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Timpboy1
0
Apr 5, 2018
I'm a little confused about where this headphone stands in the the HIFMAN 400 continuum. I have an early version of the plain 400's. I think it was the second iteration. Is this pretty much the same headphone, or are there fairly significant sonic/comfort changes that would make these an upgrade? I'm not really unhappy with the 400's for what they are - they are on the heavy side for me and it would be nice if they needed less power to sound their best - but I'm more interested in making a real sonic upgrade. If the only real advantage is the earpads, I assume I'd be better off replacing those on the 400s I already have. Thanks in advance for any insight.
TheChrisAge
31
Apr 6, 2018
Timpboy1These are lighter, more comfortable and not as bass heavy.
DARKWAV
8
Apr 6, 2018
Timpboy1 Best I can tell looking at the entire "400" lineup, the 400i is the next iteration of the original 400 with new headband design and improved drivers. The 400s is the more affordable version of the 400i aimed towards the mobile user, same new headband style but with less expensive materials and drivers for both cost and weight savings. In my view, the 4XX appears as though it COULD have been the next iteration of the 400 before the 400i came out. So you take a 400 and maintain the original headband style with some improvements for durability and improved drivers to get to the 4XX.
In my mind though, I would argue the 4XX is the best of the group since it resolves some durability issues from the original design without having the shortcomings of the new headband design (I'm looking at you, plastic yokes!), but benefitting from a newer driver that could be the same or at least similar to the one in the 400i. I kind of like the older more classic style though I would have considered getting a 400i due to aggressive pricing on Amazon if HIFIMAN had made the thing with metal yokes.
There is a YouTube video that compares all four version of the 400 series . According to that reviewer, the sonic signature in terms of treble/mid/bass performance, detail, and soundstage is somewhere between the 400i and 400s; that is to say it has some sonic characteristics similar to one or the other and NOT meant to imply that overall sound quality indicates an overall good-better-best ranking between the 3 newer models (400s, 4XX, 400i).
mike-y
59
Apr 10, 2018
Timpboy1from the reviews I've read, these are closer to the 400i than the original 400. The concensus is that they aren't as heavy on bass, but the bass extension is still very good and more clear than the 400. Highs aren't as sparkly as some of the older 400 series headphones, but again, still very present and detailed. I can't compare them to the old HiFiman products, but I can say that I am extremely happy with these, and I love listening to them. I run them from a headphone amp connected to my pc, and prefer a little bit of EQ to slightly boost the lower end to add a bit more bump. But the overall clarity and detail of the bass is amazing, even if they don't hit as hard as some other headphones. The earpads are super comfy, and the build quality is great at this price range.
Timpboy1
0
Apr 10, 2018
Timpboy1Thanks to all of you who replied. I’ll probably go for them if they are offered again.
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