Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?
Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...
Apr 23, 2024
Solid build that puts everything cheaper to absolute shame. The included cable is mediocre however.
Do be careful, as HIFIMAN is known for QA issues, see the discussion for woes. Mine came intact though. I sincerely wish these receive more attention as I prefer them over my HD6xx.
Mine are still intact, with a couple of drops off a table (onto carpet though) and me sitting on them probably twice (but I weigh next to nothing so YMMV). I don't really adjust the earcups all too much so the experience has almost always been an "on my head, off my head" while retaining the headphone shape so it hasn't really been abused. I still stand by my positive opinion of the construction as the QC is a separate factor. Compared to the supposed older brother HE560 v2 that I also own, I'm very happy with the 4xx but indeed anything HIFIMAN makes need to expect a ball to drop somewhere.
I can't speak for the HE-350, but sad to hear about the dynamics being disappointing, but then again I don't really recall much about HIFIMAN outside of their planars. It does look similar housing-wise to the HE-400i.
In terms of planars, the two entry-tiers are the Monolith M560 and the HE-4xx and owning both I'd give it to the 4xx for the sound foray as you can't beat the price for either one going into your budget. If you do want some degree of build assurance, the M560 has it beat, although M560 didn't sparkle as much as the HE-4xx did for me.
Using an SMSL-SU8 DAC+ CTH Amp: To me, The HE-560 is more clear, at the cost of having a much more prominent sibilance. My favorite sibilant check is Light Up by Thousand Foot Krutch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YT8wraO5Vk
Listening to the song on the HE-560 right now it's pretty torture: I saw an angel fly today Just like a movie I couldn't speak I couldn't walk away...
The bold words are where the sibilance happens; so sharp it's painful. It can probably be EQ'd out if you're into that. By comparison, the HE-4XX has noticeable sibilance on saw and speak but not as piercing. However, percussion (the slap on a drum in a hard rock song making those *pops*) reaches piercing territory, but can be addicting to some.
Low end side, if you're bass-centric, the HE-4XX is the better phone, although it's a bit exaggerated. If you're an orchestral or epic guy, the 560 will suit you better. Comparing the 2, the 560 you're in the center of the rows of the audience chamber, whereas the 4XX you are 1 or 2 rows closer to the band.
If comparing to your current Sennheisers, if you love the HD600 more, get the HE-560. If you love the HD650 more, get the HE-4XX. If you're really not sure how my AB comparisons are, the HE-4XX is the safe bet; at $300 the HE-560 is awesome considering they even include a balanced cable (usually valued at maybe $50), but the 560 to me isn't really an upgrade. The HE-560 , to me, is really tailored towards people that absolutely know what they're looking for (or only listen to instrumentals).
I think I might just wait on the purchase. I've owned the 2 Senn's for a long time and would probably be looking for something that is more of an upgrade; not a direct upgrade mind you, just one that is an upgrade on some aspect - whether that be the low or high end, build quality, imaging, soundstage, impact, or whatever.
From the looks of it, spending $300 or under would might not give me enough that's new or different to justify spending on side grades. Saving up and getting something like the DT1990 or a heavily used LCD2C would at least net me a premium headphone that gives a different experience from what I own, even if its sound signature might not suit most of the music I listen to.
Do you have any recommendations in the $300-$600 range?
Also, a different experience doesn't necessarily have to be an upgrade. Planars are a different technology and has its own flavors, I feel you'll find the experience very much enjoyable if you're looking to escape the Sennheiser "veil". I'd still say pony up for the 560 V3 if you want a taste, but if your budget is stretching that much AND you're good on DAC/AMP, I'd look for testimonies surrounding the HIFIMAN Sundara. Just another $100 is near the Aeon Flow Open/Closed. And by extension, just by going to closed-backs could give you a whole 'nother experience entirely (a la 1more Triple Over-ear). But that's not to say the 4XX doesn't fit the bill...
Also outside of your range, my first big-boy buy is the MD Focal Elex ($700) and can recommend that if you're the guy that refuses to compromise on bass (they claim they tuned the bass lower vs the Elear, not seeing that at all unless the Elear is complete mud). It's not that different from what the 650 is trying to accomplish, but does have a hell of a flavor.
I just got Monoprice M1060s delivered a few hours ago and so far I'm loving them out of the box but I don't have enough head time with them to recommend them yet. Amazon has them for $237 right now and at that price I decided to take the chance.
The M1060 is pretty good. I don't hear any 5k ringing that some people report. I haven't been home to use them on my desktop setup but my Fiio Q1 drives them easily on low gain. The bass boot button on the Q1 does wonderful things. The width and imaging are also really nice. Good enough that my HD 598s might be getting replaced by these for gaming.
I'll give them a month before I decide to try any mods.
- quality issues seem to still exist, so I actually bought my pair on amazon and I actually might return these because the headband adjustment just doesn't seem to stay in place
- The 2020 version of the He-400i, which the He-4xx are based off is also on amazon, so I would recommend giving those a try first, as you won't have to wait a month before these ship out and if you don't like them, amazon returns warrant no hassle.
This reply was a lot longer than I intended but I did not want to simply tell you to get them or not, just wanted to point out my experience on why I vouch for them, hope you find them a home in your set up just as I did as I really do love them at the end of the day. Good luck fellow traveler, may your search be harmonious and be full of never ending amazement!