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HIFIMAN HE-400i Planar Magnetic Headphones
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HIFIMAN HE-400i Planar Magnetic Headphones
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Product Description
HIFIMAN has taken its HE-400 series to new heights. Introducing the HE-400i: a pair of planar magnetic headphones optimized for critical listening and uncompromising comfort Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downmichabarlev
163
Oct 2, 2020
I really don't see the point, at this price buy the new HE-400i
https://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-HE400i-2020-Version-Professional/dp/B08BC5CM9N/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=he400i&qid=1601645549&sr=8-3
:-(
Antykain
45
Nov 15, 2020
michabarlevI actually do not care for the 2020 version tbh.. it's mainly the headband. I much prefer the older version with the leather comfort strap the the HE-400i that is here on Drop. Just feels better on my head than that bulky thing on the 2020 version.
I really wish my HE-5XX had the leather comfort strap, as well.. lol
fylihy
149
Sep 16, 2020
Are you shitting me?
$4 cheaper than the new and improved 2020 version? You are asking people to pay nearly the same price for the old version as the new version!
Drop has had some bad deals in the past, but this is misleading and shitty. What a fucking joke. Anyone who buys this needs to get an eval done. In fact, at this point, I can't really recommend buying from Drop at all.
Rowdy2026
803
Oct 3, 2020
Nothing of note is beneficial...that’s what makes the op’s comment such a whinge fest.
Antykain
45
Nov 15, 2020
fylihyOld version is better.. just a fyi. Internals/specs same (?), but the old version with the leather comfort strap headband is far more comfortable than that new version being used. I wish HiFiMAN would have stayed with the comfort strap style headband.
(Edited)
Thesesuck
126
Sep 15, 2020
"Introducing the HE-400i: a pair of planar magnetic headphones optimized for critical listening and uncompromising comfort." Written as if these are brand new to the market and never before seen instead of being honest and just saying "Hifiman needs to dump a bunch of old inventory." Given that the 2020 version was just released, it would appear at face value that the "introducing" bullshit is intended to mislead people into thinking that they are getting the version that was just released rather than the one that comes with a free 3 inch coating of dust from the box sitting on the shelf for the past few years.
I'd like to think I'm wrong but anymore Drop is just a QVC wannabe so I doubt it.
ultlaman
82
Sep 14, 2020
Hifiman came out with HE400i 2020 version at $170. I guess Hifiman is trying to purge the old cans? but then price isn't so compelling...
PeteMtl
445
May 5, 2021
I must say that the difference is not night and day. The HD6XX is slightly warmer sounding, because of the mid bass bump, and has slightly better mids (difficult to have better mids and mid tonality than HD650/6XX/600 in my opinion at any price point). The HE400i has better spatial imaging, it is wider sounding, more open sounding. Highs (5khz up to 12khz are more emphasized) on the HE400i. The bass on the HE400i is cleaner, faster, drier. On the HD650/6XX, the bass is warmer, slower, emphasized in mid bass as said before. But don’t loose sight here that both headphones have similar balanced and relatively neutral sound, and sound overall somewhat similar, prioritizing sound quality and balance over power and bassy sound. These are not Beats or Bose for sure, they are affordable high fidelity audiophile headphones.
GuyInPittsburgh
509
Nov 26, 2020
It's back....Hifiman must have a really big warehouse full of old inventory to dump somewhere.
Roxsteady
53
Mar 3, 2021
Whack. Better off buying the 2020's. I was hoping they brought some restock of some AKGs. We've had a lot of Hifiman rounding this site already.
Garbage_the_Cat
22
Apr 13, 2021
RoxsteadyMind if I ask what the difference between these and the 2020’s is? Is it just the headband? I know I keep reading other people say that the 2020’s is the way to go
postwarscars
1367
Apr 13, 2021
Garbage_the_CatIt's basically because of the headband and yoke, which I think is better than the old model. I've personally never had an issue there, though their hybrid pads fell apart on me after roughly a year.
NEXONUS
269
Apr 20, 2021
Not only are these succeeded by the 2020 model. Hifiman already discontinued the 2020 model and released the new HE400SE international edition (not the old chinese ver) that has the same stealth magnet tech as the Susvara for $150. Is there a point in buying these over the new model anymore?
PeteMtl
445
May 4, 2021
The 4ft supplied cable on the HE400i was too short. I bought an aftermarket cable on Amazon, 9ft from New Neomusica, but it is good and was cheap to buy, around 20$ if I recall. It’s far better than the supplied cable.
(Edited)
jbcalbears5150
28
Jan 22, 2023
NEXONUSJust in case anyone else is wondering about this question, I have tried the HE400se, He400i (both 2016 and 2020 versions), and the HE4XX, as well as many Hifiman headphones all the way up the chain, and aside from the OG HE400, the 2016 HE400is are my favorites from the HE400 series. The 400se is a much drier sounding headphone that comes across as a bit more neutral in comparison. The 4XX is a warmer sounding headphone that sounds a bit veiled and seems tonlose some of the detail especially through the mids. The 2020 version of the HE400i sounds nearly identical to the 2016 with some very minor differences that are so small that they aren't even audible on many tracks, but they are significantly less comfortable than the 2016 version with the suspension headband. I also think the HE400i scales with better signal chains to a greater extent than the HE400se, though I can't comment on how the HE4XX scales because I didn't get as much time with varied gear when I had them around.
If I was looking to purchase an HE400 headphone today and wasn't willing to pickup a used OG HE400, then I would definitely buy my 2016 HE400is all over again without a doubt. I actually like them quite a bit more than the HE5XX. That said, with versions if the HE560 and the Sundaras available for under $300 brand new these days, it makes sense to start with them *if* your budget allows (I prefer the HE560s and find the Sundaras a bit too bright, but that's for another post). The 2016 HE400is are still a very relevant headphone in today's market and they're a great, exceptionally comfortable budget planar.
***Disclaimer: All of this is just my opinion based on my experiences and, as with anything in audio and head gear, YMMV.
Chris_T
18
Sep 14, 2020
This is going to be a tough sell. Today Joshua Valour also just did a first impressions of the HE400i 2020 edition and they are priced at $169 brand new. Is that what these are? Pictures show the original 400i, so I doubt it.
Pmtski45
61
Sep 17, 2020
You can order them from HiFiMan and get them a lot quicker than here as well. Not shipping for another month, if its not delayed.
PeteMtl
445
Sep 18, 2020
Chris_TI agree. Considering the availability of the HE400i-2020 and the Drop HE-4XX, I think that a price of 129$ for these end of line HE-400i would have been better justified. In my opinion the HE400i at 165$ remains a fair price for the sound and qualities of this headphone, just maybe not the best deal considering the existence of the HE400i-2020 and the HE4XX at comparable pricing.
(Edited)
PabloMtz
4
Sep 14, 2020
What is the difference between the 400i and the 4xx? Any have them or have listened to both?
JJDeviloper
191
Sep 17, 2020
I agree although 400i has a definitive planar tone with audibly accentuated mids. 4XX tone is more dark and neutral even when sparkly and bassy. 400i is a stereotypical planar. It defines at least the baseline of what planars should be. Compared to Audeze where minor concentration is required to notice it's a planar.
(Edited)
phoenixsong
1055
Oct 24, 2020
PabloMtzApart from what others have mentioned, 400i has a more prominent treble spike to my ears too. I own both :)
AJCxZ0
0
Oct 6, 2020
As the owner of the second of the three versions of this HE400i (with the 2.5mm TS connectors) I can recommend it as a great choice for a first big planar. I've had no problems with it: the headband, strap, yokes and pad swaps have all worked perfectly for the years I've had it.
For reasons others have pointed out (i.e. the 2020 model and the 4XX) and the 2020 model open box price from HiFiMAN, not to mention the used market and other headphones in this price range, this seems a bit high.
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