Z Review - Hifiman HE4xx [Free Share]

I got a pair of these last week and sent Massdrop a ton of shitty reviews because they come with a wire so short I can't lean beak in my chair to listen to them. They sound great through mu Bifrost/Valhalla 2 set up.

I just got the HE-4XX in the mail last week, I think they sound better than Monoprice M1060 and M1060C. I have Modi 3 and magni 3 on high gain around noon, they def need some wattage to sound their best. Cheers Zeos.

Zachary Edwards

E10K is not my pick most of the time. So get the Aune or even the X7s amp on its own and feed from the E10K's output if you want MORE power. Same goes for the Magni 3

ZeosPantera

Ok so i just got my HE4xxs and i gotta say that they are harder to drive than i thought. i mean i knew Planars would be hard to drive but not hollow sounding through my E10k at full tilt and high gain hard to drive! i was going to get an Aune X1s which would be more than enough for most things i'm sure. any other suggestions for a good Dac/amp combo for under $300? I'm just looking for a semi-colorful sounding Dac/amp combo that can drive most anything i may want to buy in the future.

Fidelio X1's.. If you can find them do more soundstage and low end. These are cleaner and more accurate.

ZeosPantera

Seems like you know what you want and what you are going to do. Your ears should make the final decision.

ZeosPantera

I really wanted to go with the m1060's but I cant deal with the goofy look, aluminum foil hat headband and the overall poor build quality so I opted for the m560, willing to sacrifice some sound quality mainly because of the build and the fact that the phones are half as much. Monoprice has open boxed m560's for a stunning $119! I plan to switch to Sony xb500 pads and the nickel mod for the caps. (hot glue a nickel under the wood closing caps to open them up for a semi open sound profile.). I heard both these mods will add bass to make them approach the m1060 in terms of sound quality. How much so will remain a mystery until I get them in. My plan is to use and get familiar with these until the next 4xx Massdrop in May in which I'll purchase a pair. I can live with the revised 4xx headband that loses the metal Reddit icon antenna, although I still majorly prefer the build and look of the m560 by far. A headphones aethetics do have some value, especially when coupled with materials that are solid and will last the test of time but not at the cost of an amount of sound quality to a certain point as we all know. I'll then be in a position to A/B the two sets and the phones I decide to let go of will be an easy flip on the Bay. Thoughts? Is there a better plan of attack I'm missing?

I have a few things needing reviewing from Teac but not that.

ZeosPantera

Hey man I know this is a bit off topic are you gonna review teac ai-503 it has balanced 3.5mm headphone output.

These or the Philips x1

I see a T60RP on that wall, can't wait for that review, my T-X0's MK2 are with Modhouse being converted to the Argons right now.

I would't touch the 400i with a six foot pole. I've heard way too many stories of them falling apart for no reason. Seems like theres a "my new hifiman just broke" post nearly every day on /r/headphones.

Sound wise I can only guess. I am into these for the build. I'd say you are good.

ZeosPantera

I alredy own the 400i would they be much different than the HE 4XX ?

Santiago Diaz

Yes!

I believe I have heard the newest revision. Hard to say if these share the exact same driver from just that experience.

ZeosPantera

It is at the line right below needing an amp. I was pushing that littlebear pretty far and sitting in the top 20% of the Q1. So a good phone should push them.

ZeosPantera

I ordered them. So when I get them you can ask again.

ZeosPantera

This might be a little off topic but please forgive me. I’m really interested in the Sennheiser 58x Jubilee. Have your tried those? Thoughts and opinions? I would love to see you review those sometime. Thanks Dude, I’m enjoying the patrion perks a lot.

I'm curious about z's answer to this, as well. If its like my 400s, it'll run ok off your phone but you'll want an amp to breath in some life (better transients). If you have DAP, you should be good. They usually push a stronger signal than phones do, better internal amp.

Jan Miller

Zeos, did you have the chance to hear the 'newer' revisions of the 400i, the ones with 2.5mm connectors and no back-plate? they should sound differently to the ones you've reviewed (tough there is a chance those were the revision with the MCCX connector and back-plate removed. it is a possibility ) Different ears lead to different opinions, almost everything points to the 4xx using 400i drivers, so the main difference should be headband/finish on the cups. they even come with the same focus pads. From measurements on the internet they do measure somewhat differently, but in this price point it can also come down to variance in pairs.

David Klapouch

Does this headphones work ok without an amp?

now they just need to make 5XX's with the same formula

Jan Miller

If I said something that makes you question the 400i.. Don't you have the answer already?

ZeosPantera

should I swap out my 400i's for theese???