**Hifiman HE-400 Impressions and Discussion Thread**

[BrettMatthews]

For those of you who have done the sorbothane mod, how much of the 6x6 sheet did you use? I can only seem to find a 3x3 1/10 40 duro sheet with 3m backing (I'm in Canada) and I am just wanting to know if I should order 1 or 2 sheets.

 

[MrMateoHead]

For those of you who have done the sorbothane mod, how much of the 6x6 sheet did you use? I can only seem to find a 3x3 1/10 40 duro sheet with 3m backing (I'm in Canada) and I am just wanting to know if I should order 1 or 2 sheets.

I used probably about 1 full inch of the stuff to do my HE-400s, and that includes some waste. Not much at all. I have plenty left over to experiment with so may do just that when I get up the courage to crack open some other speakers / enclosures on my mind. I was actually thinking about removed approximately 50% of my present coverage to see if the ringing is still inaudible but the sound livens up a tad.

 

[BrettMatthews]

I used probably about 1 full inch of the stuff to do my HE-400s, and that includes some waste. Not much at all. I have plenty left over to experiment with so may do just that when I get up the courage to crack open some other speakers / enclosures on my mind. I was actually thinking about removed approximately 50% of my present coverage to see if the ringing is still inaudible but the sound livens up a tad.

Oh wow, so it hardly uses any at all. So a 3x3 should be plenty?

 

[MrMateoHead]

Oh wow, so it hardly uses any at all. So a 3x3 should be plenty?

It is - but in my case I went with more as the cost per inch was better. That and I figured I might want to play with it a bit.

 

[BrettMatthews]

It is - but in my case I went with more as the cost per inch was better. That and I figured I might want to play with it a bit.

Well this is all I can find up here so it will have to do. Thanks for the help!

Edit: Ordered! Looking forward to trying this out. Ordered a custom cable made by q2klepto too! Will post pics when it arrives.

 

[nmatheis]

Here's my HE400S review, which is focused on looking at HE400S from an HE400 lover's perspective: LINK.
 
The short and skinny: IMHO, the HE400S are a good headphone with a pretty conventional sound signature and are worth the price of entry. I'd recommend them for people looking for that in a planar. However, I'm taken aback by how far the HE400S sound signature deviates from the original HE400. I do understand that move started with HE400i, so I'm not shocked. I am rather disappointed that the HE400's unique sound has been shelved, though.

 

[MrMateoHead]

  Here's my HE400S review, which is focused on looking at HE400S from an HE400 lover's perspective: LINK.
 
The short and skinny: IMHO, the HE400S are a good headphone with a pretty conventional sound signature and are worth the price of entry. I'd recommend them for people looking for that in a planar. However, I'm taken aback by how far the HE400S sound signature deviates from the original HE400. I do understand that move started with HE400i, so I'm not shocked. I am rather disappointed that the HE400's unique sound has been shelved, though.

Chalk it up to the single-sided planar drivers! I did - I think they might've been a "mistake", probably reducing cost and performance.

 
But Honestly the HE-400 + Sorbathane + Velour + EQ = Awesome Sonics and a great value if you spent less than $400. The bass has always been fantastic, but cleaned up mids and treble bring these into a way more competitive position IMHO.
 
Hifiman might've gotten me to upgrade but the increased prices made resisting them easy. I flat would refuse to spend $500 or more unless the things were virtually perfect.

 

[nmatheis]

Yes MrMateoHead, my plan is to play around with various mods for my HE400 - Lohb's suspension, more open grill, and sorbothane. I might even have someone make me some wood cups one of these days

 

[nmatheis]

BTW, can someone link to (or PM me) good pics of your Sorbothane modded HE400?

 

[MrMateoHead]

Yes @MrMateoHead, my plan is to play around with various mods for my HE400 - Lohb's suspension, more open grill, and sorbothane. I might even have someone make me some wood cups one of these days

I'd vote against the grill mod. others noted a positive impact, but when I listened to them with grills off, I didn't immediately detect a positive change. Maybe my hearing is not as sensitive as others, but frankly pads and sorbathane have been the two most obvious upgrades you can do.

 

[nmatheis]

MrMateoHead

I want to try the grill mod in conjunction with other mods because, like you, I didn't notice anything significant and would be worried my wee boys would destroy the drivers!

Which pads are you using? And do you have any internal pics of your Sorb-modded HE400?

 

[MrMateoHead]

A link to my rambling on Sorbathane starts around here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/744839/damping-mechanical-resonance-distortion-of-stax-and-other-phones-with-sorbothane-and-other-materials/225
 
I fully lined my cups and stuck some to the driver itself.
 
Were I do bother doing it again, I'd start with half as much sorbathane and see how that sounded. I may have overdamped mine slightly but I broke a clip off my retaining ring, so am trying to keep myself from taking them apart yet again. Be careful and enjoy yourself, these phones are quite easy to work on but don't get started until you are ready to really sit down, do some modding, and lots of listening.

 

[Oregonian]

Yes @MrMateoHead, my plan is to play around with various mods for my HE400 - Lohb's suspension, more open grill, and sorbothane. I might even have someone make me some wood cups one of these days

Might try the Audeze pads as well.............I've tried 6 different pads on my HE-400 and like them the best by far. 

 

[nmatheis]

@Oregonian: The Audeze Vegan pads, right?
 
You're in Portland, right? I forget if you've done the Sorb-mod yet. If so, perhaps you could coach me through it. And, I've been thinking of trying to get some PDX area headfi'ers together for an informal mini meet somewhere. You interested?

 

[jackharm]

Tempted to try out the Audeze pads, the large ear opening really does appeal to my interest. The only thing currently keeping me from buying a pair is that it is hard to find a (reasonably) priced one within Canada. There's the B&H $62 variant, but they don't ship to Canada.
 
I am however using HM5's angled velours and appreciate their plushness.
 
I also wonder how much larger the Vegan pads are than the HE-400 baffles and if the mounting rings would fit, or if you would be better off tacking on some double-sided tape for a seal.