[jerg]

JUST RECEIVED MY REPLACEMENT PAIR! Took it apart and something very interesting:
 
Looks like it's another revision change.
 
The plastic used in the driver reinforcement is now a sandy colour rather than the translucent white plastic used in rev. 2.
 
Also unless I'm seeing things, the tracings on the diaphragm seem a bit nicer and less course than my previous returned pairs.
 
 
Edit: initial sonic impressions seem to indicate that it is a tad leaner and airy-er than I remembered how the older one sounded (still with velours and my modded grills). Not sure if burn-in will change that.
 
Something is very different about the mids...hard to pinpoint.
 
Soundstage is definitely broader, less intimate.
 
There seems to be an overall broadband raising in treble levels relative to how the older sound was.

 

[pb21cyclist]

I got mine last week and they have the sandy colour parts too.
 
Cant compare about sound as these are my first pair.

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

I got mine last week and they have the sandy colour parts too.
 
Cant compare about sound as these are my first pair.

 
Can someone post pics so that I can get a look?

 

[krzkrzkrz]

Quote:

 
Where did you order your HE-400's from and when? I hope the ones I ordered will arrive fine

Got mine via Amazon, from Head-Direct

 

[IEMCrazy]

Quote:

JUST RECEIVED MY REPLACEMENT PAIR! Took it apart and something very interesting:
 
Looks like it's another revision change.
 
The plastic used in the driver reinforcement is now a sandy colour rather than the translucent white plastic used in rev. 2.
 
Also unless I'm seeing things, the tracings on the diaphragm seem a bit nicer and less course than my previous returned pairs.
 
 
Edit: initial sonic impressions seem to indicate that it is a tad leaner and airy-er than I remembered how the older one sounded (still with velours and my modded grills). Not sure if burn-in will change that.
 
Something is very different about the mids...hard to pinpoint.
 
Soundstage is definitely broader, less intimate.
 
There seems to be an overall broadband raising in treble levels relative to how the older sound was.

 
jerg, you're the most depressing person in this thread.

 
Interesting the sound is so different...you make them sound HD650-ish.  Though HE-400 does seem to have a big burn-in cycle, as does HE-6 (not a long cycle, just a lot of burn-in over a short period of time.) 

 

[Scyy]

well this sucks, got home last night from work and the right driver wasn't working at all.  Sent them out today for replacement.  Anyone here who has RMA'd through head direct know how long it typically takes to get a replacement pair?

 

[MattTCG]

Sorry but it won't be a quickie...      

 

[Scyy]

Well that sucks.  going back to my D2000's has shown me how much I really liked the HE-400's.
 

 

[jerg]

Quote:

well this sucks, got home last night from work and the right driver wasn't working at all.  Sent them out today for replacement.  Anyone here who has RMA'd through head direct know how long it typically takes to get a replacement pair?

 
What troubleshooting steps have you gone through?
 
Cases like this where a driver goes out completely could be due to something extremely trivial all the way to something catastrophic.

 

[IEMCrazy]

Quote:

 
What troubleshooting steps have you gone through?
 
Cases like this where a driver goes out completely could be due to something extremely trivial all the way to something catastrophic.

 
+1.  The SMC connectors simply suck.  Make certain that the headphone cables are firmly screwed into the cups still.  I've had several times where they start fritzing or getting static-y, or are lower in volume on one side, or drop out.  One time it had unscrwed so far on its own that just touching the cable was enough for the whole thing to fall out.  And the other side wasn't far behind!

 

[Scyy]

Tried different sources, Switched the cables to the cups to be sure it wasn't one of the cable ends.  took off the pad and took a quick look at the driver for any obvious issues but didn't do anything too intrusive. Already sent out though so either way I'm in for a wait.  From the sound of it I should've posted something here first to get a few more ideas for troubleshooting. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[MattTCG]

So about it for you. The quality control at release was somewhat question, but seems to have gotten much better of late with the last revision. 

 

[jerg]

Quote:

So about it for you. The quality control at release was somewhat question, but seems to have gotten considerably (but not close to great) better of late with the last revisions. 

 
Fixed it for you 

 

[Scyy]

Yeah, it's to bad about the QC issues these have had.  Because other than that they are amazing headphones for the price.  I'm not going to hold anything against hifiman as I know there are always lemons out there, just wish it wasn't me who got it. lol.

 

[jerg]

On a different note, man these new HE400s sound bright as hell with velour pads and my custom grills. Almost as bright as how I remember HE6 sounded.