Today we will talk about the absolute leader in the price range up to $400. It has known 2 variants : old models with SMC connectors, and last iterations who came with 2.5mm jack on the cups. The treble performance of the Hifiman HE400i is overemphasized a little but that is not noticeable. HiFiMan HE400i 2020 Review Cable. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro vs Sennheiser HD 650. Would anyone be able to explain the sound signature differences between the 2 headphones? The history of the headphone we have today – the HE-400i – began with the HE-5 introduced in 2009. A lot of people don’t really believe in this phenomenon, but I’m here to tell you that there is some truth to it. Many people claim that it has an engaging sound that lets you hear almost every beat and rhythm to the music being played. Small Disclaimer before we get into things: HiFiMan has been having ongoing quality control issues for quite some time now, mostly with the cable connection. HIFIMAN HE400i has 370 g, while HIFIMAN SUNDARA is only 2 g heavier — 372 g. The headband of both devices can be adjusted and their audio cable can be detached. Also the open back which might be weird but actually keeps a but of air circulating and getting to your ears. They won’t sound their best with the stock ear pads. The sound also may be unbalanced on right vs. left. As I already stated before both pairs are open-back headphones. suggested Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO Sennheiser HD 598 Philips Fidelio X2 Audeze LCD-2 Oppo PM-3 Audioquest NightHawk HiFiMAN HE-560 Fostex T50RP HiFiMAN HE … Unfortunately, customer services solution to bad cables, and ones that break down over a short period of time is for you to buy new ones. HiFiMAN HE-400. Whereas, the HE400i ear pads are made from ABS polymer with velour and pleather which makes it more comfortable to wear and the opening is 6cm on all sides. However, for this set, when in midrange the sound changes and that’s when it starts to sound really good. Both Hifiman HE-400i and Sennheiser HD650 headphones are excellent, delivering one of a kind sound quality. Both have the same frequency response: 20Hz – 35kHz. Requests? 4-5 min. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. I like the 400s one and I want to try it for my Online DJing, but I want to know first if it has an inline mic? They’re the type of headphone that makes you want to know every single thing going on, even though they provide that in spades. HiFiMAN HE-400 vs HiFiMAN HE-400i. Philips Fidelio X2HR vs. HIFIMAN HE400i/HE4XX. Cable is not of a high quality/comes loose and/or breaks easily. At this point, the question of what could be better certainly makes things a whole lot different. In fact during a few email discussions back and forth with the team at Hifiman I did mention it would have been better calling the HE400i the HE460 simply because the relationship in terms of design, technology and even tonality bears a closer resemblance to the new direction of the HE560 than the older HE400. It’s a planar magnetic headphone. You won’t feel much of a disappointment. Also, all of my final impressions of the big 4 can be found here in the HiFiMan 400 Series Shootout! Whilst the He400i is likely to be the most consumer orientated or bass tuned Hifiman between the two, perhaps even in the entire updated range (unless Fang surprises us and that’s always possible), it doesn’t quite have the same strength of slam as the older HE400. The bass is not going to be very powerful or deep. Appearance vs Reality. When we look at the treble performance for both sets. Both sets are constructed in the exact same manner, with a couple of subtle differences. Well, these little monsters definitely have something we’d both love to know about. See also : HIFIMAN HE400I Vs OPPO PM3. His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in a crowded industry.”. Thank you. Your email address will not be published. It also sports a tighter bass with more impact, better mid-range and cleaner highs. Besides music, Rob enjoys a good whiskey and the outdoors. Really one of the only downsides to the headphone. The headphone can be used directly with its included 3.5mm cable. CD or vinyl, the best-quality sources will benefit from the HE-400i, and those sources are clearly what this headphone should be reserved for The HIFIMAN HE400I and the HIFIMAN HE400S also use the same frequency response and they tend to perform better the same musical genres. So you’re an audiophile, or you’re looking to get your pal who is a birthday present? About Deva. You may not want to travel with them. The only differences you’ll notice are if you actually carry them. The latest Hifiman headphones should be easier to drive then ever before but you will notice they’re still not the easiest to drive headphones. It has plenty of padding that will make sure to keep your ears well supported and greatly cushioned. Comparing HE400i vs HE400S, we see that the HE400i is a bit heavier than the HE400S. Mostly because the bass guitars and kick drums aren’t as pronounced as you’d want them to be. At 98dB/mW, they are a bit more efficient than a 400i at 93-94dB. Your email address will not be published. Would beyer’s dt770 earpads fit the he400s . Compare Fostex T50RP MK3 vs HIFIMAN HE400i headphones side-by-side. Keeping them rather cool. Hifiman also has super high-end headphones like the Susvara and Shangri-La electrostatic. I guess we have the magnetic drives to thank for that. In this article I am going to compare hifiman HE-400i and HE-400S to give you a general feeling about the two headphones. Very natural. Pretty much all of the headphones I’ve owned over the years started to sound significantly better over time. Good music always brings a good vibe. While they are a solid desktop headphone, they aren’t sturdy enough to lug around. I personally enjoy the sound of the 400i. The HE400S has full velour padding and the size of the opening ear pads vary from 5 to 6cm. On your mobile device, they aren’t too loud but also not too quiet. And if you want to change the cable are they like normal 2.5mm jacks or do they have some special locking mechanism and you have to buy the original hifiman cables ? Do you have any affordable headphone that can you recommend for DJing matters? More in the video below! My video shootout goes into much depth about my overall impressions of the big 4, including Drop’s HE-4XX, the original 400i, the 400S and the Sundara. Because I am more comfortable with inline mic on my headphone. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Can get a bit abrasive at times/rough around the edges. The first is color and the second is ear-pad material. That’s a phrase I will use once or twice throughout this review. While the treble is solid, it does lack a bit of air, sparkle, and detail that would otherwise capture that realism in tracks that we all love. This difference of $50 is not a large amount but may be to those starting out in the headphone world. Fantastic rich and textured ortho bass, great mids and better sibilance! Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! This was pretty much unanimous in all of the reviews including the positive ones. Questions? Comments? As for the second, they are proprietary HIFIMAN cables and terminate in coax which is very weird. Cons: Slightly Narrower Soundstage Setup: DAC: Aune T1 with upgraded 6922 tube. Find out which is better and their overall performance in the headphones ranking. Well, what can I say? If you are looking for the best headphones, then you are at the right place. Please let me know down below or Contact me!! (HiFiMan recently began supplying a silver-colored twisted cable with the HE-500; our sample has the older version.) Mostly because the bass guitars and kick drums aren’t as pronounced as you’d want them to be. This improved sound quality. 6/19/19: Added Video Comparison of the Element vs. Another difference that you may want to note is in the earpads and the comfort that each pair provides. Hifiman is a company hot on the pursuit of perfecting headphone playback and they are highly regarded for impressive fine-tuning philosophy and high quality product line. As noted above, the 400S seems like it’s trying really hard to be analytical and in comparison to the 400i, falls a little bit flat although I do like listening with it. The bad chord is unanimous, and while the Focuspads help the overall sound, they should have come with the headphones. Related Posts. However, when you are working with the Hifiman He400s you will realise that the presence is truly well defined and well detailed. Before we get into the HIFIMAN HE400S vs. HE400i, grab a snack, sit back and relax because.. Today I will outline the HE400S and then compare it with the 400i towards the end. What is the difference between Philips Fidelio X2HR and HiFiMAN HE-400? They are as good as hifiman he400i headphones. window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us19.list-manage.com","uuid":"0573ad2c5093a15ee16bc49c5","lid":"f49b0eb597","uniqueMethods":true}) }). The build quality is decent overall but not spectacular. Dunno about HE400i. So great, that more of it would most definitely be welcome. The worst thing about the HiFiMan HE400S’ sound is the bass, but it’s not bad by any means — we just wish there was a little more. HE400i packaging update N.B. The new HE4xx supposedly have upgraded to dual 3.5mm connectors as have the new versions of the 400i, but you have to be sure you are getting new stock in both cases to get them. For a headphone it has some pretty good sound qualities and the performance is quite impressive. Plus it all looks pretty stylish and neat. This feature has a slight effect on sound quality. It might not have the necessary rumble that people who love heavy bass may want. The Good The HiFiMan HE-400i is a large, full-size headphone that uses planar-magnetic drivers for exceptional sound quality highlighted by first-rate clarity, detail and well-defined bass. However, if you hate the ache that occurs after a while then the he400i would make the better option. Based on our rating, HE400i has a total rating of 6.5 out of 10 vs 7.5 for T50RP MK3. Headphones - Open Back. The sound signature isn’t flat, but also not overly colored. Then you’ll notice a slight difference in weight and maybe the look. The problem with this is that they cost an additional $40 when they should be included for no extra cost, or used as the original ear pads! Just think of them as bass lean. When it comes to comfort, this pair does not disappoint either. Pin It. 320 kbps should be the standard here. It’s more musical with better resolution, while the 400S is perhaps a bit more detailed in theory, but doesn’t quite hit the mark like the 400i. read. Until you understand what headphones can do for you. They produce great quality by providing some clarity with a nice black background and good speed. There’s a grill mod you can do which also supposedly improves the bass, sub bass, Soundstage, and treble response. Normally a speaker amp, but this one was modded to support a … The 400s have this bulky design that you will probably spot from the outside. With the 400S you can get away with it although a great Amp/DAC will help the sound in both cases regardless. The HE400i has an efficiency of 93 dB/mW and a nominal impedance of 35Ohm. Out of these 2, I would go with the 400i, but today I’m going to recommend something else. At the time of publishing this, the Hifiman HE400i 2020 is available directly from Hifiman for $169 whereas the Deva is available for $219. In short, I’m just going to say that I would highly recommend the he400s. The 400S does not have an inline mic, and you really wouldn’t want it for DJing purposes. Thanks. Not because they want to look cool or anything, but listening to good music goes a long way. Interested in learning more? AMP: Emotiva X-Mini A100. Frequently compared against the ubiquitous Schiit Modi/Magni stack. It should also be noted that Audio Advice (a store I frequent to demo these models) has stopped carrying HiFiMan products due to said issues. Categories. The length of the wire which comes with the headphones is 150 cm. At the current moment, this one is quite popular in the market. The cable is very suspect. I would go with the he400s. The good news is that it won’t make you tired, which I’ve come to find is a problem with listening to bright/sibilant headphones too long. It’s still just as comfortable and you can wear it for a couple of hours before you start experiencing any form of discomfort. With the Brainwavz FocusPads (replacement ear pads), more bass driven music comes to life. In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. The biggest things to keep in mind with these headphones are the following: Other than that, these are a fantastic sounding headphone with a pretty good build quality aside from the cable issue. There’s more depth to the sound. I currently have the X2HRs and I enjoy them. In truth, we both know that people are always looking for the next best thing. Great mid-range. Something that almost every audiophile has been able to approve of. However, some of you may wonder, which one is better? The same doesn’t go for the Hifiman HE400S. If you have Spotify premium I believe they provide 320kbps which is the standard for good listening and a number you should always strive for. Rob is a musician and audiophile at heart. So if all else is equal, then one would say that HE400i 2020 is the winner as far as price. Your email address will not be published. The same doesn’t go for the Hifiman HE400S. Good instrument separation, transparency, and detail. Home Headphone Comparisons HIFIMAN HE400S vs. HE400i [A Guide] March 12, 2017. ... Hifiman HE400I the other version of HE400 series besides the original and the HE400S that we have talked earlier. The Grado Sonata moving-magnet cartridge I use imparts yet an extra degree of warmth to the vinyl, granted, but the HiFiMan exposed the detail in those recordings beautifully, without an analytical taint. Hifiman Sundara vs 400I; Hifiman HE400S vs HE400I; About Author admin. Search. Out of lower end portable, MP3, and tablets with questionable hardware. The cable comes at 1.5 m which is different in that it is shorter and I bet it is easier to walk around with. Planar magnetics!! There is a lack of bass extension that can be remedied with the Brainwavz Focus Pads and/or the grill mod. This simply is an affordable open-back planar magnetic headphone from Hifiman. They tend to really expose bad quality tracks. In short, I’m just going to say that I would highly recommend. It makes them seem as if they are louder than they actually should be. I never have to turn them down, but on the flip side, I would like to turn them up on occasion. I guess we can say you’ll be able to use them for quite a while before they start burning or hurting you. A fantastic overall sounding headphone with some quality control issues. We have recently updated the packaging for the HE400i to make it more environmentally sensitive, if you get a box that doesn’t look the same as you see in pictures there is no need to worry. smartphones laptops tablets News. That means longer hours of some good music without any issues or problems. Kick drums are nice and defined, bass guitars are anything but muddy, and overall the bass sounds great. The sound quality is obviously better that means my reason for getting headphones is clearly satisfied. However, that is mostly driven by the source of music. Just make sure you understand what you are letting go of. Then most importantly, both of them are open planar headphones with magnetic drives. In reality my HE-400i measures 42.9Ohm on both sides, but at least they are balanced. They aren’t too loud or too quiet; it’s a nice happy medium. Sennheiser hd650 headphones usually come in fancy boxes, fancy cables and housing whereas hifiman he400i lacks flashy effects. The Hifiman HE400i has pretty good and decent bass to its sound. An amp isn’t required for the 400S, but will greatly aid you in the studio when you’re sitting at your desk. Their bread and butter. Just checking the price your pockets may shake, then you’ll soon realise that the pricing as determined by the competition is quite alright. The major point to take away here is that the HE400S is more abrasive and colder sounding, while the HE400i is smoother and warmer. Tweet. en. You may notice a few changes like the padding and maybe the weight but physically I don’t think you’ll note any difference without actually touching them. Click Privacy Preferences for more details. HE-400 personal review , ATH-AD700 personal review , Aune T1 MK2 personal review , Lepai A2020+ personal review , Field report of Jakarta USF It could definitely use a bit more extension. Topping E30/L30 vs. iFi Zen CAN Signature 6XX, Tonor TC-777 USB Condenser Microphone Review & Shootout, FiiO BTR3K vs. BTR5 vs. DragonFly Red [Which Is Best For YOU?!]. In terms of the differences, there are a lot of them and these can actually help you decide which one of the models is best for you. They kind of sit somewhere in the middle. Pros: Lightweight. 1,280 posts; 1,280 posts; Posted September 21, 2015. Anyways your review is really informative and useful. Extremely clear even using Spotify’s sub optimal 192kbps files. While it is clean, it lacks that “oomph” that many people desire. The HE400i was a mid-range open-back can produced by Hifiman as a successor to the original HE400 and HE400S (though both S and i models were sold at the same time). 11/11 Shopping Carnival at GearbestCheck the deals. – Hifiman HE400S vs Hifiman HE400I. Objective 2. It really defeats the entire purpose. Your mileage may vary. It still has energy, but isn’t quite as treble heavy as other cans. What is the difference of each and what is worth the money? . The ear cups, however, somehow they managed to make them look thinner. So be sure to look it up, so you know what I’m talking about at the time. You’ll never understand the hype that’s out there for a single headset. HIFIMAN HE400S vs. HE400i [A Guide] 2,010 word post, approx. I did some research and couldn’t find much. The HiFiMan HE-400i, like the rest of the planar magnetic HifiMan headphones, are not very breathable. Physically speaking, both the Hifiman HE400i and Hifiman HE400S have almost similar looks. Here I compiled all of my impressions of the big 4 since 2017! More on that later. What might actually be of concern is the high shrill vocals or cymbals. And is the price is worth it for the quality of the headphone because reading from the cons I think its too expensive. First off, in the box, what you will find is the headphones themselves, the cable, and a 3.5 to the 6.3-millimeter jack. You will definitely want to make sure your source files are good as mentioned in the Pros section. You’re not going to be blown away by it. AKG K702 Vs Sennheiser HD650 In this article below, we will do comparison between AKG K702 vs Sennheiser HD650. Related: How to choose a headphone amp! They have proven to be able to deliver a great and wonderful sound. Hifiman HE400i 2020 Edition ($169 EUR) VS Hifiman Deva ($219) Both headphones are looking more or less the same, with the exception that Deva has an elongated earcup around those headphone jacks so it could accommodate a BlueMini wireless companion. They also add bass at the expense of the luscious 3D sound signature. *. He plays 5 instruments. It’s one of the best mid-fi headphones I’ve reviewed. By using this site, you agree to the use of cookies. 5 foot, heavily braided L-jack 3.5mm to split L & R 3.5mm balanced cord. Home Studio Guide – Part I (Introduction), The Best Audiophile Headphones [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones (Part II) [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones (Part III) [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones (Part IV) [Complete Buyer’s Guide], The 5 Best Audiophile Headphones For Under $500, The Best Headphones for Gaming [In Depth Guide], The Best Audiophile Headphones For Gaming Under $100, Blue Yeti vs. AT2020 vs. Samson C01 [Definitive Guide]. Topping E30/L30 Review – Just How Good Is It? This just means all the outside sounds would be quite audible to you even when you are listening to something and likewise the people around you will be able to listen to what you’ll be playing. HiFiMAN HE-400i. Let’s say that by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be well aware of everything that these music lovers will be saying. This isn’t a deal breaker per se, but there is a definite bass roll off starting at 7oHz, and completely rolling off by 30Hz. Hi Stu, I read your review about HE400s and HE400i. They sound best with high quality source files. Hifiman HE-400i vs Sennheiser HD650. Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. In addition, they do not fold. They sound grainier and more abrasive than the smoother sounding 400i. The updated HIFIMAN Sundara improves upon all the shortcomings of the original 400i with regard to build. Not too sure about the first question. This one also still the same open planar headphone with a great quality and loved by many audiophiles out there. An amazing headphone. Unacceptable. So when it comes to headphones you know that people are looking to but the best set that is available at the time. The he400i just looks like it’s a sibling. iFi Aurora Review – Love At First Sight?! Though both pairs have somewhat relatable comfort, the HIFiman he400i earpads are made of soft and plush pleather while the He400s has a velour material that can be quite a nuisance if it attracts lint. The shrill audios cut through the mix well and don’t dominate the overall sound at all. For this set, the kick drums sound refined and the bass guitars don’t sound as subtle nor as muddy at all. First, we will look at the Hifiman HE400S. They aren’t very amp specific, and will sound fine with many different combinations. That’s why we have decided to put them up to the test against each … The former one will be reviewed on Headfonia in the upcoming weeks as well. More on that later. Overview Prices Specs They have ergomic headbands and beveled ear … The mentioned HIFIMAN products are inconvenient to carry as they come without a bag. Word on the street is that these will take upwards of 150 hours to break in. At the same time the he400i are more comfortable because they are lighter and the ear padding is rather comforting and supportive. Required fields are marked *, “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”, “Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! The hifiman he400i headphones are large, light full-sized headphones which makes them look magnificent. Because a right-angle 3.5mm jack terminates these headphones, and the cable is also removable, which is nice to see. His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in an crowded industry. The Hifiman HE400i has pretty good and decent bass to its sound. With no distinct difference at all. They have an open back design which usually does not get as hot as closed back over-ears. I would highly recommend the Sennheiser HD25 for that. I absolutely love these straight out of my phone though. Making the song sound great and well balanced. This kind of makes the 400S sound cooler, a bit more sterile, and a bit more crisp, if a tad grainier in comparison to the warmer sound of the 400i and Sundara. Most headsets start to make the ears ache. However, sennheiser hd650 headphones are not flashy for nothing. Did I miss the mark on something? This is very common with headphones in this price range. Being closed back, these have zero noise isolation. Let me know what you think, and glad to help! Learn how your comment data is processed. Purchased with the HE-400, great little DAC/AMP. I wouldn’t purchase a 400i without an amp. HIFIMAN HE400I Vs HE400S – What Are The Differences? Your email address will not be published. In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!! As for the comfort, they come with enough padding that feels comfortable enough when used. The main difference between the 400S vs. the rest is that it’s bass rolls off considerably more, and does sound a bit lean by contrast, even though it’s still immensely textured and detailed. All that it means is you have gotten one of the new look, more environment conscious, packaging boxes. It might not have the necessary rumble that people who love heavy bass may want. Updates. HE400 sounds a bit similar to the HD700 in term of warmness, but HE400 got more distinct treble spike. Added … Lack of sub bass and bass extension in general. I dont know if the amazon 400is have been updated yet, as of a while ago only hifiman direct was selling the new stock, but it may have reached other stores by now. HIFIMAN HE400i 2020 Version Full-Size Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Professional Headphones with Enhanced Headband, 3.5mm Connector, for Audiophiles, …