Dan--
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2015
- Posts
- 15
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- 10
Has anyone tried these with Fiio gear yet?
Personally, I find the HD650 uncomfortable. It's light as a feather, but it just clamps too much. Sound-wise it's my favorite dynamic though. I wish AKG, Beyer, or AT made anything that sounded as good since those are a lot more comfy.
I finally got a chance to take a listen to these. HiFiMan does go a different direction than the HE400i/HE-560. The S is a thicker, smoother, more laid back sound with some sparkling highs. It's generally an easy headphone to listen to and quite forgiving overall. Very impressed with the 300 dollar offering.
Comparisons are on their way after some slight burn in. On the list are the orthos I have: PM-3, HE-400i, and HE-560, along with some other headphones in the price range: V-Moda M-100 and B&W P7. That's all that comes to mind at the moment. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. If I have the headphone, it'll be added to the list.
Have you done the headband clamp mod on the 650? When I first got them, they were certainly brutal, but after some quick adjustments to the metal bands, they only have slightly more clamping force than my 558.
I am very much looking forward to the 400S Vs 560 comparison, while 400i will also be useful.
For more preferences I liked the 560 more than the 400i tonality wise so I really am curios where the 400S stands
What other gear will you be using to compare?
Certainly can't come soon enough
I don't really want to bend the metal since it won't adjust as smoothly afterwords. Besides that the problem, on my head at least, is more with the tension of the headband than the angle of the metal adjustment sliders. I've also tried taking the pads off and stretching it across some books which works, for a while... The headband tightens back up afterwords though. The hairdrier trick wasn't permanent either.
Your method will work for some people though.
Can someone compare HE-400S with X2, please?
After 1h listening switching between fidelio X2 and he-400s on different type of music, here are some initial impressions :
He400s is more comfortable (mainly because it has less clamp, don't want to say it will fall easily)
He-400s is less sensitive than X2. not so easy to drive as previously said. I would say it needs 20% more power to achieve the same sound level
He-400s has far less bass quantity than x2. Not for bass head as already said. Can't say something now on bass extension or bass slam difference between the two. I'll have to spend more time with them
He-400s is definitely more spacious and airy than X2 (both soundstage and instrument separation)
I feel listening to he-400s more relaxing. It let me have a better impression that music is bringing me to another place.
Soundstage seems to be sensitive to position. Improves by placing it in front
Please note that I currently have only my iPhone to drive them so now I have to invest in something better to drive He-400s. That was not anticipated at all...
Please note that I currently have only my iPhone to drive them so now I have to invest in something better to drive He-400s. That was not anticipated at all...
Buzzing is most likely caused by a hair or other fiber glued to the diaphragm, which is a well known QC issue for Hifiman.
Interesting thing about that extra hole is that it matches the correction location of the bottom hole on the left side. Almost as if they only manufacture the left side pieces, then drill an extra hole to make the right side. Instead of producing mirror image left and right pieces. Wouldnt be surprised if everyones right side looks like that.
X2 has more bass quantity, most of it is mid-bass, HE400S can go deeper and has more sub-bass. It's really easy to notice when you watch action movies with lots of sub-bass. Even it's not a basshead headphone, it will please audiophile bass lovers. Dangerous by David Guetta, for instance, sounds absolutely amazing. Drums' impact is sublime and bass is definitely present. I think EDM fans, with the exception of hardcore bassheads, will be pleased with HE400S' sound signature. The more I listen to these, the more I prefer them over X2. Maybe it's the new toy syndrome, but so far I think the sound is exceptionally more Hi-Fi at this price point. If Hifiman made a new HE560 with HE560's technical capabilities and HE400S' fun and engaging sound signature, I'd definitely consider buying. Most high-end headphones are boring and analytical to me.