Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
- Exchange the 4XX's stock pads with much more comfortable Razer Gel Pads (Amazon item B07ZHJ4WCT), which also increase the ear-space area for improved comfort and significantly larger sound-stage. (To use any aftermarket pads, you will need to acquire the official HIFIMan Velour or Pleather pads and use their removable pad-attachment rings.)
- Purchase a good DAC and powerful headphone amplifier - preferably one that has a balanced-out... or can output about 1W into 32 Ohms. Planar magnetic headphones also require significantly more current (Volts).
- To run the headphones balanced (for increased power and channel separation), you will have to purchase a compatible balanced cable. Make sure the cable has the right connectors: The latest units have 3.5mm connectors, but the original run had 2.5mm earcup connectors.
- EQ can be added using a program called Equalizer APO. EQ-ing is not necessary, but sub-bass can be extended by lowering other frequencies. Load my profile (below) only if you are using an amplifier, as you will need the power
After performing these steps, the sound and comfort of the 4XX is significantly improved. I recommend trying these upgrades before purchasing the Edition XX... or any upscale headphone. To other prospective owners of the Edition XX: As impressive as the Edition XX looks (and most likely sounds), they are 3.5 times more expensive than the HE-4XX and feature the same headband system. Consider purchasing the HE-4XX and improving them (see above). I'm confident that you will be impressed with the results. EQUALIZATION Using a system-wide* sound modification program called Equalizer APO, I configured an EQ profile for the HE-4XX that subtracts everything but sub-bass... that extends flat to 30 Hz. Once installed, click on the green "+" and select 'Graphic Equalizer with variable bands'. Then copy-paste the following into the (pencil and paper) 'Edit text' bar: GraphicEQ: 30 0; 31 -1.05; 32 -1.8; 33 -2.35; 34 -2.82; 35 -3.2; 36 -3.52; 37 -3.78; 38 -4; 39 -4.17; 40 -4.32; 41 -4.44; 42 -4.55; 43 -4.63; 44 -4.7; 45 -4.78; 46 -4.83; 47 -4.88; 48 -4.92; 49 -4.97; 50 -5; 51 -5.1; 52 -5.2; 53 -5.3; 54 -5.4; 55 -5.5; 56 -5.6; 57 -5.7; 58 -5.8; 59 -5.9; 60 -6 Using the columns on the right side of the window (or within 'Edit text'), the frequencies/levels can be adjusted to taste. To deactivate the profile, click on the white 'profile active' button, and it will turn black. * When a profile is activated, all sounds that are played on your PC will be altered. (updated July 26, 2020)I highly recommend that all 4XX owners purchase ... combo unit like the soon-to-be-released Monoprice Monolith THX AAA DAC/amp hasn't heard the THX.
I recommend the portable FiiO Q1 mkII DAC/amp combo is recommending a low end, portable amp for planar headphones. Seems to only have experience with this FiiO.
To run the headphones balanced (for increased power and channel separation), you will have to purchase a compatible balanced cable Thinks that balanced, especially with a lower power, cheaply designed DAC/amp amp, is going to make any difference at all over short cable runs.
Why buy the Edition XX and plug it directly into your phone/computer... Seems to think that other people automatically plug audiophile grade headphones straight into a PC or phone jack. ________________________________ Stick with what you have experienced and what you have expertise in. Realise what you don't know, then spend more time addressing those gaps rather than spreading misinformation on the internet. Aside: The writer doesn't decide whether it's ""valuable advice" or not, it's the people reading it who decide. I've rarely seen so obviously displayed: "In the field of psychology, the Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people of low ability have illusory superiority and mistakenly assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is. The cognitive bias of illusory superiority comes from the inability of low-ability people to recognize their lack of ability. Without the self-awareness of metacognition, low-ability people cannot objectively evaluate their actual competence or incompetence." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
To owners of the HE-4XX: The 4XX has massive potential. My advice is to hold off buying the Edition XX for now... and perform the following steps:
- Exchange the 4XX's stock pads with Brainwavz XL Earpads (Hybrid, Suede, Pleather or Perforated Pleather models; sound affects of each coming soon) which, compared to the stock pads, will increase the ear-space area for improved comfort and sound-stage. I will differentiate each model's affect on the sound. To use any aftermarket pads, you will need to acquire the official HIFIMan Velour pads and use their removable pad-attachment rings (https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIFIMAN-Velour-Earpads-Headphone-replacement-Ear-pads-for-HIFIMAN-HE-Series/253238435364)
- Purchase a good DAC and powerful headphone amplifier - preferably one that has a balanced-out. (For those on a budget, I recommend the portable FiiO Q1 mkII DAC/amp combo).
- To run the headphones balanced (for increased power and channel separation), you will have to purchase a compatible balanced cable. Make sure the cable has the right connectors: the first 4XX units had 2.5mm earcup connectors... the latest units have 3.5mm connectors.
- And finally, load an EQ profile using a program called Equalizer APO. EQ-ing is not necessary, but do you like sub-bass?
After performing these steps, the 4XX will sound significantly better than in stock form. If you already own the 4XX, I recommend the above steps before purchasing the Edition XX, especially if you planned to use it directly with your phone or computer. While I can't be certain... It's possible that a modified, EQ'd, properly-powered 4XX could sound better than the Edition XX plugged into an average phone or computer. At the very least, I highly recommend that all 4XX owners purchase a powerful/balanced amplifier and quality DAC (or combo unit like the soon-to-be-released Monoprice Monolith THX AAA DAC/amp) that you can use with all headphones you acquire down the road. Compared to using your headphones (the 4XX especially) with your phone or computer, you will hear a substantialdifference. To other prospective owners of the Edition XX: As impressive as the Edition XX looks (and most likely sounds), they are 3.5 times more expensive than the (also planar magnetic) HE-4XX and feature the same headband system. Consider purchasing the HE-4XX and improving them (see above). I'm confident that you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. Brainwavz XL EarpadsPleather: Most bass impact/tightness, very clean and bright (best for modern pop) Perforated Pleather: Slightly less bass, more air/soundstage (best for orchestral/instrumental) Hybrid: More warmth, slightly less treble; (best for classic rock) Suede: Deadened sound (with reduced air and soundstage); neutral (best for general listening... and most pleasing to the touch) EQUALIZATION Using the Brainwavz XL Earpads and a system-wide* sound modification program called Equalizer APO, I configured an EQ profile for the HE-4XX that subtracts everything but sub-bass... that extends flat to 46 Hz. (More profiles will be added.) Once installed, click on the green "+" and select 'Graphic Equalizer with variable bands'. Then copy-paste the following into the (pencil and paper) 'Edit text' bar: GraphicEQ: 46 0; 48 -1; 50 -1.85; 52 -2.57; 54 -3.2; 56 -3.77; 58 -4.25; 60 -4.65; 62 -5; 64 -5.28; 66 -5.5; 68 -5.7; 70 -5.85; 72 -5.95; 74 -6 Using the columns on the right side of the window (or within 'Edit text'), the frequencies/levels can be adjusted to taste. To deactivate the profile, click on the white 'profile active' button, and it will turn black. * When a profile is activated, all sounds that are played on your PC will be altered.
www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hifiman-he400i-measurements-and-quick-impressions.1890
www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hifiman-he5-reissue-surprise-measurements.5534 This is one of my favorites and I wish more folks followed suit: www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/focal-utopia-pad-rolling.6327 Again, this was just a quick look on SBAF and there are tons of other avenues that have just as much or more information. As I stated above which you so pleasantly ignored, is that I have pad rolled and done other mods. I have used various pads from Dekoni, who also have measurements, for the TH900 and THX00 (with and without attn. rings), stock HFM, and ZMF pads as well as removed (and replaced) the foam inside the grills. I have not attempted to add any additional dampening. I've also used them out of some very powerful amps: iFi Pro iCAN and THX 789. So, as I stated prior, with my own experience, is that these honestly sound pretty damn good out of just a powerful amp. You have done none of this in your limited experience. Like I said above, I don't believe you had any ill intent, you have just made a lot of subjective claims without any objective proof and the information you're spreading is misleading as you are obfuscating the facts or downright making incorrect statements. Either way, I hope you take the time to actually read and understand what I have linked to. Maybe it'll give you some more insight into all the other pad options and mods that exist for this headphone. Either way, it's been a blast talking to you internet rando and I truly hope you have a wonderful day!
You said, "If anything, you have reduced the amount of flow by widening the opening." and "By opening the size of the earpad, you have diffused the sound making them less directed and "opening up the flow." When I I mention the stock pads are smaller and in effect have a tunneling effect, I mean exactly that. They funnel the sound in a much more controlled path with less diffusion. Hence, my analogy of an open, diffuse flow from a garden hose compared to a funneled, more focused effect like a water jet." These statements from you are patently absurd and factually incorrect. A smaller size earpad opening cannot 'direct' sound from a planar driver; it can only impede the sound. Smaller pad openings simply mean that less direct sound reaches the user's ears. Slightly 'increasing the distance and angles that sound has to travel to your ear' with the Brainwavz XL pads may 'increase the amount of pressure required... to match the same rate of flow of the stock pads'... which is more than offset by the fact that the ear openings are larger, allowing more direct sound to reach one's ears. "Like I have said over and over, this is basic physics and what you're still not comprehending." Oh, the irony! "I also love how you" tried to discredit me by saying that I 'lack experience' while glossing-over the fact that you were wrong about garden hoses and water jets when speaking about the relationship of earpad openings with planar magnetic drivers. Talk about misleading! Re: Editing my posts, I stated "OP corrected" and admitted you were "correct regarding the 4XX's bass response". I felt that it would be misleading to leave incorrect information, especially in the OP. I stand by my "silly things"... except for the last one, which I corrected to: "After performing these steps, the 4XX will sound significantly better than in stock form." Are you happy that I admitted to this edit? I have taken the time to provide advice to the many 4XX users (and prospective Edition XX buyers) that can be taken or left. What would I gain by deceiving anyone? Nothing. My claims are not "baseless". I am simply reporting what I am hearing, unconcerned with mathematical formulas. A pad-rolled HE4XX being pushed by a FiiO Q1 mkII (balanced) is a significantly less-expensive alternative to the Edition XX, especially if one already owns HE4XX. And one would still need to purchase a DAC/amp to properly use the Edition XX. It is Massdrop/HIFIMan who are 'misleading' when saying that "the Edition XX is easy to drive from your laptop or portable music player". You say I shouldn't "give others advice on a headphone variant [I] have no experience with" when you haven't heard the HEXX either. I have heard every benefit I am suggesting regarding the 4XX. Your lack of humility in this hobby is apparent. I hope you will accept that some people have a different approach to improving their audio enjoyment. Having said that, I will "take the time to listen to more higher end headphones and amplifiers". You had quite a bit to say about hoses and water jets. But anyone with a basic understanding of sound and physics will realize that I am correct regarding the affects of the size of earpad openings on sound emanating from a planar magnetic drivers. If anything, you only confused people. It seems you have "came to the wrong place" since I was able to explain that you did, in fact, 'put your foot in your mouth'. You also admitted that I will get the last word. Peace and love!
I owned the original iFi Micro iDSD, which I traded-up to the Black Label. In the same price range of the FiiO Q1 mkII, the Micca Origen+ sounded hazier and presented a smaller soundstage. That's exactly what I meant about not having experience with amps. They're all portables designed to meet a certain budget. If you've not heard high end gear (and by high end I mean designed with less an emphasis on cost constraint and form factor, and more for absolute sound quality), then you cannot in good conscience make value or performance comparisons to something like the Edition XX. I've heard the Edition X, but only briefly and in a noisy environment, so I'm not going to say that my own (properly) modded headphones wipe the floor with it. This would be like someone saying that an Aston Martin is not 'worth it' because they've owned a Ford Focus, a Jetta and a Mondeo.