Test headphones HiFiMAN HE-400

Continuing to talk about the products that made the young company Head-Direct a success in the audio market, we can’t ignore the isodynamic headphones. The company didn’t invent isodynamics, but they revived its use in headphone design.

Affordable model of isodynamic headphones

In 2009 the company introduced to the world the first in a long time, truly high-end headphones based on isodynamic drivers. Since then, the Head-Direct product line has evolved considerably. Increased the number of isodynamic headphones produced by the company – there are more expensive models, and more budget.

HiFiMAN HE-400 – the most affordable isodynamic headphones from Head-Direct. The company calls it “an inexpensive ticket to the world of isodynamics. Not only because of the relatively low cost, but also because of more modest amplification requirements than other isodynamic models – their owner does not need to splurge on a powerful and expensive amplifier.

Ergonomics

HiFiMAN HE-400 has an open design and does not provide any isolation from external noise at all.

The headphones fit comfortably on your head. Their large ear cushions fit comfortably over your ears. HiFiMAN HE-400 has not very great force to press the cups – the headphones do not exert excessive pressure on your head, but if you suddenly move the headphone can accidentally fly off.

Sound

HiFiMAN HE-400 can truly be called “a cheap ticket to the world of isodynamics”: they disclose to the listener the advantages of this type of speakers, however, not in full, and with some compromises. It is true that the compromises in this case are not very serious, and it is impossible to say that the opponents are completely devoid of them.

The first and main compromise in HiFiMAN HE-400 is in the low-frequency area. The bass of the HE-400 is plentiful, weighty and impressive, fast enough but a little bit boomy. It has enough sharpness and definition even for playing fast and heavy compositions. But when playing records with loud, powerful bass, sometimes a slight background “hum” is heard in the headphones. It does not interfere with the music perception, but sometimes it can make low frequencies sound a bit “muddy.

Compromise number two: very noticeable roll-off in the upper midrange. This compromise will probably be seen by many as a taste feature – the effect is twofold. On the one hand, it deprives the sound of vocals and live instruments of some naturalness on the other hand, it adds depth and volume to the sound.

The third compromise can be called the muted high frequencies. This is also a tasteful feature – on the one hand it leads to some loss of “sharpness,” “sharpness,” but on the other – makes the sound fatigue-free, disposed to a long listening to music.

As for the objective advantages of HiFiMAN HE-400 – the very “advantages of isodynamics” – they all boil down to one, “fat” and significant advantage: a very high, unavailable for the “opponents” resolution in the middle frequencies.

Yes, there are models of headphones, which are “ahead of” HiFiMAN HE-400 in this area – and the already mentioned armature Etymotic ER-4S, MyST Nail 2, and “big brothers” HE-500. However, in its class HE-400 excels in the intelligibility of the midrange, the number of fine nuances in the sound of the performers and most instruments.