HIFIMAN HE400i Over Ear Full-Size Plannar Magnetic Headphone
35 comments
FloptimusPrime
19 Sep 17#1
heatheatheat
Mark727 to FloptimusPrime
19 Sep 17#3
Are these worth the buy? I currently have a pair of akg 712's and think they sound slightly flat and lifeless, how do these compare?
Ghost5 to Mark727
19 Sep 17#4
It's down to personal choice. Everybody's hearing is unique as are their requirements of a set of headphones and the music they listen to. I have a pair that I use in conjunction with a Little Dot MK II headphone amplifier and to me they sound good for jazz, acoustic and classical music. If you want to find out more I'd try some of the audio sites such as head-fi.org or headfonia.com and just search the sites for reviews.
rev6 to Mark727
19 Sep 17#6
These don't have much bass. Quite sibilant too. And narrow soundstage. I wouldn't recommend them if you find the 712's flat. Probably aim for V shaped sound, like the Fidelio X2.
barbiegirl to rev6
22 Sep 17#9
I have no idea why anyone would want a V shape frequency response. Why would you want the mids supressed?
Mark727 to barbiegirl
22 Sep 17#11
I'm not sure if the fidelio x2s are v-shaped but as I've said I find my 712 pros fairly boring and bland. Maybe more low end and high end sounds more exciting.
barbiegirl to Mark727
22 Sep 17#12
I had AKG 712 - they have amazing detail, soundstage and airiness but they do indeed lack a bit of slam. Brilliant for classical and jazz / string music; tiring for rock.
Try PSB M4U2....or Sony MDR-1000X. Pricey but well worth it IMO. Cheers. Bon weekend.
Mark727 to barbiegirl
22 Sep 17#13
That's exactly how I feel, they are very airy and have an excellent soundstage and have great clarity, but for me I think they just aren't that engaging, I've been recommended some of the beyers and the Fidelio x2s. Do you have any other recommendations excluding the ones you provided?
barbiegirl to Mark727
22 Sep 17#14
Hi Mark. Well, I've been through an awful lot of headphones in my time. It is very subjective. Beyer Dyanmic have their own sound signature, but I would say it's very neutral, not unlike AKG701. I've had DT770 and DT990. Enjoyed them but ultimately sold them on. If you're thinking more £1xx than £2xx or £3xx, have you demoed any Audio Technica stuff? I also had a pair of KRS KNK 8400. Those are quite an interesting sound. Senn 600 and 650 are good but pricey unless you seek out used pairs. Good luck in your quest.
Mark727 to barbiegirl
22 Sep 17#15
H
Honestly I'd be will to spend £2xx if the headphone is truly worth it. I've been recommended everything from Sony to the classic sennheiser 600/650. But I'm unable to really demo many headphones and everyone seems to have a different opinion on absolutely every headphone. I just want something that isn't as boring as my 712 pros but at the same time nothing to over the top. It's a tough choice.
dz1 to Mark727
25 Sep 17#19
I bought the he 400i and I totally agree with rev6's asessment of them. They lack a bit of bass. I prefer the sennheiser 600 although even that one is not perfect as they are a little polite sounding. But they are the best ones so far. Also tried the sennheiser 700 and they were so boring. And tried the Philips x2. Those ones are for bassheads. Far too much bass that bleeds into the mids. But they do sound exciting so definitely not boring those ones. You should be happy with sennheiser 600.
smr1 to barbiegirl
24 Sep 17#17
You didn't find the Beyer to be a little on the bass heavy side of neutral? Maybe it depends on which impedance model you buy? Nearly all the AKGs I've had have been a bit light in the bass department, and this is from someone who likes etymotic er4, except the 181 which went too far the other way for me.
rev6 to barbiegirl
22 Sep 17#16
I feel the same when headphones lack bass. Why would you want bass suppressed?
barbiegirl to rev6
25 Sep 17#18
Well you wouldn't. But equally, you don't want muddy or lumpy bass that bleeds into other sections of the spectrum. Bass carries the tune from a rhythmic perspective but if you listen to something like Beats, the bass just bleeds. It needs to be fast with attack and good decay. I love bass, but I don't love it when it masks lower mids etc
rev6 to barbiegirl
25 Sep 17#20
Have you listened to the 400i's?
barbiegirl to rev6
25 Sep 17#21
No. I'm desperately trying NOT to spend any more money on headphones. I am however, really curious to hear planar magnetic as I have never heard them or owned a set. I have loosely read that the Monoprice 560 are worth a shot.
Now stop drawing me in!!! :neutral_face:
rev6 to barbiegirl
25 Sep 17#22
I can honestly draw you out. I was in the same boat. Lured by Planaar but wasn't impressed. They are very comfortable which I didn't expect. I found them too analytical and not very enjoyable. I am also tempted by Monoprice's offerings... The 1060's are out of budget but the 560's look good.
barbiegirl to rev6
26 Sep 17#23
Do you live in London?
rev6 to barbiegirl
26 Sep 17#26
I don't no.
barbiegirl to rev6
26 Sep 17#24
I'm not sure I have an issue with analytical; do you mean cold, uninvolving, never found your feet tapping to the music, didn't want to sing along - that kinda thing?
rev6 to barbiegirl
26 Sep 17#25
Sort of. It didn't make my music sound enjoyable. I compared them directly to the AKG K240's with velour pads. Very similar characteristics. Only slightly brighter and more detailed in the top end. Bass was similar in quantity. Honestly can't say the quality was all that different. Also the imaging felt off. Very much left right. Not as much in between compared to what I'm used to.
I think finding the signature you prefer is most important. Next I want to try the HD650's.
barbiegirl to rev6
26 Sep 17#27
Had SennHD650. They were good but not great, but then I'm not a Sennheiser fan really. Good phones I know, but not my kinda sound. Did you ever try Grado? They might be what you're looking for. As a London commuter though, now I've gone wireless, I can't imagine going back. Sony's MDR1000X are extraordinary but they're £300 so they should be. All the best to you.
smr1 to barbiegirl
29 Sep 17#30
I've heard the monoprice 560 are even lighter in the bass department and rougher in the treble. A lot of poorer reports on headfi. I guess the much smaller drivers (56mm)in the 560 compared to the 1060 (106mm?) would give them less bass. The wooden ring on the 1060 has been reported cracking by a number of people which makes me steer away from them.
I might buy their in ear planar to compare to my isine when they finally become available. Just checked again and they are available from monoprice so just have to wait for them to appear on Amazon uk or ebay now.
rev6 to smr1
29 Sep 17#31
The M300's do look really good. Waiting for some good reviews.
Keep an eye out. They'll probably come back in stock.
rev6 to OFI
29 Sep 17#32
1 in stock at £180!
barbiegirl to rev6
29 Sep 17#33
Gone. Bitter sweet about that...
smr1
21 Sep 17#7
The older 400 with different pads might have had a little less bass but these have adequate bass and aren't sibilant.
rev6 to smr1
21 Sep 17#8
Each their own. I sent these back due to what I said earlier.
barbiegirl
22 Sep 17#10
Great price though OP. Heat added.
barbiegirl
3 Oct 17#34
6 more in stock this morning. I took the plunge...
barbiegirl
10 Oct 17#35
Well, I'm absolutely loving them. 100+ hours of burn in and they sound sweet as can be. Amazing detail, layering and separation. Really tuneful melodic bass too. Very happy at £180.
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Opening post
35 comments
Are these worth the buy? I currently have a pair of akg 712's and think they sound slightly flat and lifeless, how do these compare?
Try PSB M4U2....or Sony MDR-1000X. Pricey but well worth it IMO. Cheers. Bon weekend.
Honestly I'd be will to spend £2xx if the headphone is truly worth it. I've been recommended everything from Sony to the classic sennheiser 600/650. But I'm unable to really demo many headphones and everyone seems to have a different opinion on absolutely every headphone. I just want something that isn't as boring as my 712 pros but at the same time nothing to over the top. It's a tough choice.
Nearly all the AKGs I've had have been a bit light in the bass department, and this is from someone who likes etymotic er4, except the 181 which went too far the other way for me.
Now stop drawing me in!!! :neutral_face:
Also the imaging felt off. Very much left right. Not as much in between compared to what I'm used to.
I think finding the signature you prefer is most important. Next I want to try the HD650's.
I might buy their in ear planar to compare to my isine when they finally become available. Just checked again and they are available from monoprice so just have to wait for them to appear on Amazon uk or ebay now.
Posted it a while back. Comes in and out of stock often.
Looks like it's only recently they've dropped below £300
uk.camelcamelcamel.com/HIF…GF4
Gutted I've missed them.