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HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions

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Marvey:
HE400S measurements. Will be succinct as usual.

To begin, there's been some buzz on the HE400S:

* http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1803.msg75567.html#msg75567
* http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1803.msg69261.html#msg69261
* http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2477.msg69082.html#msg69082I don't normally do unboxing photos, but see attached. This a nice touch from HFM and a huge improvement from the packaging of the prior generation HFM headphones. BTW, the HE400S is light at 12.5 oz.

Before I forget, the HE400S is actually more efficient than the Sennheiser HD650. I didn't need to have the volume knob as high as the HD650 to get the same volume.

Posting measurements in a bit.

UPDATE with tweaks: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2687.msg76945.html#msg76945
WITH Vali and Modi 2 amps: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2687.msg77918.html#msg77918

Marvey:
HE400S frequency response and distortions

Three notable things:

* Gradual bass rolloff. Not a showstopper and not really all that noticeable with most music. The slight mid/high bass bump helps alleviate this. Compared to other headphones with flat bass extension all the way down to 20Hz, the HE400 does sound "less full" in the bass. I wouldn't call the HE400S bass light at all. PADS WITH BETTER SEAL: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2687.msg76945.html#msg76945
* 8kHz peak, but surprisingly not that annoying. Some sibilance, maybe accentuates some grain and adds some harshness. The effects of this peak are less noticeable with resistor ladder/string DACs or vinyl as a source. Tube amps also take a little bit of the edge off. I haven't done CSDs yet, but I don't think we will see significant ringing in the form of long lived ridges at 8kHz. In any event, the good ol' TP mod will do wonders to flatten this peak.
* Very good low distortion characteristics.

Bill-p:
That's pretty much exactly how I heard it.

Bass-light, high mids a bit grainy (distortion spike around 1KHz? FR not smooth?), and treble a bit grating (dat spike at 9KHz!). But overall very even FR and it's actually quite neutral.

Not reference material for bassheads, but can potentially be good with minimal front damping to take care of the 9KHz spike. Or alternatively, I think dark toobs will help.

Resolution and plankton is only average with this one. HD600 still bests it in that department IMO.

Marvey:
CSDs.



As I surmised, no ringing / ridges at 8kHz. We do see some thin razors or what I've termed "ortho-walls" (http://www.changstar.com/index.php?topic=1726.0) It's generally agreed that these "ortho-walls" are not audible. They exist in most ortho headphones. But overall, really clean past 2kHz.

Marvey:
Although we are nitpicking and doing quite a bit of critical analysis, For $299, the HE400S is quite an impressive headphone. As you said, quite neutral... but with a few minor warts understandable at its price point. I can see people who had difficulty with the HE-560 (upper mid peaks) having an easier time with this headphone.

Despite the sensitivity (it does work well out of portables), it does like power. Running the HE400S from the Rag and Studio provides a difference experience with more bass heft, slam, and control. Lesser sources result in a softer sound.


--- Quote from: Bill-p on August 11, 2015, 05:12:51 AM ---Resolution and plankton is only average with this one. HD600 still bests it in that department IMO.

--- End quote ---

I agree. The HD600/650 from a top shelf tube amp and top shelf DAC is easily more resolving. Also more air and extended up top. However, the bass quality of the HE400S is superior to the HD600/650. HE400 bass is cleaner and less murky. The murky bass has always been a weakness of the HD600/650. Those with less uber amps and DACs would be well or possibly better served by the HE400S, depending upon sonic priorities.

Personally, I do feel that the HE400S does deserve to go on the Leaderboard. It's darn inexpensive, super efficient, and you get pretty ortho sound. I imagine tweaks would do wonders to this headphone.

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