Picked up a new pair of these headphones this week and just thought i'd drop my impressions if anyone in similar circumstances reads this and considers buying them. Bought my HE-400i as an upgrade from the HD598 which i've had for years. Loved those headphones and still do but figured it was time to look for a replacement with the headband etc detoriating on my old ones.
I'm running these from my PC using NAD D 1050 as amp/DAC. Seems like a good combo. 20% volume is loud enough in windows with the amp volume turned to max and the sound is very clean.
I can't drop any technical terms etc i'll just give my honest review after AB testing them against my old HD598 for a couple hours. NOTE: this is comparing a 3hour burn in 400i vs HD598 played probably 5000 hours or more.
BASS:
- Amount/strength: the difference is minimal, 4% more maybe on the HE-400i. A little dissapointed in this
- Quality: Definitely a bit tighter and more defined/detailed
- Conclusion: the he-400i is probably technically better if you asked anyone on here, but to my ears it doesn't sound a lot better but just different to the HD598's. Hoping with time it'll grow more on me, currently a little disappointed as bass is very underwhelming on the HD598's. I tried messing around with EQ settings in foobar and it does exist in the cans, i think I might figure out a way to enjoy bass heavy music more if I try.
Vocal clarity:
- I loved the clarity and detail in my HD598's, it's the reason why i've kept it and not upgraded for well over 5 years. The HE-400i was an instant massive upgrade here. Just unbelievable how much more clean and detailed the HE-400i is. When I go back to my HD598's now it feels like there's a veil over the recordings hiding and muddying things.
- My favorite type of music is intimate live performances with few instruments and clear vocals and here the HE-400i destroys the HD598 according to my ears. And that was my favorite thing to listen to on my HD598's.
Instruments:
- HE-400i has more clarity here as well. I haven't listened that closely or to a large variety yet, but there's a clear improvement. When I go back and forth it's that veil of muddyness(that i didn't even know existed before I put the He-400i on) you feel is gone when listening on the HE-400i in comparison.
- I don't listen to classical or orchestral music and i've not gotten around to comparing my favorite instrumental soundtracks so I can't compare instruments that much.
In more technical terms I think it's the mids is where the HE-400i completely destroys the HD598's. Acoustic guitar and vocals basically is night and day better. Detail, musicality and everything else.
- Conclusion: Big upgrade in my book here. Night and day is how i'd describe it, and I loved my HD598's.
Soundstage and separation:
- Still to be determined I think. It's good no doubt about it. Gut feeling is soundstage on HD598 is bigger/wider, but because of detail and clarity of HE-400i the separation sounds better. For music there's no doubt I prefer HE-400i, but for gaming I think the HD598 might be better. I have not gotten around to testing yet.
- conclusion: Upgrade when it comes to music
Comfort:
In my opinion both pairs are very comfortable. No complaints as of yet and i'd probably put them around even. HE-400i clamps harder as they are brand new and this decreases comfort, but my HD598's have been worn probably 5k hours so they obviously clamp less now than when new.
Overall: Worth the money, plain and simple. Not much more to say than that really. Happy with my purchase as it took the music I like to another level. Would've liked if it improved EDM/hiphop more than it did, but whatever.
And as you can see, >120db SPL has no graduated.
