HiFiMAN HE400i 2020 Edition

[Frederik S]

HiFiMAN's original HE400 turned a few heads in the headphone industry when it launched eight years ago. Since then, the design has been updated a few times, most noticeably with the release of the i-version. Today, we will have a look at the 2020 version of the HE400i. Despite the upgrades, it remains relatively affordable at $169.

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[bpgt64]

Wonder where these stand compared to Sennheisers HD 6XX's

 

[Rowsol]

Planar magnetic at $170? Very nice.

 

[BArms]

The Sundara were a big upgrade for me over the HD6XX's, if these are almost as good as Sundaras then I imagine they're at least as good or probably better. The imaging (pin pointing sound directions) on my HD6XX's is poor compared to either $350 Sundara or $99 AD-700X's making the HD6XX a poor choice for competitive FPS, for me anyway.

 

[jboydgolfer]

ive had a terrible time finding a pair of headphones to replace my sennheisers. i bought the audio technica 50's, they suck. i got AKG 712 pros ,those sucked, i kind of regret buying the sennheisers now, since finding a suitable replacement has been hell

 

[Frederik S]

Wonder where these stand compared to Sennheisers HD 6XX's

I have not had the 6XX on for long enough to really remember the differences from the normal HD600s. I have had the 600s and 650s for a while and they are definitely tuned differently. The HD600 and HD650s have a bit bump in the bass and sound stage is less intimate/deeper than the HE400i's, whether this is good or bad depends on your taste. The treble is not great on any of those headphones so here it is a tie for me. Bass wise the HE400is are well ahead, and the bump featured on the HD600 and HD650s can easily be replicated with a simple EQ as the frequency response of the HD400is is very close to flat below 200 Hz. There is little bit of roll off below 50 Hz but there is plenty of headroom to have a simple shelving filter that adds sub bass to more bass head friendly levels.

 

[Dammeron]

ive had a terrible time finding a pair of headphones to replace my sennheisers. i bought the audio technica 50's, they suck. i got AKG 712 pros ,those sucked, i kind of regret buying the sennheisers now, since finding a suitable replacement has been hell

I got AKG K712 Pro and I love them. Open-back is perfect for listening in a quiet house, they don't squeeze my head like "vice-style" Sennheisers, so I can wear them for long hours and the sound is very neutral, which I also like. My only gripe would be the long miniXLR plug which sometimes gets in the way with my shoulder, but You can get used to it.

 

[erocker]

I picked these up after reading this review. There were pretty good at first, though I thought they needed a little more power than my audio interface could provide and picked up an inexpensive Loxjie P20 tube amp. Good went to very good and after a couple hundred hours of using them and breaking them in (these seem to need quite a bit of break in) they're sounding excellent! Such a good bargain on these.

 

[Space Lynx]

I picked these up after reading this review. There were pretty good at first, though I thought they needed a little more power than my audio interface could provide and picked up an inexpensive Loxjie P20 tube amp. Good went to very good and after a couple hundred hours of using them and breaking them in (these seem to need quite a bit of break in) they're sounding excellent! Such a good bargain on these.

how much they cost you and can i get a link to that amp?

drop.com just launched the hifiman he 5xx for $220. im consdering those and selling a couple of my other pair.

 

[erocker]

I paid $169 for the headphones on Amazon.

The amp is here: Amazon.com: LOXJIE P20 Full Balance Tube Amplifier Headphone Power Amplifier (Black): Computers & Accessories

I replaced the Chinese tubes with a matched pair of GE 5670's.

 

[Space Lynx]

I paid $169 for the headphones on Amazon.

The amp is here: Amazon.com: LOXJIE P20 Full Balance Tube Amplifier Headphone Power Amplifier (Black): Computers & Accessories

I replaced the Chinese tubes with a matched pair of GE 5670's.

Did you get a balanced cable since that amp supports balanced?

 

[erocker]

Did you get a balanced cable since that amp supports balanced?

Oh, yes I did! Amazon.com: NewFantasia HiFi Cable 4-pin XLR Balanced Male Compatible with Hifiman HE4XX, HE-400i (The Latest Version with Both 3.5mm Plug) Headphones Silver Plated Replacement Audio Upgrade Cable: Industrial & Scientific

For how expensive balanced cables go, these are a steal. Very nice!

**Also, I forgot I got a little beefier 12v 60 watt power supply for the P20. Any brand works, I got this one: Amazon.com: SHNITPWR 12V 5A Power Supply Adapter UL Listed AC 100~240V to DC 12 Volt 60W 5A 4.5A 4A 3.5A Converter Transformer LED Driver 5.5x2.5mm Tip for LED Strip Module Light CCTV Camera LCD Monitor: Electronics