[nabwong]

Side view

 

[dshlapak]

  http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57616687-47/hifimans-advanced-headphone-tech-at-ces-2014-improves-sound-quality/

Hence the appearance of the HE-400 in the "Cyber Monday" environment.
 
Just ordered a Vali; going to enjoy my new "old" HE-400's with that for a while before I start getting upgradeitis. 

 

[manbear]

  http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57616687-47/hifimans-advanced-headphone-tech-at-ces-2014-improves-sound-quality/

Great find!

I hate to say it, but the new headband looks ugly. Not that it really matters. And it looks like they still have those coaxial connectors. Oh well. I hope they add an HE-6 replacement so I can get an HE-6 on discount...

 

[Mani ATH 87]

 
Great find!

I hate to say it, but the new headband looks ugly. Not that it really matters. And it looks like they still have those coaxial connectors. Oh well. I hope they add an HE-6 replacement so I can get an HE-6 on discount...

Ha, I agree on the aesthetics of the headband on the new model, really looks ugly. Looks like it could be a comfortable design though.

Just wanted to say I picked up the Schiit Magni and Modi for Christmas to use with my HE-400 and they sound excellent together. I upgraded from a Fiio E17 and the Magni and Modi are a more then worthy upgrade over the Fiio.

 

[beaver316]

  http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57616687-47/hifimans-advanced-headphone-tech-at-ces-2014-improves-sound-quality/

 
Holy schiit! I'm totally loving the new design. It looks like Hifiman has improved on the shortcomings of their current lineup. Improved comfort (headband), and improved weight. 
 
That HE-400i is probably what was discussed on this thread a while back; an improved HE-400 with it's problem areas fixed, or at least I hope so.

 

[Saraguie]

   
I hope that you have a private office or that your office mate shares the same interest in music as you. 

 
 
There will be no isolation.

Just me and my wife and will listen a low level.
 
I'm more concerned about paying $399. vs price drop and the new improved model. Maybe I should cancel and wait?

 

[manbear]

 
I'm more concerned about paying $399. vs price drop and the new improved model. Maybe I should cancel and wait?

You can probably find a used one for ~$300 here. 

 

[TMRaven]

Frankly I'm not too pleased with the new HE look.  They recycled the same cup design, cable attachment and velour pads, then added a ****tier, diy looking stax suspension band and gimbals.  I'm sure they look better in person though.
 
If anything I was hoping for a oval opening wedge shaped leather pad like audeze and higher stax.

 

[Za Warudo]

 
Holy schiit! I'm totally loving the new design. It looks like Hifiman has improved on the shortcomings of their current lineup. Improved comfort (headband), and improved weight. 
 
That HE-400i is probably what was discussed on this thread a while back; an improved HE-400 with it's problem areas fixed, or at least I hope so.

 


The current headband is fine imo. The cups are not great though since they are massive and is impossible to get a proper seal with the stock pads (pleather or velour) unless you have a very large head. Also don't like that they are keeping the coaxial connectors.

 

[jerg]

  Frankly I'm not too pleased with the new HE look.  They recycled the same cup design, cable attachment and velour pads, then added a ****tier, diy looking stax suspension band and gimbals.  I'm sure they look better in person though.
 
If anything I was hoping for a oval opening wedge shaped leather pad like audeze and higher stax.

It just means earpad modders will continue to thrive 

 
Who knows, a few months ~ a year down the line, someone might actually produce some sick Hifiman-specific earpads with elements of the jergpad mod.

 

[beaver316]

 

   
Holy schiit! I'm totally loving the new design. It looks like Hifiman has improved on the shortcomings of their current lineup. Improved comfort (headband), and improved weight. 
 
That HE-400i is probably what was discussed on this thread a while back; an improved HE-400 with it's problem areas fixed, or at least I hope so.

 


The current headband is fine imo. The cups are not great though since they are massive and is impossible to get a proper seal with the stock pads (pleather or velour) unless you have a very large head. Also don't like that they are keeping the coaxial connectors.

 
Massive cups mean massive drivers which is a good thing imo. And I doubt the lack of seal actually affects the sound very much, it's not a closed can. Coaxial connectors though aren't great... hopefully they change those out before release.
 
I'm happy they're going for the same look though, it's the Hifiman 'design' which im very fond of.

 

[DoctaCosmos]

So my findings are that angled drivers come off as a more natural coherent sound to your ears where flat drivers sound more like a speaker next to your ear.  Totally makes sense now.

 

[MattTCG]

Great find Raven. Should be an interesting 2014 for HFM. Looking forward to impressions. 
 
Guttenberg refers to them as sounding more like electrostatics. This could get very interesting. I was holding out for the new Oppo but I would jump on the 400i instead if it's in the ballpark with the lower end stax. 

 

[roguegeek]

Well, I've spent a good 7 months of fair listening with my HE-400, but was never really happy with them. I just wanted something more neutral and detailed. The natural step was to move up to the HE-500, but that all changed this week when I demoed something else and now I'm hellbent on acquiring them. If anyone is interested, that means the HE-400 is for sale and looking for a good owner who will appreciate them more than I have. I feel like I will still try out the HE-500, though. I mean I definitely wont pass up the opportunity to try them if/when I can.

 

[MattTCG]

^^ So what was it that you demoed that has you so excited?