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Post by rfan8312 on Jul 8, 2018 3:22:50 GMT
 A thread for the incredible Hifiman HE400i, my newest acquisition, 190 USD on Amazon, this is a massive steal. Could be, probably is, the best bargain in headphones. Massdrop started producing the HE4xx that I'm told is based off either Hifiman's 400, 400s or 400i. 160 USD. These are planar dynamic, they are not in the top elite level of planars, but do have a following and get you surprisingly close to some of the top planars. All planar magnetics seem to have a common trait, extremely fast tight controlled bass. I personally seek cans less focused on bass and more on a refined sound focused on treble and mids which is the HE400i's strong point. This is a fun treble head can, with planar bass. The bass is fast, pleasing to hear, not the slightest bit boomy, and extends to an ok depth. The treble here though and mids are incredible. Every distorted guitar has so much texture to it's sound. These are not on the level of Audeze LCD2, 1000 USD, which are world class in bass presentation with real slam. But that is a dark headphone in treble and mids. 400i is a steal because they get you damned close to 80% of the LCD-2, with less soundstage, less bass extension, slam, and bass texture, but with a funner, brighter energy imo. To me these are a Grado lovers dream for their treble presentation that is not imo strident or fatiguing. What a marvel these are at that price. |
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 8, 2018 6:16:05 GMT
Here you go, have an image on me...  |
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Post by rfan8312 on Jul 8, 2018 6:37:44 GMT
I tried for a good while to get a link that would automatically display. Planned to tackle it again tomorrow.
Thanks very much, Chris.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 8, 2018 7:02:07 GMT
You are very welcome!
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 8, 2018 8:09:33 GMT
A friend of mine has HE400 (no i) and if you can get that sort of quality for $190 it is indeed amazing vfm.
Very open and delicately nuanced. (I'm not a bass freak and didn't try them for that in the short dem I had).
They were a little too smooth for me, I prefer a little more grit to the sound, but the i is said to take them in the direction I would want. Planars do ime have a smooth sort of sound, though - if you want a bit of raunch (be it electric guitar or orchestral) then I think it's worthwhile trying a range of approaches before committing.
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Post by rfan8312 on Dec 8, 2018 7:30:04 GMT
A friend of mine has HE400 (no i) and if you can get that sort of quality for $190 it is indeed amazing vfm. Very open and delicately nuanced. (I'm not a bass freak and didn't try them for that in the short dem I had). They were a little too smooth for me, I prefer a little more grit to the sound, but the i is said to take them in the direction I would want. Planars do ime have a smooth sort of sound, though - if you want a bit of raunch (be it electric guitar or orchestral) then I think it's worthwhile trying a range of approaches before committing. Wow, I can't believe it's taken me this long time respond to this. You mention the he400i being a little too smooth for you, and you mention the raunch factor and grit. Uh, ye, that's what I'm all about. I havent heard enough high end and just super special sounding cans to know what even better grit may sound like, but it's EXACTLY what I seek when making a purchase. I'd be perfectly happy having a low end, master specialist, like LCD-2, and then something totally opposite but equally as capable in delivering a top notch special sounding upper registers absolute killer can with grit and raunchy mids and treble. But for instance, listening to something like this so far only he400i has provided the kind of detailed texture and bite and grit that I look for. Blut Aus Nord - Cosmosophy Zu - Carbon (best mastering/mixing I know of) Sighborg Aluk Todolo - IV Earth - Torn By The Fox Of The Crescent Moon (bat shit grit) Sorry went a bit nutty on links. That Carbon track on v30 smartphone alone, no amp, with he400i is baffling imo. I'd love to know in what direction I could go to obtain more grit, sizzle, sparkle out of these recordings. I'd love to try Stax of any kind including L300/L700. Any chance there's a headphone a bit like he400i (would like to hear he560) just with better treble extension? |
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Post by John on Dec 8, 2018 9:47:12 GMT
Another one I need to add to my list We have similar taste in music
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 8, 2018 11:09:08 GMT
The best headphones I have are Audeze EL-8. They have almost all of the plus points of the HE400 but are more focused both spatially and dynamically. They have a real kick to them when required with a nicely extended top end.
I have the closed back version of the EL8 and they don't have the open spaciousness of some of the competition, but once I get used to the sound going back to a more 'open' pair takes a bit of adjustment!
The EL-8 can seem a bit bright, but I soon get used to that as well.
A very enjoyable and musical headphone.
The Stax stats I have heard simply don't do that sort of sound. They have a different set of plus points.
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Post by rfan8312 on Dec 8, 2018 14:55:41 GMT
Hmm interesting. Wow, Audeze has both open and closed EL-8's going for $339 of B- stock refurbished. Just the movement and swivel of the cups is so satisfying on these. Or, $28 per month for anyone qualifying for financing. www.audeze.com/products/el-8-collection/el-8-closed-back |
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