Well spending a little more time with my headphones, I got the D2000's back out, temporarily rigged the cup joint and put them back together...the buzz isn't present yet...though I haven't played the bass nor vo
The HADX3's seem to have a more present mid-range and sharper hi's without being painful vs the D2000. But of course while bass goes low...the D2000 has the presence. I will give the HADX3's some credit though, they sound really very good when amplified and EQ'd to my likings. They can handle about 2/3-3/4 D2000 bass but with better control, at least to my ears. The D2000 are fun, and with my tuning have decent mids and their good hi's...but the HADX3 is just sharper, a little faster, cleaner while still being entertaining to listen to. Both are very, very comfortable and have at least some isolation. The HADX3's being the only true closed headphone in my lineup. The HARX700's, D2000's, XB500's are all vented even though they're claimed as closed, and the HE-400 is wide-open...hold up to a light and see through like my 19 y/o leopard gecko's ears. lol.
The sound isn't that way with either..at least after tuning. I know some people like a flat EQ and a pure source, but I'm too used to preferring coloring my sound to be exciting to my ears. When tuned both headphones perform admirably well. This includes gaming, which was sorta what I started this thread for years ago lol. We may need a title change!
The HE-400 is going back on my head...immediately how stiff the pleather pads are. I tried the D2000 pads on one cup, much more comfy...bass seemed a little more present, but they were overall shallower and softer leading to more contact with the planar driver grill. So I didn't do a long-term test...but makes me want to consider some Alpha pads...though that's gonna have to wait until I have money again. lol. I may get a wild hair and try the D2000 pads again at some point for a longer than five-minute demo so I can see if they really change anything or not.
I also have been A/B-ing my Denon AVR and FiiO E9. I will say it appears that the FiiO and HE-400 play together better than the rest of my colleciton. I originally purchased it because I was told the D2000 and FiiO E9 were a sweet match...they were okay, but it did not seem like much of an upgrade vs my Auzen Forte's HP output(s). The FiiO E9 though seems to bring the bass, I can feel the reverberations shaking through the cups more...though this could be to do with the E9 being capable of driving a little higher volume than the Denon AVR. But then the sub-bass range on the AVR seems better sorted out and present, and it seems like I lose some of the crisp but pleasant hi's and seperation with the E9 vs the Denon AVR, almost muddied up a bit from the E9...maybe I need a different EQ profile. I'm divided which route is better honestly...so the E9 is staying on the desk for further review. Man it puts out some massive power and volume to the HE-400's...so does the Denon AVR, but the E9 just seems to push a little harder w/o distortion where the AVR runs out of steam.
I am constantly amazed at my music though. These phones are playing quite well with everything I toss at them. The bass seems more present than at first, and can actually have a very nice amount and presence that I was initially not hearing. The lowest lows are still not quite there vs the DX3's or D2000's but that was somewhat expected and either it's me or these HP's are constantly improving bass-wise. Everything overall sounds great to my ears, including bass. It all sounds good, has it's spot, doesn't walk all over anything else, it's all there, it's all clear, it's all defined, it's all textured and sounds great!
The biggest downfall is that they sound like small computer speakers when played loud lol...I can hear them throughout my whole house at this point (not a big house but still!). But I have some of this weekend alone to myself, so gonna take the time to enjoy! When I need isolation I'll get the DX3's back out. I don't think these HE-400's are going back. I am very happy with them thus far! I just wish they were more comfortable...they aren't bad until a couple hours in then the headband and earpads can cause some pains...though by then it's generally time for a break.
Hoping to get some BF4, Evochron Mercenary and other games in this weekend yet too. See how they do beyond SupCom2 (which was an amazing experience!).