Hifiman HE400i Review (planar headphone)

[ThomsBrown92]

I bought a 400i in 2018 after seeing Amir use it in tests. While I liked its sparkly quality, it certainly became my least used can. I always thought it was too bass light. But the rubbing of bows on string instruments was always particularly beautiful on this headphone.

I just applied Amir's EQ using Roon on this can. Wow, what a difference! Amir was right when he said it takes the 400i from a mid fi can to something almost approximating my HD800! However, I could tell immediately that the sound is way more cramped and not as finely detailed as my HD800, but besides that, it certainly is a great sounding can!

I would caution anybody wanting to buy this can though that the headband is extremely fragile and did break on me, so I had to order a replacement. I know they came out with a 2020 version that has a new headband, but if you are getting this older model, be aware of that.

I would like to buy the 2020 model, do you know what changes? the differences between hifiman he-400i and he-400i 2020.

 

[solderdude]

the differences between hifiman he-400i and he-400i 2020.

Better bass extension in the original HE400i, more comfy pads in 2020 version different headband design and color scheme.

HE400i 2020 vs other models:

 

[ThomsBrown92]

View attachment 214374

Better bass extension in the original HE400i, more comfy pads in 2020 version different headband design and color scheme.

HE400i 2020 vs other models:

Thanks, so only the bass changes, which are more present in the original version? at the soundstage level they should be identical right?

 

[Jimbob54]

Thanks, so only the bass changes, which are more present in the original version? at the soundstage level they should be identical right?

Buy both from amazon, return the one you like the least. You REALLY need to audition headphones, other peoples' opinions are entirely subjective especially when it comes to soundstage and other factors not obvious from frequency, distortion and other measurements.

For what its worth- my experience of the round Hifiman models is that soundstage depth/ width is not their strength.

 

[ThomsBrown92]

Buy both from amazon, return the one you like the least. You REALLY need to audition headphones, other peoples' opinions are entirely subjective especially when it comes to soundstage and other factors not obvious from frequency, distortion and other measurements.

For what its worth- my experience of the round Hifiman models is that soundstage depth/ width is not their strength.

which HiFiMan models have you tried? I would be curious

 

[ThomsBrown92]

Buy both from amazon, return the one you like the least. You REALLY need to audition headphones, other peoples' opinions are entirely subjective especially when it comes to soundstage and other factors not obvious from frequency, distortion and other measurements.

For what its worth- my experience of the round Hifiman models is that soundstage depth/ width is not their strength.

now I'm undecided between the HiFiMan he400i (which unfortunately have less bass for me) and the AKG K702

 

[Jimbob54]

now I'm undecided between the HiFiMan he400i (which unfortunately have less bass for me) and the AKG K702

And at that point you either buy both and return one or pick one and be happy. No one here can make that call for you.

 

[Jimbob54]

which HiFiMan models have you tried? I would be curious

4XX, 350, XS, 6SE v2

XS is the most "open" sounding - some might equate that with soundstage. The HE6 is my favourite but in a different price bracket to the rest.

Between the 702 and 400- if you value bass, definitely the 400. The 702 is airier. I suspect users that have tried both would say the 702 has better soundstage

Crinacle's Headphone Graph Tool | Hangout.Audio

Compare industry-standard GRAS 43AG-7 headphone graphs, measured by Crinacle.

crinacle.com

 

[ThomsBrown92]

4XX, 350, XS, 6SE v2

XS è il suono più "aperto" - alcuni potrebbero identificarlo con il soundstage. L'HE6 è il mio preferito ma in una fascia di prezzo diversa dal resto.

Tra il 702 e il 400, se apprezzi i bassi, sicuramente il 400. Il 702 è più arioso. Sospetto che gli utenti che hanno provato entrambi direbbero che il 702 ha un soundstage migliore

Crinacle's Headphone Graph Tool | Hangout.Audio

Compare industry-standard GRAS 43AG-7 headphone graphs, measured by Crinacle.

crinacle.com

grazie ancora, hai mai avuto / provato l'AKG K702? o sai qualcosa, rispetto all'HiFiMan he400i

 

[Jimbob54]

grazie ancora, hai mai avuto / provato l'AKG K702? o sai qualcosa, rispetto all'HiFiMan he400i

I have the K701. Very similar to the 702. Like I say, at this point I think you need to try. You are in danger of analysis paralysis, If one person says they prefer AKG to Hifiman and someone else says the opposite, where does that leave you?

 

[ThomsBrown92]

I have the K701. Very similar to the 702. Like I say, at this point I think you need to try. You are in danger of analysis paralysis, If one person says they prefer AKG to Hifiman and someone else says the opposite, where does that leave you?

I was looking for an objective analysis between the 2 headphones in reality, I don't know if you could help me ...

 

[Jimbob54]

I was looking for an objective analysis between the 2 headphones in reality, I don't know if you could help me ...

You've got that. The frequency charts in the crinacle link.

Everything else would be subjective other than weight and build. I can't be bothered to look but I would guess the akg would have higher thd at higher volumes for whatever that's worth.

 

[Jimbob54]

I was looking for an objective analysis between the 2 headphones in reality, I don't know if you could help me ...

What objective methodology did you use to whittle it down to the K702 or the 400i?

 

[solderdude]

I was looking for an objective analysis between the 2 headphones in reality, I don't know if you could help me ...

A substantial difference in
Clarity, open, forward, clear, bright sound = K702
Laid-back, 'midrangy', romantic sound = HE400i (2020) and HE400SE
All are 'lean' in the bass compared to the Harman target.

Clarity = 1-3kHz range. The differences ere are almost 15dB !!!
These are not comparable.

 

[Jimbob54]

View attachment 214405
A substantial difference in
Clarity, open, forward, clear, bright sound = K702
Laid-back, 'midrangy', romantic sound = HE400i (2020) and HE400SE
All are 'lean' in the bass compared to the Harman target.

Clarity = 1-3kHz range. The differences ere are almost 15dB !!!
These are not comparable.

Romantic is a new one on me!

 

[solderdude]

I sometimes do not believe the sound descriptors on some subjective websites. This is just one that makes some sense to some folks

 

[Jimbob54]

I was looking for an objective analysis between the 2 headphones in reality, I don't know if you could help me ...

Preference scores

HE400i 2020 85
K702 80

AutoEq/results/RANKING.md at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

 

[ThomsBrown92]

You've got that. The frequency charts in the crinacle link.

Everything else would be subjective other than weight and build. I can't be bothered to look but I would guess the akg would have higher thd at higher volumes for whatever that's worth.

considering the headphones together with the amp you think the AKGs are better

 

[Jimbob54]

considering the headphones together with the amp you think the AKGs are better

I dont know what you mean. Amps dont really come into it with either of these. Any halfway competent amp should be able to drive either OK.

These are two very different headphones as @solderdude demonstrated above and as I said.

I think what you want is someone to "sell" you one or the other. Thats not going to happen.

 

[ThomsBrown92]

I dont know what you mean. Amps dont really come into it with either of these. Any halfway competent amp should be able to drive either OK.

These are two very different headphones as @solderdude demonstrated above and as I said.

I think what you want is someone to "sell" you one or the other. Thats not going to happen.

I think I take the AKGs, because of the slightly more present bass of the he400i 2020, and for the clarity, which I hope is useful in game and does not stress the ear too much, compared to the relaxed sound of the HiFiMan. You who have tried multiple headphones, what would you say? those are fair considerations, if you were to imagine yourself in a soundstage in a PC game