Soldato
I couldn't disagree more but then we're all entitled to our opinions
Heads-up on HE400i on sale
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I couldn't disagree more but then we're all entitled to our opinions
They're more exciting due to the peaks in the upper treble giving them a bit of sparkle and air but end up sounding less dynamic and more compressed but It does depend on what you're driving the HD650 with though. It will end up costing more money to build a good HD650 rig(1k + for DAC + AMP) as opposed to a HE400i rig and is not always worth it for some people. I had the HD650 on a modded Icon and it danced around every planar I threw at it although it's bass wasn't great. I don't know how much the lottery comes into play these days with getting good planar drivers but it still seems the case for the LCD models with variances in the treble and bass clarity. If your HE-400i sounds anything like my original HE-400i then I'd certainly prefer it to HD650 on modest set ups.
Associate
I'd take my HE400i over my HD600 and HD650 any day.
Soldato
I think Ryan is basing his preference off the HD650's ability to scale with high end equipment, which is quite a rare ability. However, the vast majority of users don't tend to throw down £1000 and upwards on gear to match them with, certainly not around these parts. I am very definitely in this category, being more than happy with my Schiit Modi Multibit and Magni 3, I honestly have no aching urge to go any further as they, together with my HE400i's, make music sound rather good to my admittedly well used ears.
Associate
The Oppos have amazing bass if you feed them MOAR POWAAAAH
Associate
I couldn't disagree more but then we're all entitled to our opinions
Having listened to both and having owned the 400i I have to disagree as well.
Planars will always struggle in areas like dynamics, impact and treble timbre there's no way around it compared to good dynamics. It depends on what rig you have the HD650's on, on a higher end rig the HD650 will breeze part the 400i when it comes to detail, resolution.
Also you have to factor in personal preference. HD650 is neutral, warm with an upper mid boost messy bass but impactful while the HE-400 is slightly V shaped, has planar compression and extended bass with bright spots so it's a different approach.
I tend to prefer bassy warmish headphones like the HD650, Atticus, Old Denon range etc.
Also you have to factor in personal preference. HD650 is neutral, warm with an upper mid boost messy bass but impactful while the HE-400 is slightly V shaped, has planar compression and extended bass with bright spots so it's a different approach.
I tend to prefer bassy warmish headphones like the HD650, Atticus, Old Denon range etc.
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Soldato
Heads up - they are available at £180 on the rain forest again 
Do you check it hourlyHeads up - they are available at £180 on the rain forest again
Soldato
usually just when someone mentions them
Soldato
Hell yes - I have both
Soldato
The most noticeable difference is in clarity.
The Sony has a LOT of bass but mostly in the mid-bass region, so it tends to sound boomy, which bleeds into and can overwhelm the mids.
The HE400i has planar bass, so very fast attack and decay and while it doesn't have the quantity of bass of the Sony, it goes deeper and sounds much more punchy and impactful.
The mids are untouched by the bass so are cleaner and more easily heard in the mix. At the high end, the HE400i has more air and cymbals have more sizzle.
Overall the HE400i sounds cleaner, clearer and more natural and is a quite noticeable step up the ladder.
If you are a big fan of the MDR-1A bass then the HE400i would sound somewhat bass-lite in comparison but that's entirely due to the Sony having completely overblown bass bloat
The Sony has a LOT of bass but mostly in the mid-bass region, so it tends to sound boomy, which bleeds into and can overwhelm the mids.
The HE400i has planar bass, so very fast attack and decay and while it doesn't have the quantity of bass of the Sony, it goes deeper and sounds much more punchy and impactful.
The mids are untouched by the bass so are cleaner and more easily heard in the mix. At the high end, the HE400i has more air and cymbals have more sizzle.
Overall the HE400i sounds cleaner, clearer and more natural and is a quite noticeable step up the ladder.
If you are a big fan of the MDR-1A bass then the HE400i would sound somewhat bass-lite in comparison but that's entirely due to the Sony having completely overblown bass bloat
A little well done for passing my ACCA exam turned up on my desk this afternoon.
Anyone recommend some songs to take for a spin? Currently binging on the London Philharmonic.
Re being driven, they seem a tad quiet off my Oneplus 5T but are absolutely shining on the SMSL M3.
Anyone recommend some songs to take for a spin? Currently binging on the London Philharmonic.
Re being driven, they seem a tad quiet off my Oneplus 5T but are absolutely shining on the SMSL M3.
Soldato
Anything by Steely Dan sounds incredible on them