Headphones HiFiMan HE-4 - the case, perhaps, unique. If you were thinking about buying isodynamic headphones, and especially from HiFiMan, HE-4 is the chance that you can not miss. Initially conceived as a budget model, these headphones offer a very high price-quality ratio, since they are quite comparable with the current flagship of HE-6, but they are much cheaper, and even more can be liked by the sound handwriting. In addition, the HE-4 does not require such a wild amplifier as the HE-6. But in connection with the update of the HiFiMan line, the HE-4 will not be available for a long time on sale, so "grab them, while you can!".
The history of the HiFiMan HE series headphone line is complicated and confusing, it is very difficult to understand which of the models is better and which ones are worse. You can not focus on prices, because the headphones came out in different years, and they positioned themselves in different ways. The only thing, perhaps, is that they are related - the relative simplicity of design and the fact that they all use isodynamic radiators (except dynamic HE-300). How can you understand what you need? Exit, perhaps, only one: if possible, listen to them all (here I am traditionally for the opportunity to see the majority of models).
During all the searches, the sound of the HiFiMan headphones changed in different directions, but it turned out that the budget model of the past, HE-4, is the sound I like most, even despite the two models that came out for its replacement (HE-400 and HE-400i ), "Old man" is still strong.
In addition to sound, the HE-4 is also lightweight, instead of full-fledged half a kilogram of senior flagships, they weigh only 350 grams, achieved this by a very simple method, replacing the two-sided magnetic system by one-sided. I was afraid that this would affect the sound in a negative way, but the audition showed me that I was afraid of it, and for my 500 dollars the prices of HE-4 are still very competitive.
Specifications
- Emitter: isodynamic
- Design: open
- Frequency range: 10 Hz to 60 kHz
- Impedance: 38Ω
- Sensitivity: 86 dB / mW
- Maximum power: 3 W
- Weight: 350g
- Cable: interchangeable, 3 m and 1.2 m
Packing and delivery kit
The outer box of the imagination is not shocking - the usual brown cardboard - but when you open it, you realize that this is just a transport package, and inside you there is an echo of those times when HiFiMan really positioned its headphones as a non-alternative and uncompromising Hi-Fi. Inside is a large box, covered with black pseudo-skin with gold embossing. Throwing off the shiny lock, you can open the lid, under which the headphones and accessories are resting in a velvety lodgment.
In addition to the HE-4, you will receive: two cables, simple and portable, a carry bag, a pair of spare velor ear cups (leather ones on the headphones) and a pair of cable connectors (if you want to order or make your own cable - they are already in the box) .
In general, in terms of kit and packaging, the HE-4 is simply superb.
Design and comfortable wearing
The appearance of the headphones is typical for HiFiMan and is characterized by reasonable minimalism. The headband is made of a conventional spring-loaded steel plate lined with leather, two forks holding round cups are attached to it. The outside of their side is taken away by a grid, since the headphones are completely open. Complete ear pads - very good, both acoustically and comfortably, for those who want to achieve more, HiFiMan offer . These ear cushions are made angular, so in addition to comfort they also contribute to the improvement of the imaginary scene, so that their purchase is justified for almost any HiFiMan HE model.
The main cable, complete with headphones - 3-meter. It is quite thick and heavy, but at the same time it is happy with the quality, as the modern complete HiFiMan cables are somehow light and rusty from friction on the table. The second complete cable is a thin and lightweight cord with a balanced 4-min connector for connection to HiFiMan players. It's an unutterable stupidity that the company does not complete such modern models, let the HiFiMan top players not open the isodimas to full capacity, you can still listen to such a combination with pleasure, but the convenience of the bundle speaks for itself.
In general, the quality of the assembly of headphones is not bad, everything is sound and reliable. Comfort wearing - at a high level, except that the headband can be slightly pressed on the crown, but it is easily solved by buying a special lining on it, which on eBay nemereno.
In general, the HE-4 is tuned for their gradual tuning, buying them another cable, ear cushions, headband - you can improve both their comfort and sound.
The headphones are completely open, so your music will be heard outside, and the external sounds will be as well audible, these headphones are not for wearing outdoors, in the office or noisy surroundings, they are designed for quiet and thoughtful listening in a cozy home environment.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening:
- Yulong DA8 as DAC
- Yulong A28 and HiFiMan EF-100 as an amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- HiFiMan 901 and QLS QA360 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.
HE-4 assembled the best of the HE series, a tight and collected bass from the HE-6 (a little easier, of course, but not really much), the detailed and lively mid-range HE-560, adding to this the more assembled HF. Of course, other models in the HiFiMan line have their own strengths, but strictly to my ears, the HE-4 "in general" is perceived best. I do not even know what in this model deserves more praise, I'll go, perhaps, in order.
The bass is tight, collected and very fast. By this parameter, the isodinam is clearly bypassed by virtually all other models of headphones. Here it is worth making a small remark. On the forums, I often meet reviews that some headphones or a player does not have a bass (or HF), although my experience of listening to them says otherwise. Most often it's a matter of habit. On simple headphones and players, certain frequencies are perceived most often quantitatively, the brain gets used to, for example, bass is low-frequency impacts, and high-frequency sound is a "ringing". A technique of a higher level can play out different parts of the frequency response with sufficient resolution, allowing you to hear individual components, and the brain "does not hear" the usual sounds where they were. Because of this, the effect of "shortage" also appears. At HE-4, too, at first can appear a similar impression, because of their permission, the bass "decomposes" into separate instruments that headphones confidently recoup.
The middle frequencies strike with crystal clearness. They feel a rise in the direction of HF, which gives them a bit of aggressiveness on heavy genres, which, for my taste, is good for them. About the separation of tools, the transfer of emotions and other characteristics that depend on the resolution, even to say there is no point, they are at an excellent level. Headphones perfectly handle the transfer of space both in width and in depth, in general - one of the most volume-sounding headphones that I heard.
The high frequencies are slightly elevated, compared to the typical comfortable headphone level, because of this, on separate tracks (by far not at all) there is a slight advantage in the direction of brightness, which leads to causticity, this should be taken into account by people sensitive to the HF range. Focus Pad slightly improves it, but the best results are provided by a custom cable with a filter. The reverse side of the tweaked HF - the volume and naturalness of the sound, the attenuation and the fine nuances of the tracks recoup with incredible clarity, for example, on well-recorded chamber music, this gives an incredible effect of space, it sometimes seems that one can understand the architecture of the room in which the recording was made.
Compatibility
The headphones are very tight in the swing (but of course they are far from the HE-6, able to fully play from the few units of amplifiers), so they just need an amplifier with a good power reserve. Fortunately, in our time this is not a problem and the choice of good and powerful amplifiers is very large, including in the budget segment. From what I tried, well HE-4 played with Yulong A28, from the more budgetary - Maverick Audio A1. Slightly less successful came out the combination with the EF-100, as its cooler serve better suits modern HiFiMan headphones, for which it apparently was designed.
Genre HE-4, of course, universal if you are satisfied with their submission, but to the quality of records, they are critical. Although it is unlikely that someone will buy headphones of this level to listen to them with poor-quality tracks.
conclusions
One of the best models for the ratio of price / quality, and in the manner of filing, they are quite capable of competing with modern HiFiMan models. The only, perhaps, nagging, which can be put forward, are accented high frequencies, but they can be compensated with a cable (for example, Mycroft for these purposes). Given that the model is likely to be discontinued, its stock is limited for sellers, so I'll repeat my advice from the beginning of the review - to get acquainted with them at the earliest opportunity.
The article is based on materials .
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