Like any company that cares about success, HiFiMan understands that it is necessary not only to advance in the upper segment, but also to maintain its presence in the budget segment. That's why they released a very good and very inexpensive model HE-400S, which I'll talk about. Killing the intrigue, I will say that the model turned out, and as a bonus from this review, you will learn how to make a modest amount of it even better.
It would seem that HiFiMan has already earned its name in the circles of fans of personal audio. They can now simply produce more and more expensive models and paddle money with a shovel (although, perhaps, with future electrostates they have reached the limit of singularity, behind which very high prices turn into insane ones). Fortunately, the company understands that on HE-1000 tops huge sales can not be made, and periodically amuse fans of the budget segment. Not so long ago, inexpensive HE-300s, made using dynamic technology, answered the lower part of the full-size headphone line, but they were already sent to retirement and the company decided to unify production by making new "budget" based on planar technology. To maximize the price of the model, it was literally collected "from the pine forest", so the design combines both old and new trends of the company. This optimization has been fruitful, because it is possible for an amount of about 300 dollars, which in recent years is a practically budgetary price segment.
Also, developers thought that users of inexpensive solutions clearly do not have money for expensive DACs and amplifiers, so this model pleases and high sensitivity in a pair with a low impedance. So the power reserve for their swing will be enough for almost any source (although this does not concern the qualitative side of the question).
Specifications
- Emitters: isodynamic
- Frequency range: 20 Hz to 35 kHz
- Sensitivity: 98 dB
- Impedance: 22Ω
- Cable: interchangeable, 1.5 m
- Plug: 3.5 mm TRS
- Weight: 350g
Packing and delivery kit
Here, as usual, HiFiMan used multi-layer packaging. The outer transport box is made of ordinary brown cardboard, inside there is a basic box, also of cardboard, but glossy and with polygraphy. It's big enough, but inside there are only headphones and a complete cable. Plus a few pieces of paper.
In general, the external presentation is not bad, but the delivery package gives out the budgetedness of the solution.
Design and comfortable wearing
In appearance, the old and new hike of HiFiMan merged into a single whole, giving the customers a very amusing hybrid. The lower part of the headphones is clearly left from the classic models: round plastic cups of silvery color, metal grating, here the appearance is similar to what we have already seen for many years. The only feature - the forks of cup attachment, traditionally allowing rotation around two axes, are made of plastic, which, of course, does not inspire confidence. Although I did not see any complaints about the failure of this node, but to treat the HE-400S should be more careful. The upper half of the headphones is made in a more modern style and resembles the HE-1000. Head of the U-shape, made of spring steel. It is fixed two movable parts of plastic, connected by a "headband" of leatherette, it is moving its mount and you can adjust the size of this model. For a month of use, I realized that this is a fairly convenient and easy way to adjust. Headphones are collected without looking at the price, there are no flaws and shortcomings.
The ear-pads in this model are made of velor, they are angular and collect dust well. About ambushurki still write a little lower, but, running ahead, I will note that goes to the headphones for good. Due to the wide band of headband and low weight headphones are very comfortable to wear, even prolonged listening does not cause the slightest discomfort.
This model is completely open, so it is not suitable for street or office, where other people work: noise will get inside, and your music will also be heard without any problems to everyone around you. These headphones are clearly targeted at home use.
The cable connection system has also undergone changes, replacing the twisted connectors familiar from previous models, came 2.5 mm jacks. In general, this is a positive step, which simplifies the replacement of wires. The complete cable is rather short, about one and a half meters, in a funny black and white cloth braid. He makes a little noise from rubbing, but generally does not cause questions.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury & Precission L5Pro as portable players
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours.
Evaluate these headphones quite interesting. On the one hand, the miracle did not happen, and the HE-400S does not have what you'd expect from HiFiMan's isodynamic models after years of familiarity with it, they sound closer to traditional dynamic models. Judging by their weight, HiFiMan simplified the magnetic system of these headphones even more, which is audible by the sound. On the other hand, HE-400S sounds like very good dynamic models, and clearly justify their price.
The bass of these headphones is accented on the midbass region, there are very few deep LFs. In addition, there is no habitual "tightness" of isodynamic low-frequency, familiar from the older models of the company. The bass is slightly more impressive, providing a slightly softened pitch, typical for dynamic headphones, but this is compared to the top isodines, against the background of dynamic competitors, the 400's are showing themselves quite well. The bass does not fit into the midrange and behaves quite restrained, because the model is not designed for bassheads.
Middle frequencies are the strongest side of these headphones. It is in this range that the isodynamic radiator still shows itself, and the headphones bypass the dynamic models of a similar price. At the same time, they do not try to impersonate a neutral model with a wild resolution, like their older brothers, in the presentation of the HE-400S there is clearly heard a softening, designed to hide the flaws of records and sources. It is this color that is usually falsely called "tube" and "multi-bit", it is in many cases very pleasant and makes the sound comfortable. At the same time, there are small traces of roughness on the upper MF, similar to the peak in the region of 2-4 kHz, although the measurements of the frequency response available on the Internet show that there is no crime there, but this is audible. The imaginary scene of the headphones is somewhere slightly more than the average in width and the middle one in depth, the headphones are normal for their price cope with the separation of plans and the transfer of the volume of instruments. They do not have the characteristic manner for many "dinam" of the way to "flatten" instruments, presenting them in the form of points, but of course, far from top-level isodines of the HE-400S.
The upper frequencies usually serve as the main stumbling block, but in this model they are almost perfect, there are not many of them, so as not to generate sharpness, but also not a little, so as not to make the sound dark and closed, so that these headphones will be harsh only by very high- foby. Very good selection of the number of high frequencies, there are no noticeable large peaks and resonances, all at an appropriate price level. Of course, the HF of this model is greatly simplified compared to the more expensive isodines, but it is difficult to expect the reverse in an inexpensive model with a sensitivity sufficient for smartphones and tablets.
Above I already wrote that these headphones can be well "pumped" by buying for them hybrid ambushours Focus Pads. With them, the HE-400S gets a deeper bass, and plus that peak leaves at the beginning of the VHF, although the overall tonality shifts slightly toward darkness. The scene is getting a little narrower, but for my taste it's still a profitable exchange, especially since Focus Pads also collect less nap. 
Compatibility
Despite the statement HiFiMan that these headphones can be used with mobile phones and other tablets, this should probably not be done. The sound is very simple and very flat in depth. The HE-400S is worthy of an inexpensive DAC with an amplifier, especially since recently they have been released a lot, from Encore mDSD and to CEntrance DACPort HD. I did not choose these models in vain, it was with them that these headphones especially "went". Of course, and more expensive devices are quite good at playing with these headphones, but overall there is an "imbalance".
Genre headphones are versatile enough and suitable for any direction. Naturally, for a full disclosure of complex styles such as brutal metal or orchestral classics, devices are required higher level, but this is a completely different price tag. To the quality of recording this model is very tolerant, its fault-finding I would estimate somewhere on 6 points on a 10-point scale.
As usual, a few tracks that are good with these headphones.
Hiromi Uehara's Trio - Delusion. A successful example of modern jazz performed by three virtuosos. Naturally, in the foreground - a grand piano, and this immediately gives odds to the HE-400S. Their nature of the transfer of the MF gives the instruments a pleasant warmth, which makes it possible to emphasize their character.
Le Temps Des Cathédrales from Notre-Dame De Paris. That thing that you can listen only in the original, and nothing else. HE-400S coolly convey the characteristic vocals of Bruno Peltier, placing the listener right next to the performer.
Vanden Plas - Vision 13teen: Stone Roses Edge. Talented progressive masters do not change their habits, and this track, like any other of their work, is filled with interesting guitar moves, excellent polyphonic vocals and a lot of other "chips", for which we love this genre. And then the HE-400S show themselves in full force, coping well with this track.
conclusions
Of course, the HE-400S is not a competitor to older HiFiMan models. Get for $ 300 isodinames, comparable to the top, in this case will not work. Nevertheless, this model is an excellent option for those who are not ready to invest significant amounts in headphones and an amplifier to them (and top-level planers require an appropriate source), but simply wants to listen to their favorite music with pleasure. Here, the HE-400S shows itself from the best side: comfortable, dynamic, comfortable and inexpensive headphones is exactly what most people need.
The article is based on materials .
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