[Mad Lust Envy]

For those who love the 880, you can get the HE4, which is like an uber DT880. The closest to a planar DT880, tbh.

 

[shiorisekine]

For those who love the 880, you can get the HE4, which is like an uber DT880. The closest to a planar DT880, tbh.

I have always wanted the HE-4 but I was told that the 400 was better, in the same respects I was told the 500 was better than the 5/5LE.

But I heard the original 5 was the best headphone for metal/rock.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The HE4 is quite a step above the 400, IMHO. But it's quite dependent on what you connect it to, while the 400 sounds more or less the same off everything. The HE4 is also better balanced, more airy, and cleaner sounding. I still prefer the 400's thicker sound, despite it's bigger flaws. The HE4 has a slight v shaped curve like the 880. The 400 has an identity crisis in being both warm and bright which don't tend to go hand in hand. That treble mountain after the upper mid valley just don't go too well together all in all.

 

[kothganesh]

The HE4 is quite a step above the 400, IMHO. But it's quite dependent on what you connect it to, while the 400 sounds more or less the same off everything. The HE4 is also better balanced, more airy, and cleaner sounding. I still prefer the 400's thicker sound, despite it's bigger flaws. The HE4 has a slight v shaped curve like the 880. The 400 has an identity crisis in being both warm and bright which don't tend to go hand in hand. That treble mountain after the upper mid valley just don't go too well together all in all.

+1. Once I started using the HE 4 with the Emotiva mini-X (and now with my JVC receiver), I stopped using the HE 400. I gifted the 400 to my nephew who loves the bass and hates the treble. His problem !

 

[Ron12]

I have always wanted the HE-4 but I was told that the 400 was better, in the same respects I was told the 500 was better than the 5/5LE.

But I heard the original 5 was the best headphone for metal/rock.

 
There is no way HE-400 could be on par with HE-4 IMHO... HE-4 are just better technically (not taking FR into account). Next to HE-500 and HE-4, HE-400 are worse (worse soundstage, less refined... just not on the same level) and it is possible to spot this immediately. HE-4 is on par with HE-500 and LCD-2 (I know well as I have compared with both extensively) but HE-400 are not. Again, IMHO.

 

[gregr507]

I've been looking forward to these coming out quite a bit, glad to hear some initial impressions coming in. Thank you to everyone providing reviews, it's very helpful and much appreciated! I especially like the comparisons b/w the hifiman lineup, i.e. 400i vs 500, 560, 400, etc.
 
I also have a question of my own, I currently have some senn hd-650's, would the 400i be much of an upgrade? I enjoy the warm, euphonic sound, but want to branch out a bit and see if I can find something else with more detail, clarity, speed. I also ordered some he-400's, I wasn't planning on it but I found some new ones for 250$ so I figured I'd give them a try and can always resell them. So in a few days I'll have those as a point of reference as well, which is nice because I am also interested in how the 400i compares to the the he-500 if I can tolerate the weight/bulk of the 400/500's

 

[HeretixAevum]

Can anybody here comment on the soundstage and imaging of the 400i relative to the DT880?

 

[shiorisekine]

Can anybody here comment on the soundstage and imaging of the 400i relative to the DT880?

Its not as wide as the DT880 but the imagining on the 400i is better than the 880.

 

[Yaksha25]

Got my demo pair yesterday. My initial impression is holy crap are they light and comfy! Only got to listen for about 20 minutes before I had to make dinner and get to bed but they seem like they will be very fun to put through their paces. Only got to them on my E17 portable so far, which is more than enough power for their 34 ohm impedance, and I can't wait to work them into my home set up today after work.

 

[MattTCG]

  I've been looking forward to these coming out quite a bit, glad to hear some initial impressions coming in. Thank you to everyone providing reviews, it's very helpful and much appreciated! I especially like the comparisons b/w the hifiman lineup, i.e. 400i vs 500, 560, 400, etc.
 
I also have a question of my own, I currently have some senn hd-650's, would the 400i be much of an upgrade? I enjoy the warm, euphonic sound, but want to branch out a bit and see if I can find something else with more detail, clarity, speed. I also ordered some he-400's, I wasn't planning on it but I found some new ones for 250$ so I figured I'd give them a try and can always resell them. So in a few days I'll have those as a point of reference as well, which is nice because I am also interested in how the 400i compares to the the he-500 if I can tolerate the weight/bulk of the 400/500's

 
The 400i would compete against the hd650 and would best it in a few categories and would loose to it in a few. 
 
400i wins: sub bass weight and texture, speed and decay, sound stage (only slightly), easier to amp
 
hd650 wins: overall tonality (some of the best mids out there), build quality is excellent despite being mostly plastic, very musical mid bass kick

 

[MichaelJames99]

Would you say the HE-4 is better than the HE-400 and HE-400i for movies?  I would imagine for movies, you want a large soundstage, solid imaging, strong bass and detailed highs.  

 

[Billheiser]

  I also have a question of my own, I currently have some senn hd-650's, would the 400i be much of an upgrade? I enjoy the warm, euphonic sound, but want to branch out a bit and see if I can find something else with more detail, clarity, speed. I also ordered some he-400's, I wasn't planning on it but I found some new ones for 250$ so I figured I'd give them a try and can always resell them. So in a few days I'll have those as a point of reference as well, which is nice because I am also interested in how the 400i compares to the the he-500 if I can tolerate the weight/bulk of the 400/500's

I'm currently trying out the 400i and mostly comparing it against the hd650's brother, the hd600.  Will be taking more time to evaluate, but I think the 400i would be more of a sidegrade.  I like them both and if someone stole one I'd be OK with whichever one is left.  But so far, overall I think I still prefer my hd600.  They each have their relative strengths and the 400i has shows more detail in the highs (cymbals & percussion especially).

 

[garunamodi]

  I'm currently trying out the 400i and mostly comparing it against the hd650's brother, the hd600.  Will be taking more time to evaluate, but I think the 400i would be more of a sidegrade.  I like them both and if someone stole one I'd be OK with whichever one is left.  But so far, overall I think I still prefer my hd600.  They each have their relative strengths and the 400i has shows more detail in the highs (cymbals & percussion especially).

A full comparison would be greatly appreciated, especially as the HD6x0s and the HE400i are big competitors in their price range.

 

[.Sup]

A full comparison would be greatly appreciated, especially as the HD6x0s and the HE400i are big competitors in their price range.

In Europe HD600 is half the price of the HE-400i.

 

[vertical]

In Europe HD600 is half the price of the HE-400i.

Is that primarily due to different Govt tax/duty levies or is it maybe regional target pricing by the manufacturers?