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Rohan108
15
Feb 10, 2020
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A King of Cans in 2020!
So, I just recently unboxed my new pair of Massdrop HIFIMAN HE4XXs from Drop. And straight out of the box, boy do they sound soooooo sexy.
I ordered them over two months ago, and had them shipped via Aramex to Johannesburg (yup, I live in South Africa) where they were held up at our (sometimes) draconian customs. Perhaps they thought the planar magnetic drivers contained radioactive contaminants or something. Or they thought: “Why would anyone want to buy headphones that does not have a Beats logo on it or does not resemble an Apple EarPod?”
Also after unboxing them I discovered some annoying looking scuff marks near the L & R cable inputs. Strange, I thought, considering that the package was fully sealed and untampered with. Perhaps those tales of HIFIMAN’s build qualities not being up to scratch are true after all. Very scratchy if you’re reading this Drop. I would give it 5 stars if it wasn't for this.
Anyway, I digress. I am eternally grateful that they are finally enveloping my skull and embracing my ears - scuffs and all.
I am by no means an audiophile, but I know what sounds glorious to my ear canals. And apart from my trusty pair of Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohms, these HE4XXs are the best headphones I own by far. I was actually in the market for a set of affordable audiophile quality over-ear open-back headphones to compliment my closed-back DT770 Pros. And I thought, why not these puppies? The DT770 Pros are stellar, and hands down beats the other non-HIFIMAN cans in my repertoire from Klipsch, Koss, Grado Labs, Tin Hifi, Shure and Philips.
In fact depending on my mood, most of my music listened to has been either via my DT770 Pros or my Massdrop Koss Porta Pros (which travels with me almost everywhere). But these from Massdrop & HIFIMAN is something different. Something from another planet. Planet Planar. So intimate, so confident and so musical. It’s hard not to love them.
So while I am most definitely married for life to my DT770 Pros, these HE4XXs are my saucy new mistress. A magnificent muse.
The sound signature is less V-shaped as the DT770 Pros, with a more meaty midrange. But not as meaty as my Grado SR80e. And not as comfy as the DT770 Pros. Yet, I far prefer the HIFIMAN sound to the Grados. It’s like if the DT770 Pro and SR80e had to have a baby, they would call it HE4XX.
They sound good with most devices, but most definitely need an amp to help them sparkle. My HE4XXs are plugged into my diminutive, yet feisty, Sabaj PHA3 tube headphone amplifier and bloody-bellbottoms do they dance! I’m toggling between tracks on Spotify Premium and FLAC/MP3 files played via the Amarra Luxe Pro app on my MacBook Pro - and all songs came alive like never before. I have a iFi Zen Dac/Amp on its way to me, so I am looking forward to hear how the HIFIMAN & iFi combo sounds.
The first track I listened to, because it was cued-up on my playlist, was “Seven Falls” by Hara Noda, and OMFG! I was transported. Transcended! What a soundstage! I followed this with the jazzy-hip-hop classic “Lifesaver” by Guru. Again, just juicy. Then the glorious “Petit Pays” by Cesaria Evora. Ooooooooooh yes yes yes!!! In fact almost every genre I threw at it sounded magical. Every genre apart from Reggae, Dub & Dancehall - which is an unbeatable vibe with the DT770 Pros.
After some time, and far too many tracks later, I started to wonder what that strange muscle-pulling feeling on my face was, until I realised: “Oh yeah, it’s that smile that won’t go away!”
Thank you Massdrop HIFIMAN HE4XX, I’m keeping you.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
EricdeB
17
Feb 10, 2020
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Rohan108Whenever I read a good review of these headphones I question myself. Do i have good ears? Am I done differently?
Your comment on this Hifiman goes the opposite of mine! We are all different... I have trouble understanding. The sound scene of these headphones is hyper linear, nothing in front, nothing behind, everything on the sides, the sound is very in the mids (but without being aggressive, I recognize it). When I put these headphones on after others, including the DT 770 which I also have but with a too V-shaped sound signature, I have the impression of listening to music in a tin can. I spent days trying to understand these headphones. Without succeeding. Each time I took it off to put another one that I find incredible, I felt like I was switching from a € 50 headset to a real headphones. I ended up reselling it, unable to find pleasure from the moment when the other was in comparison.
Rohan108
15
Feb 12, 2020
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EricdeBI guess my response to your questions would be:
Do i have good ears? Yes, probably.
Am I done differently? Yes, probably.
And this is the thing I've realised about audio - the one true thing: It's what sounds wonderful to you is what really matters.
I'm 47 years old now, and I can honestly say that my sound profile (ie the kind of sound I like from my headphones) has changed quite a lot since I was 27 years old. I still like a warm sound signature, leaning towards bass with a bit of meat on the bone. But my tastes have definitely moved towards a more analytical sound - hence my love affair with the DT770 Pros and the HE4XXs. I am leaning towards investing in a pair of Meze 99 Classics, or Philips Fidelio X2HR next. But that will be sometime away.
For example, I personally do not like the sound signature of the much venerated Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Yet there are hundreds of thousand of people out there who swear by them.
The 'tin can' phenomenon that you experienced with these headphones is not uncommon - it was the same for me at first. And, yes I was seriously disappointed. But after many days of burning-in time, and paired with a decent headphone amp they started to take on a vastly different character. I guess this is the thing. Are you willing to invest the burn-in time to experience the true sound signature of these headphones? Ultimately, even after all of that you might still be disappointed with these headphones - and I think that is perfectly alright.
For me, the HE4XX and DT770 Pros are like fine wines, you have to give them time to mature for their best flavours to be revealed.
If a V-shaped sound profile is not to your liking then I suggest trying out something like what Grado Labs offers. I have a pair of their SR80es and it's a very different signature - more midrange with recessed highs and lows. It's like listening to amazing live music on a great pair of horn speakers. I used to love how it sounded, until I spent more time with my DT770 Pros.
One of my best friends has used Grados for years - he has a few pairs. He sometimes DJs and produces songs, and is partially deaf in one ear, but he absolutely swears by his Grados.
My advice is, go with what you find incredible - if it puts a smile on your face then it is right for you.
(Edited)
EricdeB
17
Feb 12, 2020
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Rohan108I do not know why, my answer does not appear ... I start again.
I said I was about the same age as you. I'm going to be 47 in May. And I like the same things. The detail (I make music and record, I like to go into the details of the mix), my DT 770 which I like very much and V-shaped sound profile. The Fidelio (149 € on Amazon at the moment, a bargain) responds exactly to what I expect in recreational listening, especially after a few days of burning. For me the Hifiman was the reverse of all that. Very low basses, too many mids, no nice stereophony, no space. Nothing was right. On the other hand yes, I certainly did not burn it enough. I regret it moreover. I should have waited another good week to sell it. But it would have taken a miracle for it to change to the point of pleasing me. So I may have received a less well-made copy, I don't know. In any case, yes, I will try the planar again. Either the people who love the Hifiman have never listened to anything in direct comparison (and there is something else than the HD6XX and HD58X to which to compare them! It looks like there is only the Sennheiser), These are I doubt, or I missed something ...
Rohan108
15
Feb 13, 2020
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EricdeBWelcome to the 47 Club!
It is possible that they sent you a dud pair of the HE4XX - this is disappointing as mine seem just fine and get better over time. Yes the bass is not as deep and beautiful and the treble not as ping-sharp as the as the DT770 Pros, but I find the mids and soundstage very sweet - the vocals are definitely sweeter with the HE4XX. A good balance of all the good stuff. But perhaps you and the HE4XX were just not meant to be.
Oh, I must add that plugged straight into my MacBook Pro the HE4XX sounds ok - nothing impressive. But once it's plugged into my Sabaj PHA3 tube amp, then it just becomes alive and truly enjoyable. So I guess the amplification source matters to whether you're gonna love them or hate them.
Yes, perhaps many other HE4XX owners have not compared them to the likes of the Sennheisers. I like the Sennheiser sound, but I far prefer the Beyerdynamic sound and ethos - it just works better for my ears.
Linsoul has just launched a very interesting and beautiful looking new open-back dynamic headphone - The Helios by HarmonicDyne, which is about the same cost as the HE4XX ($129 early-bird price on IndieGogo): https://www.linsoul.com/pages/harmonicdyne-helios
I think this is perhaps worth looking into - I'm tempted but my wife will most certainly give me that "Do you really need another headphone?" look. It's quite an endless and costly rabbit hole this audiophile addiction. The never-ending search for that perfect sound.
Right now I am having a lot of fun with my HE4XX - and that's a good thing if listening to your music becomes more fun and less analytical.
:)
PS: I stumbled upon this good review of the HE4XX - where the reviewer states "The Burn-In Is Real": https://tlrtechnology.com/2019/11/13/hifiman-he4xx-review-your-first-dive-into-planar-headphones/
(Edited)
EricdeB
17
Feb 13, 2020
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Rohan108Mmmmpfff... I seem to have made a mistake by selling them. Grrr... That said, I still find it hard to imagine that they could have changed so radically. But I still have some regrets :( What the journalist writes looks exactly like what I felt. I also felt it on the Fidelio that I almost sold. Yet it has become extraordinary. Some advise 50 to 150 hours. I have already felt an improvement after one night. By cons I do not remember that the DT 770 has changed so much. It was good from the start in my memories.
I laughed a lot when you mentioned the probable reaction of your wife !!! Mine is the same ;) And I'm like you. I always want to try something else, test, over and over. If I listened to myself I could open a HiFi shop!
The Helios looks superb !!! I will inquire. I sold the Hifiman, I have to replace it!
(Edited)
Rohan108
15
Feb 14, 2020
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EricdeBI hear you. I wish I could open a HiFi shop too. But my wife would divorce me ha ha ;)
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