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Author Topic: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements  (Read 9157 times)

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Marvey

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HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« on: February 20, 2014, 05:59:44 AM »
Thanks to Thujone for sending these in. The HiFiMan HE-4 is sort of the oddball in the line. Few have it or have heard it. Essentially, it's a 5LE, but with magnets one on side instead of both. It's quite light - which is a change from the HFM 'phones which tend to weigh a tone. Unfortunately, the lighter weight of the HE-4 does make it any more comfortable. The top ridge of my head still hurts and the clamping force is still a bit too much.

Subjective Impressions (pre measurement):

Sort of light on its feet (very dextrous) and doesn't carry the bass weight of the HE-500 or HE-400. FR seems pretty even keel. Overall distortion seems lower than HE-400, however, there is some timbral weirdness in the treble which is sort of like an accentuated HE-400 treble or an IEM BA kind of quality. This is can both be a good a bad thing. Good in terms of definition, bad in terms or textural rendering. There appears to be slight dip in the mids around the female vocal harmonics region. Also some slight mid-treble brightness. I have mixed feelings about this one. While the overall FR seems good, the timbre is just too thin and the bass lacks authority. Quite resolving - moreso than HE-500.

Measurement Commentary:

In general, lower overall HD than HE-400 or HE-500 with exception of funky spikes in the R channel. Also notably high 3rd harmonic. Could this explain the BA quality of the sound? The 5k distortion spike is worrisome. Probably translates to possible 10k ringing and the timbral weirdness mentioned above. A lot more last octave air than the measurements would indicate.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2014, 05:21:04 PM by Marvey »
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2014, 06:10:38 AM »
More thoughts:

The treble is just too much for listening sessions over 15 minutes. Hard to explain. It doesn't seem peaky. Just has a super-definition quality which tires me out. Gotta be those distortion spikes.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2014, 06:13:10 AM »
CSDs. Fairly clean.

I thought there could be some ringing around 10k, but there really isn't any. I guess we'll have to chalk up the timbral weirdness and hyper-definition effect to the distortion spikes at 5k - which also seem to correspond to the ortho wall (tension). Normally this ortho wall isn't evident on a subjective basis, but in this case, I think it is.
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Maxvla

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2014, 06:43:55 AM »
Surprised you call those CSDs fairly clean. That right channel is still ringing at 4.2k -19dB 5ms later with no signs of drop off within the next 5 ms.
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Thujone

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2014, 12:42:28 PM »
Rock on.  headbang

Thanks a lot for the impressions and measurements, Marv. This headphone has needed to be measured and shown to the hobbyists for a long while.

I agree with your quick impressions to the HE-400 and HE-500 for the most part, though I personally find the HE-400 to have much more agonizing and 'off' treble. I guess I would use "sss" to describe the HE-4's treble and "zzz" to describe the HE-400. The timbre on the HE-400 was just not as pleasing to me. The HE-500 wins the treble shootout with flying colors. Bummer about the channel imbalance on these puppies though.

For anyone that's interested, I have a 3 way comparison thread for these three headphones over at HF: http://www.head-fi.org/t/692229/he-400-vs-he-500-vs-he-4-comparison

As for the measurements, lots of folks over there are interested in checking them out. If you'd allow me to distribute them to the HE-4 impressions thread, I'd appreciate it.
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TMRaven

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2014, 02:46:14 PM »
Are you finding the treble on these as problematic as the HE-400, purrin Marvey?

Overall distortion does seem quite high, but I would have guessed it'd be around those realms.  Looks to share a similar 5khz distortion spike like the HE-400, and more distortion than the HE-400 in bass region.

A shame about the lack of bass weight in comparison to the other two Hifimans.  Maybe an HE-4 user will come in and say it's being underamped and needs an Emotiva Mini?
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Thujone

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2014, 03:15:47 PM »
Quote from: TMRaven on February 20, 2014, 02:46:14 PM
A shame about the lack of bass weight in comparison to the other two Hifimans.  Maybe an HE-4 user will come in and say it's being underamped and needs an Emotiva Mini?

Lol, I fell for that Emotiva mini trap. Honestly, that amp does have more bass impact than the others I've tried with the HE-4 but I preferred the Ember (and Vali for that matter). Marv, did you have any issues with the Vali pairing? I felt like the Vali does a great job despite having to work pretty hard on some recordings.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2014, 03:50:31 PM »
Thujone made a spot on observation of the nature of this: "I would use "sss" to describe the HE-4's treble and "zzz" to describe the HE-400".


The HE-400's "zzz" in combination with its more apparent bass volume was more tolerable to me. But I think it's great we are hearing the same things, but coming to different conclusions based on personal sensitivities and sonic priorities. It has always been my experience (when we get people without defective hearing in the same room), that we all hear the same things, but clearly have different preferences. I don't believe in this "we all hear differently" or "your HTRF is different than mine" kind of shit.


I'll give the HE-4 a shot with the Vali and Project Sunrise amp Misterrogers sent to me. I used the ZD last night.


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Thujone

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2014, 04:27:40 PM »
The only thing I miss out on is the HE-400's bass, for sure. I can handle the HE-4's treble (especially with subtle EQ when required) but I can't EQ to create the HE-400's bass impact. Glad to hear we have similar impressions.

I mostly want you to try the Vali out so I can have some confirmation that I'm not a fucktard.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE-4 Measurements
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2014, 05:19:59 PM »
Sounds great out of the Vali. A good match. The Vali's slight bass warmth helps out the HE-4's light-footed nature.


I also applied PEQ -3.5db @ 8.5k Q:3.5.





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