I’m super happy to see you guys reviewing an actual “BUDGET” pair of headphones. Not many of us can afford the $800 to $3000 headphones yet you guys continuously show us high to very high end listening equipment. Now let’s see you show us options on a low cost budget DAC/Amp Stack and as a 2nd option… a Portable DAC/Amp option. I was seriously considering these and hoped you and one other person I watch would review them. Thanks for doing this review and I’m positive I’ll see you in the next one. Until then . . Stay safe and happy listening 🎧. Kevin 👊
If you want great sound for a low price I recommend IEMs if you don’t mind in ear headphones. Or some Samson sr 850s. These seem like a good deal though
@@dudeekill4win sadly Schiit and JDL Labs are very expensive here in Asia compared to Chinese manufacturers (Topping, FiiO, etc). In US they're probably become comparable because of shipping and tarrifs. KZ and Moondrop for example can cost half as much as in the US. Another issue with western product is the lack of availability, further rising the price.
@@LTMoore-yy1lm IEMs are uncomfortable, they block too much noise that you need to take it off just to talk to someone. Good for out and about, but not good as a speaker replacement. For example in an office, you set it to low enough volume so it doesn't leak to much, you still can hear someone talking to you and can have conversations easily.
Fortunately HiFiMAN changed the cable to something much better - black soft rubber and drapes better, isolates friction / movement noise. I've heard if you have the old one they will send you the replacement if you contact customer support. Also these regularly sell for under $110 now. Super comfortable, these are now my office daily drivers. Great value for the money!
I just bought a pair of these, and they come with a better cable now. I'd already bought a 2.5 for it anyway, but the included cable is usable if you don't want to spend extra
Awesome and accurate review. First thing I did when I got mine a few weeks ago is replace the cable these are amazing headphones in terms of comfort and the price is amazing at 150. I use these with a ifi zen dac and they are on par with my HD6xx's in terms comfort. That 2k dip is noticable but again EQ is a thing. But yes definitely thanks for the review these headphones really needed some exposure and I feel this is the way.
Fantastic deal. They're not super portable, unless you chuck them in a case or a good messenger bag or whatever, but so what? Just do that and take em' with you for the library or work, etc. I mean if you have a portable rig to use with it. But most Hifimans aren't super portable.
Nice review. Thanks. I just ordered a pair of these and am happy to say the cable is not like yours! Much better. For the price, I am very happy with these.
Glad you got to check it out for folks! Your comparison with the Sundara matches my experience. I tried both and decided to keep the sundaras. The 2 main reasons for me: build quality/materials, dynamics/slam. Considering I have and love Elegias, the lack of punch and dynamics from the 400se was too significant for my taste (though still great for the price). Cheers
Was able to cop these for $70 a few months ago and i really can't complain. Note that these are the non-stealth magnets. But the cable is the newer, much nicer (in my opinion) ones. Stealth magnet version was $110, so I couldn't justify the extra cost since i also bought a Topping DX1 (for $80). As my first "audiophile" headphone, super happy with the purchase! Side note, bought an M40X recently as well since i wanted a closed back for a different flavor. Got them for $120 - probably more than is the usual current price - but where i'm from, i think was a decent deal (usually sells for $140).
Just got mine today. The cable is probably the worst thing I've ever felt, but the headphones sound great. So I just ordered a Hart Audio cable to replace the stock ones.
I'd definitely love to see that comparison between the HE400se and HE400i v2020 you mentioned. For some reason that direct comparison hasn't happened yet on UA-cam.
I own both, just got a pair of the HE400SEs this past weekend. May need some burn in, but, the 400Is have maybe a bit more soundstage (wider) and a bit more detail and more clarity and extension in the treble than the 400SEs. But, I love the comfort level and build of the 400SEs a lot more, too. For $100 they're a total steal. The bass with EQ is a bit better on the SEs for sure.
I bought mine couple of weeks ago here in Finland, and the cable is different from this video, mine is black and good quality cable. Great headphones on the price range and in the range of headphones 200 - 400 €
Great review, it helped me decide to buy them. I just got a pair. I was wondering what the difference between Planar and Dynamic are, you can read about them but you need to hear it to really understand. I compare them with the cheapo Superlux 681 everyone considers good. The Superlux can't compete, they have punchy bass, that's it. In terms of Sound clarity, he400se ruins superlux and tears it a new one, it's not comparable, it's not even close imo. I keep talking about the BASS, the He400Se do not have weak bass, it is good, it is simply and cannot be made to be overpowering, you cannot equalize it to be overpowering, it simply cannot do that, but it is good, it is enough, it is satisfactory, I cannot imagine people not being happy with the amount. Again tuning is necessary for this. If you are an audiophile and do not tune your headphones, in my eyes, you're wrong, everyone hears things differently the ear shape, genetics small differences can make all the difference, you must be able to personalize it to your own liking, no company can do that for you. For me, I have edited all 31 frequencies in some way, I have lowered the mid 160-800hz ( I know I included a bit of the bass here as well), low treble 1000-2500 hz and increased the bass 20-100 hz I also modeled the high treble as I like it, lowering certain frequencies that I am simply sensitive to and hurt my ears unless they are very low, the sound is very nice this way for my ears, it is warm and pleasurable, without being sharp. That being said, I did not mind how they sound out of the box too much either, it's just very flat though with the mid sounding a bit too increased for my liking but you get used to it, and I like some spice. They do however sound very good fresh out of the box as well. I am running He 400se from a creative sound blaster ae-7. I warn you, Integrated sound will not be enough. I have an asus b550 motherboard, my integrated sound is very good. It in fact sounds great with these headphones as well, better than I expected, BUT IT LACKS VOLUME. While they are 25 ohm, you in reality would probably want to run them off 32-150 ohm, they can do 25 ohm but the volume is not satisfying, I strongly suggest having a sound card or external sound card, they need some sort of amplification. Sound stage is good and wide, acoustic space excitation is good, you can feel the sound around your head, you will notice it when you take them out, while the bass lacks punch compared to dynamic, it still has punch but not so much, you do feel the vibrations even 20 CM away so it's not weak it's just different, in some songs I hear instruments placed more to the right or left, was not able to hear this with any of my gaming or dynamic headphones so imaging is nice. So about the sound, basically this is superior to all of the Hyper X headphones (that use dynamic drivers so excepting the hyper x orbit), it is superior to both Superlux 681 and 681 evo which are very highly rated, the Super lux has better bass but everything else is at least 30 % worse, more distortion, sound is more muddy it's sharp to the point of being painful and while you can equalize it to not be like that, it kind of still has a lot of distortion, so frankly it's worse overall, the only thing it has going for it is punchy bass that is also a bit distorted but w/e. So if the reviewer here is right when he says it's better than senheiser hd 560, which I do not own so I cannot test, but if they are indeed better, then there's no point to bother with any dynamic headphones under 1k $ cause senheiser hd 560 is really good in all comparisons so if that loses... you would need some serious spending to get better value than He400se. If you have questions about them I will answer ask away.
@@avdeepsingh9218 The silver plastic is okay in my mind, it is very thick compared to what I've seen in other headphones, If you're worried it will break, it won't break, it's very durable. The original pads I did not like, I literally bought better pads made out of better material off of ali express. The cable is not an issue, it looks indestructible to me, it's basically thick wire in relatively thick plastic, the wire looks so thick I don't think there's any concern about it. It is slightly annoying and if you bump it around you can hear the bumps, but I don't see why you'd be bumping it anyway, I don't. I'd say overall they're worth the money, and with Hifiman you will get the same build quality basically with Sundara as well, so I don't think it's worth paying double for that, so unless you're buying audeze lcd2 classic, you're out of options the cheaper audeze ones suck, smaller membrane, smaller cups, smaller sound.
I find it unreasonably funny that, despite the huge list of HE400 models you rattled off at the beginning, you still missed one in the 400S - it's ridiculous how many models they've put out, and that's without even considering silent revisions (pad changes anyone?)
They have updated the cable, stealth magnets and lowered the price. I am buying a couple more. Just needs a sub bass boost at 20 and then 37 and 2K recommended by the ASR guy - Amir. Thanks for the review
@@dgregory4178 I have a great source chain, asgard 3 and soncoz la qxd 1, sounds incredible, considering getting a hart audio cable cause then i can go balanced later
just picked this up (got it as a gift). wanted to try an open back headphone. I'm shocked at how good this thing sounds for the price point. (on Amazon for about 110). I got a different cable with it than in this review so maybe they listened to this guy? Some of the physical construction shows the price cutting but at this price, still good as hell. Comfy though always feels just a little loose, overall such a win
Sennheiser hd560s vs Hifiman He400se I am still comparing them for days side by side. I'm just a casual listener who appreciates the "great" sound. I'll try to explain the sound. I use the Soundblaster AE-5 btw. Hifiman HE400SE needs a great amp! I kinda love the treble/highs here... it's so smooth and also clear. Mids need EQ around 2 Khz (+2db to +4 db). Vocals are clear but a little bit laid back compared to HD560s, but still very present. Bass responses are crisps and tight similar to HD560s. To my ears, the HE400se has a very "creamy" sound after EQ and with an amp. You just enjoy the creamy dessert with its flavours. The sound is also more around your head and stays there "airy". It tries to hug you, but it depends on you if you allow it or not. Like: Treble/Highs smooth and overall easier to listen to Bass extension and the ?vibrations? It's not that tight like the HD560s Spacious sound, but sometimes voice etc. sound not that close Sennheiser HD560s do not necessarily need an amp. Treble here is a little bit too much and harsh sometimes around 4KHz. I personally dropped this area by about -2db. Mids are very crystal clear and I love voices here, for me the best part. Bass are kinda similar to HE400se but maybe a tiny bit tighter with a little bit more "spiky" punch, like how the highs are (bass sometimes a little bit too clean/clinical). Overall, they are more "spicy" and make you more aware and cautious of different sounds so it can get quite sweaty. The sound tries to get into your head with spikes and spices. Sometimes it forces you to listen (less chill than HE400se). Like: Mids with crystal clear voices Closer to the ears but still with soundstage (not too narrow) Tight sound (sometimes too clean like the bass -> makes harder to vibe) Light on the head
@@jackasad2180 he400se is quite heavy but the pads are thicker and are more comfortable on the ears. HD560s are much lighter but clamping force is higher at the beginning. I chose HD560s because they are lighter and the ear pads can be replaced if you need more cushioning
Tbh i much more prefer a Sundara style headband. I've had an HE400i 2020 and that headband gave me a hotspot on the top of my head after even a short while. No such thing with Sundara - the strap is extremely comfy and i don't feel it at all.
yea agreed on the headband, although initially the ear clamp on sundaras is crazy in comparison. i was worried at first but now my he400i and sundara feel very similar. although i still prefer the pads on the he400i since they are also slightly deeper it seems.
I'm on the 5XX bandwagon, their sound is exactly what i look up for in headphones, wide soundstage, nice separation, nice trebley presentation with lots of detail on the high end, i like them more than the Sundara and anything under them on the HIFIMAN line up, also aesthetically the blackout design looks badass.
If you have an amp that can push them, 560 v4 is literally the best value in their lineup. Same detail retrieval. imaging and soundstage as Sundara, better bass extension and more texture in the highs.
I had a 400s. That little serial number sticker underneath the pad had come loose on mine and I actually thought the driver was going bad because it was making a weird distorted sound. I wonder how many people thought they had defective headphones because they didn’t think to look underneath the pad.
I prefer Sundara headband, this feels like I have a rail on top of my head. It's so stiff...Also earpads - they're so itchy, I prefer Sundara pads. I also disagree with Deva/5XX comparison, you said: "This is just straight forward a better-sounding headphone" and that's just your opinion, I generally prefer Deva for sounding wider, smoother, more relaxed, while this is kinda harsh and focused. I like 400se as a more neutral alternative, but I wouldn't call it better. But thanks for the measurement I was really interested to see how it compares. I actually imagined it something like this. The first thing I noticed was that it's so neutral and natural, it reminded me of Sundara and HD600 with that snappy feel and neutral mid-treble. But the more I listened to it I was more and more noticing how harsh it sounds. So I generally prefer it on lower volumes.
agree with all your observations regarding the headphones i also tried. but keep in mind that this will always be subjective. not neccessarily a bad thing imho
As a HE 400i 2020 owner, I used to hate the headband. It's so stiff and small (have to max out of extension) with painful pressure points. But after some stretch/compress efforts and getting a dent on my head from the weight, it's ok. I'm pretty sure a suspension headband would be better for me. Also I still dislike the small ear holes, my dumbo ears almost always touch the edges of the pads, specially after some time using them when they start sliding off.
I hate the the goddamned metal weird high suspension band on the 400Is, I agree. It just looks dumb. The 400SEs have a super padded low key band, and they're just more comfortable. Earpads are the same deal, though.
Have to comment... Having an audience of audiophiles who might be wearing headphones watching your review (I am)... you picked a really nice Mic that sounds great and puts a lot of other reviewers to shame. Know your audience! Well done
TYGR is V-shaped, the bass is muddy/boomy, the midrange is soft/recessed, treble is boosted/sibilant, but imaging is very good - wide and accurate, while this is very flat and natural, the bass is impulsive, the midrange is snappy, treble is neutral, but also a little harsh, and imaging is disappointing - narrow and focused.
I heard the he400i 2020 being called the baby sundara as well so I'm curious to see your thoughts on those and a comparison with these in the future. For now this is probably my entry level planar candidate.
I would consider that you listen to both, because they are very similar, but there are a few small differences between them. I have the Hifiman HE 400i 2020 with the Fiio K5 Pro and it sounds so amazing!!
I just recently bought these but the newer version to see if they are good and I bought them for $109. I listen to late 80s to mid 2000s power/prog/melodic metal like early Crimson Glory Fates Warning Magnitude 9 Metalium Liege Lord Helstar and other various bands and for some reason my Philips Fidelio X2 the old version from around 2015ish sounded the best for that type of music for me. I since bought the Grado 80e Sennheiser HD 600 and Sennheiser 58x Jubilee and those just didn't sound as good. I listen to music where its mostly mid range and a lot of high range screams and for some reason the Philips Fidelio X2 even though people said they are more bass focused they were more enjoyable to me for some reason. I actually ruined them by pressing in the speaker cone and have no clue why I did that like an idiot. I know they have the Philips Fidelio X2HR but I don't know if its similar. I listen to music basically all mid-high and crazy guitar solos and riffs and a lot of 5th octave notes. Maybe my ears suck or something. Most people recommended Grado SR80e and they hurt my ears and I can't listen to them for hours with all those mid range and high range notes and actually prefer my Jubilee 58x over my HD 600 for some reason.
Can't think of phones less suited for speed or death metal, really. Get something with some really good bass. I have the Sennheiser Urbanites XL, and also the Beyerdynamic Studio Custom One Pros, and both have sick bass and sound fantastic for any rock or metal. The planars are better with more "subtle" music, or any, really, but metal, not really.
Got them since a few days but i just ordered the Sundara's because it seems that i cant handle the headband. It gets a little painful after a few hours, but i liked the sound as it was not as harsh as the Fidelio X2HR.
I have the original HE-400S and yup the cable is exactly same... For me it broke in about 1 month... Same with earpads, you want to get high quality earpads and replace the cable... Otherwise its really good headphone on my opinion.
Can you help me decide with focus on gaming? DT900 or HE400se or Sundara? I love the clean planar magnetic bass, but the DT900 are said to have a good stage for positional audio, bass doesn't even need a lift but i find them less open than the DT 990 or HE400se personally. The HE400se are said to have less of a stage by some and the Sundara should be better even. Some say slightly so, some say its a huge upgrade, opthers say neither is good for gaming .. i like the airyness of the HE .. The DT900 feel thick and intimate, but if i ultimatively get better quality and sound seperation and all my issues are just with the comfort of the fresh pair then i should be sticking with the DT? But at 300 i maybe should also consider the Sundara? Argh.. please advise.
Just bought these and thought they sounded good enough, but when I cupped my hands over the grills, it was like a veil was lifted, the clarity was incredible! Is there anything I can do to get that sound from them permanently does anyone know?
@@atyne_mar Sorry to bother, but did you try both and compare them? I would like to know which tees seem better in general terms or if they are comparable. Thank you very much in advance
@@drakaeakdaart3583 Yeah I still have them both. 400se is IMO much better. Especially once you remove (or replace) the grills, it gets wider. Although 560S has still cleaner upper midrange/lower treble and it's still better for competitive fps. But it's so shouty and harsh it's hard to recommend for general use.
@@atyne_mar Ok, thank you very much for your answer, I think I will still opt for the 560s since I don't have a very big budget and I don't know how to make mods either.
Your comment on the cable is dead on. This also needs EQ which you alluded to... Subscribed. I just bought the 400SE and received it 2 days ago. First thing first, bought a replacement cable at the same time as I know with my 400s, Hifiman cables are an abomination. The one that comes with the SE lives up to that. IN SPADES. Right in the trash it went! The New Fantasia cable I bought on Amazon has far better sound quality that is immediately noticable~! I bought the 400s in 2015 and it is by far, my favorite headphone of all time. I purchased and returned the Sundara recently and it did nothing for me. ( thats a long story and i would rather not get into it) Anyway, with that being said the 400SE is outstanding! The 400s is a lot more sensitive and punchy and i still like it a bit more but DAMN! The mids and highs are smooth on this HP. Has great kick drum punch with EQ. With loud volumes it tends to compress a bit but it is not unpleasant. ( I use a RME ADI-2 FS on high power) I have to say I use EQ with every one my headphones and Hifiman planars need it. I didnt like the 400s very much in 2015 but that was before Equalizer APO and Wavelet for portable. I bought it and threw it into a cupboard till just recently. I pulled it out, changed the cable, EQed it and was amazed! These planars sound horrible without EQ but with it they wake up and become world class. Gorgeous powerful sound. They take EQ amazingly and better than any other types of headphones IMO. I also own the HD-58x and Fostex TP60 RP that I bought a couple months ago and the 400SE stomps all over both of them. Especially the T60 which costs twice as much. I just recently started getting into headphones so I dont have a lot of experience with them but recently I tried the AKG K371, the DT770, and Sundara and didnt really like any of these. All were returned for refund. However the Hifiman 400SE is a keeper but with a cable upgrade and EQ i would venture to say it is the best $150 headphone in the world right now.
@@dgregory4178 Great Comment on your experiences. May i ask what settings for EQ you can recommend? Am really looking to purchase these for my first planar headphones, thank you a lot!
DUDE, I got a good deal for 400s like only $60. Should i go for it or buy the new he400se? btw i have sundara now, its good but sound too similar to hd6xx so wanted to sell
@@aqwandrew6330 You need to jump on that deal. As long as it works OK as that seems way underpriced. I think the 400S is a much better headphone but for less than half the price the 400SE holds its own.
@@dgregory4178 i have 2 concern tho. the sensitivity is too high, i afraid i dont get much volume level on my desktop setup. also the 400s use old 2.5mm which can be hard to find the replacement cable. also, the headband. is it good? which headband type do you prefer?
Well will Fio BTR 5 do or shall I grab BTR7 to drive the same. At first was thinking of grabbing Hidizs AP80 pro x but to say BTR5 5 is more budget friendly but I am confused will Fio BTR5 provide ample juice to drive this ear buster Hifiman HE400S?
Bought these a week ago and they are over performing. I am listening to songs I have played a million times and I am hearing additional tracks in the mix that I have not heard before. Crisp and clear and I now use them for mixing. Not bass heavy but definitely has a bottom you can feel.
I'm thinking about getting either this or the AKG K702 as a complement to my HD650. Right now the HE400se is 30€ more expensive and I'd need to spend another 30€ on a new cable. What do you think?
I'm told the AKG 702s are excellent monitor ref. headphones, very neutral. Not sure I'd buy those for "fun" listening, but maybe. The 400SEs are excellent entry level planars for $100 here in USA. But comparing planars to dynamics reference is a hard comparison. Two different animals. Also, though, the 702s may be much harder to drive than the HE400SEs! Not very efficient.
Nice review! What kind of load are they? Can they been driven from a decent mobile phone or a laptop without headphone amp? (most of the times i am listening to headphones directly from my s10 phone)
Any recommendations on how to power these cans??? I did a blind purchase, bc hifiman advertised it as "Portable" and "can be powered by phone". Don't get me wrong SQ is great but my Hiby R3 pro saber can't power it properly 😭😭
@@dannybos7024 I want to buy the HE400se. Consult, if the R3 pro saber with 280mW (balanced) can't power it correctly, but the BTR5 with 240mW (BAL) yes, what is the difference?
Will you compare the sound of the HIFIMAN Deva-Pro Over-Ear Full-Size Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone with Bluetooth Dongle/Receiver, Himalaya R2R Architecture DAC, to the HE400se . I'm looking for the best sounding bluetooth headphone and so far according to audiophile experts the deva-pro is the best and sounds better than the HE400se and is closer to the sundara .
Looks exactly like the og HE500 cable, just horrendous, even for a cheap hp like this one. Microphonics are rarely a problem for me at home, but this was pure hell noise wise... What were/are they thinking at Hifiman?
As always, thinking of reaping the most profit at the expense of their customers. But hey, at least this is a cheap headphone. You should see the HE1000se and Susvara.
@@bltzcstrnx Into the HE400se? Like I said, this is at least a cheap headphone. I can still understand. My issue is with the HE1000se, HE1000, and Susvara. The cables are horrendous for that kind of price.
Thanks a lot for the review. Can this headphone go well with Furutech ADL A1 which I was told to pair with near impedance headphones? Await your advice.
Lucky you -w-, i have to go on a third he400i now cause my two previous models have had driver rattle issues in the right earcup both times. I'm still on my second pair but this is getting annoying, I love the he400i but having to return it twice now? For the issue twice now!? I have treated this second pair far better than my first. The issue only appeared early last week in the second pair, 3 months after purchase. Limiting listening volume was used to protect this second pair but this rattle issue has appeared, again of all things! I do not know what i could have done for this to happen a second time but i am quite upset at this point with either hifiman QC/Myself. Also... Good video.... Tight EQ on the RE20.... (Edit, added compliment and grammar correction)
I bought the HE400I; 2020 (with Schiit stack), was so impressed by it In forum, I read that Hifiman stating the HE400SE is the successor of the HE400I (2020) and out of curiosity, I bought the 400SE as well. The HE400I (2020) and HE400 SE is extremely similar to each other but the HE400I is just a tint slightly warmer. I don't need two similar headphones so I passed to my father to enjoy. Abit disappointed to hear that it is similar to Sundara, that was my next goal. Maybe should save up and get HE6SE instead.
Thanks a lot for comparison! I will simply stick to my HE400i 2020 then which has good sound signature for me. I believe 400SE would be too bright for me.
I’m super happy to see you guys reviewing an actual “BUDGET” pair of headphones. Not many of us can afford the $800 to $3000 headphones yet you guys continuously show us high to very high end listening equipment. Now let’s see you show us options on a low cost budget DAC/Amp Stack and as a 2nd option… a Portable DAC/Amp option. I was seriously considering these and hoped you and one other person I watch would review them. Thanks for doing this review and I’m positive I’ll see you in the next one. Until then . . Stay safe and happy listening 🎧. Kevin 👊
Pretty much everyone can reccomend the schiit stack and the l and d30 stack as well for budget stacks
If you want great sound for a low price I recommend IEMs if you don’t mind in ear headphones. Or some Samson sr 850s. These seem like a good deal though
@@LTMoore-yy1lm iems are definitely value for money
@@dudeekill4win sadly Schiit and JDL Labs are very expensive here in Asia compared to Chinese manufacturers (Topping, FiiO, etc). In US they're probably become comparable because of shipping and tarrifs. KZ and Moondrop for example can cost half as much as in the US. Another issue with western product is the lack of availability, further rising the price.
@@LTMoore-yy1lm IEMs are uncomfortable, they block too much noise that you need to take it off just to talk to someone. Good for out and about, but not good as a speaker replacement. For example in an office, you set it to low enough volume so it doesn't leak to much, you still can hear someone talking to you and can have conversations easily.
Fortunately HiFiMAN changed the cable to something much better - black soft rubber and drapes better, isolates friction / movement noise. I've heard if you have the old one they will send you the replacement if you contact customer support. Also these regularly sell for under $110 now. Super comfortable, these are now my office daily drivers. Great value for the money!
Hifiman be like, I'm bored let's release a headphone today.
MY BANK ACCOUNT BE DAMNED
This comment made my day 😂😂😂😂
Thank the good doctor F for that he just keeps hooking us up
This is the best headphone review I’ve come across. The others are more focused on personality and gimmicks. You earned a new sub
I just bought a pair of these, and they come with a better cable now. I'd already bought a 2.5 for it anyway, but the included cable is usable if you don't want to spend extra
Very good review. Never been much of a fan of Sundara. This, with better ergonomics and for half the price, looks like a winner.
It's ok but it is a downgrade from the original he400s that it is based on.
This review came at the right time, going to get one soon…
Awesome and accurate review. First thing I did when I got mine a few weeks ago is replace the cable these are amazing headphones in terms of comfort and the price is amazing at 150. I use these with a ifi zen dac and they are on par with my HD6xx's in terms comfort. That 2k dip is noticable but again EQ is a thing. But yes definitely thanks for the review these headphones really needed some exposure and I feel this is the way.
I have them too, and use with the Zen Dac/Amp combo. I tend to use them more than my HD6XX, too.
I really wanted to see a review of this
Just copped this on the $109 sale y'all are running. Excited.
Great review! I'm looking forward to seeing your future comparison video between the 400 SE, 400i 2020 and 4XX!
I got my pair of HE400se for less than 100$. What a deal and a great addition to my headphone arsenal. Great review!
Fantastic deal. They're not super portable, unless you chuck them in a case or a good messenger bag or whatever, but so what? Just do that and take em' with
you for the library or work, etc. I mean if you have a portable rig to use with it. But most Hifimans aren't super portable.
Nice review. Thanks. I just ordered a pair of these and am happy to say the cable is not like yours! Much better. For the price, I am very happy with these.
These VS. the 400i would make a nice review :)
Can u tell me the diff
I've had the 400i. This sounds better but it's still a downgrade from the 400s.
Glad you got to check it out for folks! Your comparison with the Sundara matches my experience. I tried both and decided to keep the sundaras. The 2 main reasons for me: build quality/materials, dynamics/slam. Considering I have and love Elegias, the lack of punch and dynamics from the 400se was too significant for my taste (though still great for the price). Cheers
Was able to cop these for $70 a few months ago and i really can't complain. Note that these are the non-stealth magnets. But the cable is the newer, much nicer (in my opinion) ones. Stealth magnet version was $110, so I couldn't justify the extra cost since i also bought a Topping DX1 (for $80). As my first "audiophile" headphone, super happy with the purchase!
Side note, bought an M40X recently as well since i wanted a closed back for a different flavor. Got them for $120 - probably more than is the usual current price - but where i'm from, i think was a decent deal (usually sells for $140).
How do these Hifiman headphones compare to m40x? I'm doing music production using takstar pro 82 but need clearer headphones and I'm so lost
I like how HiFiMan constantly sets the standard for the worst, cheapest-feeling cable.
Love their house sound tho
This he400se global has their worst cable ever, even the cheaper chinese version has better cable
They can make some good souding stuff, but that stiff piece of waste of money they call wire is horrible.
Just got mine today. The cable is probably the worst thing I've ever felt, but the headphones sound great. So I just ordered a Hart Audio cable to replace the stock ones.
@@1lik3c0ff3 My seller added the cables from the leftover 400i’s to the package for free. I’ll still change the cable lmao
Hey can someone tell me what is the intro track that andrew use?
Thanks!!! I've been waiting for this video!
I'd definitely love to see that comparison between the HE400se and HE400i v2020 you mentioned. For some reason that direct comparison hasn't happened yet on UA-cam.
maybe because they discontinued the 400i in favor of the 400se, so you (most likely) can‘t buy it anymore
I own both, just got a pair of the HE400SEs this past weekend. May need some burn in, but, the 400Is have maybe a bit more soundstage (wider) and a bit more detail
and more clarity and extension in the treble than the 400SEs. But, I love the comfort level and build of the 400SEs a lot more, too. For $100 they're a total steal. The bass
with EQ is a bit better on the SEs for sure.
I bought mine couple of weeks ago here in Finland, and the cable is different from this video, mine is black and good quality cable. Great headphones on the price range and in the range of headphones 200 - 400 €
Great review, it helped me decide to buy them. I just got a pair. I was wondering what the difference between Planar and Dynamic are, you can read about them but you need to hear it to really understand.
I compare them with the cheapo Superlux 681 everyone considers good. The Superlux can't compete, they have punchy bass, that's it. In terms of Sound clarity, he400se ruins superlux and tears it a new one, it's not comparable, it's not even close imo.
I keep talking about the BASS, the He400Se do not have weak bass, it is good, it is simply and cannot be made to be overpowering, you cannot equalize it to be overpowering, it simply cannot do that, but it is good, it is enough, it is satisfactory, I cannot imagine people not being happy with the amount. Again tuning is necessary for this.
If you are an audiophile and do not tune your headphones, in my eyes, you're wrong, everyone hears things differently the ear shape, genetics small differences can make all the difference, you must be able to personalize it to your own liking, no company can do that for you. For me, I have edited all 31 frequencies in some way, I have lowered the mid 160-800hz ( I know I included a bit of the bass here as well), low treble 1000-2500 hz and increased the bass 20-100 hz I also modeled the high treble as I like it, lowering certain frequencies that I am simply sensitive to and hurt my ears unless they are very low, the sound is very nice this way for my ears, it is warm and pleasurable, without being sharp. That being said, I did not mind how they sound out of the box too much either, it's just very flat though with the mid sounding a bit too increased for my liking but you get used to it, and I like some spice. They do however sound very good fresh out of the box as well.
I am running He 400se from a creative sound blaster ae-7. I warn you, Integrated sound will not be enough. I have an asus b550 motherboard, my integrated sound is very good. It in fact sounds great with these headphones as well, better than I expected, BUT IT LACKS VOLUME. While they are 25 ohm, you in reality would probably want to run them off 32-150 ohm, they can do 25 ohm but the volume is not satisfying, I strongly suggest having a sound card or external sound card, they need some sort of amplification.
Sound stage is good and wide, acoustic space excitation is good, you can feel the sound around your head, you will notice it when you take them out, while the bass lacks punch compared to dynamic, it still has punch but not so much, you do feel the vibrations even 20 CM away so it's not weak it's just different, in some songs I hear instruments placed more to the right or left, was not able to hear this with any of my gaming or dynamic headphones so imaging is nice.
So about the sound, basically this is superior to all of the Hyper X headphones (that use dynamic drivers so excepting the hyper x orbit), it is superior to both Superlux 681 and 681 evo which are very highly rated, the Super lux has better bass but everything else is at least 30 % worse, more distortion, sound is more muddy it's sharp to the point of being painful and while you can equalize it to not be like that, it kind of still has a lot of distortion, so frankly it's worse overall, the only thing it has going for it is punchy bass that is also a bit distorted but w/e.
So if the reviewer here is right when he says it's better than senheiser hd 560, which I do not own so I cannot test, but if they are indeed better, then there's no point to bother with any dynamic headphones under 1k $ cause senheiser hd 560 is really good in all comparisons so if that loses... you would need some serious spending to get better value than He400se.
If you have questions about them I will answer ask away.
How does the build feel? Does the silver plastic feel cheap? How does the cable feel?
@@avdeepsingh9218 The silver plastic is okay in my mind, it is very thick compared to what I've seen in other headphones, If you're worried it will break, it won't break, it's very durable. The original pads I did not like, I literally bought better pads made out of better material off of ali express. The cable is not an issue, it looks indestructible to me, it's basically thick wire in relatively thick plastic, the wire looks so thick I don't think there's any concern about it. It is slightly annoying and if you bump it around you can hear the bumps, but I don't see why you'd be bumping it anyway, I don't. I'd say overall they're worth the money, and with Hifiman you will get the same build quality basically with Sundara as well, so I don't think it's worth paying double for that, so unless you're buying audeze lcd2 classic, you're out of options the cheaper audeze ones suck, smaller membrane, smaller cups, smaller sound.
@@Akirilus Thanks for your reply! Really helped. One last question, is there any amp/dac under 60 dollars ~ that can be used to power these?
I own the he400se and I don't think bass is satisfactory
3 years...is it still working?
I find it unreasonably funny that, despite the huge list of HE400 models you rattled off at the beginning, you still missed one in the 400S - it's ridiculous how many models they've put out, and that's without even considering silent revisions (pad changes anyone?)
The 400S is the best of them all. With a cable change and using EQ IMO.
@@dgregory4178 Totally agree. This is a downgrade from the 400s. I have had both but decided to return the 400se.
They have updated the cable, stealth magnets and lowered the price. I am buying a couple more. Just needs a sub bass boost at 20 and then 37 and 2K recommended by the ASR guy - Amir. Thanks for the review
My hifiman he400se with balanced output cable sound path through my eq is unbelievable.
A very thorough and informative review! I am getting a pair of these!!!
Hifiman now packages an extra cable (HE-X4 cable) with the 400SE, at least from Amazon US.
Looks like i have a new recommendation to make to my friends instead of the 560s. Great review as always.
Well, planar vs dynamic. I still think the HD560s is better overall, but there are certain advantages to the HE400se.
@@ResolveReviews I see, I heard “baby sundara” and jumped the gun. I should have finished watching first lol
@@bardenhick2121 They need a cable upgrade, some eq and a decent amp but if you do these things, you will not be disappointed.
This cable: www.amazon.com/dp/B07H6L7NT6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
@@dgregory4178 I have a great source chain, asgard 3 and soncoz la qxd 1, sounds incredible, considering getting a hart audio cable cause then i can go balanced later
just picked this up (got it as a gift). wanted to try an open back headphone. I'm shocked at how good this thing sounds for the price point. (on Amazon for about 110). I got a different cable with it than in this review so maybe they listened to this guy? Some of the physical construction shows the price cutting but at this price, still good as hell. Comfy though always feels just a little loose, overall such a win
Sennheiser hd560s vs Hifiman He400se
I am still comparing them for days side by side. I'm just a casual listener who appreciates the "great" sound. I'll try to explain the sound. I use the Soundblaster AE-5 btw.
Hifiman HE400SE needs a great amp! I kinda love the treble/highs here... it's so smooth and also clear. Mids need EQ around 2 Khz (+2db to +4 db). Vocals are clear but a little bit laid back compared to HD560s, but still very present. Bass responses are crisps and tight similar to HD560s. To my ears, the HE400se has a very "creamy" sound after EQ and with an amp. You just enjoy the creamy dessert with its flavours. The sound is also more around your head and stays there "airy". It tries to hug you, but it depends on you if you allow it or not.
Like:
Treble/Highs smooth and overall easier to listen to
Bass extension and the ?vibrations? It's not that tight like the HD560s
Spacious sound, but sometimes voice etc. sound not that close
Sennheiser HD560s do not necessarily need an amp. Treble here is a little bit too much and harsh sometimes around 4KHz. I personally dropped this area by about -2db. Mids are very crystal clear and I love voices here, for me the best part. Bass are kinda similar to HE400se but maybe a tiny bit tighter with a little bit more "spiky" punch, like how the highs are (bass sometimes a little bit too clean/clinical). Overall, they are more "spicy" and make you more aware and cautious of different sounds so it can get quite sweaty. The sound tries to get into your head with spikes and spices. Sometimes it forces you to listen (less chill than HE400se).
Like:
Mids with crystal clear voices
Closer to the ears but still with soundstage (not too narrow)
Tight sound (sometimes too clean like the bass -> makes harder to vibe)
Light on the head
which one is more comfortable? i prioritize the comfort because i use headphone for 5-10 hours for gaming and watch video and youtube
@@jackasad2180 he400se is quite heavy but the pads are thicker and are more comfortable on the ears. HD560s are much lighter but clamping force is higher at the beginning. I chose HD560s because they are lighter and the ear pads can be replaced if you need more cushioning
Tbh i much more prefer a Sundara style headband. I've had an HE400i 2020 and that headband gave me a hotspot on the top of my head after even a short while. No such thing with Sundara - the strap is extremely comfy and i don't feel it at all.
yea agreed on the headband, although initially the ear clamp on sundaras is crazy in comparison. i was worried at first but now my he400i and sundara feel very similar. although i still prefer the pads on the he400i since they are also slightly deeper it seems.
@@sebbo1496 true. When i got Sundaras, the clamping force was unbearable, like really bad. Glad it loosened up quite a bit, and very comfortable now.
Will i notice much improvement if i want to upgrade from m50x?
Can you please compare the HE400se with the HE400i 2020?
Thanks:)
ua-cam.com/video/j9f966jrssk/v-deo.html
Really good review especially by comparing with similar and higher end Sundara 👍
I'm on the 5XX bandwagon, their sound is exactly what i look up for in headphones, wide soundstage, nice separation, nice trebley presentation with lots of detail on the high end, i like them more than the Sundara and anything under them on the HIFIMAN line up, also aesthetically the blackout design looks badass.
Awesome for gaming
5xx? You mean sennheiser hd58x?
@@istvanm666 Late reply but he was talking about HiFiMan HE5XX
If you have an amp that can push them, 560 v4 is literally the best value in their lineup. Same detail retrieval. imaging and soundstage as Sundara, better bass extension and more texture in the highs.
I had a 400s. That little serial number sticker underneath the pad had come loose on mine and I actually thought the driver was going bad because it was making a weird distorted sound. I wonder how many people thought they had defective headphones because they didn’t think to look underneath the pad.
That’s good to know
I prefer Sundara headband, this feels like I have a rail on top of my head. It's so stiff...Also earpads - they're so itchy, I prefer Sundara pads. I also disagree with Deva/5XX comparison, you said: "This is just straight forward a better-sounding headphone" and that's just your opinion, I generally prefer Deva for sounding wider, smoother, more relaxed, while this is kinda harsh and focused. I like 400se as a more neutral alternative, but I wouldn't call it better. But thanks for the measurement I was really interested to see how it compares. I actually imagined it something like this. The first thing I noticed was that it's so neutral and natural, it reminded me of Sundara and HD600 with that snappy feel and neutral mid-treble. But the more I listened to it I was more and more noticing how harsh it sounds. So I generally prefer it on lower volumes.
agree with all your observations regarding the headphones i also tried. but keep in mind that this will always be subjective. not neccessarily a bad thing imho
Great review, thanks!
Good video and review! Hope you can review ath-r70x and compare them to sundara, hd600,hd 6XX
Could helm bolt drive these comfortably? Thanks
i'll stick to my old he400 ;)
As a HE 400i 2020 owner, I used to hate the headband. It's so stiff and small (have to max out of extension) with painful pressure points. But after some stretch/compress efforts and getting a dent on my head from the weight, it's ok. I'm pretty sure a suspension headband would be better for me. Also I still dislike the small ear holes, my dumbo ears almost always touch the edges of the pads, specially after some time using them when they start sliding off.
I’m happy with this new headband, it fit perfectly on my head, not feeling any pressure on my head (maybe I got a smaller head?
I hate the the goddamned metal weird high suspension band on the 400Is, I agree. It just looks dumb. The 400SEs have a super padded low key band,
and they're just more comfortable. Earpads are the same deal, though.
Have to comment... Having an audience of audiophiles who might be wearing headphones watching your review (I am)... you picked a really nice Mic that sounds great and puts a lot of other reviewers to shame. Know your audience! Well done
How does it compare to the Tygr 300r?
TYGR is V-shaped, the bass is muddy/boomy, the midrange is soft/recessed, treble is boosted/sibilant, but imaging is very good - wide and accurate, while this is very flat and natural, the bass is impulsive, the midrange is snappy, treble is neutral, but also a little harsh, and imaging is disappointing - narrow and focused.
Sadly, my pair did not hold up very well. The right driver suddenly died after 2 weeks of use. Currently claiming the warranty.
How does it compare to hifiman deva
I brought the deva and sent them back the smell of the plastic was horrible but the 400 are awesome
Hmm. Amazon is listing them with a "frequently returned" warning. I'm curious what that's all about 🤔
Have you ever reviewed the Hifiman he400i 2020 version?
Cause people say that the he400i 2020 are the "baby" version of the sundara.
one is black baby the other is white baby difference lol
@@loucipher7782 no, the he400se is tuned far better than the he400i
I heard the he400i 2020 being called the baby sundara as well so I'm curious to see your thoughts on those and a comparison with these in the future. For now this is probably my entry level planar candidate.
I believe the 400i 2020 is the 4xx.
@@Dibromatic There is difference. See the Joshua Valour comparison.
@@Dibromatic I have the HE 400i 2020 and it is better than the HE 4xx
I would consider that you listen to both, because they are very similar, but there are a few small differences between them. I have the Hifiman HE 400i 2020 with the Fiio K5 Pro and it sounds so amazing!!
I stand corrected!
for a permanent price of 130 and an additional cable being added to american version, it dethrones 6xx as the de facto value headphone
HE400se versus used HD 558?
I just recently bought these but the newer version to see if they are good and I bought them for $109. I listen to late 80s to mid 2000s power/prog/melodic metal like early Crimson Glory Fates Warning Magnitude 9 Metalium Liege Lord Helstar and other various bands and for some reason my Philips Fidelio X2 the old version from around 2015ish sounded the best for that type of music for me. I since bought the Grado 80e Sennheiser HD 600 and Sennheiser 58x Jubilee and those just didn't sound as good. I listen to music where its mostly mid range and a lot of high range screams and for some reason the Philips Fidelio X2 even though people said they are more bass focused they were more enjoyable to me for some reason. I actually ruined them by pressing in the speaker cone and have no clue why I did that like an idiot. I know they have the Philips Fidelio X2HR but I don't know if its similar. I listen to music basically all mid-high and crazy guitar solos and riffs and a lot of 5th octave notes. Maybe my ears suck or something. Most people recommended Grado SR80e and they hurt my ears and I can't listen to them for hours with all those mid range and high range notes and actually prefer my Jubilee 58x over my HD 600 for some reason.
Can't think of phones less suited for speed or death metal, really. Get something with some really good bass. I have the Sennheiser Urbanites XL, and also the
Beyerdynamic Studio Custom One Pros, and both have sick bass and sound fantastic for any rock or metal. The planars are better with more "subtle" music,
or any, really, but metal, not really.
Got them since a few days but i just ordered the Sundara's because it seems that i cant handle the headband.
It gets a little painful after a few hours, but i liked the sound as it was not as harsh as the Fidelio X2HR.
Ahhh now i know why i sent them back in the past!
Just ordered the modded one from Custom Cans with the SuperGrills and a different headstrap.
he400se for 70$ vs sennheiser 58x for 149$ which one is better choice?
Thanks for the informative video. Could you share the mic that you use - really nice mic!
I have the original HE-400S and yup the cable is exactly same... For me it broke in about 1 month... Same with earpads, you want to get high quality earpads and replace the cable... Otherwise its really good headphone on my opinion.
He400se vs hd560s comparisons ??
We compare the Hd 560s in our He400se review here: headphones.com/blogs/reviews/hifiman-he400se-review-budget-planar-contender
If you EQ the 400se they are an excellent HP. I pair them with the Zen can using Xbass.
i still find these really bright
Can you help me decide with focus on gaming? DT900 or HE400se or Sundara? I love the clean planar magnetic bass, but the DT900 are said to have a good stage for positional audio, bass doesn't even need a lift but i find them less open than the DT 990 or HE400se personally. The HE400se are said to have less of a stage by some and the Sundara should be better even. Some say slightly so, some say its a huge upgrade, opthers say neither is good for gaming .. i like the airyness of the HE .. The DT900 feel thick and intimate, but if i ultimatively get better quality and sound seperation and all my issues are just with the comfort of the fresh pair then i should be sticking with the DT? But at 300 i maybe should also consider the Sundara?
Argh.. please advise.
The 400se with sundara 2020 pads is better than a 2020 sundara which is very very nice
I’m trying to look if it’s worth upgrading from these to the Sundara. That’s the next headphone I was thinking about after having this and the hd 560s
Can it use a balanced cable?
How do these Hifiman headphones compare to m40x? I'm doing music production using takstar pro 82 but need clearer headphones and I'm so lost
How does the sound compare to the Audeze Penrose/Mobius/Orbit?
Just bought these and thought they sounded good enough, but when I cupped my hands over the grills, it was like a veil was lifted, the clarity was incredible! Is there anything I can do to get that sound from them permanently does anyone know?
Hifiman must of heard about the complaints about that cable because new pairs of HE400se's come with a much nicer cable
does balanced cable make sound better and louder ? my dac/amp is up4
Great review Andrew! One question: Is this more detailed than a HD560s?
I would say it's as resolving as 560S. It's a little more neutral and a little narrower.
@@atyne_mar Sorry to bother, but did you try both and compare them? I would like to know which tees seem better in general terms or if they are comparable. Thank you very much in advance
@@drakaeakdaart3583 Yeah I still have them both. 400se is IMO much better. Especially once you remove (or replace) the grills, it gets wider. Although 560S has still cleaner upper midrange/lower treble and it's still better for competitive fps. But it's so shouty and harsh it's hard to recommend for general use.
@@atyne_mar Ok, thank you very much for your answer, I think I will still opt for the 560s since I don't have a very big budget and I don't know how to make mods either.
Your comment on the cable is dead on. This also needs EQ which you alluded to... Subscribed.
I just bought the 400SE and received it 2 days ago. First thing first, bought a replacement cable at the same time as I know with my 400s, Hifiman cables are an abomination. The one that comes with the SE lives up to that. IN SPADES. Right in the trash it went! The New Fantasia cable I bought on Amazon has far better sound quality that is immediately noticable~!
I bought the 400s in 2015 and it is by far, my favorite headphone of all time. I purchased and returned the Sundara recently and it did nothing for me. ( thats a long story and i would rather not get into it) Anyway, with that being said the 400SE is outstanding! The 400s is a lot more sensitive and punchy and i still like it a bit more but DAMN! The mids and highs are smooth on this HP. Has great kick drum punch with EQ. With loud volumes it tends to compress a bit but it is not unpleasant. ( I use a RME ADI-2 FS on high power)
I have to say I use EQ with every one my headphones and Hifiman planars need it. I didnt like the 400s very much in 2015 but that was before Equalizer APO and Wavelet for portable. I bought it and threw it into a cupboard till just recently. I pulled it out, changed the cable, EQed it and was amazed! These planars sound horrible without EQ but with it they wake up and become world class. Gorgeous powerful sound. They take EQ amazingly and better than any other types of headphones IMO.
I also own the HD-58x and Fostex TP60 RP that I bought a couple months ago and the 400SE stomps all over both of them. Especially the T60 which costs twice as much.
I just recently started getting into headphones so I dont have a lot of experience with them but recently I tried the AKG K371, the DT770, and Sundara and didnt really like any of these. All were returned for refund. However the Hifiman 400SE is a keeper but with a cable upgrade and EQ i would venture to say it is the best $150 headphone in the world right now.
I also bought the He560 V4 which is on sale at Adorama for $249 right now.
@@dgregory4178 Great Comment on your experiences.
May i ask what settings for EQ you can recommend?
Am really looking to purchase these for my first planar headphones, thank you a lot!
DUDE, I got a good deal for 400s like only $60. Should i go for it or buy the new he400se? btw i have sundara now, its good but sound too similar to hd6xx so wanted to sell
@@aqwandrew6330 You need to jump on that deal. As long as it works OK as that seems way underpriced. I think the 400S is a much better headphone but for less than half the price the 400SE holds its own.
@@dgregory4178 i have 2 concern tho. the sensitivity is too high, i afraid i dont get much volume level on my desktop setup. also the 400s use old 2.5mm which can be hard to find the replacement cable.
also, the headband. is it good? which headband type do you prefer?
Would this headphone be good for blues(-rock), classic rock, acoustic, folk, and jazzy tunes? How does it compare to HD6xx in that department?
Doble side magnatic desing can you explain this , i am search this and dont found!!!!!!
Hifi man 400se vs meze 99 neo
Which one do you recommend and the reasons please ?
Definitely Meze. Much much much better build. Sound signature is different though. I prefer the Meze as well.
Well will Fio BTR 5 do or shall I grab BTR7 to drive the same. At first was thinking of grabbing Hidizs AP80 pro x but to say BTR5 5 is more budget friendly but I am confused will Fio BTR5 provide ample juice to drive this ear buster Hifiman HE400S?
are these good entry level headphones? worth the price? thoughts, anyone?
Bought these a week ago and they are over performing. I am listening to songs I have played a million times and I am hearing additional tracks in the mix that I have not heard before. Crisp and clear and I now use them for mixing. Not bass heavy but definitely has a bottom you can feel.
Can you use this on your laptop?
For pure technical performance like details and resolution is this on par or even better then the HD 6XX ?
Do you recommend AKG K371 over these HE400se?
is 170 mW @ 32 ohm max enough for the he400se? thanks for the response
Hi is this the global edition or the Chinese version without stealth magnets
I'm thinking about getting either this or the AKG K702 as a complement to my HD650. Right now the HE400se is 30€ more expensive and I'd need to spend another 30€ on a new cable. What do you think?
I'm told the AKG 702s are excellent monitor ref. headphones, very neutral. Not sure I'd buy those for "fun" listening, but maybe. The 400SEs are excellent entry level
planars for $100 here in USA. But comparing planars to dynamics reference is a hard comparison. Two different animals. Also, though, the 702s may be much
harder to drive than the HE400SEs! Not very efficient.
Nice review!
What kind of load are they? Can they been driven from a decent mobile phone or a laptop without headphone amp?
(most of the times i am listening to headphones directly from my s10 phone)
I would look at something else for portable. The 400SE really needs amp power to properly drive.
@@toastloop thanks!
At $80 right now, had literally no choice but to buy.
Any recommendations on how to power these cans??? I did a blind purchase, bc hifiman advertised it as "Portable" and "can be powered by phone". Don't get me wrong SQ is great but my Hiby R3 pro saber can't power it properly 😭😭
I mean that's just your own fault, because every reviewer said that they need an amp. A cheap BTR5 from Fiio is fine,.
Either a BTR5 or an iFi Hip Dac
Get the Fiio K5 Pro, 1.5W of power!!!
You can consider getting a Shanling UP2 DAC/Amp.
@@dannybos7024 I want to buy the HE400se. Consult, if the R3 pro saber with 280mW (balanced) can't power it correctly, but the BTR5 with 240mW (BAL) yes, what is the difference?
Can someone recommend a good replacement cable please? Thanks...
Same. thank you in advance :)
still waitin for someone to put up suggestion where to buy a good replacement cable
@@Amirul_Zahin I have noticed that this channel doesn't much reply or even put heart reaction to comments. 😶
how does it compare to the HE400i ?
ua-cam.com/video/j9f966jrssk/v-deo.html
which HIFIMAN do you think is best for production/mixing?
Change to thicker pads, more bass layering and bigger soundstage.
Will you compare the sound of the HIFIMAN Deva-Pro Over-Ear Full-Size Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone with Bluetooth Dongle/Receiver, Himalaya R2R Architecture DAC, to the HE400se . I'm looking for the best sounding bluetooth headphone and so far according to audiophile experts the deva-pro is the best and sounds better than the HE400se and is closer to the sundara .
Looks exactly like the og HE500 cable, just horrendous, even for a cheap hp like this one. Microphonics are rarely a problem for me at home, but this was pure hell noise wise... What were/are they thinking at Hifiman?
As always, thinking of reaping the most profit at the expense of their customers. But hey, at least this is a cheap headphone. You should see the HE1000se and Susvara.
@@herry1276 they probably put all of the budget to the headphone. Also could be the reason they make it very easy to change the cable.
@@bltzcstrnx Into the HE400se? Like I said, this is at least a cheap headphone. I can still understand.
My issue is with the HE1000se, HE1000, and Susvara. The cables are horrendous for that kind of price.
I have this, but it comes with a rubber cable, not the one You show US, maybe it's another release
How are these with a balanced output?
Thanks a lot for the review. Can this headphone go well with Furutech ADL A1 which I was told to pair with near impedance headphones? Await your advice.
How well this headphones work with btr5,?
Lucky you -w-, i have to go on a third he400i now cause my two previous models have had driver rattle issues in the right earcup both times. I'm still on my second pair but this is getting annoying, I love the he400i but having to return it twice now? For the issue twice now!? I have treated this second pair far better than my first. The issue only appeared early last week in the second pair, 3 months after purchase. Limiting listening volume was used to protect this second pair but this rattle issue has appeared, again of all things! I do not know what i could have done for this to happen a second time but i am quite upset at this point with either hifiman QC/Myself. Also... Good video.... Tight EQ on the RE20....
(Edit, added compliment and grammar correction)
I bought the HE400I; 2020 (with Schiit stack), was so impressed by it In forum, I read that Hifiman stating the HE400SE is the successor of the HE400I (2020) and out of curiosity, I bought the 400SE as well.
The HE400I (2020) and HE400 SE is extremely similar to each other but the HE400I is just a tint slightly warmer. I don't need two similar headphones so I passed to my father to enjoy.
Abit disappointed to hear that it is similar to Sundara, that was my next goal. Maybe should save up and get HE6SE instead.
Thanks a lot for comparison! I will simply stick to my HE400i 2020 then which has good sound signature for me. I believe 400SE would be too bright for me.
Sundara is similar in sound tonality, but it's much wider, more detailed, and explosive, it's just on another level.
@@atyne_mar Thanks for the quick overview.
@@atyne_mar How's the low end in Sundara compared to HE400I?
@@panzer3279 Similar but Sundara has a little more of it.
I want an HE6 refresh so badly maybe a little easier to drive like the Arya. I need that Audeze level bass without wearing weights on my head
Get speakers then.
Mine arrived today. Right driver completely DOA. Nice