[Posam]

Quote:

The only thing I worry about HE400s is their longevity...the tracings look mighty flimsy on the diaphragms, it's like they are just glued on in a rush or something. My fear is one day a year or two down the line, they will just fall off.

This type of thing is keeping me away from the HE-400, something just breaking (and following all the preorder issues), especially since I know my RS1i, which I am satisfied with for the most part, will probably easily last me 5+ years hopefully 10 *knocks on wood.

 

[tomatoshoe]

The markings on the side that say HiFiMAN HE-400 should not wear away. Although, the paint job is not as good as other cans, there's no reason your hands or fingers should even be touching there.

 

[wje]

Quote:

This type of thing is keeping me away from the HE-400, something just breaking (and following all the preorder issues), especially since I know my RS1i, which I am satisfied with for the most part, will probably easily last me 5+ years hopefully 10 *knocks on wood.

 
I seriously think that you should not have such a worry.  I'm quite sure the headphones are durable enough to have a good, long life.  I'm careful with mine, just as I am with any headphone.  When not in used, it is hung carefully out of the way.  It's always safely in the right spot when I get back home to do some more listening.

 

[Katun]

Quote:

This type of thing is keeping me away from the HE-400, something just breaking (and following all the preorder issues), especially since I know my RS1i, which I am satisfied with for the most part, will probably easily last me 5+ years hopefully 10 *knocks on wood.

 
I've actually been avoiding Grado in general for the same reason. Worried I'll have an issue with build quality, especially after all the reviews that claim their demise after a few years.

 

[Fearless1]

Quote:

 
I've actually been avoiding Grado in general for the same reason. Worried I'll have an issue with build quality, especially after all the reviews that claim their demise after a few years.

Grados are built well, they are just  torture on your ears as far as comfort. The only Grados that are a bit flimsy are the SR series.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

Unless you're an absolute brute, I don't see how the HE400 could fall apart. The utilitarian, yet sexy design doesn't seem flimsy at all. Hell, I felt the D7000 was quite a bit more fragile.

The paint may come off with rough use, but the headphones themselves don't scare me into thinking they'll break apart in a few years.

My biggest complaint is that the pads slide ever so slightly around (where one side is sticking out further than the other), so at times, I have to center it.

 

[TMRaven]

And they creak so loud when you readjust on your head.  

 

[torana355]

My Velour's turned up today. I tried them without the pleather spacer at first and hated them, all the bass was lost and they were uncomfortable, i then put the spacers in and what a difference, the bass came back and the comfort was alot better. I noticed the velour's without the spacers were to thin so my ears were to close to the drivers, with the spacers my ears no longer touched and the clamping force was stronger, which is good because my headband has very little clamp. The mids and treble had a very noticeable increase in quality with the velour's.

 

[jerg]

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My Velour's turned up today. I tried them without the pleather spacer at first and hated them, all the bass was lost and they were uncomfortable, i then put the spacers in and what a difference, the bass came back and the comfort was alot better. I noticed the velour's without the spacers were to thin so my ears were to close to the drivers, with the spacers my ears no longer touched and the clamping force was stronger, which is good because my headband has very little clamp. The mids and treble had a very noticeable increase in quality with the velour's.

 
That's very strange how you notice a decrease in bass quantity with the velours, my guess is you have a smallish head so the seal isn't so good unless you get those foam spacers in the pads to prop them against your ears more supple-y.

 

[Starfire]

Just a general inquiry, I have a CNC router and had given thoughts to making wooden cups for the HE-400's, they wouldn't be to bad to design, I doubt they would have much effect on sound, but more for appearance (I don't like the blue) would anyone even be interested in them?

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

My Velour's turned up today. I tried them without the pleather spacer at first and hated them, all the bass was lost and they were uncomfortable, i then put the spacers in and what a difference, the bass came back and the comfort was alot better. I noticed the velour's without the spacers were to thin so my ears were to close to the drivers, with the spacers my ears no longer touched and the clamping force was stronger, which is good because my headband has very little clamp. The mids and treble had a very noticeable increase in quality with the velour's.

Dunno what kind of deformed velour you have, but the spacers didn't add or take away any bass with my velour. The sound was pretty identical across the board, with the exception of slightly more soundstage, and a whole lot of discomfort. They quickly went from a 9 in comfort to about a 3.

 

[Starfire]

I did not like my velours till I added the spacer also.
 
Also how much does the re-grill mod change the sound?

 

[MickeyVee]

After seeing an LCD2 rev1 falling apart at the Toronto HeadFi meet, I have full confidence in the HE400 construction quality.  Any doubts of the quality of construction and longevity never crossed my mind. (I'm sure that the newer LCD2's have overcome their quality problems and I still like the design of the HE400 much better)
Quote:

Unless you're an absolute brute, I don't see how the HE400 could fall apart. The utilitarian, yet sexy design doesn't seem flimsy at all. Hell, I felt the D7000 was quite a bit more fragile.
The paint may come off with rough use, but the headphones themselves don't scare me into thinking they'll break apart in a few years.
My biggest complaint is that the pads slide ever so slightly around (where one side is sticking out further than the other), so at times, I have to center it.

 

[tomatoshoe]

The velour's should not be taking away the bass.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The velour's should not be taking away the bass.

^This. It was documented by Purrin, and you can see the bass was pretty much identical to the pleather. Spacers or no spacers, it sounds the same. He must be having issues with sealing without the spacer.