HIFIMAN HE400se

Hifiman needs no introduction as they make some of the best headphones in every price category. I have owned several Hifiman headphones and reviewed a couple of them before. In general, they all impressed me and became my benchmarks. HE400se is Hifiman’s entry level planar magnetic headphones that are currently priced at 109 USD but can be bought for even cheaper during sales.

Disclaimers​

Hifiman HE400se was provided to me by Mark from Hifiman for free and I only paid the customs fees. As I always say, everyone is biased one way or another so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Also I will try to be more concise and to the point in my reviews from now on without worrying about the word count etc. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.

Build and Accessories of Hifiman HE400se​

Since HE400se is Hifiman’s entry model, it would be unfair to expect too much from it in terms of construction and accessories. So headphones being presented in an environment friendly cardboard box and only coming with a rubberized cable didn’t bother me too much.

Materials used in its construction are mostly plastic with only yolks being metal and headband being leatherette. In fact the materials are almost identical with Edition XS and HE6se v2. So while I can’t fault the choices in its construction considering the price, it’s more frustrating that higher models don’t offer a more premium experience.

Headband is mostly comfortable since it’s not too heavy. This wasn’t the case with the Edition XS since its headband caused a hot spot on top of my head. In the case of HE6se v2, while it was fairly comfortable, it wasn’t staying firmly on my head so I replaced it’s headband with a Audeze styled one.



HE400se is not exactly easy to drive. I would recommend using an amplifier with a decent power output. Probably something along the lines of 500 mW or 1 Watt should suffice.

Sound of Hifiman HE400se​

Tonality​

HE400se proudly represents Hifiman’s bright/neutral house sound. Bass is not very emphasized but not exactly linear either. It has a tint of warmth if we consider Diffuse Field as strictly neutral. There is also a slight sub bass roll off due to the leakage in the seal in the pads.

Mids tuning is again mostly neutral with slight deviations. HE400se also has Hifiman’s usual 2k dip which helps with the sound stage but also gives a slight unnatural sensation. It’s more true for this one as the voices sound like they are coming through a tunnel ever so slightly. By itself you wouldn’t notice it but it becomes apparent when you change headphones or compare it directly to something more “natural”.



Like other Hifiman planars, HE400se is also bright but I wouldn’t call them harsh. In fact it doesn’t have the tizzy and fatiguing nature even some of the higher models have but you can also say HE400se doesn’t have their treble extension and detail level. It's also not as refined as its bigger brothers but by itself, it’s hard to complain.

Technicalities​

HE400se is a cheap planar and this translates to several things. It’s mostly superior to the headphones with dynamic drivers that are even more expensive but doesn’t beat more expensive headphones with planar magnetic drivers and other novel technologies. It has good details and staging capabilities. Timbre is surprisingly good but not exceptional. As always, comparisons will give more context to what I try to convey.

Comparisons​

Hifiman HE400se vs. Hifiman Sundara​

I didn’t expect the HE400se to beat its bigger brother but this comparison should help those you are considering an upgrade in the future or wondering if they should directly jump to Sundara.

• Sundara is mostly made out of metal while HE400se is mostly plastic.
• They both have similar sound signatures.
• Sundara immediately sounds clearer and more refined.
• Sundara has more noticeably impact, authority and control in the bass. They both have similar subbass extensions. HE400se is slightly warmer and has a little bit more midbass quantity.
• There is a bigger scoop in the mids on HE400se which makes it sound like voices coming from further away through a tunnel but it doesn’t necessarily sound wider.
• Sundara sounds wider, deeper, more open and spacious.
• HE400se is more likely to get sibilant depending on the volume you are listening to.
• Timbre is more natural on Sundara throughout the frequency spectrum but especially in the mids.
• Sundara is a step up to HE400se in every thinkable technical aspect, it’s more detailed and resolving, has better layering and separation of instruments, sounds more spacious and imaging is better. You simply feel more perceptive of your surroundings with Sundara. But HE400se puts out around 70% of Sundara’s performance, which is considered a modern classic already, for around one third of its price.

Hifiman HE400se vs. Monoprice Monolith M570​

Monolith M570 are planar magnetic headphones that are from the family of Sendy Aiva, Sivga P-II, BLON BL20 and Takstar HF580. They cost 300 USD when they were released but sold for less than 150 USD before they were discontinued.

• Build quality and materials are much more premium on the M570.
• M570 is even warmer and has a thicker note weight. Bass is again more impactful and it has more authority and power behind it, but M570 also has more detail and texture in the bass. M570 extends much better into the subbass and rumbles more.
• Mids, especially lower mids up to 1-1.5 kHz are emphasized on M570. Vocals are pretty much neutral on HE400se, on M570 on the other hand, they are close and personal and sometimes honky. This makes presentation on M570 more emotional while HE400se sounds more natural.
• HE400 is brighter, it’s also again more likely to get sibilant with the volume but, M570 is not particularly dark either.
• Upper mids and lower treble are similar on both but M570 has more treble sizzle and snap. Still tonal balance skewed more toward low frequencies on M570 so overall they are warmer headphones.
• Timbre on HE400se is more natural. M570, although sounds enjoyable, has tuning quirks and is not exactly natural.
• Their imaging capabilities are similar, M570’s headstage isn’t particularly wider but it’s deeper than HE400se. M570 is more resolving and has better separation and layering capability.

Conclusion​

I will be honest, I missed reviewing full size headphones so I had a great time reviewing HE400se. My comparisons were all with higher tier headphones because I was already impressed with them from the start. They are very well tuned, especially at their price. They didn’t outright beat any of them, true, but around 100 USD I can’t think of any headphones that’s better. So probably the lesson you should learn from this review is that HE400se is probably the best headphones around 100 USD but if you decide to spend more, you can definitely get more.

The HE400SE might be the cheapest planar magnetic over-ear headphones, but the sound quality of these headphones is anything but cheap. The HE400SE has two versions: the older model and one with stealth magnets (new model). The term "stealth magnets" means that the pre-installed magnets inside the headphones have a minimal impact on the sound, almost "invisible". These two versions have a slight difference in price, but the tuning style and sound quality are not significantly different. According to the frequency response, the stealth magnet version has a deeper "dive" at sub-bass. The appearance of the two versions of the HE400SE is exactly the same, so it's not recommended to buy the stealth magnet version second-hand, especially without the original box, because if the seller sends you the older model, it would be hard to distinguish.

When driven by the FiiO K9 Pro ESS, there's nothing to fault in the sound of the HE400SE. The HE400SE leverages the good frequency extension of its planar magnetic unit to "produce a natural sound and listening experience" and "accurately reproduce the audio". At this price point, I can't find any other headphones that could compete with the sound of the HE400SE.

For gamers who are on a budget and mainly play in quiet environments, the HE400SE is a blessing. Its balanced frequency response, undamaged low frequency (compared to the K701 and SHP9500), and excellent soundstage and imaging (imaging can be understood as the accuracy of sound localization) make it a good companion for audio and video entertainment.

In terms of wear comfort, thanks to its not-high weight (as planar magnetic over-ears usually be heavy), the clamping and pressure of the HE400SE are well controlled (shame on the Edition XS which caused serious pain on my head). The ear cups of the HE400SE, although slightly less comfortable than leather or pure velvet, have no defects. In short, I can wear it for several hours without any pressure. The much-criticized build quality problem of HIFIMAN does not exist in the HE400SE (You can't expect headphones at this price to be better-made), and the materials of these headphones are very decent and sturdy.

Because the price of the HE400SE is so low, HIFIMAN had to use weaker magnets for this planar magnetic headphone, which resulted in the HE400SE having a lower sensitivity and needing a larger current to drive, leading to its "hard to drive" drawback. Although the HE400SE commendably does not produce "bad sound" on weaker amp, a better amp will significantly optimize its sound performance, and it is recommended to pair it with a dongle with a 4.4mm port or a desktop amp.

Suitable for: Audiophiles on a budget
Not suitable for: Users who go out a lot, people who are unwilling to buy an amp
Recommendation index: Its only downside is "hard to drive", but as an old Chinese saying goes, "a skinny camel is bigger than a horse".

Disclaimer:​

Hifiman provided me with a review sample of the Hifiman HE400Se, for which I am grateful!


I’m going to be as objective as possible, and being a common audio enthusiast, I will use simple words in this review.

You might also like​

Sendy Peacock Review (Fahri’s Take)​

Hifiman Sundara Review​

Hifiman Edition XS Review​

I will highlight what I liked and what I didn’t, without any fear.


This will be my first review of full-size headphones. Mark from Hifiman sent me exactly what I wanted to try. Cheap but well-made products are the ones that sell the most and, above all, that everyone can afford.


I’m definitely very late with this review, but I hope you’ll still be interested in reading it.


So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.


My review won’t be the most technical you will find online, but I hope you like it.

Tech Specs:​

ComfortableStealth MagnetsSpecs

• Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Efficiency: 91dB
• Weight : 385g

Packaging:​

Speaking of full-size planar headphones costing 100 USD, the packaging is more than right and well made. Inside, we find a box with:

• Cable
• 6.35mm adapter
• Digital-only manual via QR code

The internal packaging part can be used as a headphone stand, but the best thing would be to buy a well-made one. I really miss a hard case; perhaps they could have included at least a carrying bag.


I have often heard that the original cable was of very low quality, but in my opinion, they have updated the cable with a better-made one. It’s really soft, and probably the internal sections are really thin. Unfortunately, it is not balanced, but I immediately proceeded to purchase one from OpenHeart and another one from Faaeal at a negligible cost.

Design/Build Quality:​

The thing that immediately catches your eye is their grandeur! They are very large, fortunately not too heavy, but still convey a very good sense of robustness. A well-padded headband doesn’t bother your head, and well-padded pads don’t get too hot, but in summer they’re a pain in the ass. The part that rests on the skin is velvety, while the edge is made of imitation leather.

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The headband is mostly made of metal, but the earcups (the silver area) have a metal-like finish but are plastic. The grills, on the other hand, appear to be made of metal.


As you can see, you can see through the planar driver, which is nothing more than a membrane that vibrates in the air. The rear grilles can also be removed or customized by 3D printing them. The 3.5mm TTRS connectors on the ear cups have excellent feedback and seem durable. I must admit that for what they cost, they seem even more solid than my Philips Fidelio X2HR. They probably have a very similar quality.

Fit and Comfort​

Here, the situation is extremely personal and subjective. I personally hate the heat of all-over-ear headphones. I can tolerate them only in the winter, but hardly in the summer. I’m a bit particular, but leaving this factor aside, I’ll tell you a little about my experience.


I’ve done listening sessions for up to about 3 hours. There is no discomfort due to the size or weight of the headphones. The only thing that could bother you is the ear touching the internal part where the driver is located. To be clearer, if you turn up the volume, the bass will tickle your ear with the covering. It’s not a real problem; it depends on the shape of the pads and the distance they give you from your ear (obviously also on the shape of your ears). I had this problem with my Philips Fidelio but fortunately there was no problem with the He400se.


Even though the pads seem to be breathable, the heat is there! I suffer a lot from the heat and can sweat even at -20 degrees. Maybe changing the ear cups could be a solution in my case, but I still think they are much fresher than many others I’ve tried.

Equipment used for the testing above:​

Device:

• iMac
• Redmi Note 7
• Poco M4 Pro

Software:

• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz
• Tidal Hifi Plus
• Foobar 2000

DAC:

• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus (ESS) : Nice performance
• FX-AUDIO X6 6.35mm
• Muse Hifi M4
• Ibasso Dc04Pro (Dual Cirrus) : Best Synergy
• EPZ TP20 (Dual Cirrus)
• EPZ TP30 (Dual ESS)
• Moondrop Dawn
• Moondrop Dawn Pro

I’m not listing all the tracks because there are too many, but the Hifiman He400se does pretty well with all genres.



When in doubt, I had to do 60 hours of burn-in, but I must admit that I immediately had a better impression than my Fidelio right out of the box.



Obviously, I did a very quick test using the stock cable, but I didn’t have amplifiers with very powerful outputs on single ends except for my cheap Fx-Audio X6 with a 6.35mm output, so I immediately mounted the balanced cable.



Dacs that can drive He400se

However, I carried out the first tests with my old FX-Audio X6, and I must say that the result is more than satisfactory. Considering the cost of this desktop DAC’s 450 MW into 32 OHM, this is probably true.


They absolutely don’t lack volume to make them sing properly, but you can easily bring it to maximum volume, and the He400se absorbs everything without any effort.

Sound impressions:​

The Hifiman He400Se needs a lot of power to stand out. The difference with the balanced cable is absurd, but I strongly fear that even more is needed. In any case, I have nothing else to test them with at the moment, but I was very tempted to order a Fiio KA13.




Right from the start, they seemed much more balanced and natural than the Fidelio X2HR, which is very flat and almost cold. These Hifiman have excellent performances in any genre, while the Fidelio give their best with classical and jazz music.


After the burn-in period, I noticed a slight improvement in the low-frequency range. However, I’m still reflecting on the meaning of open-back headphones; it’s like having headphones in natural transparency mode always active, with the only problem being that everyone around you hears your music. The Hifiman He400Se has an exaggerated dispersion; at times, it seems to be heard louder externally than internally. If pushed to maximum volume, they practically become two speakers. The bass, on the other hand, behaves strangely; in mid-air, the bass is very pronounced, as if the free-moving driver had more excursion. You really feel the vibration of the air externally, and the moment you detach the earcups from your ears, you feel the bass come to life.




Out of curiosity, I closed the back, and to my surprise, the tuning changed, and even the soundstage closed a bit. You lose the concert hall effect, but you gain some details that are lost a little. A closed version? I think it would sound just as good.

Treble​

The treble area is definitely good! Currently,I don’t notice any extreme trebles; they are well defined, and there is a good airiness. If you close the grill with your hands, you can feel it much more, but in general, the whole perception of its tuning changes. On some tracks, however, they can be defined as borderline but much calmer than the Letshuoer S12 Pro, for example.

Mids​

The mids are not very recessed, the high frequencies stand out more, and immediately after the vocal part, which is slightly warmer than usual at times, both male and female voices are represented fairly consistently. Sometimes there is a peak in the shrillest female voices. Musical instruments mostly sound natural and consistent. Stringed instruments sound very pleasant and have sufficient depth. Excellent separation.

Bass​

The bass is lost a little, although it is well present. Especially in the sub-bass, the roll-off is noticeable. They are more than sufficient for most musical genres, but sometimes, on some tracks, despite their speed and definition, they lack depth. Ironically, they are more noticeable on the outside of the headphones. The moment you detach them slightly from your ears, the bass comes to life. Having said that, I like the bass much better than that of my Fidelio.

Soundstage and Imaging:​

Can I tell you that, with such large open-backs and planar drivers, I would have expected a much larger soundstage? Honestly, the soundstage is just a little over your head. Practically all the planar IEMs tested so far manage to do better. However, as far as the image is concerned, it is very good.


Layering and separation are very good, which is what one would expect from a planar driver.

Fast Comparison​

I don’t have many full-size headphones; in fact, I currently only have the Fidelio X2HR, but I still have several planar IEMs with which I can make comparisons.


vs Philips Fidelio X2HR


Philips Fidelio X2HR

On sale, maybe for Black Friday, I purchased the Fidelio X2HR. The many encouraging viewpoints I encountered in groups and online motivated me more. I would not say they were my best buy. They are built even better than the Hifiman He400Se, and the sound is extremely good. If used without EQ, they are probably made for classical, jazz, and maybe R&B. Personally, I wouldn’t listen to any genre with these, although the similarity between the two headphones is quite audible.I can’t say that the difference between the two is exaggerated; indeed, in the same price range, they compete equally. Fidelio does not require a lot of power to shine. The highs are very refined, in some cases even better; the mids have an even more pleasant tone; and the low frequencies are more or less equal but totally different. The Fidelio has the classic soundstage given by the classic drivers, aided by the fact that they are open-back. Very good image and detail, but do not reach the level of the Hifiman.

vs Hidizs Mp145​

Hidizs Mp145

Even though they are IEMs with an infinitely smaller driver, they now have many times greater efficiency. Personally, the Hidizs are definitely better performing. The soundstage in comparison is enormous, and the image and details are superior by a few spans.


Warm, full-bodied, thick sound. It is difficult to have problems with the treble, but you also have the possibility of replacing the nozzles.


The sound is more engaging, or rather more faithful to Harman Tuning.


vs Letshuoer S12 Pro


Letshuoer S12 Pro

More or less the same thing, but the S12 Pro is definitely brighter, and the soundstage is only slightly better than the Hifiman he400se. They are also more efficient and easier to use. I recommend reading the full review.


vs Kefine Klanar


Kefine Klanar

The Kefine Klanar are the ones that are positioned at the same price as the Hifiman He400Se, so which one should I choose? The Kefine are V-shaped, the bass is very close to that offered by the DD, and the details and soundstage are excellent. You don’t need a power plant to make them play because they are super efficient. I recommend you read my detailed review.

Conclusion:​

I have to say that the Hifiman He400Se performs best with adequate amplification; currently, I’ve stopped at probably half of what would be really suitable. My Hidizs S9 Pro can go full blast without any distortion, and the He400Se plays very loudly, well beyond the safe threshold. Having said that, you need at least a DAC with a Cirrus CS43131, so for their cost, you should directly add at least 40 USD plus a balanced cable, which costs around 15 USD. These are certainly costs to take into consideration if you want to try to buy them and you don’t own the equipment. Obviously, they are suitable for listening in quiet and even isolated environments. They are definitely not the kind of headphones you can listen to in the library, as those present would hear more than you yourself. But if you want to make yourself comfortable, warm, and cozy in an armchair, these are perfect. It is definitely more detailed and brighter than my Fidelio X2HR.


Do they heat your ears? I have to say that the earcups breathe quite a bit, but in the summer I’m still not able to use them. Despite the size, the weight is quite low. Thanks to the soft and comfy earcups, the weight is well distributed without excessive pressure points. I would say they are well balanced.


In my opinion, they are the type of headphones to have in your collection, as the expense doesn’t hurt your wallet. They are definitely very good considering that they are entry-level planar over-ears.

Where to buy?​

• Hifiman Official Store