[Vartan]

Guys what you think about this pads?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thicker-Softer-Cushion-Ear-Pads-For-HE-300-400-500-560-HE-4-6-5-5LE-Headphones/252098733120?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D39107%26meid%3D856d83a3a16347469c506faa3839fa14%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D251729224259

 

[shuto77]

Did someone try the Ether C pads with the 400i ?

No, but my Alpha Pads are pretty dope.

 

[drwlf]

  Yes i also think the back plate change altered the bass extension. 
That is a bummer because i bought them because of the planar bass.
Looks like the 400i have a more dominant mid-range with the HM5 pads than the 7XX and i like a good mid-range 
Would you consider the AKG K7XX  to be better than the HE-400i with the HM5 pads?

I also got in touch with HIFIMAN and asked if i could buy the plastic mounting rings only.. and they said yes! but for 10$ thats kinda stupid.
I think i will order the HIFIMAN leather ones and angled HM5..

 
I wouldn't be too certain that the backplate removal has altered the bass extension by a considerable amount (to go as far as to say that the sub-bass rolls off dramatically) - unless the people in this forum, and in some others, have porridge in their ears, as comparisons have been made, and I haven't seen this particular conclusion before.
Crawling through search with "backplate" doesn't seem to support this, nor with "bass", or the backplate change thread, (however I found one comparison, which could be read one way or the other).
The change has been pretty uniformly received as a positive thing.
What about unit variation?
 
Additionally, pads which position your ear a wee bit further from a HiFiMAN driver, increases bass response. mirrored in @Dopaminer's post, ".. and I know from experience that moving the HE- drivers away from the ears, even a millimeter, increases the bass markedly."

 

[YtseJamer]

No, but my Alpha Pads are pretty dope.

 
Interesting, someone told me that they almost sound like a poor man version of the Utopia with the Ether C pads.  lol I'm skeptical.

 

[Ancipital]

   
Interesting, someone told me that they almost sound like a poor man version of the Utopia with the Ether C pads.  lol I'm skeptical.

 
It would be impressive if the pads managed to completely transform the impulse response, it's true.

 

[Voxata]

Made a nice cable for the 400i, the stock cable is terrible!

 

[DavidA]

Made a nice cable for the 400i, the stock cable is terrible!

Nice work

 

[MWSVette]

The Hifiman online store has refurbished HE-400i new and old versions on sale for $229.00...
 
http://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he-400i-505.html
 
http://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he-400i-506.html

 

[Voxata]

Thanks! I ended up making a few.

 

[bogde]

great job! where did you get the wire from?
 
Quote:

Thanks! I ended up making a few.

 

[bogde]

not sure if it was mentioned here but the HE400i is also available at headamp for $224 using the HEADFI10 coupon with free (international) shipping. ships in 7 to 10 days though.

 

[Voxata]

That's insanely cheap. I'm using star quad Canare. Compared stranded to solid core and found no sonic difference. Do like it compared to the stock cable though.

 

[bogde]

thanks. i ordered one and already hate the angled connector on the included cable, so i'm planning to build a nicer one.

 

[katzolik]

  not sure if it was mentioned here but the HE400i is also available at headamp for $224 using the HEADFI10 coupon with free (international) shipping. ships in 7 to 10 days though.

=((( you should have mention this a few days prior. ordered mine for 249$ with 16$ shipping to Germany!

 

[bogde]

i only found out about it yesterday from the headamp holiday deals thread. maybe you can cancel your order if the package wasn't shipped.