Introduction

HiFiMAN HE-400 is the name of a new serious lower high-end headphone contender from Head-Direct. The headphone features orthodynamic drivers and is priced at $400 making it the cheapest of the high-end orthodynamic headphones available today, slotting in just beneath the $699 HE-500s from Head-Direct. The HE-400s are based around the same exterior design as the much loved HE-500s, however, the driver is brand new design that is optimized for mass production allowing Head-Direct to sell them at a much lower price point than what we usually see with orthodynamic cans except the Fostex T50RPs.

Specifications

• Efficiency: 92.5 dB/mW
• Impedance: 38 Ohm
• Planar Magnetic driver (orthodynamic)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 35 kHz
• Weight: 440 g

Interestingly enough the efficiency rating is quite a bit higher than the other high end headphones from Head-Direct. This means that the HE-400s are much less picky when it comes to amplification requirements. The HE-400s can be driven straight out an iPhone or HM-602 to good results.

Closer Examination

The sample we secured was without box. The retail version of the headphones will feature a cardboard box with a plastic insert that holds the headphones. The HE-400s ship with a less extensive bundle compared to the HE-500s which is to be expected considering the price difference between the two. Worth noticing is that the new HE-400s ship with the HiFiMAN pleather ear pads per default which gives a better bass response and a slightly better rendering of the midrange.


Cable wise the HE-400s are quite well equipped for at home listening. The Canare cable used is of very good quality and the termination is really good as well, albeit using a standard no-name jack. Bundled with the headphone is also a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.


HiFiMAN seems to be employing the time tested motto of "if it works don't change it". The HE-400s share the basic design from all of the HE-series headphones from Head-Direct HiFiMAN line of products.


The headband has been left untouched for the HE-400s. If you have a normal sized head the clamping force will be fine (your reviewer's head is 58 cm circumference). Fortunately the headband is a basic design with a steel core that can be bent into shape if you are careful not to overdo it. Padding wise it is a bit on the lean side, but it does not pose an issue due to the headphone's relatively low weight.


The HiFiMAN HE-400s employ a brand new version of their planar magnetic driver. This new driver setup is more sophisticated than that featured on the other HE-series headphones which enables HiFiMAN to mass produce and sell them at the more sober price of $400. The driver area is similar to that of the HE-500s, but the magnetic array is much smaller and a less complex design.


Compared to the HE-500 driver the ones featured in the HE-400s looks simple and crude. A few looks around inside the ear cup do reveal that a lot of thought has gone into optimizing the layout for mass production.


Pad wise the HE-400s are good, gone is the much hated tab system of the first generation pads from Head-Direct. The new pads are much more durable and much easier to install.