With pads for the imaging correction I definitely found the 400se to be more consistent for gaming. Not as big, but more accurate. I really only ever rated the 400se for gaming since they were just a cheap planar with decent verticality. Better timbre than the Ananda too, but less technically capable and with less sibilance problems. Also the stealth magnets matter quite a bit.
1 Like
How good is the soundstage and imaging? I will be using them mainly for fun gaming. movies and then music. I have hd598s right now and were planning to upgrade to harmonicdyne zeus. How do they compare to them? In my country their price is 132 dollars vs 436 for harmonicdyne zeus. WIll be running them throught btr5
1 Like
I think for stage and imaging the he400se is pretty impressive, and in the same price range the only thing that probably is better for stage and imaging is the AKG K612 Pro.
I listen to the HE400se on a BTR5, and they have a weird recessed area around 2k, that needs EQ for movies or dialog can get a bit soft. Despite that bass roll off, they have a nice bassy sound to them, maybe because of those recessed mids.
I never bothered with aftermarket ear pads, but I know some people rave about some of them.
I did velcro a set of Sennheiser pads to the headband, but I had a hot spot on the top of it.
People who have used these for games and movies? What games and movies have you used them with and how was your experience? Please share
Would K5 or DAC-X3/X6 or SB G6 provide sufficient amplification for these? Iām thinking about buying them as a gift for a family member, but Iām a bit worried I might have to follow up with an amp. I could spare my K5 (donāt really need it with the Tygrs), but Iād rather not have to buy anything >$100. The DAC-Xās are inexpensive where I live, and Creative always has SXFI amps and G6ās in B-stock.
My wife bought me a set of these for my birthday this past Dec. and Iāve been loving these. My first planar and Iām guessing it wonāt be the last. I pretty much only use them for music and maybe some light Youtube or episode watching. To me they have a very natural, unforced sound. Iām probably imagining that I can hear the ultra low mass of the planar element just getting out of the way of the music but that what it seems like.
They love tubes. I run them on a Monolith tube amp that has a transformer output with multiple taps for different impedances so the low impedance doesnāt change the sound. Sourced from a Rpi running Volumio through a Boss Dac hat, this set up can deliver goosebumps on occasion and rarely has me wanting more. They also pair well with my āBudget WA8ā set up. I run an Emotiva Little Ego into a Little Bear B4-X with my laptop for a transportable solution and the HE 400ses really shine on it. Both set ups have more than enough power for me.
Iām super happy with them. In fact, Iāve been so happy with them on the tubes, I havenāt even tried them on the few solid state amps I have. My 6XXs got moved upstairs where headphones play second fiddle to speakers while the Hifimans have become a permanent fixture in the main headphone rig. Maybe Iāll be happy enough that I wonāt be looking at any new canās for awhile? Nah, but I know it would take something extra special to knock the 400ses out of the main rig anytime soon.
Anyone else running these on tubes?
1 Like
Donāt try the Edition XS. 
Theyāre the HE-400se on designer steroids.
But glad youāre digging the HE-400se. Terrific headphones. Love mine.
1 Like
My review of the HE400se is live now for those interested: HIFIMAN HE400se Headphones Review - Budget Excellence! | TechPowerUp
1 Like
Whew, just finished the thread.
I bought these a couple of weeks ago and am now in search of amplification. Primary use is PC music and some gaming. Theyāre currently running off a headphone jack on ancient Altec Lansing 2.1 PC speakers.
Iāve been looking at JDS Labs Atom+ and DAC+, various Fiio products and xDuoo products. Going through some information overload. So, I welcome any recommendations or āstay away fromā warnings. Budget, under $250 US. Hope itās ok to solicit recommendations here. Feel free to move if not.
Cheers!
Would say you wonāt do much wrong with a atom or schiit stack, if your willing to buy used they can be had for good money, some also have good experiences with a tube hybrid like the xduoo mt602 but i think many did some tube rolling before they were really happy
If you go schiit stack. Magni 3+ will be better since it is a current feedback topology.
I use an Atom+ stack with the HE-400se. Works beautifully. Ample volume and fidelity. Very clean power.
Was hoping youād reply as I knew you had the Atom+ stack. Glad to hear youāre enjoying them!
Thanks for the replies folks!
1 Like
Can someone perhaps try the HE400se with zenDAC only? And say if the zenCAN is necessary or not worth the extra cash? Tight budget.
Get a balanced cable for the 400se and the zen DAC should be enough, did try it with Sundara and youāll hear a quality jump from SE to balanced
The jump to the zen can is also there but imo less then the jump from SE to balanced 
2 Likes
I run mine with the stock cable on a BTR5 with no problem, and they have even more power if I switch to a balanced cable. Something like a ZenDac would be a good pick too, and not that expensive.
Would anyone know the differences in the sound profile of these and the he400i (2020)?
well, I was about to post a sad message, that my 400se were DoAā¦channel imbalance. on a whim I swapped the 6.25mm - 3.5mm to a dif and the problem disappeared. swapped it back to check and it was also fine. so seems one of the connections wasnāt fully seatedā¦into the amp or into the adapter.
another weird thing is that if I tried to turn up the volume, something like clipping would start when I tried to raise the volume to a preferred level. upping the gain caused it to start doing this at a lower level on the dial. that disappeared when I swapped to the other adapterā¦and didnāt return when I went back to the one it came with.
bah, hum happy! LoL!
1 Like
