Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
HawaiiR
133
Nov 30, 2017
Very curious about these, but also a bit hesitant since my last HiFiman purchase, the 350's, were complete garbage. I don't mind paying for a quality product, but are these worth it, or should I wait for the next Sennheiser 600 or 700 drop? Do these sound better than the ATH-M50 at least? My mid - price range cans include the previously mentioned M50, Sony MDR v-6, and Beyerdynamic DT 770. That said, are the HE4XX a pair that might impress me? I know that's objective, but it's good to get thoughts from the community regardless ...
MarcusM
1
Nov 30, 2017
HawaiiRI just got mine and to do a direct comparison with my M50: when running them off of a standard computer output or the like, the M50 and HE4xx are too close to call but with a nice headphone amplifier I think the HE4xx lows become more articulate and precise, less pronounced than the m50 (to be expected of an open enclosure) but a welcome difference in my opinion since I am a fan of open headphones like Grado.
HawaiiR
133
Nov 30, 2017
MarcusMThanks for that feedback. Yeah, I do have a Schiit headphone amp - sadly just blew one of the drivers on my favorite cans (ATH-AD2000) with them, but I've clearly learned my lesson!
I guess the question (for me) now is, do I want to spend $200 on these 4XX's, or save for something better than my AD2000's - and the next step up for me, I think, would be something along the lines of the HD800 or HD800S ... hmmm. Headphones are such a black hole for your wallet!
MarcusM
1
Nov 30, 2017
HawaiiRThey certainly are. Good luck finding your next cans.
ScroogeMcDuck
257
Dec 1, 2017
HawaiiRI just got my 4xx and so far really impressed. As for "stepping" up to Sennheiser HD800 a higher price does not = more enjoyable. For instance a few months ago I went to a big NYC store and listened to my DAP through a huge range of headphones including Senns, Beyer, AKG, Grado and more and wound up buying the Hifiman Edition S, their only non-planar headphone (now on Amazon at $129, 20 less than I paid) because to me they sounded hands down best. Just my 2 cents.
HawaiiR
133
Dec 1, 2017
ScroogeMcDuckYeah totally understood. I'm willing to take the risk though. I'll probably end up going back on HeadFi to get some suggestions. I love my AD2000's, but nothing I've purchased so far has really come close. I think Audeze might be another good choice for me... we'll see.
By the way, what shipping option did you choose for the 4xx, and how quickly did they arrive? Considering upgrading shipping, but not sure if they'll actually get here in 4 -5 days.
ScroogeMcDuck
257
Dec 1, 2017
HawaiiRI bought thmeon the drop a few months ago. Originally not supposed to ship till December but I guess they finished early.
GrizzledGeezer
50
Dec 1, 2017
HawaiiRYou mean subjective... If you like the MDR V6 -- which was designed specifically to have emphatic bass -- you probably won't like the HE4XX. It is not the purpose of any piece of audio equipment to provide a pleasing or involving experience. The recording is supposed to do that.
HawaiiRSame deal here, I bought the 350s and hated them, but then I got the HD6XX and they were awesome, but i'm skeptical about trying these. I hear they sound pretty great though...
HawaiiR
133
Dec 1, 2017
vegetarianeaterYeah I considered getting the HD6XX as well, but ended up pulling the trigger on the 4XX. Guess it's time to sell the 350's and DT 770, then use the funds towards the next round of HD6XX if mass drop has one.
Z0d1Ac
251
Dec 1, 2017
HawaiiRI don't have a dac/amp yet, but the he-4xx sounds really bad on my mobo audio. Very dull and stuffy.
Testing my 6xx and they sound much better.
HawaiiR
133
Dec 1, 2017
Z0d1AcArgh. Just ordered them earlier today. Guess I'll have to wait and see. I have an amp, so hopefully that'll make a difference. This is probably the last chance I'll give to HiFiMan, considering how terrible the 350's were.
djfluffkins
157
Dec 2, 2017
HawaiiRI mean... the 350s don't really compare to these given just the technology that's in them.
That being said, I think the 6xx is an all around better set of cans, but if you like your bass clarity without overwhelming power these do provide a better result as far as that goes.
In terms of planars I rate these as 80% the performance of a M1060 at 50% of the price. That being said they're also less fun than EL-8 Titanium closed backs. It's an embarrassment of riches. I do think you'll enjoy these much more than the M50s. I personally only have M50s because they're closed back and very compact, otherwise they're just not as enjoyable.
HawaiiR
133
Dec 2, 2017
djfluffkinsI'm surprised at how much praise the M1060's are getting. I used to be a huge supporter of MonoPrice until I started to realize how terrible their products were. I've had failed RCA's, power outlets, XLR cables, adapters, HDMI cables, etc, etc. ... that said, I'm very hesitant on dishing out $300 to them. Maybe I can convince a friend buy them so I can listen... haha.
Z0d1Ac
251
Dec 2, 2017
HawaiiRI am listening to my k7xx right now. I am going though a playlist with hip hop pop songs (trancey). I would say I like the 6xx better. 6xx sounds more musical and more bass. k7xx has more soundstage and good separation (less in your face). k7xx still sounds good tho.
he-4xx sound dull and boring. maybe when I get my amp it will help. they kind of remind me of the garbage m50x just with actual good quality tho.
HawaiiRThe m1060's don't get praised in many circles; on-line reviews have been very mixed.
REVMAD
107
Dec 2, 2017
HawaiiRMonoprice is turning around their quality issues the M1060 had problems when released MonoPrice exchanged and fixed the quailty issues. that being said i still have concerns the M1060 are very good for the price, and every time i see someone say something like this " I rate these as 80% the performance of a M1060 at 50% of the price " i run and put mine on to see what i missed i also own hd650, hd6xx, he4xx, tx-0, he350, hd558, isine 20. The M1060 are good cans and you can't beat them for the price ,but lets not (overhype them)
ProfessorPat
380
Dec 2, 2017
REVMADAre they the greatest thing ever? No. They have glaring build quality issues, they are hit or miss from pair to pair, and they have a pretty obvious lack of development in certain areas. That said, you just said you can’t beat them for the price. Sounds like a recommendation to me, albeit a weak and implied one.
I’m not saying they need to be praised and tried by everyone, but they’re good enough to warrant the praise they do get (along with a lot of the hate they get).
On top of that, I don’t disagree one bit in that HE4XX comparison. The 4XX is underwhelming if you ask me. Better built, and probably more consistent from one pair to the next, but my M1060 is definitely better to my ears. But where the HE4XX stands among other options isn’t really taken into consideration there. I’m just comparing the two.
HawaiiR
133
Dec 2, 2017
REVMADI’ve been very curious about the 650 and the 6xx. If you had to pick between the two, which would it be, and why? and would you recommend either/both over the he4xx? I know they each have their own sound signatures, but I very curious about hearing other people’s thoughts and feedback on them.
HawaiiR
133
Dec 2, 2017
Z0d1AcI actually like my M50 and MDR V6, simply because they have a very clean neutral sound. They’re not my favorites, but I prefer those over Momentum and P5’s that I bought for my wife, and their half the price. I guess im fine without the heavier low end. ... that reminds me, I need to burn in my 770’s a bit more. Totally forgot about them after a week of listening. Oops.
REVMAD
107
Dec 2, 2017
HawaiiRfor the most part the hd6xx are very close replicas of the hd650, my hd650 are about 5yrs old and i love them. I bought the hd6xx because of news about the hd660's which im waiting for inital reviews to come out on that being said if you are any way interested in the hd650 buy the hd6xx and save some money you wont regret it.. and yes i recommend both over the he4xx . with the exception of bass extension the i prefer the hd650 wait dont get me wrong the he4xx are not bass head cans either but the bass lets say is more controlled.
Randingo
30
Dec 3, 2017
HawaiiRWhen I got my HE-350s, I would have agreed with your assessment. But those cans totally transformed after ~250 hours of burn in. They’re still not my favorite ‘phones, but they are worth keeping around for a number of reasons, and if you see some of my other comments from around the time I got them, that’s a huge difference from all my initial impressions. I‘m definitely going to try the 4xx, but I won’t comment at all about them until they’re burned in for at least a couple hundred hours.
HawaiiR
133
Dec 7, 2017
REVMADDecisions, decisions! Bought them both...LOL
HawaiiR
133
Dec 7, 2017
RandingoYeah, I've read the same from a few others. I did burn the 350's in for a while (maybe 40-50 hours), but I don't think it was enough. Just started another round of the same, doing 24 hours of the 350's and 24 hours of my DT 770's which I'm also unimpressed with (and I totally forgot I had).
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile