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Author Topic: HE-400i  (Read 4499 times)

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TMRaven

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2014, 04:34:40 PM »
To grossly summarize the 400i, it's a warmer, less refined 560.  The bass won't be a massive increase from the 560, but there will be a little more added warmth in terms of upper bass.  It also is a little more like the HE-400 in that it has some recession in the upper midrange, and a spike in the upper treble, but it's not anywhere to the extent of coloration that 400 was.  Its biggest 'weakness' for me is just a lack of soundstage.
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kothganesh

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2014, 04:46:51 PM »
I should simply hold on to my HE-4 with speaker taps. If I need better, I always have the HE-6. Raven, thanks for the succinct post.
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Claritas

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2014, 05:52:40 PM »
400i crossbreeds 400's drive and 500's lushness, meeting in the middle between the two. It's a little mellower and noticeably warmer than 400, but there was some mushiness in the bass. It doesn't have 500's rich mids and countertenor sounds a little ragged. Still, it's more universally appealing than either. I would still prefer 500, if it weren't for the weight.
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kothganesh

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2014, 10:32:56 AM »
I have a feeling that the best of the 400i and the 560 is already embodied (for lack of a better word for now) in the LCD-XC. Since weight is a non-issue for me, should I just pass on both the Hifimans? What do you guys and gals think?
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Anaxilus

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2014, 04:32:06 PM »
I think a few us feel the XC has more midrange weirdness going on than the 560.  The 560 I heard in January was a bit more spacious and airy too.
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kothganesh

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #15 on: September 02, 2014, 05:52:25 AM »
By 'weirdness", I assume you mean the midrange is more "unnatural sounding" compared to the 560.
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Marvey

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2014, 03:28:26 AM »
XC = midrange honk galore.
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kothganesh

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #17 on: September 03, 2014, 05:02:10 AM »
Marv:

That is as plain speaking as it gets :). On a side note, I used to own the LCD 2.2, the 3 and the XC. I sold the first two and am kicking myself for doing so (these were pre-fazor and I liked them that way).
« Last Edit: September 03, 2014, 05:20:57 AM by kothganesh »
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Marvey

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #18 on: September 03, 2014, 05:14:37 AM »
I've heard the new fazor stuff and I wonder if they changed the formulation of the drivers too. Some of the select grade LCD2.2 and LCD3s of the past were really really good.
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Skyline

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Re: HE-400i
« Reply #19 on: October 01, 2014, 02:53:40 PM »
Alright.

dac/amp time. 

The biggest drawback to the 400i is the soundstage.  It's not bad, in my opinion, but it is the first thing I'd look to enhance.  I will definitely be looking into modding once jerg has had some time to cook some things up for the 560.

While I know that dacs and amps aren't going to transform a headphone, many of them are still described in terms of their soundstage.  If a bigger soundstage were my main goal, are there any dac/amps in the sub $500 range that would need to be looked at?

I currently have the HRT MSII --> Asgard 1. 
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