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HiFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones ~$212.55AU ($145.25 US) Delivered @ Drop.com

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Just got this in an email 2 days after mine arrived after spending the full $180US :/ Big and comfortable, good price if you're interested in seeing what planar magnetic headphones are like.

Many headphone companies have tried their hand at planar magnetic drivers, but none have done it quite like HIFIMAN. The result of founder Dr. Fang’s PhD research at Columbia University, its driver technology has landed the company in TIME, Forbes, and CNET’s “The Audiophiliac,” and won it the CES Editors’ Choice Award. Now, that tech is available at an unheard-of price in the Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX: a pair of high-efficiency, open-back planar magnetics that don’t need a fancy amp to sound amazing. Listen to them directly from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer, or add a headphone amp to take them to the next level. The sound is smooth, engaging, and even across the frequency range, with airy, sparkly highs and the planar bass slam that HIFIMAN is known for.

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  • +1

    New users can get $20 off their order when they sign up (the $10 referral credit doesn't stack, but will be on the account as well):

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/489107

    • +1

      Yep, this pushed me over the edge $110 USD is pretty good!

  • I've had these for a while now they're great, selling mine off though since I'm upgrading.

    • Which one to upgrade to?

      • +1

        Might not be an upgrade as such, but I got a pair of Logitech Pro X's really cheap, I needed the mic and no space for a proper mic

        • Going from a HiFIMAN to Logitech?
          These Logitech must be really good?

          • @congo: They should be good enough, I need the mic more than better quality sound.

            • +1

              @SuBw00FeR: Have you heard of modmic?

              • @jonod: I have, I kinda just forgot about the modmic though haha. I like trying different headphones anyways, it's all good :) if anything I sell my Logitechs off, and buy a modmic, not a big deal :)

          • @congo: logitech headphones from the g633 era and beyond with the gimmicky sounding 'pro-g' drivers are legitimately very good. give them a try at a shop with demo units if you can.

  • It has been a while since I've been in the headphone game, but I believe this is basically where you should start for a decent set of headphones. Easy to drive, sound great, have a good soundstage, aren't marked up 2x because "noise cancelling, wireless, wow".

    • Easy to drive? These really benefit greatly from a better amp, a lot of the weaker/cheaper amps won't be good. Also noise cancelling and wireless are actually useful features and shouldn't be compared at all? You can't really take these on the train or plane or on the go, these would really benefit from another pair of headphones to complement them for on the go use.

  • Hmmm these or the Philips X2HRs on Amazon for general desktop use?

    • +1

      Personally i prefer the sound of the fidelio's much better, much wider soundstage and deeper bass. Also easier to drive, the Hifimans really only come into their own if you have a decent amp powering them, also swapping the cable for higher quality helps.
      Comfort wise, the fidelio's are on the heavier side, but build quality is superior. For long period of wear id consider the AKG's as one of the most comfy headphones, huge earpads that breathe well. Sennheisers 6xx also very light weight and comfy, so are Audio Technica's but sound quality is generally considered to be somewhat inferior to above

  • Are these any better than my HD6XX?

    • Lots of complaints about build quality. So tempted though.

      • Build quality on these or the 6XXs?

        • Apologies, the HiFIMAN.

          My 6XX have been superb on all fronts

    • no
      but opinions vary
      a mate of mine swears his HE400 are the bees knees, albeit with focus-pads and custom silver-stranded cable and decent amp

    • Having owned both, the HE4XX sounds more lively better suited for music like rock, and electronic music. The soundstage is really small, sometimes feels non existent depending on the quality and mixing of the source.

      The HD650 has a large soundstage and cleaner sound for picking out details in movies and games, also good with more natural sounding music like classical. Rock and electronic music there's less punchiness and range in the sounds, so music can sound flat even after messing a bit with the EQ.

      For myself can't really compare the 2 or choose 1 over the other for all purposes, ended up using the he4xx for music and 650 for games and movies. Right now though I'm just using the HE400 through a usb dac since they need more power to get the same amount of volume compared to the 650's since I like to use my 650's with a tube amp and the room gets too hot using it in summer.

      • The 650/6xx soundstage is small. Hard to believe the 4xx has even smaller soundstage. I've just ordered a pair so I'll see for myself soon enough lol

        • Was meant to type larger, but fingers don't know the difference. but honestly the 650 has a big enough sound stage to decern whether the sound is coming from the front or back at least. the 4xx I find it quite hard to tell front to back sound when gaming, even with atmos turned on.

    • -1

      HD6XX is the best headphones in the whole World, so no.

      • ??? Not close.

  • +1

    Material says they "don't need an amp to sound fantastic" but I'd have to disagree - these are much better amped and I don't really enjoy them unamped. Unamped especially I prefer the older HE400.
    They're still great headphones, I just think an amp is something that should be considered more than the material would suggest.

    • Have one of the O2 amps from Massdrop, hope it's powerful enough.

  • How does this sound in comparison to a HE400i?

    • HE4XX are the Massdrop version of HE400i's so about the same

  • +3

    I always look forward to deals on products like this, good price but while the description may be quite convincing, HIFIMAN has quite a track-record of poor quality in build & materials.

    If anyone with experience would like to share any quality improvements on the ‘DROP’ model I am all ears.
    But as it stands I will have to turn down HIFIMAN products, especially if it is from overseas.

    To OP, I appreciate you posting though, keep posting good deals on these kinds of products even if there is a lack of up-votes.

    • The HeadFi thread on them seems pretty comprehensive, including HiFiMAN's support team dropping in to assist with out-of-warranty repair tips.

      • +1

        Yeah just had a read. The answer on quality still seems to be open.

        Just to be clear I will turn them down when from overseas, and even if they were on sale locally, I will look at something else.
        I treat my equipment very gently, but I always calculate price over product life (e.g. $XXX per annum) so I am interested in that which lasts long-term.

  • "The sound is smooth, engaging, and even across the frequency range, with airy, sparkly highs and the planar bass slam that HIFIMAN is known for."
    Both smooth and slamming, even across the frequency range yet the bass slam, quite the achievement.

  • Does Massdrop charge GST for low value imports?

  • +1

    Pathetic build quality. The screws on one of the drivers connected to the holders keep coming off every few days. You can easily feel they are badly made. And yhe sound to say frankly is meh.

  • How are these for gaming? I already have an external mic but mainly play fps games like pubg.
    and how are they with a LG V30+ quad DAC?

  • These are awesome headphones for music but as others have stated, they need an amp. They sound garbage straight from a device. Even a small one makes a world of a difference. I’ve got mine hooked up to a fiio when I can’t be bothered putting hem through a dedicated amp .

    They’re not exactly portable either, they’re the type of cans you need to sit down at a desk and listen to. I wouldn’t be using them for anything other than music either.

    Sounds like a damming recommendation but dam these are good for music for the price

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