[wje]

Quote:

I chalk it up to it being their first headphone to be mass produced rather than being pretty much completely hand made like their other ortho's.

 
For clarifycation, the orthodynamic drivers are the component that is mass-produced on the HE-400s.  On their other models (HE-300 excluded) the orthodynamic drivers are assembled by hand.  The rest of the HE-400 build process is probably in line with how their other "HE" series of headphones are assembled.

 

[wje]

Quote:

Mmm... Tell me more about crosstalk issues between a signal and ground core of the same channel.
Pretty sure that the thinner is better because it should reduce capacitance (which would attenuate high frequencies, iirc), however marginally.

 
In an ulitmate use scenario, I'm quite sure the method developed by Sennheiser is quite adequate.  However, we all know that everybody doesn't use their headphones in the same "ultimate use" as we live in various regions of the world.  There are many factors that could create an issue for one buyer on another continent as opposed to what I may or may not experience with mine.  I still believe that in Sennheiser's case with the HD-428, they really used the micro cable with the insulating shellack on the wires to save on costs.  To me, it would have been easy to just use some 26 gauge wire, which would have been much more suitable and more resistant to issues in my opinion.  It does seem the HD-428 headphone return rate is quite high.  The market has been flooded with HD-428 manufacturer refurbished units.  They come packaged in a plastic bag, with a Sennheiser cardboard top, so the headphones can be hung on a pegboard rack in a store. 
 
Then again, with Sennheiser's strict MSRP guidelines, are they just packaging new HD-428 headphones as "refurbished" so they can reach more buyers in the market with such a designation and it would not violate their MSRP restriction of $79.99 for the retail version of the headphone?  Hmm ...

 

[preproman]

Quote:

 
I suspect that we're seeing what we are with the HE-400 because of a few reasons.
 
1) The HE-400 is probably out-selling the other models, due to its price point.
 
2) The HE-400 discussions on this forum are getting a lot of attention / action, where owners are all chiming in and sharing their experience.  Again, due to the numbers of participants, posts, etc., it could seem as though it is a bigger issue than it is.
 
3) The HE-400, has undergone 3(?) revisions.  Actually, I believe # 3 was reverted, so we might be back to two revisions.  # 3 was an apparent driver change with the off-white driver enclosure.
 
4) Finally, HifiMAN doesn't release their issue / return rate statistics, so we don't know if the HE-400 has more flaws, or is on par with the rest of their line.

 
 
Wayne,
 
I gues your wright, I was just comparing to the ones I got - that had like 0 issues.  

 

[ModMax]

Quote:

 
The standard 550 paracord is about 4mm and is a snug fit for the Mogami 2893 if you strip it down. I used 2893 for the whole cable - it has 4 conductors so you split it into two going to each cup. Like FuzzyD, I'm also getting that 6mm PET sleeving to go with Canare L-4E5AT to make another cable. The Canare is 5mm so it should be a nice fit.

 
 
What do you mean by "strip it down" for the Mogami 2893?  Does the 4mm paracord not fit over the Mogami 2893 as is?
 
For your earcup leads, do you strip off the Mogami jacket and copper shield and run only the 2 wires per lead to each earcup?
 
Thanks for the info!

 

[merkil]

3) The HE-400, has undergone 3(?) revisions.  Actually, I believe # 3 was reverted, so we might be back to two revisions.  # 3 was an apparent driver change with the off-white driver enclosure

So is there a certain revision I should be looking for when I purchase? I've read this thread and from what I can gather the r2 is the best revision but can some buddy tell me how to tell the revisions apart. Does the r2 have the white grills? And is it for sure that they have scrapped the r3 and are going back to the r2?

Sorry guys, new guy here. I've been a lurker for a while now but signed up to ask because I'm interested in picking these up but want to get the best revision.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Dragunov-21]

Quote:

 
In an ulitmate use scenario, I'm quite sure the method developed by Sennheiser is quite adequate.  However, we all know that everybody doesn't use their headphones in the same "ultimate use" as we live in various regions of the world.  There are many factors that could create an issue for one buyer on another continent as opposed to what I may or may not experience with mine.

 
Yeah, but the laws of physics aren't region-dependant.  If I'm understanding you correctly, you're talking about the two cores of one channel looping from the cable's attachment point through the headband to the other cup.  You can't get crosstalk, crosstalk-related issues, or indeed any negative effect from having those two cores close together.  You're saying that the non-durable internal wiring must cause SQ issues, but that is not the case.

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

So is there a certain revision I should be looking for when I purchase? I've read this thread and from what I can gather the r2 is the best revision but can some buddy tell me how to tell the revisions apart. Does the r2 have the white grills? And is it for sure that they have scrapped the r3 and are going back to the r2?
Sorry guys, new guy here. I've been a lurker for a while now but signed up to ask because I'm interested in picking these up but want to get the best revision.
Thanks for any replies.

 
Hifiman has gone back to the r2 and pulled all the old stock from merchants. The r2 is the only one that you can buy new from a retailer now and it's the one you want. 

 

[merkil]

Hifiman has gone back to the r2 and pulled all the old stock from merchants. The r2 is the only one that you can buy new from a retailer now and it's the one you want. 

Thank you very much. Now time to order!

 

[MattTCG]

^^ Be sure to order a pair of velour pads for these as they are a must with this hp. Some retailer are including the velour I believe. This may have only been with the replacements though on the recall. 

 

[Jenxer]

About the HiFiman cable...the top of the left connector is firm while the one on the right is loose...is that supposed to be how it is? apparently they sent me another cable without me knowing but it's in the same condition as the last one
 
 
EDIT: the "connectors" i'm talking about are these parts
 
http://i46.tinypic.com/2zf4swp.png

 

[merkil]

^^ Be sure to order a pair of velour pads for these as they are a must with this hp. Some retailer are including the velour I believe. This may have only been with the replacements though on the recall. 

Do the velour pads change the sound signature? If so, for the better? Now that I think about it, I believe I read that it tames the highs a bit. True?

 

[TMRaven]

I never A/B'd the velours vs pleathers enough while focusing on the treble section.   I do know that bass is unaffected, but the mids are brought up a good bit.

 

[zeinharis]

What's with this driver issue that seems like it's only with the 400s?  Has this happened to the 4s, 500, 5LEs and 6s as well.  I have all except the 400s they're next.  The 4s are on the way.  The other had 0 problems.  Is this just with the 400s?  What gives?

Is the burn in process Justing is doing working thus far?

My 500's does, but the issue is gone after a day of using it

 

[pp312]

Quote:

Do the velour pads change the sound signature? If so, for the better? Now that I think about it, I believe I read that it tames the highs a bit. True?

 
I didn't notice a huge difference, but it certainly doesn't tame the highs. If I had to swear to a difference on oath, I'd say the velour pads make the sound more focussed and incisive, which may be a good or bad thing depending on how good the recording is. I decided to stick with the pleathers, which happen to be more comfortable.  

 

[jerg]

Quote:

 
I didn't notice a huge difference, but it certainly doesn't tame the highs. If I had to swear to a difference on oath, I'd say the velour pads make the sound more focussed and incisive, which may be a good or bad thing depending on how good the recording is. I decided to stick with the pleathers, which happen to be more comfortable.  

 
The velours prevent some of the resonance that pleather pads cause, by leaking out a lot of the sound that's hitting the inner rims of the pad. Consequently the sound becomes cleaner.
 
The most obvious way you can tell is that with the pleathers, HE500 or HE400s sound a bit "cupped". But most of that effect is eliminated with a pad switch to velours.