[swspiers]

 


yeah, and in a lot of music 16kHz is cut with a low pass filter on most of the instruments/vocals anyway.  The highest fundamental tone you will really hear in music is 4kHz, so that means 16kHz would be 4X the highest pitched fundamental you hear.  I'm not saying there's *no* 16kHz in music, just very, very little.  Then add in the fact that most microphones aren't particularly good at picking up 16kHz in the first place.

However 4x just means 2 octaves higher. Its not as crazy up-there as it sounds. I would contend that 8 kHz issues in headphones are very audible to me in a lot of music. they may just be harmonics of a lower fundamental tone, but it is still quite audible, IMO.

edit: you're right

 

[fjrabon]

I'm pretty sure that would be 3 octave higher. Which is pretty huge

nah, it is two octaves.  each doubling is an octave.  
 
A way to think about this and realize how crazy high 16k is is this:
 
The highest note on any guitar fretboard is 1.3 kHz.  That is, the 24th fret of the highest string.  To get to 16kHz we'd have to:
 
double for the first harmonic 2.6 kHz, double again for the second octave harmonic, 5.2 kHz, double again, for the next 10.4 kHz, and we're still well short of 16kHz.  If you created a fret for 16kHz it would be roughly the 70th fret and it would be millimeters from the guitar's bridge.  The next doubling would be over 20kHz (and even if you could hear that high, the harmonic's amplitude would be so low as inaudible even to a dog because of lack of amplitude).  
 
And this is just for crazy high notes.  16kHz on vocals is non-existent as a harmonic, for all intents and purposes.  And like I said earlier, even if you want to argue you can theoretically hear it, that's not true because 16kHz is almost always cut out on vocal tracks anyway in the studio.  

 

[coletrain104]

 
nah, it is two octaves.  each doubling is an octave.  
 
A way to think about this and realize how crazy high 16k is is this:
 
The highest note on any guitar fretboard is 1.3 kHz.  That is, the 24th fret of the highest string.  To get to 16kHz we'd have to:
 
double for the first harmonic 2.6 kHz, double again for the second octave harmonic, 5.2 kHz, double again, for the next 10.4 kHz, and we're still well short of 16kHz.  If you created a fret for 16kHz it would be roughly the 70th fret and it would be millimeters from the guitar's bridge.  The next doubling would be over 20kHz (and even if you could hear that high, the harmonic's amplitude would be so low as inaudible even to a dog because of lack of amplitude).  

I was not arguing the audibility of 16kHz in music, but rather the audibility of info above 4kHz. for example, if I can't hear the DT990's 9kHz treble peak in music, why does it hurt my ears so much? From my knowledge it would seem that I hear harmonics (even if only cymbal noise or electronic music) up to around 8-10kHz quite readily.

 

[fjrabon]

  I was not arguing the audibility of 16kHz in music, but rather the audibility of info above 4kHz. for example, if I can't hear the DT990's 9kHz treble peak in music, why does it hurt my ears so much? From my knowledge it would seem that I hear harmonics (even if only cymbal noise or electronic music) up to around 8-10kHz quite readily.

I have no idea what you're even talking about.  I was talking about 16kHz.  10 kHz is pretty readily audible most of the time on cymbals and even high pitched "normal" instruments.

 

[marhol]

  I was not arguing the audibility of 16kHz in music, but rather the audibility of info above 4kHz. for example, if I can't hear the DT990's 9kHz treble peak in music, why does it hurt my ears so much? From my knowledge it would seem that I hear harmonics (even if only cymbal noise or electronic music) up to around 8-10kHz quite readily.

DT 990 has unnaturaly elevated treble around 8-10 kHz, that´s why cymbals or percussions are so prominent during a headphone session with them. They sound as pretty detailed headphones but it gets fatiguing after some time. One of the reasons I purchased HE-400i 

 

[duente7]

just got these for $350, unfortunately they came with the screw-on connector instead of the 2.5mm, but these will be used for my desktop setup and don't intend to remove the cable much.
 
God they sound clean!and that bass response! I also own the X2 and the magni 2u/modi2u stack with X5ii. With the addition of these, i can say that's "mid-fi" endgame for me
 
very very happy with this setup

 

[WayTooCrazy]

  just got these for $350, unfortunately they came with the screw-on connector instead of the 2.5mm, but these will be used for my desktop setup and don't intend to remove the cable much.
 
God they sound clean!and that bass response! I also own the X2 and the magni 2u/modi2u stack with X5ii. With the addition of these, i can say that's "mid-fi" endgame for me
 
very very happy with this setup

Congrats on the GREAT deal! They are a good headphone. I would like to find impressions of a Modi2/Vali2 pairing impressions.

 

[duente7]

 
Congrats on the GREAT deal! They are a good headphone. I would like to find impressions of a Modi2/Vali2 pairing impressions.

Thanks!

 
i will let these burn in for a few days first and revert.
 
a question
is any "soft" mod recommended? by "soft" i mean different pads, or cable. i was thinking to order the Forza Audioworks Color series cable, as i have previously bought the same for my X2 and i preferred it to the stock one. is there any significant improvement by either change?
 
i also read many posts about how the 2.5mm version has the backplate removed and how soundstage imaging is improved by that. i auditioned the HE-400s at same shop, but to be honest, i didn't notice any difference..

 

[Modular]

If you are willing to spend a little more, Garage 1217 has a nice selection of hybrid amps.
I havent heard one myself, but from what i read they are really nice and have a warm touch, probably what you are looking for.

Garage 1217 Project Starlight seems to be the only one within spitting distance of the Vali, feel it's comparable? Thanks

Late to the party on this, but I have the Project Sunrise 2 and absolutely love it. The newer versions autobias tubes and have better output resistance settings.

Go with G1217. You will not be dissapointed. Just search for tons of great reviews on here.

 

[maheeinfy]

Looking to replace the stock cable.
Suggestions plz...

 

[7UPguy]

Looking to replace the stock cable.
Suggestions plz...

http://bestintheversecables.com/collections/custom-cable

 

[Brad331]

Those of you looking to equalize the HE400i to neutral frequency response, try my EQ setting! It's based on the inverse of InnerFidelity's raw frequency response measurement that I compensated with diffuse field HRTF.
I've got a bunch of files for you to use with the equalizer software of your choice:

1. EQI file for EQuilibrium. I most recommend EQuilbrium because it supports the most bands, has a great interface, is VST-enabled, and supports IIR, FIR, linear and minimum phase.
2. WAV file for convolvers.

1. TXT config file for Equalizer APO.

1. MDAT file for Room EQ Wizard, containing the HRTF compensated frequency response and my parametric settings for you to further tweak.
2. Parametric EQ settings for any other parametric equalizer (Q or bandwidth, I got you both!)

Spoiler: For equalizers with adjustable Q values

Preamp: -7.7 dB
Filter  1: ON  PK       Fc     102 Hz  Gain  -2.5 dB  Q  2.00
Filter  2: ON  PK       Fc     142 Hz  Gain  -2.3 dB  Q  2.00
Filter  3: ON  PK       Fc     252 Hz  Gain  -4.1 dB  Q  1.00
Filter  4: ON  PK       Fc     505 Hz  Gain  -2.9 dB  Q  1.36
Filter  5: ON  PK       Fc     963 Hz  Gain  -5.1 dB  Q  1.00
Filter  6: ON  PK       Fc   2,107 Hz  Gain -11.8 dB  Q  1.54
Filter  7: ON  PK       Fc   2,135 Hz  Gain  18.1 dB  Q  1.00
Filter  8: ON  PK       Fc   3,350 Hz  Gain  -6.3 dB  Q  2.29
Filter  9: ON  PK       Fc   4,315 Hz  Gain  -2.5 dB  Q  9.77
Filter 10: ON  PK       Fc   5,100 Hz  Gain  -2.2 dB  Q  7.00
Filter 11: ON  PK       Fc   5,773 Hz  Gain   1.7 dB  Q  5.00
Filter 12: ON  PK       Fc   6,657 Hz  Gain  -4.5 dB  Q  2.80
Filter 13: ON  PK       Fc   9,372 Hz  Gain  -6.6 dB  Q  4.07
Filter 14: ON  PK       Fc  11,420 Hz  Gain   4.3 dB  Q  4.09
Filter 15: ON  PK       Fc  13,000 Hz  Gain   7.2 dB  Q  1.58
Filter 16: ON  PK       Fc  19,500 Hz  Gain  -4.6 dB  Q  1.20
Filter 17: ON  PK       Fc  19,988 Hz  Gain  -0.9 dB  Q  6.00

Spoiler: For equalizers with adjustable bandwidth octaves

Preamp: -7.7 dB
Filter: ON PK Fc 102 Hz Gain -2.5 dB BW Oct 0.714
Filter: ON PK Fc 142 Hz Gain -2.3 dB BW Oct 0.714
Filter: ON PK Fc 252 Hz Gain -4.1 dB BW Oct 1.3885
Filter: ON PK Fc 505 Hz Gain -2.9 dB BW Oct 1.0383
Filter: ON PK Fc 963 Hz Gain -5.1 dB BW Oct 1.3885
Filter: ON PK Fc 2107 Hz Gain -11.8 dB BW Oct 0.9211
Filter: ON PK Fc 2135 Hz Gain 18.1 dB BW Oct 1.3885
Filter: ON PK Fc 3350 Hz Gain -6.3 dB BW Oct 0.6251
Filter: ON PK Fc 4315 Hz Gain -2.5 dB BW Oct 0.1476
Filter: ON PK Fc 5100 Hz Gain -2.2 dB BW Oct 0.2059
Filter: ON PK Fc 5773 Hz Gain 1.7 dB BW Oct 0.2881
Filter: ON PK Fc 6657 Hz Gain -4.5 dB BW Oct 0.5125
Filter: ON PK Fc 9372 Hz Gain -6.6 dB BW Oct 0.3536
Filter: ON PK Fc 11420 Hz Gain 4.3 dB BW Oct 0.3519
Filter: ON PK Fc 13000 Hz Gain 7.2 dB BW Oct 0.8985
Filter: ON PK Fc 19500 Hz Gain -4.6 dB BW Oct 1.1699
Filter: ON PK Fc 19988 Hz Gain -0.9 dB BW Oct 0.2402

1. Excel spreadsheet which I used to calculate the compensated frequency response and the quasi-parametric EQ values. I used the compensated FR in Room EQ Wizard to figure out the parametric version of my EQ setting.

These settings adjust the HE400i to theoretically ±1dB around an average of 47 subjects' diffuse field HRTF by Dorte Hammershøi and Henrik Møller (recommended as most accurate on Rin Choi's blog), with a 4dB <100Hz bass compensation as suggested by the target FR by Sean Olive, Harman. Of course, on top of that there's going to be variations with headphone placement, HRTF differences of the individual listener (you and me), but to me it sounds really really neutral compared to my flat speakers. Try it out and let me know what you think!
 
Download

 

[WayTooCrazy]

FYI: For anyone who has the new HE-400i with the 2.5mm ends. That cable can be "Balanced". The stock cable has 4 conductors in it. Each side has a separate ground and lead wire.
 
I was looking for USA distributors of nice looking ends (to get a 6.5mm one), but I got tired of waiting... so I put on my lonely Switchcraft 3.5mm end.

 

[ChesterYonany]

  FYI: For anyone who has the new HE-400i with the 2.5mm ends. That cable can be "Balanced". The stock cable has 4 conductors in it. Each side has a separate ground and lead wire.
 

i think it is 3 cables per side.
2 for the "music" and 1 for grounding.

 

[WayTooCrazy]

When I cut the end off of the stock cable, there was 2 wires per side. Then I re-terminated with an 1/8" Switchcraft plug. Sounds perfectly fine. This is why I think a dual mono cable could work.

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