[scrypt]

Yes, well, IMIHO (in my impressively humble opinion), the non-American sound isn't necessarily the zenith of neutrality.  I've done sessions with English producers who were obsessive in their quest for mids so pervasive you had to tiptoe around them for fear of forfeiting the space for your own abdomen.  I've said goodnight and stepped into the elevator with the signature of their rough mixes still vibrating in my nose.
 
But back on topic:  If I had to characterize the HE-400 in a sentence, I'd say they really, really haven't been heard by me just yet. Mysterious yet quintessentially American, much like the table manners of my in-laws.
 
Quote:

I dont think your average american who listens to beiber and gaga and likes an "american sound" is going to buy $400 headphones from hifiman.  If they are spending that much - they are getting beats.
 
IMO - most interested in these phones want a neutral sound - not exaggerated bass and treble...

 

 

[Voohoo]

Quote:

Yes, well, IMIHO (in my impressively humble opinion), the non-American sound isn't necessarily the zenith of neutrality.  I've done sessions with English producers who were obsessive in their quest for mids so pervasive you had to tiptoe around them for fear of forfeiting the space for your own abdomen.  I've said goodnight and stepped into the elevator with the signature of their rough mixes still vibrating in my nose.
 
But back on topic:  If I had to characterize the HE-400 in a sentence, I'd say they really, really haven't been heard by me just yet. Mysterious yet quintessentially American, much like the table manners of my in-laws.
 


 

Do you write for a living? Please keep contributing to this thread!
 
If I get some extra $$ I am definitely interested in doing a shootout between my HE-4 and the HE-400.
 

 

[amcananey]

I wouldn't call it a literary opus or a sign of the next coming of Jack Kerouac, but it is nice to see someone putting a little effort to do something different in their posts...moar pleeze.

 

[sphinxvc]

Quote:

It's just funny to hear someone representing a niche audio company not claim to spoon, bathe and exchange personal fluids with the headphones he happens to be offering to the world at this moment. 

 
x2.  Fang's post gave me a chuckle too.  I like the attitude.  

 

[OPrwtos]

Quote:

Quote:
 
x2.  Fang's post gave me a chuckle too.  I like the attitude.  

where is this post
 

 

[mitsu763]

I too am interested in a comparison with the HE-4 given the price point.

 

[sphinxvc]

Quote:

[...] To be honest, we did tune HE-400 more "American sound" than HE-500. [...]  I don't like America sound signature. But business is business, we have to make something can sell.  [...] 

 

 

[Il Mostro]

Quote:

Yes, well, IMIHO (in my impressively humble opinion), the non-American sound isn't necessarily the zenith of neutrality.  I've done sessions with English producers who were obsessive in their quest for mids so pervasive you had to tiptoe around them for fear of forfeiting the space for your own abdomen.  I've said goodnight and stepped into the elevator with the signature of their rough mixes still vibrating in my nose.
 
But back on topic:  If I had to characterize the HE-400 in a sentence, I'd say they really, really haven't been heard by me just yet. Mysterious yet quintessentially American, much like the table manners of my in-laws.
 


 

Ditto on the "English sound" being far from neutral.   Look no further than the Linn LP12 -- quintessential British euphonic sound, although the Scottish would take offense at this reference.  
 

 

[OPrwtos]

Quote:

Quote:
 

oh right that post, yh i saw that.
 
 

 

[raysclim1568]

Hi all 
 
Just pre-order a HE400 myself , with the sound characteristic mentioned at this thread. it seem upgrading to a high purity copper with silver will help to tamed down the treble and smooth the mid range while helping on the low bass. now... need to source for a perfect cable to upgrade the stock cable . 
 
if , just if , Fann could throw in the same silver cable of HE500 will be nice improvement on the sound quality . 
 
Planning to pair to with one/few of the setup  I have :-
 
1. Ipod > CLS Alog Solo DAC > continental V2 > HE400
2. Ipod > Fostex HP-P1 >HE400
3. Ipod > CLS Alog Solo DAC > Necosound labs Dual Mono Op Amp V3 Amp > HE400
4. Ipod > Fostex HP-P1> Necosound Labs Dual Mono Op Amp V3 Amp >HE400
5. Ipod > Fostex HP-P1> Violectric HPA-V200>HE400
6. Ipod > CLS Alog Solo DAC> Violectric HPA-V200>HE400
 
 
setup 1-4 for on the go,
Setup 5-6 at office/Home 
 
LOL.
 
Raymond Lim 

 

[amcananey]

Raymond,
 
You already have the v3 amp from Neco? How is it?
 
Best,
Adam

 

[M-13]

His name is Fang

 
Quote:

.   
if , just if , Fann could throw in the same silver cable of HE500 will be nice improvement on the sound quality . 
 

 

 

[rhythmdevils]

I've got an HE500 here with Canare cable and the absolute last thing I would ever want in a million trillion years is a silver cable on this headphone.  It already sounds like it has a silver cable and needs copper. 
 
More expensive is not always better folks, even if it says "upgrade" on the box.

 

[Ultrainferno]

Quote:

I've got an HE500 here with Canare cable and the absolute last thing I would ever want in a million trillion years is a silver cable on this headphone.  It already sounds like it has a silver cable and needs copper. 
 
More expensive is not always better folks, even if it says "upgrade" on the box.

I agree, the He-500 needs copper

 

[Cybernaut]

wow