expiredDesertGardener | Staff posted Dec 12, 2023 05:15 PM
Item 1 of 4
Item 1 of 4
expiredDesertGardener | Staff posted Dec 12, 2023 05:15 PM
HIFIMAN HE400se Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Open-back Wired Headphones (B-Stock)
+ Free Shipping$59
$149
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AKG K702's are considered to have among the widest soundstage of any headphone, but they have a slightly boosted midrange. I personally find that boost ideal for acoustic guitar, classical, synth pads, and soft jazz-like music. Bass is a little weak to my ears even boosted with an iFi amp with x-bass. The 400se is said to have an average soundstage and a small dip in mids ofter 1KHz. The AKG K702 is a little controversial. Some love it; some don't. It's a sizzling, airy headphone if I had to describe it in a couple words.
The Sennheiser 6XX has a more flat midrange whereas the Hifiman headphones usually have a dip after about 1000Hz. The soundstage on the 6XX is considered by some to be below average while the 400se represents the average. Neither is very controversial. Both have a sound most people enjoy. The Hifiman build quality is often maligned; the Sennheiser build quality is most often praised.
In short, the 400se is considered to be a very good sounding headphone. Build quality is questionable historically, but some think it is worked out. Open backs are more comfortable for listening for longer periods, and they have the potential to have wider sounding soundstages where it sounds like things are happening outside of your head, but they usually lack bass heavy tone that you might be accustomed to from closed back headphones.
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Also, as these are 32 ohm, you'll most likely want some type of amp to drive them. I think at this point it might not be *necessary*, but with planars you'll want it anyhow.
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AKG K702's are considered to have among the widest soundstage of any headphone, but they have a slightly boosted midrange. I personally find that boost ideal for acoustic guitar, classical, synth pads, and soft jazz-like music. Bass is a little weak to my ears even boosted with an iFi amp with x-bass. The 400se is said to have an average soundstage and a small dip in mids ofter 1KHz. The AKG K702 is a little controversial. Some love it; some don't. It's a sizzling, airy headphone if I had to describe it in a couple words.
The Sennheiser 6XX has a more flat midrange whereas the Hifiman headphones usually have a dip after about 1000Hz. The soundstage on the 6XX is considered by some to be below average while the 400se represents the average. Neither is very controversial. Both have a sound most people enjoy. The Hifiman build quality is often maligned; the Sennheiser build quality is most often praised.
In short, the 400se is considered to be a very good sounding headphone. Build quality is questionable historically, but some think it is worked out. Open backs are more comfortable for listening for longer periods, and they have the potential to have wider sounding soundstages where it sounds like things are happening outside of your head, but they usually lack bass heavy tone that you might be accustomed to from closed back headphones.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank xen-xi
I'm not exactly a huge fan of this headband style and can hear a little creaking from the one on the Edition XS depending somewhat randomly on the day, the angle they're on my head or something else. They always feel a little less stable on my head than some other headphones too.
The 400i (and I assume these) don't really have the sound stage, imaging, and separation that define some of higher end Hifimans IMO. I feel like the sound stage was still a little wider than the 6XX but vocals weren't as nice to listen to. You still get the fast response of planars though.
with these head bands, $20 they're that bad.
With proper headbands these are worth ... $160
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with these head bands, $20 they're that bad.
With proper headbands these are worth ... $160
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