Hifiman HE400SE Review (Headphone)

[Robbo99999]

That's why I say "for lack of better explanation." It feels uncomfortable. Not, hot, as in someone is putting a torch to it; but a warming feeling different than any other headset that has a good seal and warms the ear. Perhaps it is a bit like the way a fever makes you feel, but only on my right inner ear.

It does not actually make that ear hot to the touch though. It is only a sensation.

I don't know if that's the same thing as my experience, I've just had the sensation that it's abused my right ear in terms of making it feel like it's a bit blocked with wax, so essentially the feeling of brief slight high frequency hearing loss, which I thought might be caused by some high frequency peaks in the headphone in terms of how it's somehow reacting to the anatomy of my right ear - because left & right earcup measure the same on my miniDSP EARS, so there's nothing suspicious from my measurements instead it might just be a strange peculiarity of how the headphone interacts with my right ear that's producing some treble peaks. I can't be sure, it was a theory, but I'm not sure it's the same thing that you're experiencing.

 

[Gitfiddle]

I don't know if that's the same thing as my experience, I've just had the sensation that it's abused my right ear in terms of making it feel like it's a bit blocked with wax, so essentially the feeling of brief slight high frequency hearing loss, which I thought might be caused by some high frequency peaks in the headphone in terms of how it's somehow reacting to the anatomy of my right ear - because left & right earcup measure the same on my miniDSP EARS, so there's nothing suspicious from my measurements instead it might just be a strange peculiarity of how the headphone interacts with my right ear that's producing some treble peaks. I can't be sure, it was a theory, but I'm not sure it's the same thing that you're experiencing.

Yeah I would say it's a different issue from what you're having.

 

[DazST]

The HE400SE headphones i ordered during the amazon sale arrived today and there is no sound from the right cup. I tried it connected to 3 seperate sources with no luck. Swapped the cord between left and right and still nothing. Could be faulty cord I guess but am fairly sure its the actual headphones. And I don't have another cord to try so its going back to Amazon. Unfortunately the sale has ended too so unsure now if I'll try the hifiman again or maybe go with something else. Pretty bummed about that.

 

[Robbo99999]

The HE400SE headphones i ordered during the amazon sale arrived today and there is no sound from the right cup. I tried it connected to 3 seperate sources with no luck. Swapped the cord between left and right and still nothing. Could be faulty cord I guess but am fairly sure its the actual headphones. And I don't have another cord to try so its going back to Amazon. Unfortunately the sale has ended too so unsure now if I'll try the hifiman again or maybe go with something else. Pretty bummed about that.

I think I had the same problem - it was just a faulty 3.5mm to 6.35mm converter. So try a different converter.

 

[DazST]

I think I had the same problem - it was just a faulty 3.5mm to 6.35mm converter. So try a different converter.

Thanks mate but I did try that too and no dice.

 

[DazST]

And why do you want a DAC of 1980's distortion performance? With your budget, there are some alternatives. The FiiO KA17 or the Topping DX1 will drive the HE400SE with no trouble.

I understand that the K11 R2R mightn't measure particularly well, but it was recommended to me by some people whose opinions I value. I was also curious to try an R2R dac and figured I could return or sell it if I didn't like it. But I've had it for a week now and it's great; exactly what I wanted. What I didn't expect though from the measurements and reviews is just how good it sounds as a dac between my wiim ultra and yamaha amp. Despite the measurements, it actually sounds cleaner/clearer than the wiim dac into my amp (and this is with a/b testing with all other settings/connections constant and the FiiO in NOS mode). I was not expecting this at all, in fact I was expecting the opposite, so it's not confirmation bias.

 

[jkim]

I understand that the K11 R2R mightn't measure particularly well, but it was recommended to me by some people whose opinions I value. I was also curious to try an R2R dac and figured I could return or sell it if I didn't like it. But I've had it for a week now and it's great; exactly what I wanted. What I didn't expect though from the measurements and reviews is just how good it sounds as a dac between my wiim ultra and yamaha amp. Despite the measurements, it actually sounds cleaner/clearer than the wiim dac into my amp (and this is with a/b testing with all other settings/connections constant and the FiiO in NOS mode). I was not expecting this at all, in fact I was expecting the opposite, so it's not confirmation bias.

No one here, including me, would say distortion from today's electronics is clearly audible unless the device is faulty. And no one will have a problem with your subjective preference of the K11 R2R over the Wiim Ultra DAC based on your listening tests. But measurements do not lie and can explain why you hear such a difference. Which setup you prefer is another matter, though.

Although the K11 R2R's distortion is massive by today's standard, it harmonic products are still borderline audible (or inaudible):

The most noticeable difference between the two DACs you compared must be due to the frequency response:

The frequency response of a DAC in NOS mode usually rolls off early because the soundwaves are not accurately reproduced. Perception of this high-frequency roll-off may not be necessarily bad. One can prefer it. You may want to perform listening tests of the R2R between its NOS and OS mode.

In any case, I would not choose any R2R DAC over other DACs based on modern delta-sigma technology.

 

[DazST]

Thanks for your thoughtful reply and explanation. I certainly intend to do a bit more testing, including with the OS mode and with different types of music. But I remain very pleasantly surprised by how good it sounds to my listening tools (ie my ears/brain!) in my 2.1 system, which was not even a main reason I bought it (but because the hifiman headphones I bought to go with were faulty, I decided to try it as a dac).
Just by way of explanation, I do social research for a job, and utilised mixed methods in my PhD. Consequently, I recognise the value and limitations of both quant/objective and qual/subjective methods when it comes to understanding human experiences - and to me, listening to and enjoying music is fundamentally a human experience that occurs in the "real" world, not a scientific experiment conducted in a lab.

 

[Zagorski]

Hi all! I'm using the HE400SE with a Topping DX3 Pro+ and EQ via EQMac (Oratory 1990 filters). While I enjoy the sound, I’m constantly running both my Mac volume and the DX3 Pro+ gain close to max just to get enough loudness with EQ applied.

Ideally, I’m looking for an all-in-one DAC/amp combo under €200–250 (used is fine) that can provide enough power for the HE400SE with EQ. Balanced output would be a plus if it makes a real difference.

I’ve been looking at the FiiO K11 / Fosi SK02 / DX1 but unsure if they’d be a significant step up. Any recommendations or thoughts?

 

[DazST]

I don't have any experience with the topping or fosi amps so can't say for sure how much of a step up it might be, but I have the fiio k11 rtr version and its plenty powerful with my HE400SE. I have it on medium gain setting, balanced connection and negative source gain to allow for eq.

 

[Howie Dern]

Hi all! I'm using the HE400SE with a Topping DX3 Pro+ and EQ via EQMac (Oratory 1990 filters). While I enjoy the sound, I’m constantly running both my Mac volume and the DX3 Pro+ gain close to max just to get enough loudness with EQ applied.

Ideally, I’m looking for an all-in-one DAC/amp combo under €200–250 (used is fine) that can provide enough power for the HE400SE with EQ. Balanced output would be a plus if it makes a real difference.

I’ve been looking at the FiiO K11 / Fosi SK02 / DX1 but unsure if they’d be a significant step up. Any recommendations or thoughts?

I use the HE400SE with a Schiit Magni Heretic amp (www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-magni-heretic-headphone-amp-review.39518/) and the Oratory 1990 filters via Equalizer APO (-9.5 dB preamp). The Magni does have more power than the DX3 Pro+ but doesn't have balanced output. No problem getting plenty loud for me. Schiit doesn't sell this amp any longer but they sell the Magni Unity which has the same power rating. Also, you can include a DAC (total 189 USD + tax and shipping). A quick look also showed some B stock units available for less.

 

[zonk]

Hi all! I'm using the HE400SE with a Topping DX3 Pro+ and EQ via EQMac (Oratory 1990 filters). While I enjoy the sound, I’m constantly running both my Mac volume and the DX3 Pro+ gain close to max just to get enough loudness with EQ applied.

Ideally, I’m looking for an all-in-one DAC/amp combo under €200–250 (used is fine) that can provide enough power for the HE400SE with EQ. Balanced output would be a plus if it makes a real difference.

I’ve been looking at the FiiO K11 / Fosi SK02 / DX1 but unsure if they’d be a significant step up. Any recommendations or thoughts?

The Topping DX5 II is powerful and has a nice feature set. Would be my favourite if I would actually look for DAC/AMP combo for about 300€
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-balanced-dac-and-headphone-amp-review.64264/

 

[Oso Polar]

I'm using the HE400SE with a Topping DX3 Pro+ and EQ via EQMac (Oratory 1990 filters). While I enjoy the sound, I’m constantly running both my Mac volume and the DX3 Pro+ gain close to max just to get enough loudness with EQ applied.

Hmm, this is strange, HE400SE are quite easy to drive. I mainly use them with Qudelix-5k (balanced out) and they are plenty loud even with EQ with -9dB preamp.

 

[solderdude]

Whenever one uses a LOT of bass boost and digital EQ with a high negative pre-amp setting getting a more powerful amp will not do much.

The HE400se = 106dB/V so an amplifier that can reach 5V in 32ohm (800mW) is more than enough.
You will need an amp with a higher gain to compensate for the negative pre-amp.

 

[staticV3]

Hi all! I'm using the HE400SE with a Topping DX3 Pro+ and EQ via EQMac (Oratory 1990 filters). While I enjoy the sound, I’m constantly running both my Mac volume and the DX3 Pro+ gain close to max just to get enough loudness with EQ applied.

Ideally, I’m looking for an all-in-one DAC/amp combo under €200–250 (used is fine) that can provide enough power for the HE400SE with EQ. Balanced output would be a plus if it makes a real difference.

I’ve been looking at the FiiO K11 / Fosi SK02 / DX1 but unsure if they’d be a significant step up. Any recommendations or thoughts?

The DX3 should be plenty loud even with EQ.

Make sure the DX3 is set to High gain in the Menu.

Also a good idea to make sure it's putting out the voltage it's supposed to, using a basic multimeter.

With EQ disabled, DX3 in High gain, all volumes at 100%, the multimeter should read ~8Vrms when playing the test tone below.

To probe the headphone output, leave the HE400se headphone cable attached, plug out the headphone itself, and measure between 3.5mm Tip and Sleeve.

 

[Zagorski]

I don't have any experience with the topping or fosi amps so can't say for sure how much of a step up it might be, but I have the fiio k11 rtr version and its plenty powerful with my HE400SE. I have it on medium gain setting, balanced connection and negative source gain to allow for eq.

What I'm concerned about fiio k11 rtr is the measurements and feedbacks which I found on the forum.

The DX3 should be plenty loud even with EQ.

Make sure the DX3 is set to High gain in the Menu.

Also a good idea to make sure it's putting out the voltage it's supposed to, using a basic multimeter.

With EQ disabled, DX3 in High gain, all volumes at 100%, the multimeter should read ~8Vrms when playing the test tone below.

To probe the headphone output, leave the HE400se headphone cable attached, plug out the headphone itself, and measure between 3.5mm Tip and Sleeve.

Thank you for the reply! Unfortunately (or fortunately) don't have a multimeter to check... Indeed high gain do make a difference but it still ±85-95% of volume on my Mac and 80-90% on DX3pro+ so doesn't feel like I have to much room... (don't have hearing problems ).

 

[DazST]

What I'm concerned about fiio k11 rtr is the measurements and feedbacks which I found on the forum.

Thank you for the reply! Unfortunately (or fortunately) don't have a multimeter to check... Indeed high gain do make a difference but it still ±85-95% of volume on my Mac and 80-90% on DX3pro+ so doesn't feel like I have to much room... (don't have hearing problems ).

Sure, if you're mainly concerned with measurements then you probably wouldn't go with the k11 r2r. I can tell you it does sound great though; both as a headphone amp and as a dac into an amp.

 

[InfiniteJester]

Hello there, people.

Have you all tried the Soundguys Consumer EQ profile shared by RTINGS? I think it's good.

 

[DazST]

No, so far I've only tried the Oratory and ASR ones. Of the two I definitely prefer Oratory. Might give the Soundguys one a try though.

 

[Minato]

I received the HE400SE today and the box says 32Ω, as another user wrote in 2022. In the amirm review, they are 25Ω. Another user has them at 28Ω. How many versions are there?! Has the frequency response changed too?
I wanted to use the EQ recommended by amirm but now I don't know if it will be correct and if I will get the same result.

For now I'm using them with a DX3Pro+ without EQ while I wait for the DX5II with PEQ to arrive.