HiFiMAN HE-400S Planar Magnetic Headphones

[Frederik S]

HiFiMAN's latest value-oriented headphone is dubbed the HE-400S. Like other headphones in the 400-range, it features a planar magnetic driver and HiFiMAN's newest headband solution. The driver has been tweaked to a point where just about any source out there will power these just fine!

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[Rowsol]

I really wanna hear a pair of these planar mag headphones.

 

[killerdisturbed]

I really wanna hear a pair of these planar mag headphones.

I own the HE-400s. If you wanna hear my thoughts, I have Skype + I can tell you my thoughts of them.

My pair - http://imgur.com/PkzOl3P

 

[VulkanBros]

My AGK K550 is gone (my son "borrowed" them) .... so maybe the HE-400s would be a good replacement.

 

[Hayder_Master]

about $200 away from HE-400i wow, but still see 400i worth too

 

[killerdisturbed]

about $200 away from HE-400i wow, but still see 400i worth too

The 400s sounds extremely like a 400i, but toned down a bit. Getting leather pads solved this problem for me, which improved the bass extension and mid bass, and whatever sibilance (hardly any to begin with) that was there initially, has been reduced. I would look into them if you're willing to pay some money for mad dogs pads or for the pads I got which are here (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZY8PGJI/?tag=tec06d-20), though to get them on, you need to buy the Hifiman Leather pads and remove those rings, or rip off the rings that come with the velour pads. It's a pain the ass but worth it to get these pads on (my pair
http://imgur.com/PkzOl3P).

 

[alwayssts]

I see all these Hifiman reviews and keep thinking...'Yep, I'll wait for the Vinyl Plus to come stateside and grab a pair'. I will grant you this is because I only buy Bluetooth-capable 'phones.

While I'm sure planar magnetic is a great talking point, let's be real. It's the 70mm drivers that gives them their sound. I wonder how Bluedio will do in comparison, given the fact they've done pretty great in other markets (50mm - R+/UFO/Victory...57mm - H) while remaining very inexpensive. Given their build quality has gone way up this year but the price hasn't (that much) and they are starting to produce products to compete with high-end offerings from Japan and the US, I can't wait to see how they do with their own spin on 70mm drivers.

For reference (because they aren't available in the US yet):
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?s...b3&abbucket=13&sku_properties=5919063:6536025

 

[Frederik S]

Driver size has nothing to do with it, it is the driver technology. A 70 mm diameter high efficiency dynamic driver would have very odd dynamics due to the weight of the coils, on top of that you need a diaphragm that can support the loads coming from driving that mass back and forth. Even small planar drivers sound a lot different than their dynamic counterparts if you listen to Oppo or older Fostex. The different principles have different drawbacks.

 

[killerdisturbed]

Driver size has nothing to do with it, it is the driver technology. A 70 mm diameter high efficiency dynamic driver would have very odd dynamics due to the weight of the coils along, on top of that you need a diaphragm that can support the loads coming from driving that mass back and forth. Even small planar drivers sound a lot different than their dynamic counterparts if you listen to Oppo or older Fostex. The different principles have different drawbacks.

This. Frederik I feel like the 400s would've been regarded perfectly at day one release if it came with Focus Pads. The velour is nice but doesn't isolate enough bass for people who like punchy bass and ample mid-bass. Since, I put on angled Brainwavz pads on my 400s and haven't looked back. They are pretty much the perfect headphone for me at their price point, and I'm very happy with them. I would recommend you try them with Focus Pads or even bigger pads if you get the chance.

 

[Easy Rhino]

That is a great price!

 

[Frederik S]

I did test them with the Focus Pads and I think the upgrade is well worth the cost. The headphones sound great to start with and the fact that you can easily get your hands on lots of different pads is nice because it allows you to tweak the sound to your liking!

 

[Warrgarbl]

I recently had the chance to listen to the Oppo PM-3, which are budget planar magnetic headphones as well. Their sound really amazed me. Sure, they are somewhat more expensive than the Hifimans, but did anyone have a chance to hear both? How do they compare?

By the way am I the only one who, despite knowing that it is a respectable brand, always thinks of some cheap Chinese knock-off company when reading the name Hifiman?

 

[Frederik S]

HiFiMAN is not a horrible name by any means, but of course it is a tad generic sounding. I have not heard the Oppo headphones in an environment that does them justice there was a lot of background noise. They are definitely tuned different than the HiFiMANs, slightly more to the fun side.