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listener-reviews t1_iu4hc4t wrote

As someone who also had these two back to back... I have no idea how people are recommending the HE400SE. 560S sounds like a normal headphone (flawed sure, but normal) while the 400SE sounds broken in more ways than one.

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slooploop2 OP t1_iu4jbvd wrote

I’ll be honest, I was way nicer about the HE400SE than I actually feel because I didn’t want to put off too many people new to the hobby that stumble across this review if they happen to see it, but it legitimately felt like a chore to use the HE400SE. Every time I caught myself thinking, “Okay this is $109 maybe my standards are too high,” and put on my KSC75 as a sanity check I cursed at how much less terrible the KSC75 is. My partner’s wireless Bose headphones sounded more normal. As someone who legitimately was a big fan of Hifiman stuff in the past, I can’t believe how disappointed I was in the HE400SE.

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SiegwardZwiebelbrudi t1_iu4illa wrote

> 400SE sounds broken in more ways than on

Knowing Hifiman it probably was broken in more ways than one. I own a HE400Se, run it from a Dx3pro+ and its one of the nicer headphone experiences i had. (with very basic eq, little bass little 2k bump)

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slooploop2 OP t1_iu4jj6m wrote

I don’t think the problems were FR-related; it generally followed the same curve subjectively as every other modern Hifiman I’ve heard, but the intangibles are so, so bad.

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VizFlux t1_iu4vs3q wrote

I tried various releases of the HE-400 series, including some of the more recent versions. The 400i, 400S, 4xx, 400 (2020), and 400SE. I haven't enjoyed my time with any of the drivers, and have been happier purchasing non-functional units for headband assembly parts rather than enjoying "cheap thrills" of Hifiman.

After reading the review, I found a lot of OP's comments about the frequency response ring true for me as well. Having a deep recession to get a boost to the soundstage doesn't appeal to me relative to the veil that vocal overtones experience when the fundamental frequency is so dominant.

I don't use as much EQ on budget headphones because of the subjective downgrade in dynamism, due to the limited technical ability of said headphones, becoming ever more present when listening critically. I would rather save up and buy a headphone that checks more boxes for me, or get a cheaper headphone that will work with dongles and cheap portable gear.

It seems we won't agree, because of one reason or another. If it's QC, why should a consumer have to mull through a lottery or RMA a headphone multiple times in order to get a "good unit" in hand? On the other hand, I'm invalidated by not being willing to accept a handful of budget headphones as "good enough" when my surrounding gear is so tailor-made for what I like to listen to.

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PH-GH95610 t1_iu55hbv wrote

Everybody id different with different taste. I own DT880 and HE400SE I think both are really good. Also depends on music you are listening to. I dont use them for DNB or simolar genres. But for Jazz, vocals - they are amazing.

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Addo76 t1_iu60ccd wrote

The 400SE headband felt like it was trying to cut into my brain so...there's that

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nadtorus t1_iu7pshd wrote

Can you elaborate what do you mean by "broken"?

I have HE400se, it's been a roller coaster experience in the first week I was using it. It sounds distorted in the low end and sounds like broken headphones in several songs even in relatively low volume. Even I had a little imbalance. BUT I decided to give it some time, andd it's getting better and better in sound quality (not the tuning wise because that could be my brain just adapted to its sound. But I like the tuning since the first time I was using it nonetheless). I don't know why but the distorted sound and imbalance isssue has been gone completely. I didn't really trust the burn-in methods in headphones but it seems it's more impactful in planar headphones (yeah HE400se is my first planar).

My point is, if your 'sounds broken' experience is similar to me (and you have returned the unit), maybe you just didn't give it more time to it. But if your experience is completely different, I'd like to know more! Thanks.

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