The price is the lowest so far according to camelcamelcamel.
These are similar to the Drop-editions:
- HE-4XX (about AU$260 shipped)
- HE-X4 (about AU$193 shipped)
CamelCamelCamel.
Non-audiophile here, will these, being planar, provide significantly different listening experience compared to K712 and H2XR?
Some will probably disagree with me and talk about Planar slam etc. My experience is that all headphones sound different irrespective of the driver tech. So, I would not buy a headphone purely because it's Planar. For example I would prefer to listen to my HD650 than my PM3s or HE-4xx. But I do prefer my LCD-2Cs over my Focal Clears or HD800S. Yes, yes, I have way too many cans; so says the Mrs;-)
Generally speaking, planar timbre improves as you go up in price, yes, and technical performance can often reach further.
But within your example at the end there, Focal are not well regarded for timbre, and the HD800S tonality is picky due to it being diffuse-field based with limited bass response.
Focal aside, you'll probably still hit more issues with vocal timbre when comparing planar to DD, right up until virtually the flagship level. Certainly in the sub-$2000 range, it's a generally accepted compromise, and I assume that's part of why you have a 650 in your collection.
The exception to this is when either the tonality and detail is compromised to deliver better timbre in a planar, or if you can get your hands on older, heavier planar driver models that add a little more weight to those mid range notes.
"that's part of why you have a 650 in your collection" - I just like my wall to look similar to Zeos LOL. On the look out for some bargain LCD-XC next, have to go back to the office soon.
You seem well informed, jasswolf so maybe you can help me.I was after a closed back headphone and am thinking of getting a Focal Elegia. I've noticed that there have been a string of specials on Focals over the last year or so. Do you think that Addicted to Audio will be putting these on special again?
@pupdog: Pretty good chance, as they are the distributor here in Australia, just a question of when. End of November at the latest.
An alternative to consider would be the Drop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X Go, though perhaps not as technically proficient (and a warmer tonality).
@jasswolf: Thanks, that’s hopeful. I don’t mind waiting if I can save some dough. I will also take a look at those beyers you mention.
@pupdog: I can vouch for Elegia's, I have a pair. Great sound for a closed back, these come with three cables, long, short and balanced XLR. Plus being 3.5mm sockets, you can get cheap cables so I picked up a 4.4mm balanced for my Fiio M11.
@mostlygordon: Sounds good. I just wanna get some headphones with isolation for when I can’t avoid the noise.
@pupdog: These are great, fit for your purpose. I will keep using these in the office till I find some decent priced LCD-XCs. Still, I may find the LCDs too heavy and wind up going back to the Elegia's anyway. Mind you I have not tried Radiance yet…
I hear ya man
If you already own the K712, don't buy this. They have different frequency responses and technical strengths, but you can EQ the K712 really well to clean up its tonality, and it would be the overall technically superior headphone with generally better timbre.
This is mostly superior to the X2HR, absolutely so in terms of tonal balance.
How do these compare to the 400I?
Which one… there's been a few.
Damn, I was hoping Sundara might be on special too, no luck…
Best time to pick one up will be Black Friday sales, where you typically see about $110 shaved off through stacking cashbacks.
On Amazon?
Yup.
Me too. Does anyone know if the Sundara has ever been on sale? If so, where?
half price from taobao, hifiman overpriced their products outside China
I have not had problems with mine, but forums are littered with QA complaints. Not sure I would buy from China, I was even nervous buying from Drop.
There are two versions of the Hifiman HE400se:
- 2020 Chinese version
- 2021 Global version with stealth magnets
From memory the stealth magnet version is more expensive and better regarded.
The Chinese model is different, and at the very least doesn't use the same magnet array. There's a lot of back and forth discussion about whether it makes a difference, but the early professional reviews didn't speak favourably of the local model.
It's possible that may have changed over time.
Get the Sundara. I had both the he and later for the Sundara. Seriously, it's worth putting the extra money. I have those ahhh moments each time I listen to my tracks. And those are not even lossless tracks. Even YouTube or spotify. The Sundaras reveal so much
Good value for a planar. If I didn't already own the HD-4xx I'd by this. But I wouldn't suggest this over other manuf. or model.
For example:
HE-4xx for YouTube and movies, due to good transparency.
HD-6xx for casual music, easy listening for long hours.
X2HR for FPS gaming, immersive experience that enhances explosions and gun fires.
HD-800 for classical music, for full range frequency details.
Agreed, I've narrowed mine down to 4 as well
DT660 800 Ohm's for movies
HD-650's for casual music, easy listening for long hours.
X2HR for Bass
LCD-2's for classical music, and Soundtracks.
Please God, make Focal Clears $1199 please. I promise I'll be good
Think I paid this for mine about a year ago with a trade in deal. I had to pay an extra $15 for the cheapest earbuds Minidisc had to hand back to themselves as a trade LOL
This is the standard price now it seems, so don't feel the need to rush to buy.
As for how these three headphones relate, the HE-4XX is an older driver and magnet design, and is almost universally regarded as inferior to the other two, which are brand new models. Both newer models come from the same branch as the HE400i 2020 Edition.
The HE400SE and HE-X4 are well priced, but if this is going to be a daily headphone for you, you should locally demo the HE400i 2020 to get a decent idea of how they sound, as you may find yourself preferring other headphones in that price range for timbre, tonality or soundstage & imaging (AKG K612 Pro @ $200-220, Sennheiser HD 560S @ $249, Sennheiser HD 6XX @ $300). Generally timbre is where things will fall behind the most.
Here's a great technical review to break down what you're getting: https://youtu.be/hmMA_Iw6fjA