Topic: new sweet heart hifiman he400

[raymonda]

I've been wanting to enter the world of planar headphones for sometime, after all I've been a Maggie owner for over 33.33 years. I settled on Hifiman's he400. They have consistently received rave reviews and have been earmark as a best buy for 400 bucks. After shopping around I found a great price on an open box pair through Razor Dog, who said these have been used for less than 2 hours. At 249, which included shipping and no tax charge it appeared to be the best price going. It also came with the manufactures warranty. Used pair go for 230 on the Web so this seemed like a no brainer.

They arrived 4 days after I ordered them and appeared to be brand new. I would have never known they were open. Well, I was eager to give them a listen, so, I quickly plugged them into my x3 and was satisfied with my initial impression cold. These are not hard to drive and the x3 was able to manage them, however my modded fanmusic portable drives them better. I'm not going to go into much detail at this time because they need to break in but what I can say is that they have a great comfortable sound. The presentation is a lot like my speakers. They seemed well balanced without overly highlighting any frequency.  Maybe a bit laid back in the upper midrange but nothing that draws attention.

Anyway, I'll report more after I've had more time with them and they break in. They just might be my new flame. They certainly are a sweetheart and are getting me a bit hot a bothered.

[stevetoney]

Carlbeck loves his he400.  I've considered them and still might at some point.  Like you, I've never had a pair.  I'm curious of your overall impressions but also if you hear any changes after breakin.  My Senn HD600 REALLY improved after break-in, but I think I've read one wouldn't expect much of a change from burnin of most planars.

[raymonda]

The 600, 650 and 700's were on my radar. I listened to a pair of 580 ' s 17 or so years ago and liked them. I've also monitored with 600 ' s and thought they sounded fine but really wanted to give these a try. After all, the seem to be the darling of the head freaks.....at the moment.

My experience with planar speakers is that the do in fact break in over time and the break in time can be long. Regardless, I'm liking them as they stand and if they keep getting better, well, that's a bonus.

[Craig T]

thanks for posting your thoughts.  those have been on my radar for awhile.  wish I could demo somewhere nearby.    (minus the turntables)

[carlbeck]

Yep as Steve mentioned I have a pair of these & love them. I think you can't go wrong with what you paid for them, enjoy your new flame.

[raymonda]

Craig......go for it. They are rocking my world right now. You use to own a pair of 1.7's, right. This brings everything that good planars bring plus the bass of 3 series, as well as the 20's.

I might have to back away from my upper mid comment, as these seem nicely balanced. But I'm only listening to them for enjoyment right now. Too much fun at this time to listen hyper critically.

[noahbickart]

I got a similar deal.

darktrain is doing a bitchin' custom cable for me for TS.com street cred...

They need a good amp though.

[raymonda]

I got a similar deal.

darktrain is doing a bitchin' custom cable for me for TS.com street cred...

They need a good amp though.

Actually, they don't need a good amp but perform better with one. my Matrix m stage works fine.....but my Melos Sha 1 is my favorite. My lowly modded fan music with op amp mod sounds fantastic and cost me less than $30. Even my X3 will run them but can run a bit out of gas if pushed too hard. I have not listen to my Matrix Mini yet....probably won't to soon since I have so many other options but sooner of later I'll give it a try, too.

Most of my listening so far has been in bed with my X3 and fan music.........betters anything I've owned before it. Although I still believe that Thinksound MS1 are the steal of the century. Well, now maybe there are two steals.

[carlbeck]

I got a similar deal.

darktrain is doing a bitchin' custom cable for me for TS.com street cred...

They need a good amp though.

Interesting, I've been thinking if getting a new cable since the stock one is too long.

[raymonda]

Ok......I'm starting a bit more critical listening. I did a fast A/B with my MS 1 and you know what.......the MS 1 might be the best deal going on a set of iem cans. Really, they sound f'in good. I can't believe I paid $60.00 for a pair of them. Initially, what I can say is that they are in the same camp tonally. Defined bass....not over ripe or bloated but firm, extended and articulate. The high end is clean and fast with a bit more shimmer on top when compared to the M1. The M1 is a bit drier. The midrange is even, where I think there might be a slight 2k boast on the M1.

The 400 are clean....without haze or cloudiness and fast. Snares have snap.....toms have weight and body......especially the floor tom. Over all there is nothing to complain about frequency wise. They are well balanced and do not cater to bass heads or treble heads exclusively. Although both should find something they like in them.

Where they outshine the M1 is in the soundstage width......sounds come out further both left and right. At the right volume they are more like listening to my highly modded 3A's with dual subs......coupled with tubes.

So in my limited world of headphones these have been my favorite on ears bettering AKG's 240, 701Q's, 550's........ATm50's, sennheiser 580, 600 and 650's, 280's Grado RS2's, SR80, 125's and Sony MVR something or others. And yes, they better my second favorite Thinksound M1's, but I'll be keeping my two pair of M1's for those noisy environments and outside the home travels.

One last thing...I find the fit is comfortable and they do not bother my head. I can listen for long periods of time without a problem. Nice cans, great value and fun to listen to.  If your on the fence I hope I pushed you over.....I don't think you will regret it at all. Plus 1 for Razor Dog's open box price, too.

If anything changes I'll report back.....right now I have about 40 hours on them.

[Colin Liston]

These are currently $299 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-HE400-HiFiMan-HE-400-Headphones/dp/B007ZG32I4

[raymonda]

Hands down.....these are excellent headphones. I've now put more hours in them and they should be fully broken in. I like everything about them. They are a lot like listen to my Maggies,  which is a very good thing. I do have to go back to a bit soft in the upper midrange comment. To my ears they seem a bit polite in this region.....just slightly.......nothing bad......maybe 1 db or so. The 10k and above is very clean and extended and the bass is deep....when called on.....no bloat here and they flesh out pitch, e.g. they play the notes. I'm clearly in love and find it hard to put them down.

Right now I'm listening to GD 6-14-76, great show and one of Betty's best efforts. What she could do on a good night live to two track far outshines some of the poorly mixed and mastered efforts that has left the vaults recently. That's a different story. Anyways,  this recording sounds fantastic through these phones, as does any well engineered recording.

At 250 or 299 these have got to be the best hifi investment one can make. Pick up a pair before they are completely phased out. 

[Craig T]

Damn you, Ray!     Now I have to shop for a headphone amp... Schiit Lyr 2?

[raymonda]

I'm having great success with my matrix mstage with op amp upgrade. My Melos sha 1 is the cats meow (FAV) and my fanmusic ra1 with opamp upgrade works great and is stupid cheap. It is also portable.

Did you order up a pair? You won't be disappointed.

[carlbeck]

The Schitt stuff is supposed to sound really good. I had the Pan Am with the 400's when I first got them & the iFi Audio Nano & Nano iDsd, I kept the Nano. I couldn't justify the Pan Am as well.

[stevetoney]

The Schitt stuff is supposed to sound really good. I had the Pan Am with the 400's when I first got them & the iFi Audio Nano & Nano iDsd, I kept the Nano. I couldn't justify the Pan Am as well.

...and your Pan Am gets at least an hour of use everyday with HD700s on my head.  Usually more because at least half the nights I wake up in the middle of the night to take my headphones off and turn off the amp.  LOL.

[Craig T]

breaking them in now...

[raymonda]

Enjoy!!!!! They do respond well to my Melos SHA1 headphone amp, so you should should enjoy them with your toob.

I listen to them everyday, err, every night! Because I am a Maggie man I find these headphone much to my liking!!!!! Also, late night listening does not leave me wanting for much when compared to what I would enjoy from my speaker based system. Can they be improved upon, sure! But they certainly are more satisfying than any other headphone that I have had. I hope you find them just as enjoyable.

Ray

[stevetoney]

breaking them in now...

Holy schiit

[stevetoney]

There's a Head-Fi meet and greet here in Pittsburgh on Saturday that I've decided that I'm going to attend.  Since I hadn't been on Head-Fi in quite some time, OOK told me about it earlier in the week but I initiallly said to myself that I didn't need to put the temptation onto myself of listening to a bunch of great high end gear.  My playback rig isn't bad by any means...FIIO X3 or PC > PanAm amp with multiple sets of tubes > Sennheiser HD700.

But he also told me how much he learned last year when he attended and after reconsidering I've decided that it's just too good an opportunity to listen to alot of great gear at one time to pass it up. 

So, about this time next week, I'll probably have some mics or something else listed in the yard sale in order to fund something I find this weekend that I won't be able to live without.   

[carlbeck]

Awesome Steve, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the meet & greet. I've been staying away from head-fi as well for the same reason as you, a meet is even more dangerous.  Good luck to ya!

[OOK]

There's a Head-Fi meet and greet here in Pittsburgh on Saturday that I've decided that I'm going to attend.  Since I hadn't been on Head-Fi in quite some time, OOK told me about it earlier in the week but I initiallly said to myself that I didn't need to put the temptation onto myself of listening to a bunch of great high end gear.  My playback rig isn't bad by any means...FIIO X3 or PC > PanAm amp with multiple sets of tubes > Sennheiser HD700.

But he also told me how much he learned last year when he attended and after reconsidering I've decided that it's just too good an opportunity to listen to alot of great gear at one time to pass it up. 

So, about this time next week, I'll probably have some mics or something else listed in the yard sale in order to fund something I find this weekend that I won't be able to live without.   

You have been warned!!!!  Have fun....leave the wallet at home!!!!

[JimmieC]

Craig T, what made you go with the LYR 2 over the VALHALLA 2?

[Craig T]

Craig T, what made you go with the LYR 2 over the VALHALLA 2?

Power.  If I wasn't going the planar route, I would have definitely considered the Valhalla or other triode/OTLs, like the Woo.  Like the HE400 a lot so far (tubes still breaking in and will be for probably another week) - exceptional value at $300.

[Gutbucket]

these have been my favorite on ears bettering AKG's 240, 701Q's, 550's........ATm50's, sennheiser 580, 600 and 650's, 280's Grado RS2's, SR80, 125's and Sony MVR something or others.

Hey Ray.  Can you describe how they compare with the Senn HD 600 and 650?

[raymonda]

My direct comparison is too far removed from the sennheisers to describe the sonic difference. ...other than I like these better.

[raymonda]

BTW....I'm still in lust! And as time goes by these are sounding better than ever.

[audBall]

It appears the original HE-400 is no longer available, except on the used market. Does anyone have experience with the HE-400i?

edit - ...or with the HE-400s?

[raymonda]

The 400 can be bought on the used market and is still a great value at that price. The 400i has been given consistent great reviews with some saying better than the 400 and others feeling the bass on the 400 is better.

The 400s in their now budget headphone. I haven't heard them but, again, they get great reviews. However, the original 400 used is less and generally considered better than the s  and maybe the i.

Go with a new pair or i or a used pair of originals. You won't regret it. They still continue to wow me. They are really that good.

[audBall]

Well, bye bye, pocketbook!

Thanks for the feedback, Ray. I've been leaning towards the 400i in recent research I've been doing on cans. I've read tons of reviews and they match up with what you're saying about the low end versus the 400.

These, and the Grace M920 at $1395 on Massdrop, are making it difficult to clench the coin right now. It never ends...

[OOK]

Well, bye bye, pocketbook!

Thanks for the feedback, Ray. I've been leaning towards the 400i in recent research I've been doing on cans. I've read tons of reviews and they match up with what you're saying about the low end versus the 400.

These, and the Grace M920 at $1395 on Massdrop, are making it difficult to clench the coin right now. It never ends...

The 400i's are my next phones....

[ts]

B&H has a deal on the 400i and a Fiio Alpen 2.

[audBall]

^ That's a pretty sweet deal.

[ts]

/\ I couldn't resist.

[Craig T]

Love the original HE-400's.  Paired with the right amp, they are very engaging and fun to listen to.  The low end gets a lot of attention for good reason, but the mids are very good for this price point.  High freq are a bit hyped/peaky, but you can't have it all at that price.  Mine are in the YS only because I upgraded to Ethers.