Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX Measurements and Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Aug 1, 2017.

  1. abisai2

    abisai2 Friend

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    I received my pair of HE4XX on Monday. I haven't spent much time with them but, here are my minimalist thoughts so far. First off they seem to be built better than the HE400i. Not that my 400i isn't, these just feel more sturdy. At least to me anyway. They are heavier than the 400i. I noticed that right away. Sound wise, they definitely sound smoother compared to the 400i.

    So far I've used them on my office system (PC > Eitr > Modi Multibit > Loki [bypass] > Magni 3) and main system (Pi3 / Digione > Bifrost Multibit > Saga [PS Vane] > Jotenhiem [balanced] ). While they sound really good on the office system they sound SO much better on the main system. With that said I do use HD600 and HD650 with my main system and as good as the HE4XX sounds the Sennheisers are something special with my system.

    I need to spend more time with them over the weekend to get a better overall feel but, so far I like them.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2017
  2. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Do you have a balanced cable for your he4xx. Is there an easy place to order one of those?
     
  3. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I'm curious to hear other people's amping experiences with the he4xx. To my ears, the he4xx doesn't sound quite right being fed from my Valhalla2 (i'm runing with 6CG7 tubes). It sounds really great out of the jotunheim, albeit the jot doesn't do anything to tame the slightly forward nature of the he4xx treble. Still nice.
     
  4. abisai2

    abisai2 Friend

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  5. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    The HE4XX sounds really great from my home office setup (Eitr > Modi Multibit > Jot) using a balanced cable from Massdrop x VE. I'm starting to get used to the sound of it for music but I still prefer my HD650s in that area. I played quite a bit of escape from tarkov last weekend and I have to say I've never had a longer streak of escapes without dying. The positioning on these is fantastic, it's almost like cheating when you're inside big buildings looking for other players.
     
  6. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Has anyone compared the Jotunheim single ended vs balanced on the he4xx? Is it worth it to buy a balanced cable?
     
  7. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    Can't speak for the 4xx .. but I've driven the HE-560 both SE & balanced from the Jot.. and balanced sounded CLEARLY superior to me (synergy notwithstanding). Balanced is a must with the Jot and orthos (as long as the ortho in question is stupid sensitive to power).
     
  8. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    I got mine this morning and have been switching back and forth between stock Valhalla 2 and a Burson Soloist SL II. There's actually very little between them to my ears. Both around 12pm at high gain. Valh2 is a bit more spacious and clear, better bass detail.

    I expected to Burson to beat the Schiit for these phones. Nagging feeling I'd like to try a Lyr 2 with them...

    Really like the cans out of the box. No problems with the treble, but I'm a T1 kinda guy.
     
  9. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    Okay there is some sibilance in the treble on some recordings. I'd like to try some different pads. Looks like the Brainwavz are the cheapest option for those of us paying with AUD :-(

    Is this XL version the one's I want? Do I need the fitting rings or can I take it off the stock pads?
     
  10. edd

    edd Almost "Made"

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    FYI, Massdrop has the ZMF Ori & Eikon pads for $10 cheaper than buying from ZMF directly ($50 & $60 + tax + shipping), but they don't ship until Feb.
     
  11. PolygonBronson

    PolygonBronson New

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    The ring is glued on the stock HE4XX pads. You will have to buy HIFIMAN's velour pad (it's out of stock at HIFIMAN's store but you can probably find it somewhere else, I know US Amazon has it) or you can buy just the rings straight from HIFIMAN. Both the velour pads and the plain rings are the same price, $10 USD. I don't know what's their shipping policy is to Australia, though.

    http://store.hifiman.com/index.php/earpad-mounting-rings.html

    As for fit, the stock HIFIMAN pads are 105mm, I think, so I bet the XL would be an easier fit since they are 110mm and the regular rounds are 100mm, although the XL might hang over just a smidgen.

    EDIT:
    You can also 3D print some rings if you have access to a 3D printer. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1784520
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2017
  12. PolygonBronson

    PolygonBronson New

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    I saw that this morning. I'm really tempted to get the suede Ori for my HE4XX but I haven't seen anyone who's done that and I don't want to ruin the sound and pay $50 for the privilege.
     
  13. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    re:LetMeBeFrank

    So I still haven't ordered the ZMF Ori pads. I guess I'm just paranoid about paying that much money for something that I can't really say I know for a fact I'll actually like. But I'm getting impatient! I need more feedback to make up my mind! Therefore...

    From what i can gather from ur and others impressions, the ZMF Ori pads basically "fix" these phones. Would u be able to delve a little deeper into that? Like, could u see the leatheriness of the pads making them sound too bassy to some people in your opinion? Does the soundstage shrink at all? I know the Atticus and Eikon are more considered to be semi-opens. And rereading Bill-p's thoughts makes me think the Oris add sharpness and detail--without adding sibilance? I'd appreciate your or anyone else's input. I'm so greedy! Thx in advance!
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2017
  14. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    My plan was (or is) to sorta do the same thing. Wait out future upgrades until people experiment and come to some sort of agreed upon consensus as to what does and doesn't work. Let the community make up my mind for me, so to speak. Come to think about it, thats what led me to these phones in the first place! How long do ya think it took before people "discovered" the ideal pairing of the HD6x0's and bottlehead crack for example? I'm teetering on the edge with the Ori pads as is. Keep in mind theres a second drop set to ship before cmas, so I would think there would be a good deal more of these out in the wild before long...
     
  15. PolygonBronson

    PolygonBronson New

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    That's a safe plan and that would be a good way to get a general idea of how it would affect the sound, however, I'm tempted to jump on this drop because it seems no one wants to try the suede (and those look so freaking comfortable!) and the last drop was 10+ weeks ago, I think. I can see myself getting impatient and spending $10 more than I would have to...

    Also, general consensus in the audiophile world means very little in reality (I really wish this wasn't the case!) because everyone's ears and preferences are so vastly different. "General consensus" calls the HD650 amazing, end game, etc. and I find them pretty boring.
    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
     
  16. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    For sure. Ultimately there's no better judgment on what you'll like than yourself.
     
  17. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    Sorry for the late reply. They add a bit more bass but it's still not as bassy as my HD650s with brainwavz sheepskin pads. They go lower than the 650s but the amount is a bit less. I took them to work last week and listened to them all day on a Fulla 2 with Ori pads and the stock cable for music and videos and I didn't notice any sibilance. If nothing else, they are so much more comfortable than the stock pads, I can't emphasize that enough. The Ori pads are crazy soft and supple.
     
  18. chrolls

    chrolls New

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    Oh no problem. Thx for the response. I really appreciate it, for real. I think we take for granted sometimes how u can type out a question from the comfort of your bedroom and get a response from even halfway across the world in minutes that leaves you more elucidated than from where u started from. Pretty amazing really. Just a thought.

    Anyways, I've had problems, like some SERIOUS problems w/my TMJ joint in the past. Got bad enough I worried I was starting to lose hearing in my left ear. Turns out the unnatural feeling of fullness, tinnitus, and perceived hearing loss were all just due to that darnded joint being inflamed. At any rate, while I'm much better than I was, I'm still very sensitive to head clamp force--and HIGHLY appreciative of headphone comfort. Its amazing how much better the music seems when my jaws not "acting up". Better comfort, better sound. Win win, so maybe this'll do the trick. Thx again!
     
  19. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    I've been playing around a bit with mine. I noticed that there was more bass and bit less treble if I held them so the cups only just touched my head. So I made a couple of donuts out of those interlocking cushion mat things you can be in cheapo shops. I then stuffed them in under the pads so the pads are raised further from my ears. It improves the bass and smooths the terrible a little bit.

    I'd be interested in what others think of this mod. The pad swap would also be introducing leather to the pad wall which this isn't. But it might be possible to replicate that too.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2017
  20. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    No problem, I also have TMJ along with neck issues stemming from long untreated scoliosis, so I am very sensitive to clamp. I actually had to bend the headband on the HE4XX to make them more comfortable, and they still aren't quite as comfortable as my stretched HD650s, mainly due to weight. Another nice thing about the Ori pads is the angle + memory foam spreads that pressure out much more evenly.
     

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