So the he400se has a more comfortable headband, but the He-x4's cable isn't awful garbage. Otherwise they're almost the same. At that point it's basically price (where I live the HE-X4 is cheaper by about 50$) and shipping times (for me in europe it's at least 3 weeks for drop vs 3 days). Thank you very much for clearing up the confusion this model brings. Still waiting to see how the HE400i compares to these.
I prefer a leaner bass. Most of the recording that are properly recorded and are high fidelity sound way more punchy. Instead of a muffled rumble that drowns out the midzones you get a bang.
4:38 imagine buying a 500 dollar silver dragon basilisk alpha phoenix 8N Ohno Continuous Cast ultra high purity single crystal silver coated 32 strand cable just for the signal to be fed to those malnourished little noodles
I totally feel your take on the pads. I just ordered the fenestrated sheepskin Dekonis for my X4's when i ordered the X4's. I DO like the sheepskins more than the velour lined O.G.'s but not $65 more. these are some pretty fun headphones, though.
I've been using the HE-X4 for a year now. Best headphone investment I've made. Since then, i got a better cable for them, and a headphone amp for on the go use. they dont feel clampy on the head at all. sounds better than anything else I've bought in the past, too. (current devices are Audio Technica ATH-S200BT, as well as Tin T4 IEMs, Previous Devices Audio Technica M20x, Razer Kraken, Razer Hammerhead pro, AKG K72) The only complaints ive had are that the OEM cable is too godamn short, which caused them to (repeatedly) get stuck on the arm of my chair, pulling the cables out of the cans, or pulling the cans onto the floor. this has caused the right connectorto be slightly wiggly in the housing (the connection is not loose, the connector is) and the plastic cover over one of the arm adjustors came off (was glued and jsut a cosmetic piece) overall, can totally recommend the HE-X4
Wow, Andrew, it's amazing just how much two people's tastes can vary for the same products. I think that's what makes the audiophile world so enchanting. The diversity. I'm sorry I couldn't remember to highlight you as a huge influence on me as a youtube audiophile on my "calling out" video on my channel, so i'll take the opportunity now and say thanks much and super respect my friend ✌️. Continue to do what you do...
Cool, I just ordered the HE-X4 (horrible name) mostly because of the pricing. It was my assumption that it was a Deva/5xx situation all over again. Thanks for the comparison!
I’m in EU and would be harder to get HE 4X, so thanks for your review! Made me decide the difference is negligble compared to the hassle if I would go for the 4X. Gonna be waiting for my 400 se to arrive soon to meet my Qudelix 5K 🎧
@@makunouchiippo816 I got the qudelix but not 400se, to be honest qudelix is worth every cent from interface to eq to ldac. No longer need to bring my sony brick every where now
@@Nhan_nguyen271 I personally will go for a pair of beyerdynamics. I heard the hifimans will have most likely quality control issues and I dont wanna play lottery although I like the hifiman Sound.
You really want your mind blown and happen to own a set of the OG 4XX w/2.5mm connectors get a set of Dekoni Hybred Pads for Hifiman to put on them. Then give them a listen and compare them to the Sudara, you may just be very shocked. I did this and the wife and I spent a week deciding what we could hear different between the two sets of cans and neither of us could hear/find any difference between them, except that just maybe the 4xx had a little more sub bass. I ended up sending the Sendara back and just continuing to enjoy my OG 4XX with the new pads with their new and improved better overall sound...
Interesting so subjectively the HE-X4 is the HE400se (Chinese Version - non rounded), HE400se (International "stealth" rounded magnets) measures much the same. Makes a lot of sense.
400i2020 is warmer, a little V-shaped, more airy/piercing treble, recessed upper mids. Kinda reminds me of DT1990 with that warm midrange and focused treble. This is colder, the midrange is more forward and natural, but the treble is kinda harsh, reminds me of 560S.
@@atyne_mar thanks, that actually sounds more attractive to me, haven't seen anyone review b2b they all just say 400se ISZZZZ THE ONE actually he hasn't said that :-), also 560s has had quite a lot of flack post the original hype train, what's a guy to do 🙄
agree I am going for the x4 if I get either, still don't know if I should go for the 400i 2020 instead, is the bass weak or anaemic on these that's what I giant quite get
@@adrianmorrish8494 can't test this series in Europe. But reviews praise the Sundara in the 350 dollar range. I tested it and loved it. Yet, I am considering end games in ears.
What open back headphones would you suggest for mixing? Price can go up to about 500/600$. I would like to get as flat as possible. I would get Studio monitors but I don't have a suitable room so I want to mix on these Headphones for most of the time.
How to know if your headphones work fine? Mine sound nasal compared to my akg k702, it also reminds me of a carboard speaker I had. Though if I don't switch headphones and only stay on the HE-X4 the carboard and nasal sound fade. I also got the drop Sennheiser h6XX, I also noticed a nasal sound but barely perceptible. So I'm guessing the dorp could have an issue, or maybe the akg had one and I just got used to it. Maybe this is normal. Should I maybe only switch between the h6XX and the HE-4x and see if I get used to it and not notice/hear those nasal vocals (that aren't present on every track)?
Honestly sounds like your 702s are a bit wonky and you just got used to it. Thats pretty normal, and not necessarily an indication that anything is malfunctioning.
Yea, I got the 'Chinese' version from a Chinese retailer through Shopee. Was about 88USD, and though there's no 'Stealth Magnet' on the cheaper version, it has the same functional, better cable as the X4 instead of the poor one on the 'International' 400SE. Also the price is just killer, and sends it to almost the same bracket as the SHP9500 if you can get them for around that same general range.
@@flashteenz wow that's a great deal, could u kindly link the site u bought? Since they sound similar according to Resolve, looks like se has better comfort and x4 has better cable If I can buy se cheaper than x4 i wanna try planar for the frist time(with the better cable)
What do u recommend under 200 $ for open back reference headphone (mixing and mastering)? I've watched alot of reviews and I just got more confused on my purchase....😐
does the cable for the x4 come w a mic? idk if it’s just volume control or not just curious cause if i do get these i don’t wanna buy a mic and have the cable come w a mic
Did you try eq'ing them and find out if the he400se takes eq better because of the stealth magnets? (I don't really understand the tech of stealth magnets so this might be a dumb question)
I've been looking for a more "musical" headphone to contrast with my "analytical" 560s. Are these sonically different enough to justify a purchase, or would a 6xx/4xx/philips x2 , be a better contrast?
If (?) distortion measurements hold up from unit to unit, the lower upper treble distortion of HE400SE may suggest that the lower profile "stealth" magnets are an advantage in reducing ripple and HD. Perhaps from less reflection and less stored energy (?) Maybe there's other causes as response is so similar. Its so far down on the graph to not matter. How are HE400SE's cups attached to its headband? Are they less apt to break loose ? HE4XX's construction is worrisome with the cup swivel cemented to the headband - and it appears HE-X4 is made exactly the same way (?) Pictures of cups falling off aren't pleasant and don't know if a lasting repair could be made with epoxy or super-glue.
I recently bought a set of he 400se, I guess they got the feedback on the cable because mine came with the same cable that the he-x4 has in this video.
So it's basically identical to the chinese version of HE400se then, since those doesn't use stealth magnet and have the exact same cable too. I suppose there's only so much you can change just by literally cutting the corners. Though i think i would've preferred the X4 since the headband on the 400se sucked for me
I have both-- the X4 has a bit more definition and space/wider stage...fantastic sound quality/dollar ratio...but since then I bought recent Ananda; I'd save your money and go for Ananda, so much more detail, slam etc...I go back and still enjoy X4 but clearly not in same league as Ananda
@@snow15243 I've since got a set of Sundara's-- so far seems the X4 is 90% of the Sundara's making the X4 a huge bargain performance wise! I guess I should have stated my point more clearly-- maybe just skip the sub $350 planars and begin with the $600 because at this level I'm not convinced that spending $1500 for Arya will give even 5% more detail or whatever...I bought a set of HD-660S and am also not interested in HD-800..these are both very satisfying well made headphones that cover the bases for what I listen to which is mostly CD audio; haven't tried software EQ yet but maybe some day. Enjoy the music gents! :-)
It seems that he-x4 and he400se china version are the same headphone, since they both have a he400se International driver like, both doesn't have stealth magnet and both have the same cable. Would be intresting to do a casting out nine
Never heard of these headphones before seeing this the other day on Reddit xD The HE X4 (and Sundara) look sooooo good but more objectively speaking I shouldn't buy them over the Sennheiser HD560s
I have 3 pairs of headphones... Samson HP30 (my son gave me), Sony [some "on-ear" model I can't find the box for; just bought them from Target], and a pair of Philips NL5616LW-2-SFH4 that I bought a few years ago from Target. And I really prefer my Philips over the other two, overall (the bass is toned down, but there is an airiness and clarity to higher range sounds that neither other headphone gives me), but the pads are flaking like crazy. My wife's $400 Sony bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones sound a lot like the cheapie Sony's I just bought. Bass is dominant and it muddies everything else. I'm soooooo hoping the $90 I just paid for the Drop X HiFiMAN HE-X4 on eBay (open box) is money well spent and gives me a similar if not better sound than my Philips (which no longer seem to exist anywhere on planet earth!). I'm not asking for much... but I'm paying a LOT more for what I'm seeking. Blame my brother for introducing me to "planar headphones"... never even knew such a thing existed until a day or two ago... hope it was a worthwhile piece of information to learn about. :-D
Hey Andrew may be you won't read it but I have another midrange headphone I'd be really interested in seeing a review for from you. Talking about the Audio Technica R70X.
@@artin5146 lol no I figured it out. The 400se has a different driver and different spec sheet, the treble is quite a bit smoother and bass doesn't extend as deep. 400i treble is harsh and peaky in comparison
Like others have mentioned hifiman has way to many different variants of the 400 series and other lower cost series out there. Proboby sorta confusing to those that don't follow this nitch hobby.
From 4:38-5:00, you can see that the stealth magnets on the SE is rounded and skinnier than the X4, Technically speaking they should sound different. Anyway, I picked up an SE the other day and must say that these cans are great. I love them.
Some kid claim these headphones to sound better than Focal he didnt mention what model but probably any one haha :). He is master of EQ and did magic trick that make them magical cans, called Focal headphones dull and boring 😂😂
The Band & Yoke Structure of the Drop X HiFiMan HE-X4 is Pure Garbage, it is identical with the latest version of the 4XX and mine lasted 5.5 months!!! It literally fell apart as only 2 crappy screws hold each side to the Band plus the pads on both ears fell apart in the same time frame. I DO Love the Sundara 2020; much better build quality, the SQ is light years ahead & yes, I bought some Hart Audio Cables with a multi-adapter kit to replace the "Meh" OEM cable.
@@artin5146 you absolutely don’t or are you saying my phone is magical. If you wanna get technical yes phones have amps in them. I’m guessing you don’t quite understand how ohms work since you’re talking about decibels
@@LTMoore-yy1lm a headphone has two measurements to determine how much power it needs. Its impedance and it's sensitivity. The lower the sensitivity the harder it is to drive. A normal headphone is 50ohms 117db sensitivity. This is 35ohms but 91db sensitivity. You need an amplifier
@@artin5146 you have no idea what you’re talking about. Normal headphones are definitely not 50 ohms. Just stop because you’re gonna misinform someone. I literally have the headphones right here. You saying they won’t work on my phone is ridiculous. Phones have small amps. Everything with a headphone jack does. You do not need to buy an amp for these. And they’re 25 ohms. So I’m guessing you don’t even own a pair
Same trash headband as the HE4xx's. If you get these, the headband WILL break. It is very poor quality so you will need to fabricate a workaround. I had to actually take a drill to mine to fit a different headband.
@@ResolveReviews hi Andrew. I know its hard to compare apples to oranges, but at around 350 do you think the Moondrop Blessing 2 sounds better or the revised Sundara?
@@justina9914 I don't mean it in that way. I just don't like how he directly says that Deva is straight out worse than HE400. It's different, but not worse. Technically it's definitely better. Many people even prefer Deva over Sundara. It's ok he doesn't like it, but he shouldn't say it's worse because that's just his subjective opinion. He should rather say he prefers HE400 over Deva.
