[DavidA]

  How much better is a high-end planar like the LCD-X, than the 400i? Is it in a higher league of performance, or just marginally better and a case of sounding different ?

Just going by price its not leagues higher performance than HE-400i, this will also depend on the rest of your chain and your taste.  For me when I tried the LCD-X it was just a little better than my LCD-2 and at more than double the price really not worth it.  Another thing is that I feel that the LCD line is just a little too heavy for listening for more than an hour.

 

[Happytalk]

Hey guys. How do these compare to the he500's? Thanks!

 

[chillaxing]

Hey guys. How do these compare to the he500's? Thanks!

 
 
its a darker sounding headphone than the 500's.  It's also more enclosed and doesn't have as much sizzle at the top.  which is good, because they are not sibilant prone.  The mids aren't as forward either.

 

[Happytalk]

Thanks. Interesting. This never ends!

 

[maul]

   
 
its a darker sounding headphone than the 500's.  It's also more enclosed and doesn't have as much sizzle at the top.  which is good, because they are not sibilant prone.  The mids aren't as forward either.

 
Not referring to you, but I'm amazed that people would prefer HPs with stronger treble than the 400i's (or equivalent HPs) have. I'd honestly be curious to see a poll where people who like, say the DT 990s, also post the highest frequency they can hear. Not hating on people's preferences, but I would like to see those results...

 

[TristenT92]

Hey guys, I ended up having to sell my HE-400 because of the comfort level. I loved the soundstage, imaging, and bass of the headphones, but I just couldn't stand the weight of it on my head and neck. I will probably consider the HE-400i if the weight is substantially improved. If not, anyone know another headphone that has similar specs? Thanks guys.

 

[NiceGuyTom]

Here is where I am at with the EqualizerAPO software:
 
Preamp: 0 dB
Include: example.txt
GraphicEQ: 20 0; 25 0; 31.5 0; 40 1; 50 0.6; 63 0.6; 80 0; 100 0.2; 125 0; 160 0; 200 0; 250 0; 315 0; 400 0; 500 0; 630 0; 800 0; 1000 -0.6; 1250 0; 1600 0; 2000 0; 2500 0; 3150 0; 4000 0; 5000 0; 6300 0; 8000 0; 10000 -3; 12500 0; 16000 0; 20000 0
 
-3db@10khz, -0.6db@1kz, and small boost in some bass frequencies.  Using Schiit Wyrd -> Chord 2Qute DAC -> Schiit Asgard 2 -> Moon Audio Black Dragon V2 cable -> HE-400i
 
Sounds pretty good!

 

[Headphone4Life]

I find the 400i to be very balanced and other than using a little bass boost from time to time I don't need to EQ them at all.

I also don't see how people would want more treble than what the 400i has. I own a DT990 and its just to bright sounding most of the time.  The only way I can handle it is through my HM-601LE which gives it warmth and tones down the treble, but even then I have to listen to it on a lower volume than normal.

 

[DavidA]

  Hey guys, I ended up having to sell my HE-400 because of the comfort level. I loved the soundstage, imaging, and bass of the headphones, but I just couldn't stand the weight of it on my head and neck. I will probably consider the HE-400i if the weight is substantially improved. If not, anyone know another headphone that has similar specs? Thanks guys.

HE-400i weight is less than HE-400, wouldn't call it substantial but its way more comfortable due to headband design spreading weight over a larger area

 

[mysticstryk]

400i is one of the most comfortable headphones I've had.  Beats out my hd650 which is usually considered to be pretty comfortable.

 

[fjrabon]

anybody know why the cup end terminations on the new cables are TRS?  Shouldn't they only need T/S since it's only one channel and a ground? Is one of the channels on the new cable just unconnected?  Only worry is that T/S cables won't make a good connection (though others seem to have tried senn T/S cup end terminations and they worked fine).  

 

[DavidA]

  anybody know why the cup end terminations on the new cables are TRS?  Shouldn't they only need T/S since it's only one channel and a ground? Is one of the channels on the new cable just unconnected?  Only worry is that T/S cables won't make a good connection (though others seem to have tried senn T/S cup end terminations and they worked fine).  

Shielding for balanced cables?
 
TS, TRS, TRRS plugs are all the same, only the indent on the tip is holding them.  The HD-700 plugs have a flat section which needs to line up with the flat section in the cup plug, it also seems to help hold the plugs in place, see attached pic:
 


The bottom plug is for a Momentum, it gives a very secure connection but is a b----- to work with.

 

[fjrabon]

  Shielding for balanced cables?
 
TS, TRS, TRRS plugs are all the same, only the indent on the tip is holding them.  The HD-700 plugs have a flat section which needs to line up with the flat section in the cup plug, it also seems to help hold the plugs in place, see attached pic:
 


The bottom plug is for a Momentum, it gives a very secure connection but is a b----- to work with.

yeah, I guess the more appropriate worry would be the other way, if anything since there isn't a thin band for the connector to "miss" on T/S replacements, if anything the replacements may connect better than the stock TRS connectors.  Though you're probably right that the stock version makes for an easier balanced conversion.  

 

[Happytalk]

Not referring to you, but I'm amazed that people would prefer HPs with stronger treble than the 400i's (or equivalent HPs) have. I'd honestly be curious to see a poll where people who like, say the DT 990s, also post the highest frequency they can hear. Not hating on people's preferences, but I would like to see those results...

Maybe drummers. Cymbals are the first thing to go. Especially in acoustic music like jazz. The more extension, the more chance the cymbal is represented accurately.

 

[Sonic Defender]

  Just going by price its not leagues higher performance than HE-400i, this will also depend on the rest of your chain and your taste.  For me when I tried the LCD-X it was just a little better than my LCD-2 and at more than double the price really not worth it.  Another thing is that I feel that the LCD line is just a little too heavy for listening for more than an hour.

At our recent head-fi meet a pretty experienced member who used a Schiit Rag/Yggy stack found that after a year with the LCD 3f he actually used his HD 650 more and felt he could happily sell the LCD without missing it that much. I must admit I was surprised to hear that. When I listened to the LCD 3 it was certainly a gorgeous sounding headphone, but as you said, frankly as compared with say and HE 560 or 400i I don't know that it warrants the extra cost (unless of course that is your preferred sound signature).