[MattTCG]

  MattTCG,
 
Thank you.
I am happy to know people like the sound of HE-400 with classical music.
 
However, for me personally, it is still difficult to make a decision between HD6xx and HE400.

 
No need for that, just get both. 

  Seriously, at the current price point of the $299, truly peanuts for this kind of performance, you should have both. Or get one first and then add the other later. 
 
I'm listening to Chloe Hanslip with the London Symphony Orchestra as I type this. The real key is the Crack amp for this chain. And OMG is it good. 

 

[U6astik]

MattTCG,
 
I agree with you

The only question is which to get first

 
Anyway, soon I'll be able to visit a HiFi shop in London to audition HD6xx and make a decision based on my impressions.

 

[MattTCG]

^^ Perfect. Let me know how it turns out. 

 

[Saoshyant]

I can't say I enjoy classical on my 400, love it on the hd700 tho.

 

[U6astik]

I can't say I enjoy classical on my 400, love it on the hd700 tho.

 
[b]Saoshyant[/b],
 
Oh, pity.
Any sertain reasons you feel they don't excel at classics?

 

[nicholars]

  TMRaven,
 
Thank you for your answer.
To be honest, I have no experience with headphones having recessed treble, I usually had the contrary problems.
It is pleasant to know the 1kHz peak does not affect the sound of HE-400 badly.
 
So, would you personally rate them as good headphones for classical? Or headphones like HE-300, HD600 or HD650 will be a better choice for that type of music?

 
The peak does affect the sound of the HE400, it also has some ringing in that area, you can fix the problem with pad mods and EQ.

 

[subguy812]

I find it amazing that this thread is so active for 2 years. There are not many other threads that have sustained like this. I think it is a testament to a great hp.

 

[subguy812]

   
[b]Saoshyant[/b],
 
Oh, pity.
Any sertain reasons you feel they don't excel at classics?

I am listening to classical as I type....certainly no issues here with it.

 

[Saoshyant]

[B]Saoshyant[/B],

Oh, pity.
Any sertain reasons you feel they don't excel at classics?

For me, the mids become overwhelmed when there is a present bass. I've spent a lot of my classical listening using an Etymotic, which is very bass light by comparison, and is very detail orientated. I'm not an articulate listener, so I am incapable of writing a detailed analysis to truly explain every aspect that feels off to me, but it just doesn't sound right.

 

[Bboy500]

Is the Schiit Magni & Modi combo still the best $200 one for the HE-400?
 
Last time I was active and looking, that was the go to one for the $200 price point. I just got a bunch of money so I want to upgrade past my FiiO E10 finally.

 

[rudeboybass]

Go for the modi vali combo

 

[xenaxance]

   
He500...

 
my wallet: oouch!
 

 
I have an Ember amp and a bushmaster dac and there is no more problem for me with the highs of the he 400

 
my wallet: are you kidding me!
 
Quote:

   
I think FAQ's added to post one way back would avoid this recurring question. There are EQ parametric curves posted by Nicholars and Beaver316.
See post 1 !!

i asked for the best way to smoothen those spikes.. i dont think EQs are the best way.. well i haven't tried them either

 

[TontonJoK]

EQ does work pretty well to smoothen the highs, +1 for equalizer apo as suggested
It works for gaming or music

 

[TontonJoK]

And a good amp such as vali modi combo, LD Mk3, or others

 

[amigomatt]

Dear all,

Could you please tell me how well does HE-400 perform with classical music? [COLOR=696969](Mainly large orchestral works of Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Bruckner, Shostakovich, etc.)[/COLOR]

I have seen the FR graphs and heard many favourable reviews about its superbly-extended bass and flat mids, however, I am concerned about the 5dB peak at 0.7 - 1.5kHz.





                                       [COLOR=696969]Modified HE-400 FR graph from innerfidelity.com[/COLOR]

I am not a fan of treble boost (i.e. I hate it), however, the peak of HE-400 is not really in treble region..

Won't those cans feel fatiguing when listening to music filled with brass instruments (especially trumpets) and female opera vocal?


Thank you in advance.

I listen mainly to large scale orchestral music and am a semi pro trumpeter. I can confirm your suspicions about the tizzy presentation of brass through the HE400s, but it's very recording dependent. That upper sheen can also affect string tones as well, but having EQd them, the problem no longer exists for me and the advantages of these amazing headphones do outweigh the treble issues for me. I wasn't happy with me HE400s for a while until I started using EQ.