[Sonic Defender]

   
I have 7 other headphones to compare with, it's not the material. It's certain frequencies that get hit during the songs that makes it apparent. Another person mentioned in this thread as well, in addition to someone in the /r/headphones chat. By the way, it doesn't sound bad, it just sounds kind of weird. Not something I've heard with a headphone before.

I know what you're saying, but I would propose that the headphone is the constant, it doesn't change, the material changes, so if the anomaly exists with the headphone (constant) it should always be present. I suspect it becomes debatable at what threshold something becomes noticeable with different headphones, which I think is really what you are detecting, and I think this is true of all headphone designs, but design parameter dependent. For instance today with my PM3s some Holly Cole seemed to get a little shouty in the vocals at some intense points, but at home on my speakers (I know not the same thing, but humour me) the shoutiness was gone, and with my 400is less noticeable.
 
I guess in a long-winded, blow-hard way I'm saying it is the intersection of the material and the headphone, so really we are both describing the same thing from a different perspective; which means, I have just wasted a few minutes of everybody's life who has read my comments. Doesn't that feel good?

 

[sghound]

I have yet another bass rattle in the right side that has cropped up AGAIN. Two sets in a row. Can't believe it...

 
QC fail?

 

[Dylan43270]

I actually go back and forth between the stock pads and the Alpha Pads. The Alpha Pads seem to make them more of a V sound signature.

 

[maul]

QC fail?

Whatever it is, it's like the right cup gets loosened by the bass and gets creaky and rattly. Something is clearly wrong if it happened twice in a row. Can't be my dac/amp as it's a physical issue with the headphone, but I'm playing it safe and getting a new setup anyway.

 

[marhol]

Whatever it is, it's like the right cup gets loosened by the bass and gets creaky and rattly. Something is clearly wrong if it happened twice in a row. Can't be my dac/amp as it's a physical issue with the headphone, but I'm playing it safe and getting a new setup anyway.

Sorry to hear that, supposing all connectors are screwed properly and you´ve been handling the headphone with care it might be QC. Perhaps the third time will be the charm for you !?

 

[rwscpa]

My 400i order from Razordog were shipped directly from HFM and came packaged and boxed as others have described. They were definitely brand new but they didn't have the protective plastic film over the logos.
 
 
They sound great on all the music I've listened to using FiiO E12 amp. I listen pretty loudly too.
 
Razordog also made sure I got my replacement cables from HFM very quickly. Very excellent customer service from this vendor. 

 

[automaton]

Has anyone who ordered through ACGears received shipping confirmation?  They were supposedly waiting for more stock earlier this week...

 

[NeoWilson]

  He said extender. Now imagine Beavis and Butthead voices laughing in the back ground.

Sorry what do you mean ?
 
Another question is when would one need the Uber version of Magni2 and Modi2? What's the use of Uber ver on Modi2 and Uber on Magni2?

 

[mysticstryk]

Sorry what do you mean ?

Another question is when would one needs the Uber version of Magni2 and Modi2? What's the use of Uber ver on Modi2 and Uber on Magni2?

Modi 2 Uber has the addition of optical and coax inputs while the Magni 2 Uber is slightly more powerful and has preamp outs. Both have a nicer finish to them as well.

 

[spanner43]

Was looking into changing the cable on my black friday 400i's. I read that you can use Senn 700 cables, which can be found on amazon or ebay at decent prices. Does anyone have any experience with this? the 2.5 jacks on the 400i's are TRRS (tip ring ring sleeve) and the 2.5 jacks for the 700 cables are TRS (tip ring sleeve). I know these can be interchangeable but wanted to make sure before I bought anything http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBBR8T4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

[Mr Rick]

  Was looking into changing the cable on my black friday 400i's. I read that you can use Senn 700 cables, which can be found on amazon or ebay at decent prices. Does anyone have any experience with this? the 2.5 jacks on the 400i's are TRRS (tip ring ring sleeve) and the 2.5 jacks for the 700 cables are TRS (tip ring sleeve). I know these can be interchangeable but wanted to make sure before I bought anything http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBBR8T4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I bought virtually identical cables on ebay. they work fine.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161743404378?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=460719869859&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Noodlz]

Just got my HE-400i's today! Was going to get it on the black friday sale but ended up picking one of the older ones with a norne mini-xlr adapter. I have a set of Vero mini-xlr reference cables coming in which will be perfect for these, so things worked out well =) These things look super sexy, light and comfy. I think if you happen to have one of the older cable screw in types you should definitely pick up the norne adapter.
 

 
 
Some sound impressions: (warning: I've got a bit of synesthesia so my descriptions might make me sound like a crazy person...)
 
I should note that i previously had a pair of HE 560s and modded LCD 2.2, and tested LCD XC & LCD3Fs for two weeks (sold my LCD2.2 to save for LCD3), I also had the Mad dog 3.2s, just haven't time with the Oppos. These crush the Mad Dogs, are in the league of the 560 and LCD2.2 (LCD3F and XCs are a whole nother level).
 
When compared to the HE560s & LCD 2.2 from memory out of a gustard H10 (also note i've now updated my setup with Burson V5 opamps), these have a veeery nice clarity fluidity to it, but not as rich as the LCDs or top glossy/sparkly like the HE560s. The LCD2.2 was like rich darker toffee caramel, lush and swirly, the HE560 was like sweet light amber caramel candy that's top sparkly and glossy sweetness. 
 
The He-400i on the other hand is got a nice slight cooler clear glossy flavor. its still got that sweetness, but less caramel, more liquid ice. like ice in a martini glass or scotch (depending on the music you listen to). It has a very nice breath of fresh morning frost air, though with its soundstage making it very intimate (like instead of being in a open field, you're in a roofless 1 story spanish-mission-styled house without doors), and i think if mods are performed to open it up it would be even better.
 
Overall i reaally dig these. i think they're definitely more balanced sounding than the HE 560s. From memory i think i like these better actually. LCDs have better lush / richness and breathtaking vocals when amped right (gustard H10), but im going to get LCD3s for that. (plus LCDs are way to heavy for casual long term listening). Compared to the LCDs these do have better clarity / crispness, while keeping fluidity without being dry (think of DT880s, which i have and love, but are dry / thin / whispier) 
 
So yeah. with all that, absolutely worth the money. at $300 its a no-brainer, you must get it. At $500 its a fantastic buy still, definitely a better buy than the 560s in my opinion (which i did like, but bang for buck the 400i is a better deal). law of diminishing returns definitely applies.

 

[mysticstryk]

^ Nice impressions, I think maybe we should add your descriptions to the official head-fi glossary!

 

[marhol]

Re Noodlz: Thanks for your impressions, I agree with your description and comparison between LCDs. I really like tuning of HE-400i, for me there is just right balance between lushness and clarity. In this aspect I´ve also prefered HE-400i to HE-560.

 

[fjrabon]

I think the HE400i paired with the Grace m9XX could be my endgame setup.  As they've both rolled past 150 hours, with 80 hours of "on head" time, this is just such an incredible pairing.  
 
I finally have the headband bent/stretched *just right*. They were never uncomfortable, even straight out of the box, but there was a tiny bit of pressure, now they're firmly in the "can melt off the head" feeling during long sessions.  And these are the *perfect* pairing for long sessions.  Enabling crossfeed on the Grace, and this is the least fatiguing headphone I've ever heard.  The resolution and transparency means that I never have to strain to hear anything.  The tonal balance, flat bass and  (to me) neutrality means no frequency ever wears you out. The crossfeed makes for a less fatiguing listen as well.  While the soundstage isn't vast, it's so coherent and imaging is so precise, that it's an effortless listen.  It's present without being sibilant.  The bass is full and extends, without booming (which can get fatiguing after a while to me).  
 
The signature, right away, seems maybe kind of boring, especially coming from the THX00.  But it's just so resolving, transparent and fast, while being smooth and musical, that those qualities become fun in their own right.  I realize instead of being like "wow, oh my god the bass" like I am with the THX00, more often I think "wow, this song is incredible.  WIth this can it just becomes so squarely about the music as opposed to noticing things about the headphone.  With things like the THX00, TH900, HD800, LCD2, RS1, etc I always felt like a large part of me was listening to the headphone instead of the music.  Here I just feel like I'm listening to the music.  
 
The word that keeps coming to mind with this pair is simply "effortless" They just effortlessly bring me my music.  They get out of the way.
 
edit: one other point is this has by far the most listenable range of volume I've ever heard.  On the Grace, I find them listenable from 59 to 79.  That's 20 dB of difference that I find them perfectly listenable.