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Author Topic: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions  (Read 11113 times)

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Marvey

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HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« on: August 11, 2015, 04:49:53 AM »
HE400S measurements. Will be succinct as usual.

To begin, there's been some buzz on the HE400S:
I 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
« Last Edit: August 16, 2015, 09:47:42 PM by marvey »
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2015, 05:00:44 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2015, 05:33:15 PM by marvey »
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Bill-p

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2015, 05:12:51 AM »
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.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2015, 05:21:33 AM »
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.
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Marvey

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2015, 05:31:28 AM »
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.

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.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2015, 04:14:17 PM by marvey »
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Bill-p

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2015, 05:48:18 AM »
I think a modded HD600/650 will still give this good competition. But from a convenience standpoint, I'd agree that this is easily the better value as prices for the HD6xx have been jacked up recently (is it partially your fault? :P)

Resolution and plankton aside, IMO, this is probably the better mid-fi value than HE-560 due to the more neutral sound sig. In fact, I think it may just be the best value mid-fi component for those who don't want to mess around with modding. I quite liked what I heard, even though my amp wasn't a good fit with this one. So yeah, I agree. Leaderboard-worthy indeed.
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TMRaven

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2015, 05:55:57 AM »
Hifiman's yet to make a 400 successor with 400 bass it seems.  :(
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OJneg

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2015, 07:18:14 AM »
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.

Agreed. That's more or less how I heard it as well. TBH I didn't really get all the pirate love after I heard it at THE.

I'm also curious why they measure so similarly to the HD600 on Tyll's rig. They certainly didn't sound similar to me. Marv's measurements tend to be more indicative of correct tonal balance (yet again).
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Xen

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2015, 12:36:47 PM »
The HE400S is only $299. The HE400i is $499. Then, a jump up to $899 for the HE560.

From past descriptions of their sound signatures, the HE400S is better than the HE400i! If the HE400S really compares well with the HE560, then HifiMan will need to fix their product lineup. They have plenty of room to play with since the HE1000 is $2999, then the HE6 at $1299.

Hmm... HE400S vs HE560...
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Skyline

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Re: HiFiMan HE400S Measurements and Short Impressions
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2015, 03:21:00 PM »
Quote from: Xen on August 11, 2015, 12:36:47 PM
From past descriptions of their sound signatures, the HE400S is better than the HE400i!

That sounds like quite a leap to me.  Has anyone done a head-to-head comparison?
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