400i - Returning. What now?

[kirkftl]

My HE-400i arrived today. Listening through an uber stack. Bass is non existent and it's a bit sibilant and the build quality is pretty meh/uncomfortable. I'm pretty new to the audiophile world, so I'm not exactly sure where to go next. I've done a ton of research, and everything I read led me to believe the 400i would be the best choice for my preferred genres of music (Metal). I've also been quite interested in the HD650/Beyer DT 1990. I've never had an open back headphone before so any help would be appreciated.

• Budget - $700ish
• Open back
• Mostly listen to metal, occasionally I enjoy some trance.
• Source/amp is Schiit Uber Stack

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

I used to listen to trance with HD6XX but some people doesn't like it with both metal and trance. I do have T90; I love it after I did a little mod and balanced recable. I heard about how good Dt1990 is but never heard of it myself.

 

[kirkftl]

I used to listen to trance with HD6XX but some people doesn't like it with both metal and trance. I do have T90; I love it after I did a little mod and balanced recable. I heard about how good Dt1990 is but never heard of it myself.

For the Beyers, do you have any issues with your ears touching the driver or getting uncomfortable? I used to have a pair of Custom One Pros (way different pads, I know) and the sides of my ear would touch the driver and it was very painful after a bit.

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

For the Beyers, do you have any issues with your ears touching the driver or getting uncomfortable? I used to have a pair of Custom One Pros (way different pads, I know) and the sides of my ear would touch the driver and it was very painful after a bit.

Nope. never had that issue with my past dt990 and my current t90. I've tried my friend's dt770 and never had that issue either.

 

[kirkftl]

Nope. never had that issue with my past dt990 and my current t90. I've tried my friend's dt770 and never had that issue either.

Awesome, thanks for the replies!

 

[serman005]

If it is possible to return them, I think you ought to seriously consider an HD650. I listen to a fair amount of metal on mine and I find the result to be quite good on the whole. EMG/active pickups sound really good on it and the drums are fantastic. Great vocals, obviously, as well. Worth a thought for you.

 

[kirkftl]

If it is possible to return them, I think you ought to seriously consider an HD650. I listen to a fair amount of metal on mine and I find the result to be quite good on the whole. EMG/active pickups sound really good on it and the drums are fantastic. Great vocals, obviously, as well. Worth a thought for you.

Yeah I'm very interested in the HD650. Do you prefer it over your 600 for metal? If you do, do you mind me asking why?

 

[canthearyou]

If you thought the 400i were sibilant DO NOT get the Beyers!

I have a feeling it's your DAC/AMP choice thats making them sound that way. That's the Schiit sound.

The HD650 and DT1990 are complete opposites of each other. The 650 being laid back and smooth and the DT1990 being harsh and bright.

 

[Monsterzero]

Someone is selling an ATH AD2000 in the FS/T section...Its a quite rare headphone and I like it for both metal and trance.
Its lightning fast and has pretty good slam too,but not much sub-bass.
Its a very divisive HP,so I would read up on it,but its an option that rarely comes up for sale(i have no affiliation with the sale BTW)

 

[cossix]

If you thought the 400i were sibilant DO NOT get the Beyers!

I have a feeling it's your DAC/AMP choice thats making them sound that way. That's the Schiit sound.

The HD650 and DT1990 are complete opposites of each other. The 650 being laid back and smooth and the DT1990 being harsh and bright.

Agree completely on the Beyer opinion. If you don't like the 400i treble then you'll hate the Beyers :/ I still own the M&M Stack and although I haven't heard the 400i, I strongly doubt the amp/dac is making it too bright. I've heard a few combos ranging from the E10K to The Element and the Schiit Stack didn't sound noticeably brighter than either. I also have the Jotunheim which I would say IS a little bright (But I use it with the LCD-2 and HD650 which works out perfectly. I have also listened to the HD700 for a week on the Stack and didn't feel like it was annoyingly bright, the headphone itself is just built to be a bit bright.

As for metal with the 650, I'm not sure how good it would be. I'd assume you want fast punchy bass and strong mids for metal. The 650 takes care of the thick and smooth mids, but the bass is not very fast. It is a very relaxed headphone which seems to contradict the aggressive nature of metal but that's all just my opinion. The vocals will sound great but the music may lack bass definition.

 

[serman005]

Yeah I'm very interested in the HD650. Do you prefer it over your 600 for metal? If you do, do you mind me asking why?

Yeah, was just listening to the full album of Screaming for Vengeance on my 600 and 650. Personally, I think there is more detail and more layering on the 650. More space between the instruments. Not a ton, but it is there. Also, the bass is a bit more extended. Guitars sound great on both, IMO but here, maybe a bit better on the 600. Maybe. More crunch. Also, the treble is a bit more than I find ideal on the 600, especially on crash cymbals--not so much on the ride or hi-hat. Now, someone else may need that relatively more prominent high end, I realize that, but for me, the 650 is more optimized. Vocals are beautiful on both. The 600 is more comfortable, though, definitely. FWIW. YMMV, of course

 

[kirkftl]

Yeah, was just listening to the full album of Screaming for Vengeance on my 600 and 650. Personally, I think there is more detail and more layering on the 650. More space between the instruments. Not a ton, but it is there. Also, the bass is a bit more extended. Guitars sound great on both, IMO but here, maybe a bit better on the 600. Maybe. More crunch. Also, the treble is a bit more than I find ideal on the 600, especially on crash cymbals--not so much on the ride or hi-hat. Now, someone else may need that relatively more prominent high end, I realize that, but for me, the 650 is more optimized. Vocals are beautiful on both. The 600 is more comfortable, though, definitely. FWIW. YMMV, of course

Thank you very much for your thoughts.

 

[Monsterzero]

What genres of metal do you listen to? Metal comprises about 60% of my listening(check my profile for bands that I like).

Here are my opinions of the HPs being discussed here that Ive either owned or heard extensively:

HD600-too polite for metal...plain and simple.
HD650-a tad better than HD600,but the mid bass hump slows this headphone down.Neither it nor HD600 have much sub-bass(for trance)
DT770-Extremely bright(painfully so),good impact(if youre into neumetal) recessed and weak mids,no texture.
DT990-a bit better than the DT770,wide soundstage(for trance)but still has anemic,texture-less mids.

My suggestions are as I stated above,check out the ad for the AD2000(non X version).It has a very forward guitar presentation,so metal sounds aggressive as its supposed to be.Its not too much unlike the Grado guitar sound,but without the peaky highs. Insanely fast headphone,and good impact.

Or you can look into the original HE-400(not the I or S version)...good bass slam,but the comfort and build issues remain.

Many guys in the metal thread you posted in like Meze 99 Classics..warm bassy headphone.

ZMF Ori is another option if youre looking for a non Chinese made planar.

 

[chef8489]

My HE-400i arrived today. Listening through an uber stack. Bass is non existent and it's a bit sibilant and the build quality is pretty meh/uncomfortable. I'm pretty new to the audiophile world, so I'm not exactly sure where to go next. I've done a ton of research, and everything I read led me to believe the 400i would be the best choice for my preferred genres of music (Metal). I've also been quite interested in the HD650/Beyer DT 1990. I've never had an open back headphone before so any help would be appreciated.

• Budget - $700ish
• Open back
• Mostly listen to metal, occasionally I enjoy some trance.
• Source/amp is Schiit Uber Stack

If you want to swap the hd650 and the he-400i for a week I am game t do a swap for a week. This would give you a chance to try out the hd650 and give me a chance to try the he-400i. If so send me a private message and we can work out something.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

My HE-400i arrived today. Listening through an uber stack. Bass is non existent and it's a bit sibilant and the build quality is pretty meh/uncomfortable. I'm pretty new to the audiophile world, so I'm not exactly sure where to go next. I've done a ton of research, and everything I read led me to believe the 400i would be the best choice for my preferred genres of music (Metal). I've also been quite interested in the HD650/Beyer DT 1990. I've never had an open back headphone before so any help would be appreciated.

• Budget - $700ish
• Open back
• Mostly listen to metal, occasionally I enjoy some trance.
• Source/amp is Schiit Uber Stack

HD650, or save up for an LCD-2.

Yeah I'm very interested in the HD650. Do you prefer it over your 600 for metal? If you do, do you mind me asking why?

I have the HD600 and I EQ it to flatten the 3500hz hump and bring up 20hz to 45hz slightly level with 1000hz, basically an HD650 with a lower bass plateau. Works great so Simone and Tarja aren't screaming into my ears.