HIFIMAN HE400se Headphones

[VSG]

HIFIMAN's tried-and-tested stealth magnets technology trickles down to the budget-friendly HE400se open-back, over-ear planar magnetic headphones. This is a well-tuned set that outperforms many others costing significantly more, and does so without many compromises. Oh, did I mention that it's less than $150?

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[ERazer]

thanks for the review I been looking for affordable planar headphone, the headphone doesn't have weak hinge like the drop HE4XX.

 

[VSG]

thanks for the review I been looking for affordable planar headphone, the headphone doesn't have weak hinge like the drop HE4XX.

Yeah those Drop x HIFIMAN headphones have a poor looking headband

 

[Mindweaver]

I need a replacement for my Sennheiser hd 518. I love them and hope they last another year or 2.. lol I was looking at the HD 559 or even the HD599. I wonder how these compare to my 518's? I picked the 518's because it doesn't take much to drive them and they sound really good.

 

[VSG]

I need a replacement for my Sennheiser hd 518. I love them and hope they last another year or 2.. lol I was looking at the HD 559 or even the HD599. I wonder how these compare to my 518's? I picked the 518's because it doesn't take much to drive them and they sound really good.

Looking at the frequency response for them, the HD 599 seems the most balanced of the lot with the trio joining the HD 598 in being a more mid-bass/warm set and damped treble response. If that's your jam then the HE400se might come off tame and shrill instead.

 

[Mindweaver]

Looking at the frequency response for them, the HD 599 seems the most balanced of the lot with the trio joining the HD 598 in being a more mid-bass/warm set and damped treble response. If that's your jam then the HE400se might come off tame and shrill instead.

Yeah, the 599 sound like it has everything I need, but I wonder how well they will do just using my 2.0 Bose speaker front out put. It has some amplification. It's not much but better than the on board.

 

[VSG]

Yeah, the 599 sound like it has everything I need, but I wonder how well they will do just using my 2.0 Bose speaker front out put. It has some amplification. It's not much but better than the on board.

Even a portable DAC/amp that is in the $50-100 range should be a safe better bet than that, speaker outs are usually just resistors in line with a higher power output so that's usually a bad move for headphones in general. That might be pushing you out of your budget though, so something like the HE400se with EQ might be more amenable?

 

[Mindweaver]

Even a portable DAC/amp that is in the $50-100 range should be a safe better bet than that, speaker outs are usually just resistors in line with a higher power output so that's usually a bad move for headphones in general. That might be pushing you out of your budget though, so something like the HE400se with EQ might be more amenable?

Yeah I'll probably pick up a DAC/amp to replace my speakers.. They take up to much room on my desk and I rarely use them. Thanks! You have me some good info to think about.

 

[VSG]

Yeah I'll probably pick up a DAC/amp to replace my speakers.. They take up to much room on my desk and I rarely use them. Thanks! You have me some good info to think about.

That will certainly help, and it's a good time for excellent value DACs and amps too. See if there are still any LNY sales ongoing if you are buying imminently.

 

[erocker]

I've had the 2020 HE400i's for a while now and I don't ever want to give them up! I've really used the crap out of them though and they're starting to get a bit beat up. These are such a bargain at $150.

 

[VSG]

I've had the 2020 HE400i's for a while now and I don't ever want to give them up! I've really used the crap out of them though and they're starting to get a bit beat up. These are such a bargain at $150.

You should be able to get replacement ear pads and get a new lease on life for those.

 

[Nuckles56]

I need a replacement for my Sennheiser hd 518. I love them and hope they last another year or 2.. lol I was looking at the HD 559 or even the HD599. I wonder how these compare to my 518's? I picked the 518's because it doesn't take much to drive them and they sound really good.

I've got a pair of the 599s (about 6 years old now) and they're pretty easy to drive, I've had no problems running them with any device I've tried to any volume I might want (including multiple phones) and even an external bluetooth receiver too. I agree with VSG that they're a little bit bass heavy, but that makes games, movies and pop/rock sound pretty good.
I probably need to look at a replacement now as they're starting to get a bit creaky at the hinges after the amount they've been worn.

 

[Kanan]

Would it be possible to review the Audeze LCD-GX? @VSG

 

[VSG]

Would it be possible to review the Audeze LCD-GX? @VSG

I can ask, but I am not sure it's a sample of interest for them given it's not a recent release. I have the Audeze LCD-5 and LCD-X to do first as well.

 

[Space Lynx]

@VSG planar has its own unique sound signature regardless of headphone from my experience. I may give these a go. i love my 58X, but I have been wanting a different sound signature for awhile now

 

[VSG]

@VSG planar has its own unique sound signature regardless of headphone from my experience. I may give these a go. i love my 58X, but I have been wanting a different sound signature for awhile now

Absolutely, planar headphones have a distinct timbre and bass output, as well as overall speed depending on the driver design. From the 58X, I might suggest going to the Sundara or the newer Edition XS (review coming soon) instead though, the HE400se might not be detailed enough to be an upgrade.

 

[Space Lynx]

Absolutely, planar headphones have a distinct timbre and bass output, as well as overall speed depending on the driver design. From the 58X, I might suggest going to the Sundara or the newer Edition XS (review coming soon) instead though, the HE400se might not be detailed enough to be an upgrade.

I just watched a review comparing Edition XS and Ananda, the said Edition XS beats Ananda with stock pads, but when Ananda gets Dekoni Fenestrated pads, Ananda beats Edition XS... this is one reason I left the hobby, its just maddening lol

That being said, Ananda plus those extra pads runs $300 more than XS and XS doesn't need a pad upgrade...

So... I am def very intrigued by this XS...

 

[Kanan]

I can ask, but I am not sure it's a sample of interest for them given it's not a recent release. I have the Audeze LCD-5 and LCD-X to do first as well.

I think one of those (not sure) are quite comparable to the LCD GX, so it would essentially cover it for me

 

[Space Lynx]

Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X Headphones Reviews | Audiophile | Headphones | Closed Back Headphones

Discover 356 Community discussions, tips, and reviews on Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X Headphones from the Audiophile enthusiast community on...

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these dan clark planars vs the edition XS would be the ones I decide between I think... been awhile since I been in this hobby, but yeah if I wanted this price range of headphone, I'd need to figure it out between those two... hmmm Edition XS is probably the winner

 

[VSG]

I just watched a review comparing Edition XS and Ananda, the said Edition XS beats Ananda with stock pads, but when Ananda gets Dekoni Fenestrated pads, Ananda beats Edition XS... this is one reason I left the hobby, its just maddening lol

That being said, Ananda plus those extra pads runs $300 more than XS and XS doesn't need a pad upgrade...

So... I am def very intrigued by this XS...

But you can get the same Dekoni pads on the Edition XS as well, so that's not going to change much in a straight comparison

I think one of those (not sure) are quite comparable to the LCD GX, so it would essentially cover it for me

The LCD-2C (https://www.techpowerup.com/review/audeze-lcd-2-classic-planar-magnetic-headphones/) and LCD-X should generally cover it yes.

Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X Headphones Reviews | Audiophile | Headphones | Closed Back Headphones

Discover 356 Community discussions, tips, and reviews on Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X Headphones from the Audiophile enthusiast community on...

drop.com

these dan clark planars vs the edition XS would be the ones I decide between I think... been awhile since I been in this hobby, but yeah if I wanted this price range of headphone, I'd need to figure it out between those two... hmmm Edition XS is probably the winner

No Dan Clark experience here unfortunately, but I plan to change that once I get over my pending backlog.

 

[Cooe]

Been waiting for this one! These are the second best value in ALL of open-back, over-ear headphones, and I expected nothing less positive from this review!

But if these are only 2nd, then what are ACTUALLY the BEST value you ask? Well, that'd be the also from HiFiMan, $330 hybrid wired AND wireless "Deva Pro's".

Why? Well, for just $330 total you're getting ->

1. A ≈$300 tier pair of wired planar open-back cans with drivers of a similar overall quality level as the $350 but wired only "2020 Sundara's" (but with VERY different, more warm + organic & less cold + hyper-analytical tuning).
AND
2. A normally $150 if bought ala-carte (aka, making the cans themselves basically just $180!!! O_O), 2nd Gen & now deliciously analog & tubeish sounding R2R based "Bluemini" combo R2R DAC + shockingly powerful amp + "high-res" (LDAC & aptX HD) Bluetooth receiver dongle.

And not only does said dongle work wirelessly, but it also works wired over USB just like any other DAC + amp! Hell, you can even use it with other sets of headphones using a female 3.5mm TRRS to 2x male 3.5mm TRS cable/adapter.

For a first time high end headphone buyer who doesn't already have a suitable DAC + amp setup, nothing comes even REMOTELY close to the Deva Pro's in terms of value. And that's without even considering the ridiculous flexibility such flagship tier but totally optional Bluetooth support gives them!

Now please go bug the everliving hell out of your HiFiMan contact to get a review pair of those and the equally awesome (but wired only) $500 "Edition XS"!!! Thanks!!!

 

[VSG]

Been waiting for this one! These are the second best value in ALL of open-back, over-ear headphones, and I expected nothing less positive from this review!

But if these are only 2nd, then what are ACTUALLY the BEST value you ask? Well, that'd be the also from HiFiMan, $330 hybrid wired AND wireless "Deva Pro's".

Why? Well, for just $330 total you're getting ->

1. A ≈$300 tier pair of wired planar open-back cans with drivers of a similar overall quality level as the $350 but wired only "2020 Sundara's" (but with VERY different, more warm + organic & less cold + hyper-analytical tuning).
AND
2. A normally $150 if bought ala-carte (aka, making the cans themselves basically just $180!!! O_O), 2nd Gen & now deliciously analog & tubeish sounding R2R based "Bluemini" combo R2R DAC + shockingly powerful amp + "high-res" (LDAC & aptX HD) Bluetooth receiver dongle.

And not only does said dongle work wirelessly, but it also works wired over USB just like any other DAC + amp! Hell, you can even use it with other sets of headphones using a female 3.5mm TRRS to 2x male 3.5mm TRS cable/adapter.

For a first time high end headphone buyer who doesn't already have a suitable DAC + amp setup, nothing comes even REMOTELY close to the Deva Pro's in terms of value. And that's without even considering the ridiculous flexibility such flagship tier but totally optional Bluetooth support gives them!

Now please go bug the everliving hell out of your HiFiMan contact to get a review pair of those and the equally awesome (but wired only) $500 "Edition XS"!!! Thanks!!!

I have the Edition XS here already, as well as the HE-R10 Dynamic, HE-R10 Planar, HE1000se, and the Susvara. The two HE-R10s are compatible with the Bluemini as well, which is fantastic I agree. It's a busy few months ahead!

 

[Cooe]

I have the Edition XS here already, as well as the HE-R10 Dynamic, HE-R10 Planar, HE1000se, and the Susvara. The two HE-R10s are compatible with the Bluemini as well, which is fantastic I agree. It's a busy few months ahead!

Really looking forward to the Edition XS review! That's my current wired beau atm whenever I'm at at the desk setup! IMO, it's basically just an Ananda with Stealth Magnets, a healthy V-shape "fun" tune instead of the former's stereotypical hyper-analyticalness, and ofc a MASSIVE price cut. (Plus an IMO more comfy headband, but this point is plenty controversial.)

And lol so literally the ONE HiFiMan set you are missing to review just happens to be IMO the SINGLE most revolutionary thing they've probably EVER released...

I'm just telling you man, the Deva Pro's as a complete package at just $330 are just THAT kinda levels of ABSURDLY UNBELIEVABLE VALUE!!! The now R2R based 2nd Gen Bluemini just kicks massive truckloads upon truckloads of ASS as both a wireless AND wired DAC + shockingly powerful amp, and the wireless audio quality is absolutely EARTH SHATTERING w/ hard locked Sony LDAC 990Kbps (the Deva Pro's need like MAX 30% volume, & I've driven even my most notoriously power hungry 600Ω Beyer's JUST FINE with the damn tiny thing... O_O [& ofc then w/ all of that deliciously analog & tube-esque R2R sound! ]).

The Susvara's are cool & all, you most DEFINITELY don't get to play with $6000 flagships very often so anyone but an idiot would JUMP at that chance, but the Deva Pro's? I legitimately think these are fundamental GAME CHANGERS for the ENTIRE enthusiast open-back headphone market on mass, and if not with this particular model, than with a future Deva/similar "Swiss Army Knife-esque" package. Just saying haha. Now go pester that HiFiMan rep just ONE last time again. I promise you won't regret the decision.

I have the Edition XS here already, as well as the HE-R10 Dynamic, HE-R10 Planar, HE1000se, and the Susvara. The two HE-R10s are compatible with the Bluemini as well, which is fantastic I agree. It's a busy few months ahead!

Also, I'm absolutely jealous as all HELL about that HE-R10P... You have absolutely NO FREAKING IDEA how much I lust after its delicious closed-back awesomeness!... Flagship planar bliss without pissing off everyone else on the train... sigh I can dream, right?... Hahaha xD. ESPECIALLY so considering it natively supports the Bluemini DAC + amp + Bluetooth dongles like the R2R Bluemini I've already got from my Deva Pro's!

(Which again, makes trying as hard as you can to get a review pair of Deva Pro's as well an even BETTER idea for you, as then you could test out the Bluemini support in your HE-R10P review! )

 

[VSG]

Really looking forward to the Edition XS review! That's my current wired beau atm whenever I'm at at the desk setup! IMO, it's basically just an Ananda with Stealth Magnets, a healthy V-shape "fun" tune instead of the former's stereotypical hyper-analyticalness, and ofc a MASSIVE price cut. (Plus an IMO more comfy headband, but this point is plenty controversial.)

And lol so literally the ONE HiFiMan set you are missing to review just happens to be IMO the SINGLE most revolutionary thing they've probably EVER released...

I'm just telling you man, the Deva Pro's as a complete package at just $330 are just THAT kinda levels of ABSURDLY UNBELIEVABLE VALUE!!! The now R2R based 2nd Gen Bluemini just kicks massive truckloads upon truckloads of ASS as both a wireless AND wired DAC + shockingly powerful amp, and the wireless audio quality is absolutely EARTH SHATTERING w/ hard locked Sony LDAC 990Kbps (the Deva Pro's need like MAX 30% volume, & I've driven even my most notoriously power hungry 600Ω Beyer's JUST FINE with the damn tiny thing... O_O [& ofc then w/ all of that deliciously analog & tube-esque R2R sound! ]).

The Susvara's are cool & all, you most DEFINITELY don't get to play with $6000 flagships very often so anyone but an idiot would JUMP at that chance, but the Deva Pro's? I legitimately think these are fundamental GAME CHANGERS for the ENTIRE enthusiast open-back headphone market on mass, and if not with this particular model, than with a future Deva/similar "Swiss Army Knife-esque" package. Just saying haha. Now go pester that HiFiMan rep just ONE last time again. I promise you won't regret the decision.


Also, I'm absolutely jealous as all HELL about that HE-R10P... You have absolutely NO FREAKING IDEA how much I lust after its delicious closed-back awesomeness!... Flagship planar bliss without pissing off everyone else on the train... sigh I can dream, right?... Hahaha xD. ESPECIALLY so considering it natively supports the Bluemini DAC + amp + Bluetooth dongles like the R2R Bluemini I've already got from my Deva Pro's!

(Which again, makes trying as hard as you can to get a review pair of Deva Pro's as well an even BETTER idea for you, as then you could test out the Bluemini support in your HE-R10P review! )

Just so we are on the same page, I have the Bluemini R2R here already. I just finished testing it with the HE-R10P and HE-R10D:

 

[Cooe]

Just so we are on the same page, I have the Bluemini R2R here already. I just finished testing it with the HE-R10P and HE-R10D:

View attachment 237478View attachment 237479

Well damn... Then you already know how freaking INCREDIBALLS it as a tiny, almost weightless, self-contained piece of tech!!!

Now imagine getting one of those AND a pair of roughly 2020 Sundara quality planar magnetic drivers, open-back wired headphones (but w/ DRAMATICALLY different tuning for being HiFiMan's. The Deva Pro's are MUCH warmer & IMO "more fun" than the 2020 Sundara's stereotypical higher resolution but cold & "hyper-analytical" sound [to the point of IMO being quite grating w/ extended listening]), all for just $330...

Aka TWENTY BUCKS LESS than a pair of wired only Sundara's cost by themselves... O___O

The amount of sheer value being offered by the HiFiMan Deva Pro's as a COMPLETE PACKAGE for the first time hifi cans buyer in particular is just ABSOLUTELY FREAKING CRAZY!!!!!! It's literally an "all you'll ever need AND w/ the best technically possible wireless support!" kit for less than similarly "nice" but wired only cans cost by themselves...

I just cannot FATHOM HOW FEW people are STILL talking about them almost HALF A YEAR after they launched last October! Like, all the major audiophile press/influencers should be SHOUTING THIS from every single digital rooftop, just like they did for the equally worthy HE400se's!!!

The OG Deva's & OG Bluemini at $300 were really good, don't get me wrong (never had them myself, but a close buddy did so I'm familiar enough). But there was just enough wrong / imperfect with them as a package that you could SERIOUSLY recommend numerous other options if you didn't care AT ALL about wireless... The Deva Pro's & R2R Bluemini though??? They improve basically every fault I have with the OG's, & THEN some! They're now KILLER VALUE even if you NEVER use them wirelessly! Which like, "head explodes", haha. xD