Hifiman HE400SE Review (Headphone)

[DanTheMan]

The regular Atom easily drives them to louder than you should listen to them…

 

[Stilgar]

I use them 2 version of k5 pro ( ess and akm dac chip ), both of capable to drive he400se without problem on medium or high gain settings.

 

[Harrycol501]

So got the K5 Pro to compare against the Sabaj A10h to see which one was better with the he400se. It was my intention to replace the A10h as I felt it was nice sounding, but lacked the power for the 400se.

I'll need to give my ears some adjusting to the FIIO before giving my verdict, but I do prefer it to the the A10h. It is slightly more powerful, but the main difference is I think it pairs better with the 400se sonically as it's slightly airier, thinner and a touch brighter. This helps bring out detail and soundstage in these cans.

Where it really improves is in the gain increases. On the the 10h the low setting is pretty useless for most headphones and power hungry IEMs, whereas the basic setting on the FIIO is very good. On highest gain the FIIO is slightly louder at full gain (still not comfortably listenable like the A10h), but the volume from 0-100% increases more accurately, in the A10h there is a big step up quite high on volume.

BUT the A10h is a fuller sound. It is smoother and a lot nicer with vocals. They're also a little more weighty in the sound. Sooo, they're actually a nice companion set with the k5 pro. I think I'll keep both .

Some questions...

When I hooked them both to my SMSL Sanskrit 10th ii to compare, there was a noticeable difference in sound from my 400se when I used Composite In (from my TV), than when in USB mode (from my PC)? Is this normal?

Even tho both are very silent, the k5 pro has this ever so low electrical, buzzing sound which I hear when no music is playing. This buzzing goes away when I touch the housing. From reading it sounds like something to do with 'grounding'?? The two plug sockets in the wall are pretty heavily used (TV, Xbox, SMSL DAC, laptop, and charges devices from the USB slots). I connected the FIIO into its own socket on the wall but made no difference. Is there a fix?

 

[Harrycol501]

I should add, the k5 pro used as a DAC/AMP is nicer with the 400se. The ESS DAC seems to pair better than the AK4993 in the SMSL. This will be down to preference. Slightly thinner, airier sound of the ESS Vs slightly bolder, but still detailed sound of the AK.

Both combos are great to test and use with other IEMs and HPs

 

[_thelaughingman]

Even tho both are very silent, the k5 pro has this ever so low electrical, buzzing sound which I hear when no music is playing. This buzzing goes away when I touch the housing. From reading it sounds like something to do with 'grounding'?? The two plug sockets in the wall are pretty heavily used (TV, Xbox, SMSL DAC, laptop, and charges devices from the USB slots). I connected the FIIO into its own socket on the wall but made no difference. Is there a fix?

You might be hearing the Power supply noise from the K5.

 

[Harrycol501]

You might be hearing the Power supply noise from the K5.

When I literally place my hand on the top of the device, it goes away entirely?

I'm going to try it from another plug point in the house

 

[Yoyo35]

Compared to my AKG K712:s they sound ''lifeless'' and too sharp, hurts my ears.. Would any EQ settings help with this?

 

[staticV3]

@Yoyo35 Definitely.

 

[DUKE-DUKE]

En comparación con mi AKG K712:s suenan ''sin vida'' y demasiado agudos, me duelen los oídos. ¿Alguna configuración de ecualización ayudaría con esto?

Try this on:

Preamp: -6.2 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 15 Hz Gain 4.9 dB Q 0.60
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 39 Hz Gain 1.7 dB Q 0.61
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 242 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 0.75
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 883 Hz Gain -2.8 dB Q 2.05
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1888 Hz Gain 6.2 dB Q 2.14
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1304 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 2.14
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3158 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 5.28
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6596 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 1.48
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 11278 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.62
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 20143 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 0.28

 

[192kbps]

Compared to my AKG K712:s they sound ''lifeless'' and too sharp, hurts my ears.. Would any EQ settings help with this?

# HE400SE 2022.07 Prec.
Preamp: -4 dB
Filter: ON PK Fc 180 Hz Gain -2 dB Q 1
Filter: ON PK Fc 1150 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 3.5
Filter: ON PK Fc 1750 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 3
Filter: ON PK Fc 7600 Hz Gain -7.5 dB Q 2.6
Filter: ON PK Fc 8500 Hz Gain 5 dB Q 5

 

[Bam!]

Rtings review:

HiFiMan HE400se Review

The HiFiMan HE400se are planar magnetic over-ears ideal for audiophiles who value high audio quality at a more affordable price. If you're not already familiar w...

www.rtings.com

 

[bracko]

Great review. These seem to perform much better than Sundara And Ananda at the fraction of the price.

 

[okok]

this is really fishy, chinese version he400se got 32 ohm? how come, doesn't look like typo

can anyone actually measure these 32 ohm he400se to prove that's a variant

 

[solderdude]

Mine (EU version bought in 2021) was 28Ω and sits between 25Ω and 32Ω

 

[Χ Ξ Σ]

I was shocked that it "packaged with headphone stand" but turns out it was just a foam cutout in the newest package. this is some next level creativity...

 

[Xombul]

Still better than a Grado package, thought...

 

[okok]

Here's the GEQ to simulate a Sundara 2020 using an HE400se.

can you create he400se EQ to mimic susvara, edition xs and hekse and he6se? that ratory1990 site went into abyss, none of the graphs can load for months, maybe you've saved all the data files thanks

 

[staticV3]

oratory1990 site went into abyss

The graphs load, but you have to refresh the page a bunch of times before they do. See here.
I've already told the dev about this bug, but have not received a response yet.

 

[Neutronman]

Just ordered a set of these cans. My first set of Open headphones and my first set of planars, so interested to see how they compare with my Momentums and Meze Neo's. I just sent back a set of AKG 271's (I hated them, harsh sound even with EQ)....
Hopefully my Fiio K5 Pro will have enough juice to drive them nicely. I have the stealth magnet version, not sure if it comes with the crappy twisted cables, so I ordered set of Neomusica. If my 400SE's come with the black rubber cable I'll send the Neomusica's back. Amazon price $109 for the 400SE's!!!! Same price as the AKG 371 and $20 cheaper than the terrible K271's.... Apart from Amir's EQ what EQ settings are you guys using?

 

[_thelaughingman]

Just ordered a set of these cans. My first set of Open headphones and my first set of planars, so interested to see how they compare with my Momentums and Meze Neo's. I just sent back a set of AKG 271's (I hated them, harsh sound even with EQ)....
Hopefully my Fiio K5 Pro will have enough juice to drive them nicely. I have the stealth magnet version, not sure if it comes with the crappy twisted cables, so I ordered set of Neomusica. If my 400SE's come with the black rubber cable I'll send the Neomusica's back. Amazon price $109 for the 400SE's!!!! Same price as the AKG 371 and $20 cheaper than the terrible K271's.... Apart from Amir's EQ what EQ settings are you guys using?

There's an EQ by Oratory that is Harman curve, whilst crinacle has one for his inhouse curve known as IEF and Harman curve. I use oratory's personally and it is to me very well balanced.

Crinacle' EQ*(Harman Curve)
Preamp: -10.7 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 20 Hz Gain 10.6 dB Q 0.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 43 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 2.000
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 210 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 1.700
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 440 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 1.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 820 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 0.500
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1300 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 1.100
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1800 Hz Gain 8.7 dB Q 1.800
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 3300 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 2.000
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 9100 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 0.700
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 13000 Hz Gain -4.9 dB Q 2.000