Hopefully, my relative comparative notes will provide some insight for those doing research. Always choose based on your own sound signature preferences to ensure a good fit, and remember that people may hear differently, so your experience may vary!
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