[benthughes]

I find the HE400i to be a great compromise open can. I have the AKG 701, Fidelio X1 , Denon D2000 and SennHD700.
 
My Fidelio X1 and D2000 are my fun cans and the HD700 are my more analytical cans that throw down an awesome image and sense of placement. The HE400i are a bit more narrow sounding , similar to the X1 but more refined. Good bass presence but way more controlled. The highs aren't as peaky and fatiguing as the hd700 but sacrifice quite a lot of soundstage. I guess its a more intimate and fun sound while offering a good degree of neutrality and fun factor. 
 
If I was to go with one headphone it'd probably be the HE400i. It's really a fairly priced do-it-all headphone. Good attack for metal and rock, well extended bass for electronic and Hip-Hop and not fatiguing. I dig it.

 

[rovopio]

  I find the HE400i to be a great compromise open can. I have the AKG 701, Fidelio X1 , Denon D2000 and SennHD700.
 
My Fidelio X1 and D2000 are my fun cans and the HD700 are my more analytical cans that throw down an awesome image and sense of placement. The HE400i are a bit more narrow sounding , similar to the X1 but more refined. Good bass presence but way more controlled. The highs aren't as peaky and fatiguing as the hd700 but sacrifice quite a lot of soundstage. I guess its a more intimate and fun sound while offering a good degree of neutrality and fun factor. 
 
If I was to go with one headphone it'd probably be the HE400i. It's really a fairly priced do-it-all headphone. Good attack for metal and rock, well extended bass for electronic and Hip-Hop and not fatiguing. I dig it.

 
if fidelio x1 Fun is a 5 on a scale of 1 to 5, what's the he400i score?
similarly, if hd700 Analytical is a 5, what's the he400i score?
 
subjective score is completely fine... i already order the headphone but it won't reach me anytime soon, so i'm keen to know more on what people think about them...

 

[benthughes]

The X1 have a great , if somewhat overwhelming low end while retaining good detail retrieval. I'd give the HE400i 4 out of 5 for fun factor. You can use EQ to boot the bass and it's pretty similar without the bass bleeding all over the place. The soundstage on the X1 is a bit wider IMO

Vs the HD700 the HE400i sounds a bit claustrophobic. You could say intimate which for most of the stuff I listen to , isn't a big deal, the HD700 are more resolving but not by miles. I'm not sure if this is perception due to the somewhat wonky treble. Definitely a bit more detailed but I don't feel I'm missing anything vs the HE400i in my favorite recordings.

 

[rovopio]

The X1 have a great , if somewhat overwhelming low end while retaining good detail retrieval. I'd give the HE400i 4 out of 5 for fun factor. You can use EQ to boot the bass and it's pretty similar without the bass bleeding all over the place. The soundstage on the X1 is a bit wider IMO

Vs the HD700 the HE400i sounds a bit claustrophobic. You could say intimate which for most of the stuff I listen to , isn't a big deal, the HD700 are more resolving but not by miles. I'm not sure if this is perception due to the somewhat wonky treble. Definitely a bit more detailed but I don't feel I'm missing anything vs the HE400i in my favorite recordings.

 
i dont follow... which treble is wonky? you mean the hd700 right?
if so, cool cool...

 

[benthughes]

Yeah, sorry . More accurately the treble, high mids are a bit peaky and somewhat sibilant. This may lead to the impression of more detail when honestly its pretty close.

 

[mcbaon]

Trying to decide on a DAC/AMP for the 400i. Candidates are the Geek Out 1000, Meridian explorer 2 Lekerton UHA-6S.MKII and going on a different direction, the Emotiva XDA-2. Would like to keep on the 300.00 to 400.00 range. Any sugestions are very welcomed

 

[skyline315]

  Trying to decide on a DAC/AMP for the 400i. Candidates are the Geek Out 1000, Meridian explorer 2 Lekerton UHA-6S.MKII and going on a different direction, the Emotiva XDA-2. Would like to keep on the 300.00 to 400.00 range. Any sugestions are very welcomed

 
Modi Uber/Vali.
 
I've listened to the 400i on a ton of different amps (most of the lower/mid-range Schiit line), and also more expensive ones like the beyerdynamic A2 ($1700) and Lynx Hilo ($2500).
 
The Vali didn't embarass itself.
 
No, I'm not saying it's as good as those TOTL amps.  But, with the 400i, it'll give you everything you need.

 

[mcbaon]

   
Modi Uber/Vali.
 
I've listened to the 400i on a ton of different amps (most of the lower/mid-range Schiit line), and also more expensive ones like the beyerdynamic A2 ($1700) and Lynx Hilo ($2500).
 
The Vali didn't embarass itself.
 
No, I'm not saying it's as good as those TOTL amps.  But, with the 400i, it'll give you everything you need.

Interesting idea, never heard of the Schiit. Will do some research in them. Thanx!

 

[manbear]

Trying to decide on a DAC/AMP for the 400i. Candidates are the Geek Out 1000, Meridian explorer 2 Lekerton UHA-6S.MKII and going on a different direction, the Emotiva XDA-2. Would like to keep on the 300.00 to 400.00 range. Any sugestions are very welcomed

No opinion on combo units, but here are some impressions of the amps I've tried.

Cayin C5 -- Very nice all around. Mostly neutral with a hint of added smoothness. Brings out the layering too. Good synergy without adding too much coloration.

Project Ember -- More energetic and vivid than the C5. It depends on the tube of course, but I find the Ember to bring out the aggression in the 400i. Can be too bright on some source material. A little too fatiguing IMO but I can see some people liking it.

Nuforce HA-200 -- Warm, clean, and refined. Maybe a bit too polite as it really mellows out the 400i. No fatigue at all. Great detail with lots of black space. I wouldn't say it makes the soundstage bigger but it does make it seem more open, like the outer boundaries are not noticeable. Very relaxed and effortless.

 

[oceans22]

I just purchased my set last night & can't wait to listen to them! The amp I'm using is the Fiio Mont Blanc & I'm hoping this will be sufficient enough to enjoy these cans.

 

[howdy]

I just purchased my set last night & can't wait to listen to them! The amp I'm using is the Fiio Mont Blanc & I'm hoping this will be sufficient enough to enjoy these cans.

 

I have the same amp and there is way more than enough power, sounds great with the bass boost.

 

[namhkim]

Hi guys,
I just got my 400i, and with my medium sized head, the headband (all the way up) is still little small. Is there any way to extend the headband adjustment further?

 

[oceans22]

 

  I just purchased my set last night & can't wait to listen to them! The amp I'm using is the Fiio Mont Blanc & I'm hoping this will be sufficient enough to enjoy these cans.

 

I have the same amp and there is way more than enough power, sounds great with the bass boost.

Oh awesome! I was flip flopping back & forth from the HD700 (used) & the 400i (new). I had the HD650's & honestly wasn't too impressed but I may not have a sophisticated enough ear to really appreciate the 650's maybe. But I heard the 700's had a better bass presence. Then I kept hearing more & more about the HE400i's & thought I'd take a shot, plus they were new & just a bit cheaper.

 

[HPiper]

 
Oh awesome! I was flip flopping back & forth from the HD700 (used) & the 400i (new). I had the HD650's & honestly wasn't too impressed but I may not have a sophisticated enough ear to really appreciate the 650's maybe. But I heard the 700's had a better bass presence. Then I kept hearing more & more about the HE400i's & thought I'd take a shot, plus they were new & just a bit cheaper.

If you aren't happy with the HD650 bass you won't like the 700 either.

 

[MickeyVee]

On the contrary.. bass on the HD650 is slow and bloated and on the HD700 it's tight, fast and goes deeper.. closer to the HD800.  Been through the HD600/650/700 and now own and won't part with the HD800.  The one thing I like about the HE400i is that it's fast and articulate and a fun compliment to the HD800.
Quote:

If you aren't happy with the HD650 bass you won't like the 700 either.