[mysticstryk]

Try some leather cleaner and conditioner, I've used this on cars where the owner was a smoker and it helped to give the new leather smell again and mask over smell of the smoke.

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Just opened up the grills, the white plastic housing is turning yellow. This is disgusting. The plastic earcups even smell like cigarettes.

 

[DavidA]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Just opened up the grills, the white plastic housing is turning yellow. This is disgusting. The plastic earcups even smell like cigarettes.

I guess when ever I buy used stuff I'm going to ask if they were smokers, don't want to go through what you are going through.

 

[mysticstryk]

I guess when ever I buy used stuff I'm going to ask if they were smokers, don't want to go through what you are going through.

I've never had an issue like this before. Won't ever happen again though, that's for sure.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

To be fair, it could be in a heavy smoker's home and be near mint. The HE-400 may habe been left out on a headphone stand without use, but exposed to the in home elements.

I have never smoked, or never would, mind you, but these are questions the buyers should ask if it's a big deal.

 

[mysticstryk]

To be fair, it could be in a heavy smoker's home and be near mint. The HE-400 may habe been left out on a headphone stand without use, but exposed to the in home elements.

I have never smoked, or never would, mind you, but these are questions the buyers should ask if it's a big deal.

The seller is working with me and is very communicative. To address your point though, a buyer should not have to ask if it will smell like smoke. That is a pretty significant quality issue that should be disclosed that absolutely impacts the condition.

 

[Basstian85]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Just opened up the grills, the white plastic housing is turning yellow. This is disgusting. The plastic earcups even smell like cigarettes.

 
Just to make sure, you know about the revisions of the HE400?
 
If that plastic is not transparent and is yellowish / bone-like color you could have one of the bad/faulty revisions...

 

[mysticstryk]

   
Just to make sure, you know about the revisions of the HE400?
 
If that plastic is not transparent and is yellowish / bone-like color you could have one of the bad/faulty revisions...

 
Idk what your talking about.  Mine sound good though.

 

[mysticstryk]

 
 
They are a little transparent.  Only a slight, maybe not even yellow, but off-white coloring.  Could even be due to normal wear and tear and not smoke I suppose.  It is hard to see the transparency in the photo, but they are a little. You might be able to see the magnets through it if you look hard along the top and sides.

 

[Basstian85]

   
Idk what your talking about.  Mine sound good though.

you can read a bit here or here
 
There are some pics to compare too... On Revision 3 the grid is more yellowish/sand color and not transparent at all
it seems these had some strange problems in the treble...
 
but yeah, yours are slightly transparent, these are fine.
I think you should always check this when you get used HE-400.
 
Sorry if I made you worry...

 

[mysticstryk]

  you can read a bit here or here
 
There are some pics to compare too... On Revision 3 the grid is more yellowish/sand color and not transparent at all
it seems these had some strange problems in the treble...
 
but yeah, yours are slightly transparent, these are fine.
I think you should always check this when you get used HE-400.
 
Sorry if I made you worry...

 
No worries.  Mine look even more transparent in person.  Definitely not like those in the links you posted.
 
 
EDIT:  So far I'm really liking the sound.  Weight is a non-issue.  After owning the LCD-2 for awhile, these feel much lighter in comparison.  Already I'm in love with the low notes.  
 
I downloaded the Equalizer APO from sourceforge to do a system wide EQ setting to tame the treble.  Is this a good one to use?  Haven't dabbled very much in EQ.

 

[DavidA]

@mysticstryk I think those are revision 4 HE-400, the latest ones with no problems.  I don't think there are too many Rev 3 still out there since most were returned for Rev 4 which Hifiman was really good about exchanges.

 

[mysticstryk]

@mysticstryk
 I think those are revision 4 HE-400, the latest ones with no problems.  I don't think there are too many Rev 3 still out there since most were returned for Rev 4 which Hifiman was really good about exchanges.

They sound great! Been airing them out all day as well.

 

[DavidA]

They sound great! Been airing them out all day as well.

Have you read about all the mods that others have done to the HE-400?  What ear pads did they come with?

 

[mysticstryk]

Have you read about all the mods that others have done to the HE-400?  What ear pads did they come with?

I know of some from researching mods for my 400i I had. They came with veleur and pleather.

 

[MrMateoHead]

Just got a pair of these from another head-fi member. Supposedly "near mint" doesn't include the fact that everything smells of HEAVY cigarette smoke. Seriously, most of the schiit is unusable.

I washed the veleur pads in warm water and dish soap. Got them in the dryer currently with a dryer sheet on low heat. What can I do about the leather headband?

Even the cables smell terrible. I was happy they came in the original box and everything, but I'm just gonna toss that in the dumpster now.

Sorry to hear that. If it is any consolation, I once bought some "mint" used headphones from the Internet, and they arrived broken. To make a long story short, the seller acted "surprised" but I smelled a rat - clearly they were trying to dump a broken product to some unsuspecting buyer. it was a sour and disappointing experience and as close to "scam" as I ever want to get! Luckily, I got my money back, and they got a negative review.
 
Smokers can't always smell their own stink - and unfortunately plastic can absorb the stink all too easily and it is hard to get out. Plus a lot of smokers would deny that they smoke (its that sham-ey world we live in today + everyone knows the things kill). Plus smokers are aware that their ability to sell would most likely sink like a rock if they wrote - "product X / couch / headphone / TV for sale - heavy cigarette stink included!" There is at least a possibility that the person(s) shipping the things were heavy smokers, but this doesn't sound like that.
 
Anyway, I would try soaking the pads in some 50/50 diluted white vinegar and water as well. OR, you can add some white vinegar to the washer with your detergent. That is how I got the stink and oils off my clothes after an apartment fire years ago - only took about 3 washes! You MIGHT be able to spray the headband and other parts of the phones as well, to battle the scent, but I would be wary of damaging the driver (so far, I know vinegar will damage the finish of marble, but other common surfaces are unaffected). A little baking soda powder sometimes can help. Perhaps a little febreze.
 
Best of luck! Keep airing them out near a window or something as well, the worst of it should dissipate over time.