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Author Topic: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions  (Read 11112 times)

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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2015, 06:14:07 PM »

Now imagine what pleather pads would do :U

Obviously not a cost effective solution if we go out and buy HE560 pads. A cheap solution: wrap outside of pads with electrical tape (a la Grado pad tape mods).

BTW, I've been listening to the HE400S with the HE560 pads and two layers of Kirkland TP from Modi/Magni2. This is really fantastic. If I had any lingering doubts this headphone would be Leaderboard material, they are totally gone now. I actually want to keep these headphones now.
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Skyline

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #21 on: August 11, 2015, 06:16:56 PM »

I still have HE400. HE400 bass is better, more extended down low, a bit more articulate. However, HE400 is really laid back sounding in the upper mids. No snap to snares, no crunch of guitars. HE400 is hotter in the mid-high treble. Finally, HE400 does have more mids distortion - that will annoy certain people. HE400S distortion is actually very very good.

I don't think HE400S competes with HE560. Sure FR is a little bit different (and I can see people preferring the HE400S response) but HE560 is more resolving and faster sounding. The Bill-p and Jerg modded HE560s were pretty fantastic.


P.S. I will try different pads later. I wonder if the bass rolloff is from the velour pads. I will give TP a shot to flatten out the treble. This might end up as something fantastic with tweaks.
Marv, are you talking about the 400i here?  That's the comparison we were discussing.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #22 on: August 11, 2015, 06:17:23 PM »

Marv, are you talking about the 400i here?  That's the comparison we were discussing.

Comparison to HE400 (not i).
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No_One411

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #23 on: August 11, 2015, 07:05:23 PM »

zzz...That naming convention can get annoying.

HE400 - old model
HE400i - "updated" old model
HE400S - new model with updated connectors.

New connectors will eventually be transferred to older models as well.
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Xen

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #24 on: August 11, 2015, 07:40:39 PM »

It appears the bass roll-off is a  result of both the leaky pads and a driver characteristic. I haven't listened to it like this yet, but I will post my impressions soon. Picture of stock HE400S pad attached (overexposed to show permeability of the pads - and also some dust and cat hair on it).

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the "HE400s versus" and the testing, too!

I never realized just much pads affect the sound of an open headphone. Closed headphones, that makes sense. Just never thought with so much "air" already in open headphones.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #25 on: August 11, 2015, 08:04:31 PM »

Planars are actually mostly "closed" designs. In other words, better to think of monopole or dipole radiation patterns and if they mix together at the ear instead of open or closed. Some closed cup headphones are actually sorta of dipole (AT woodys with the vents in the front).

For HE400S, the soundwaves from the back of the driver don't mix much with the soundwaves from the front - with the better sealing pads, they effectively don't mix at all.

There was a graphic I posted on this on HF. Brownie points to whoever can find that pic.
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Claritas

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #26 on: August 11, 2015, 08:15:19 PM »

There was a graphic I posted on this on HF. Brownie points to whoever can find that pic.

I remember that. It was last year during #padgate. It's still in your profile photos (http://www.head-fi.org/g/a/899267/oppo-pm-1-a-new-planar-magnetic-headphone/), but why on Earth did they delete it from the PM1 thread?!
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spoony

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #27 on: August 11, 2015, 08:30:49 PM »

Marv, do you think the memory foam HM5 pads would fit?, they have plenty of options and I have had good results with the velours.
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No_One411

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #28 on: August 11, 2015, 08:36:46 PM »

Marv, do you think the memory foam HM5 pads would fit?, they have plenty of options and I have had good results with the velours.

HM5 Pleathers and Velours fit. Just takes a little bit of stretching.

I have the angled pleathers on my Code-X.
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jsgraha

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #29 on: August 11, 2015, 09:26:48 PM »

 
[/quote]
For the price, this has me interested. Before I do anything though, what is the considered opinion in CS on QC variances in HFM phones in general? Specifically, have you come across the large variation a la  Audez'e  HPs in HFM ? I seem to remember some variation in the HE1K.

I've compared my pair to store demo in Melbourne. At first 2 weeks, yes, there're minor differences. On week 3, I can't hear the differences. It was confirmed by store attendance as well. It seem they are a bit effected by burn-in
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