Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones Discussions | Drop

Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones

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Jun 17, 2020

So, I ordered these as my first "real" pair of headphones and I'm absolutely ecstatic! (Though, Drop says ship date is in August... boo to that.) Basically my questions is, will a Schitt Magni 3+ suffice for these? Or should I step it up to a Vali? I read that solid state amps work best for these headphones, and the Vali, while more expensive, is a tube amp. Also, the Magni 3+ is a little more powerful than the old Magni 3, and from what I've read more powerful than most other amps in the same price range. My budget isn't endless, so while I can get a Vali, if a Magni 3+ will work well, I'd prefer to stay with that.

(Edited)

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Jun 17, 2020

TLemelinWhile I don't have a Schitt Magni, I use an inexpensive fxaudio dac-x6 amp and the 4xx sounds great. So , I think you're Schitt will work well.

Jun 17, 2020

eatkinolaThanks! I appreciate the fast response.

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ericgphotography

Jun 17, 2020

TLemelinMagni 3+ should have plenty of power. I have a JDS Atom and it powers these as loud as I want.

(Edited)

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MyTechTrip

Jun 17, 2020

ericgphotographyPlease don't get duped my audio marketing. Audio marketing can easily dupe people. "i added 18 crystal oscillators which will reduce distortion, increase power distribution, and give you blowjobs in your sleep." The amps schiit sells don't increase in quality just because of the price. Although if you're PERSONALLY selling a "high quality item" just charge more otherwise it confuses customers. Jds atom/dac would probably be more respected if it cost $500 for the stack instead of $200. People just assume $$$=quality which it doesn't. Jds higher priced items test worse....

(Edited)

ericgphotography

Jun 20, 2020

MyTechTripI agree. I have the JDS Atom dac+amp paired with the 4xx and will probably stay here for awhile.

Evie_Usagi

Jun 22, 2020

TLemelini would say that Schiit Magni 3+ is overkill if this is your introduction to the hobby. A DAC-X6 DAP/AMP is more than enough.

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Jun 22, 2020

Evie_UsagiThanks! I'll check it out. I don't find myself in need of a DAC though, so I don't know if this would just end up being "too much"? But my biggest concern is that I want to ensure I have something powerful enough to drive the planars.

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Jun 23, 2020

TLemelinWhile an FX-Audio DAC-X6 is a combined DAC/amp in a single form factor, it is less expensive ($65/amazon; but very well made) than most standalone DACs or amps. As I said, I use a DAC-X6 with my 4xx and think the pair sounds great; delivers plenty of power to these headphones. It probably won't win any audiophile awards but sounds great to me and that's all that matters. You could even try these headphones without an amp and see how they sound to you. If you don't like the way no-amped 4xx's sound, then try with an amp. Don't stress; just listen.

MyTechTrip

Jun 23, 2020

eatkinolaWell since it won't win any awards and we already know of dac/amps that test well, let's stick to those? I've used things that "sound great to my ear!" I don't recommend them though. Because we have better options. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/measurement-and-review-of-fx-audio-dac-x6-dac-compared-to-topping-d30-and-fiio-e10k.2097/ Meh testing, and that's from 2017. So in this case since the user is worried about amp power, we have multiple tested amps at the $100 range and the $70-80 E1da 9038s that we KNOW will do well not only for this but future applications. So jds atom, schiits amp (I know one of the $100 amps is more preferred), and I believe there could be 1 other that hits great specs that's fairly new. If he wants even more than that, balanced options are available like the thx 789, monoprice 889(dont quote me, amirs site is better for that), and the smsl sp 200?. So lots of known good options.

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Jun 23, 2020

MyTechTripNot everyone wants to spend that much money, and I stand by my comment to vote with the ears. Get something you can return if you don't like it! I don't read too much into overly technical analyses; it is more important to me how it sounds.

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MyTechTrip

Jun 23, 2020

eatkinolaI'll agree with you on price. Keep in mind your brain can play extreme tricks in you. This is why we use science to measure. When we want to see who wins a race, we don't "trust our eyes" because chances are, two people watching the race will see two different winners, and happen to lean towards their picks. To give one example, I have a surround sound setup. I sometimes would remark how amazing and full the setup sounded. Only to realize I was literally listening to one speaker. Center channel. My mind just filled in the rest. I've had so many configurations of this happen, I now realize just how subjective our minds are. There are a billion studies on this stuff, ways you can trick the mind into not seeing reality. If you just want to trust what you see/hear we'd still think the world is flat.

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Jun 23, 2020

MyTechTripBut if something sounds good to me it sounds good to me. I listen to music because it makes me feel good, I like the way it sounds, not because I envision the frequency response, etc. as the music rolls along. I really don't know why you had to turn this into an argument. What is wrong with you? This forum is suddenly not a good feeling, over and out.

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MonetsChemist

Jul 16, 2020

TLemelinI don't know if you've come to any decisions, but in case not... I have had a pair of 4xx since late 2017, and I've driven them with a Fulla 2 and Magni 3 for much of that time. Both have plenty of drive for these headphones. In the last few months I've begun using the Magni 3 on low gain in order to have the volume control up far enough (let's say 10 o'clock-ish) to get good channel balance (like many volume potentiometers the one in the Magni 3 is not super well balanced at very low volumes). As far as I know the Magni 3+ has a bit more drive than the 3 so I cannot imagine how it could disappoint you. If you're convinced on this unit and want to save a few $ keep your eye on Schiit's B-stock and closeouts; as of this writing I see 3+ for $89 and 3 for $79

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Jul 16, 2020

MonetsChemistThanks!! I appreciate the input from someone who's used the pairing. I'm am still leaning toward the Magni 3+, even if it might be a little "overkill". Thanks for sharing the info about the B-Stock, I had no idea that existed! It's only 10 bucks off, but 10 bucks is Taco Bell for me and the wife! (With change leftover!) Did you pick up a different cable? I've read that what comes with the HE4xx isn't the best... so I'm curious.

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MonetsChemist

Jul 16, 2020

TLemelinI picked up a longer cable from Amazon (Canada) https://www.amazon.ca/NEOMUSICIA-Replacement-Hifiman-HE-400I-Headphone/dp/B06W57KB8B/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=OTTBZ7NNKMW0&dchild=1&keywords=hifiman+replacement+cable&qid=1594938371&sprefix=hifiman+replace%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOUZUU1JLOVFRTFRNJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzIzMzM1Mk1NUVJaVllFRk00SCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzA3Mzk3M0o1M1o2Vk1SMU9EOCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Pretty sure it's not "better" but it's more convenient in some cases - longer, with a straight plug (the HiFiMan comes with a 90° plug). Lots of fancy cables are more than the headphone itself... not ready for that yet. I should say that I REALLY like the 4xx, better than my HD6xx although that's a great headphone as well and lots better than my AKG K701, which is also decent but on the cool side. Kinda makes me want to move up the line but maybe not just now... I don't know what you're using for a DAC but if you don't have one and you're DAC curious, don't write off the Fulla. I will occasionally plug my Pixel 3 into the Fulla USB to listen to streaming radio, which sounds pretty great; and the Fulla is my travelling companion, assuming I ever go travelling again!

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Jul 20, 2020

MonetsChemistThanks for the info about the 6xx. I briefly considered them as well, but I really like the idea of the planar headphones. I think I'll be using the 4xxs in two different ways - Either plugged into my Denon so I don't bug my fiancée when I game or watch shows too much (which I would definitely need a longer cable for), or for music using whatever amp I get using either my Echobox Explorer or computer as the source (which I wouldn't need a longer cable for). I already use the optical from my computer to my speakers, so I'd have to go computer to DAC to speakers and amp, and then amp to headphones? Seems like too much going on, yanno? Not that I necessarily mind if it'll work out, but seems like overkill.

(Edited)

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