JoeDoe
Headphoneus Supremus
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- Apr 12, 2013
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After posting in numerous threads and blowing up numerous inboxes in an effort to get definitive answers, I took matters into my own hands. How does Hifiman's new HE400i stack up against the legend, the HE500?
It's well-known that the 400i's tuning does not follow in the footsteps of it's predecessor. The new generation is in a word: refined.The rich planar sub-bass and spicy treble have been revamped. Gone are the clunky, blue cups - instead, the gunmetal-esque replacements. No more scratchy velours - but now, the angled, pillowy Focus Pads. Needless to say, there’s plenty to like here.
So, without further ado, let's get into it!
Source Material:
*All songs are ALAC 16-bit/44.1 kHz except for "Someone Like You" and “Joshua” (24-bit).
"Something" by Snarky Puppy feat. Lalah Hathaway: A Grammy-winning funk-jazz track that lets Lalah really show off and thanks to the size of the band and the extra backup singers, portrays a great opportunity for imaging, separation, and soundstage.
"Make It Mine" by Jason Mraz: A funky pop tune that has a lot of little nuances i.e. hi hat splashes, vocal harmonization, organ riffs, etc.
"A Wake" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: This hip hop track offers some excellent sub-bass texture that most cans just don't pick up on. Also, the portrayal of Mack's vocals can make or break this one.
"Someone Like You" by Adele: This chart-topper is performed live at Royal Albert Hall. Probably the best test of soundstage I've ever heard. She invites the audience to sing the chorus and it either makes you look around to make sure there aren't actual people around you or it sounds well... fake.
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon: Even though just about anything Paul does could be used, I know this one well and it is very rich in layers and nuances.
"Joshua" by Miles Davis: Had to have a jazz track. Depending on how this one is portrayed, the trumpet often overshadows everything else. Done well, each instrument of the quintet should come off very clearly.
"Free Will" by Rush: Lots of opportunities here. This is from the live Exit Stage Left album so immediately there are chances to show off soundstage and imaging. Also, with better gear, the guitar and drum impacts and texture can really shine.
Gear
For this review, I used a balanced setup consisting of the Little Dot DAC1 and Mk VII+. Source material via optical was from my MacBook Pro running Fidelia. IC’s were DIY XLRs courtesy of Lord Tris, balanced headphone cables were DIY courtesy of wje and for SE, I used the stock HE400i cable for both. Also, I used Focus Pads on both headphones as the velours and pleathers of the 500 are, let’s be honest… just awful.
*Note: Even though the 400i seems much easier to drive on paper, I didn’t have to adjust the volume nearly as much as I thought I would going from one headphone to the other. Make of that what you will.
Abbreviated Findings
*Note: The SE columns are referring to the other headphone i.e. 400i SE is comparing to 500 SE and vice versa. The balanced columns however, are referencing the same headphone using SE.
Commentary
So overall, I’d say HFM did what they set out to do. The 400i is very closely related to the 500 in its tuning. The more prominent differences are:
For those of you who enjoyed the original HE400’s “fun” tuning more, I would not recommend the 400i. He’s traded in his beer pong cups for trendy micro-brews although he definitely hasn’t graduated to the small batch bourbon that is the 500.
Conclusion
Both headphones are quite good. The 400i is the closest planar I’ve heard to a Grado sound. I was reminded of the PS500 in some ways albeit with less soundstage and more treble detail. The 500 takes that sound, brings the mids forward, smooths the treble, and widens the space - in some ways similar to an RS1, although the 500 throws a much better soundstage.
If you’re interested in a tuning that’s halfway between “fun” and “neutral,” I’d wholeheartedly recommend the 400i. It’s got just enough mid-bass boost and treble presence to make electronic, hip hop, rock, and pop tunes really engaging. However, it’s intimate sound and slightly recessed mids may not be what you’re after if you are a big jazz, classical, or vocal fan. The 500 in comparison takes the 400i’s (oh so slight) deficiencies and capitalizes. The rich, organic mids are in full effect and the soundstage is much better, making it an overall more versatile headphone.
It's well-known that the 400i's tuning does not follow in the footsteps of it's predecessor. The new generation is in a word: refined.The rich planar sub-bass and spicy treble have been revamped. Gone are the clunky, blue cups - instead, the gunmetal-esque replacements. No more scratchy velours - but now, the angled, pillowy Focus Pads. Needless to say, there’s plenty to like here.
So, without further ado, let's get into it!
Source Material:
*All songs are ALAC 16-bit/44.1 kHz except for "Someone Like You" and “Joshua” (24-bit).
"Something" by Snarky Puppy feat. Lalah Hathaway: A Grammy-winning funk-jazz track that lets Lalah really show off and thanks to the size of the band and the extra backup singers, portrays a great opportunity for imaging, separation, and soundstage.
"Make It Mine" by Jason Mraz: A funky pop tune that has a lot of little nuances i.e. hi hat splashes, vocal harmonization, organ riffs, etc.
"A Wake" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: This hip hop track offers some excellent sub-bass texture that most cans just don't pick up on. Also, the portrayal of Mack's vocals can make or break this one.
"Someone Like You" by Adele: This chart-topper is performed live at Royal Albert Hall. Probably the best test of soundstage I've ever heard. She invites the audience to sing the chorus and it either makes you look around to make sure there aren't actual people around you or it sounds well... fake.
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon: Even though just about anything Paul does could be used, I know this one well and it is very rich in layers and nuances.
"Joshua" by Miles Davis: Had to have a jazz track. Depending on how this one is portrayed, the trumpet often overshadows everything else. Done well, each instrument of the quintet should come off very clearly.
"Free Will" by Rush: Lots of opportunities here. This is from the live Exit Stage Left album so immediately there are chances to show off soundstage and imaging. Also, with better gear, the guitar and drum impacts and texture can really shine.
Gear
For this review, I used a balanced setup consisting of the Little Dot DAC1 and Mk VII+. Source material via optical was from my MacBook Pro running Fidelia. IC’s were DIY XLRs courtesy of Lord Tris, balanced headphone cables were DIY courtesy of wje and for SE, I used the stock HE400i cable for both. Also, I used Focus Pads on both headphones as the velours and pleathers of the 500 are, let’s be honest… just awful.
*Note: Even though the 400i seems much easier to drive on paper, I didn’t have to adjust the volume nearly as much as I thought I would going from one headphone to the other. Make of that what you will.
Abbreviated Findings
| 500 vs 400i | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
HE500 SE | Balanced | HE400i SE | Balanced | |
Something | Richly textured vocals, extended low end, good sense of space and L/R imaging. | More clarity and detail. | Vocals are less forward than 500. Less space. | More space than SE. |
Make it Mine | Vocals are very upfront. Drums in front of other instruments. | Better details. Drums are better placed in mix. | Very close to 500, but vocals are recessed and SS is closed in. | More vocal presence. |
A Wake | Great bass texture. Drums sound awesome. Vocals are detailed but sometimes sibilant. (reminds me of RS1.) | Even better bass and more separation. | Good bass, hot treble. Noticeably smaller sense of space. | Aww yeah, we bumpin' now! |
Someone Like You | Rich textured vocals and piano. Medium sense of the space. | SS opened up. Better everything. | Very similar but smaller SS. | Maybe a touch more space? |
50 Ways | Smooth vocals. Hear bass more than feel. | Awesome. Killer vocals and bass is now felt. | More treble presence. Vocals not as smooth. | A little smoother on vocals, but still not up to 500 level. |
Joshua | Excellent imaging. Bass light? | Just awesome. | Richer bass than 500. Closed in SS. | Better separation and slightly better space. |
Free Will | Decent percussion impact. Good separation and textured guitar. | Best of everything. | Meh. | Better space and percussion impact. |
*Note: The SE columns are referring to the other headphone i.e. 400i SE is comparing to 500 SE and vice versa. The balanced columns however, are referencing the same headphone using SE.
Commentary
So overall, I’d say HFM did what they set out to do. The 400i is very closely related to the 500 in its tuning. The more prominent differences are:
- 400i has thicker bass.
- 500 has much richer mids.
- 400i has more treble, but it’s not as detailed.
- 500 has much better soundstage and sense of space.
For those of you who enjoyed the original HE400’s “fun” tuning more, I would not recommend the 400i. He’s traded in his beer pong cups for trendy micro-brews although he definitely hasn’t graduated to the small batch bourbon that is the 500.
Conclusion
Both headphones are quite good. The 400i is the closest planar I’ve heard to a Grado sound. I was reminded of the PS500 in some ways albeit with less soundstage and more treble detail. The 500 takes that sound, brings the mids forward, smooths the treble, and widens the space - in some ways similar to an RS1, although the 500 throws a much better soundstage.
If you’re interested in a tuning that’s halfway between “fun” and “neutral,” I’d wholeheartedly recommend the 400i. It’s got just enough mid-bass boost and treble presence to make electronic, hip hop, rock, and pop tunes really engaging. However, it’s intimate sound and slightly recessed mids may not be what you’re after if you are a big jazz, classical, or vocal fan. The 500 in comparison takes the 400i’s (oh so slight) deficiencies and capitalizes. The rich, organic mids are in full effect and the soundstage is much better, making it an overall more versatile headphone.