OMG, I modded the mod by only using enough tape to cover about 75% of the width, leaving gaps at both ends. The treble is still tamed, but the bass doesn't seem to roll off. Punchy and fun. This now sounds like the ideal headphone for me. Worth a try!
Waiting for a tuning comparison on the variations between different tape choices, and wondering if somewhere on Etsy we will soon see Audiophile grade tuning tape for sale.
It's indeed a smart and easy hack to tweak the sound profile. Personally I'm still more inclined towards EQing (or using damping foam or pad-rolling if you can't EQ on your device). If I've got it right, the tape mod seems to reduce the effective area of the planar driver, especially in dialling down those direct high-frequency waves at the ear's entrance. As the FR shows it does change the driver's overall linearity and potentially compromise the bass extension. So, for me, PEQ's still the way to go.
I have the old HE400i and a [not so cheap but not too expensive] fix is swapping the pads. I tried with some Brainwavz perforated pleather and some lambskin ones and I settled on the latter. It makes them warmer and cuts the treble down, with the perforated ones the change is minimal. It also affects the timbre positively to my ears. They are also a lot more comfortable than the stock ones. It may not be for everybody as it loses the analytical feel quite a bit and makes the bass less tight but it's worth experimenting
Thank you posting this as I owned the 400se as my first and only planar headphone that I can afford. I’m planning to change the cups and get a dac and am surprised yet grateful for seeing this hack from you. I might try it when I get a dac and oh yes the cable to see if there is any difference to my listening exprience. Now I have something to look forward to do with my 400se. Thanks!
Love these short videos about easy ways to improve audio and doing it affordably…TY for your hard work and willingness to teach others about this hobby… 😊
Did I miss it, or did DMS not mention what kind of tape he used? Looks like it could be some sort of medical tape (so like an adhesive cloth) rather than like duct or Scotch tape? I would assume Scotch tape would just make it sound worse and possibly rattly. Maybe duct or electrical tape could work too?
I'm afraid such a mod will introduce distortions at listenable volumes, and maybe even affect the linearity of phase response. It would be nice if DMS measured it, I'd appreciate it a lot. But by adding just a few dozen dollars you could replace the dawn pro with qudelix-5k which not only adds bluetooth support to the setup, but also provides 20-band parametric equalizer that can help you tune any headphone response closer to your preferred target.
Thanks for the video. The heights didn't really bother me but since I am into mods I just tried this one with my HE400se out of curiosity and listened briefly and measured it with my minidsp EARS. Resulted in a noticeable dip of 4dB in the mids from 300 to 500 Hz and an (incomplete but significant) reduction of the peak and the heights from 6 kHz on. Did not really enjoy this sound signature but it might be an improvement for some.
The Best 'HEADPHONE channel' in the planet Earth. 100% absolutely. No doubt. DMS and other guys - You can be proud. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS
I did a similar thing but for Bass reduction. Years a go I got some Sony MDR-XB950s (cabled version), and found when I used small squares of gaffa tape to cover the Bass ports (at the top of the cups between the headband mounts), it knocked off a lot of the 'Boomy bass' and gave a tighter, cleaner deep bass that didn't overpower the rest of the frequencies. I'd imagine this mod would work with MOST of the MDR-XB series, and possibly some of their newer stuff/Bluetooth headphones too... 🤔😏👍 😎🇬🇧
I own multiple headphones at a higher budget than the he400se. but that didn't stop me from getting a pair for myself. Frankly, I don't use it nearly as often as my other headphones and collects dust. This video though gives me something worthwhile to do at the very least so I'll consider modifying my he400se for giggles. Thank you!
Thanks for the video DMS. I just tried the mod using some gaffers tape on my Drop (Hifiman) HE-X4's and on first impression, I like the effect. The gaffers tape is the same width as the height of the magnets, so it was rather easy to get a good fit. After the mod, the sound signature seems to similar to the EQ settings I was using on my Qudelix 5K with the Auto EQ Preset for these headphones. I will keep listening for a few days with some different music and then remove the tape to see if I still like the mod better than the non-mod version. I'm currently listening to them using my Schiit Modi/Magni stack.
removing the grill improves a sound-stage a lot. custom cans has great 3D printable grill for 2GBP which protects the drivers but is acoustically invisible.
I think with headphones that have a minor frequency response problem but otherwise are excellent everywhere else, a parametric eq is basically a free solution to fix them completely. APO Equaliser is one of those things I can't listen to my headphones without because I can basically fix any annoyances in the frequency response easily.
I'm all for EQ to fine tune a set of headphones/earphones. Yes there are some that think EQ is bad period, but if the piece of gear can be EQ'ed (granted, some don't take to any EQ at all) , then tweek it a little to fix the issues it has. It's better than buying multiple headphones to get the sound you want and wasting your money.
@@paultomaszewski1964 I actually spent years EQing many types of headphones and speakers and I learned that when done right, almost all headphones or speakers improve with EQ but some improve more than others. But yes, there does exist small portion of gear that while would improve under EQ, would not be able to fix their deal breaking underlying acoustic issues. These are the headphones people describe that don't take to EQ.
My main issue with HE400se is not treble, it's the 1.5K dip; it's like the whole center part of music just gets sucked out, and shoved into a cupboard. I'm using Wavelet and Poweramp on Android and Peace on Windows with a modified Oratory's preset, and honestly - it's a hassle, but I'd rather do that and have actual control over the tuning, rather than take apart and risk damaging a device for some hacky unpredictable result.
I've used PowerAmp for years! It's incredible what it can do to enhance music listening pleasure. It's a HIGHLY underrated app for Android, I just wish they made a proper Windows version 🤔😏👍 😎🇬🇧
I modded my set in a couple of ways to get to an acceptable sound quality. First, change out the ear pads to Brainwavz XL Pleather (improves bass quality). Second, remove the foam liner and change out the metal grills to something more open, I used aluminum grill liners that cost $5 for a pack (improves sound stage). Last, I lined the inside of the outer half of the ear cups with 1/2" long pieces of 1/4" thick foam (used for filling gaps in window frames to seal them) spaced about 3/4" apart (improves sound clarity by reducing reverb inside the outer ear cup shell). If you like modding, these changes made a significant difference.
The black metal grills on the outside of the ear cups are held in place by a thin black plastic ring that snaps into place. You can carefully remove the plastic ring using a small flathead screwdriver. With that done, the metal grills just fall out. Underneath the metal grills is a thin, circle shaped piece of grey foam. I think it is there to keep dust out of the ear cups, or maybe to reduce sound waves from bouncing off the grills (probably dust prevention though). This foam restricts air flow and decreases soundstage and should be removed in my opinion. You can use the metal grills as a template to cut out replacement grills from a more open meshed metal screen to further improve soundstage. You can get metal screen with cool patterns from the hardware store if you want them to look nice, or just use whatever if your only concern is sound quality.
What tape was that used in this video? It did not look like a plastic film type "invisible" tape to me. Looked more like a paper tape like used for masking when painting. Would a hospital type dressing tape, the type with the cross weave appearance (HypaFix comes to mind) that has holes in it provide a different effect? .
Why should you cause an uncontrolled change in the frequency response, when you can specifically influence / change it, with the help of an EQ. In addition, it is completely unclear, what effects this "mod" has on other parameters, such as distortion...
Great pair for the price and in many ways above, but EQ like Oratory's preset does so much for it that I see no reason to go that way instead slapping tape inside. If mods can improve macrodynamics or soundstage then I'm interested. The HE400se btw has rather rounded bass lacking definition even if the depth and weight are best in class.
Another common mod to help open up the soundstage a bit is to remove the stock grills which have a layer of foam over thek and replace them with more open grills!
I think if you’re into tinkering and your gear is not so expensive that you’ll cry if you f it up, then experimentation is definitely acceptable. It’s something you can’t really do with IEMs and you’ll never do with headphones above that $300 tipping point ($200 for me). If you can improve sound, why not try? Thanks for the cool vid D!
My home setup is a non-stealth HE400SE ($65!) with a Topping DX1 ($75). Pretty hard to beat for the price imho! I do have the Dawn Pro coming so gonna be fun to test it out - was planning to use it mainly with my IEMs.
Please update I also do have the non stealth. I am also wondering how the moondrop dawn pro sound with the headphone. Btw please do a comparison between the dx1 and moondrop for the he400se. See which is better. Also how does the dx1 sound with the he400se?
@@gavinxq1224 Go for it! I genuinely think it's perfect for what it is. You *could* go for the recently released Fiio KA13 - smaller form factor but not as much power as the DX1 (but more than many other dongle-type dacs). If using only for a home/dekstop setup, i really don't think you can go wrong with the DX1. I may be shallow, but there's something much more satisfying about using a volume knob vs clicking volume buttons 😅 The Ifi Uno is also an option if you want the extra features it offers. But something about the simplicity and straightforward-ness of the DX1 is appealing to me.
@@calvinyip364 Yes, i'll give the combo a listen once the Dawn arrives! If i don't get back to you in a couple weeks, do send another comment here to remind me 😅 And i guess it would be hard for me to really say, since the DX1 is the only dac/amp i've ever used with the HE400SE. But i really enjoy listening to them - more than my also-budget IEMs (7hz Zero, Wan'er, Z300, Sonus). Really love the bass response - quick and present, but not overbearing (i'm not a basshead). Mids/vocals are clear but not shouty. And to be honest, i've never really had any treble issues so far - i might just not be as sensitive as others. Overall sound is full (aka not thin), but still clear and detailed. I can't comment on timbre coz i don't think i have enough experience to really differentiate. But again, i can't say if the DX1 has anything to do with any of this. Just that the combination doesn't seem to have any negative impacts for me.
My wife bought these (HE400SE) for my up and coming birthday this 27th of September. My old Sennheiser HD598 died and my current Sennheiser HD 555's are cracking in the plastic and are held to together with glue but still sound good but I've heavily modded them.
my he400se (china edition) improves a lot, sound has more body, not hollow anymore. I prefer modded he400se over my hd6xx or focal elex(cuz it's heavier). thanks for information!
Jason at "Custom Cans" did some really nice modding for the HE400SE (3d printed and all). They also make really pretty cables and mods/ ballanced conversions for some sennheisers, beyerdynamics and the Sundara closed back. I'd reckon they are quite a bit less..uhm..."esoteric" and more hands on than you guys, but maybe give him a ring regarding the 400SE.
I agree it would be cool if DMS give @CustomCans mod a go. Also i found that swapping to the Dekoni hybrid pads on my Sundara really helped streamline the sound. I’d be curious to what those pads would do for the 400se.
@@JohnRob98 I would be really interested to ;) If DMS wants to give it a go we would be happy to send out some supergrills and one of our new comfort leather head straps
I'm really torn between these or the K361 at around the same price. Dac and amp is not an issue. I understand they are different and a little tough to compare. But for the money and purely based on sound, what should I go for?
I wish I knew this before I sold this headphone, specifically due to the spicy treble. Other than that, I loved the technical performance of this headphone a lot, given its price.
@@austingalan3872 Don't they have some updatable firmware? I could be overthinking this, but was surprised to see him do that. He also mentioned a slight problem with the DAC.
I don't think there's likely anything that will be hurt when it's not running. Most of the electronics won't care, but there's likely a boost converter and you could bias/saturate the inductor cores, if you put them near a strong magnet while it''s powered on. It probably wouldn't do permanent damage, but might cause the boost regulator to lock up until it's power cycled.
I had these lmao... for all of 2 months IF even. I was trying some pad swapping and went to put the pad back on and my nail broke trying to get clip back in and finger slipped right into the driver... its now a mono speaker. feels bad. Wish it had the protection that the he4xx has
Could these headphones work just fine being plugged into powered desktop speakers or would you still need something like the moon drop dawn pro for power? I would only be using these headphones at my desk with my computer or would I be better off to look else where?
Hello, I've already ordered the HE400Se and am looking for portable amp-dac on a toght budget. Sadly the Dawn Pro are out of stock in India. Please let me know the best options from below- Ibasso DC03 Pro - 66$
Shanling UA 2 Plus/UA3 (both under 80$)
Fiio Ka3/Q11 (96$)
Tempotec SOnata BHD Pro -97$
Tanchjim Space - (101$)
Shanling UA4 - 108$
FiiO Btr15 - 120$, pushing the budget, I know, but only if it really is a step above the cheaper ones mentioned above.
From unbalanced output nothing will be enough cause their low sensitivity. Of your options, it is better to choose the most powerful one - Q11 or BTR15 from balanced output. But it's better to look for a desktop budget amp-dac like Fiio K5 Pro, K11, Topping DX3 Pro etc.
Because you mentioned 3D printing; that should absolutely work, considering DCA uses the same idea for their AMTS. In fact I've been wondering whether anybody has taken it upon themselves to recreate an AMTS for the less expensive DCAs out there
@@MarcelNL I’ve been eyeing the Woo23 …but no matter what amplification is used the inherent characteristics of the tuning of the LCDX MAY be ameliorated…but never cancelled completely. Nice recommendation tho ‘ thanks.
I thought it might be cool to replace the metal mesh with a design of my own creation, is there a place I can go to have that done or do I need to 3D print it?
@@JonathanDano i used some thin DIY 304 stainless steel meshes, it should be within 1 to 2 paper thin. Though i have not tried 3d print, you could search up a DIY project on youtube for the HE400se, the result looks pretty good.
removing the grill really changes a sound a lot. (I would say 20% improvement in sound stage). custom cans has great 3D printable grill for 2GBP which protects the drivers but is acoustically invisible.
hello. I enjoyed it. I currently have fiio ka17. I'm looking for headphones here, he400se and sundara, beyerdynamic dt770or990 pro I'm thinking about it. I'm looking for headphones to use for watching movies/playing a bit. Are there any headphones you can recommend? Otherwise, other products are also fine. Please feel free to recommend, thank you!
I had one, the right cup died after 3 months only, and it seems that’s a common issue with this headphone. I was starting this hobby and it was my first planar The high frequency didn’t bother me, maybe because of my age, I’m 48. Now a I have a dt1990 pro , a fidelio x2 hr and hifiman edition xs, I’m generally satisfied but curious about Focal headphones.
I may try these again. Compared a gaming headset to these to sundara and thought the Sundara sounded a bit better. Would be interested to compare them again, after being used to a higher standard in audio after using the Sundara for a year almost. From what I remember, these are a basically sundara but cheaper. I wonder if I can tell the difference in soundstage
7:38 "...spend a bit more..." You mean triple the price? When I think of "budget" cans the most important aspect is value. Bang for the buck. Yeah, the Sundara may sound better, but do they sound three times better? It's subjective of course, but I think the HE400se wins here.
Great video. Would love to try this @ Home on my own Hifiman HD400. Can you tell what kind of tape you use ? Is it all plastic, airtight, or more like a plaster you would put on your skin ?
OMG, I modded the mod by only using enough tape to cover about 75% of the width, leaving gaps at both ends. The treble is still tamed, but the bass doesn't seem to roll off. Punchy and fun. This now sounds like the ideal headphone for me. Worth a try!
Waiting for a tuning comparison on the variations between different tape choices, and wondering if somewhere on Etsy we will soon see Audiophile grade tuning tape for sale.
That might be on Amazon even earlier. With 500000000 positive feedbacks.
You gonna again start a stupid saga !!!!
Don't give them any idea😅
Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. Just so happened to stumble across this video. I now know the dawn pro will power these.
It's indeed a smart and easy hack to tweak the sound profile. Personally I'm still more inclined towards EQing (or using damping foam or pad-rolling if you can't EQ on your device). If I've got it right, the tape mod seems to reduce the effective area of the planar driver, especially in dialling down those direct high-frequency waves at the ear's entrance. As the FR shows it does change the driver's overall linearity and potentially compromise the bass extension. So, for me, PEQ's still the way to go.
I have the old HE400i and a [not so cheap but not too expensive] fix is swapping the pads. I tried with some Brainwavz perforated pleather and some lambskin ones and I settled on the latter. It makes them warmer and cuts the treble down, with the perforated ones the change is minimal. It also affects the timbre positively to my ears. They are also a lot more comfortable than the stock ones.
It may not be for everybody as it loses the analytical feel quite a bit and makes the bass less tight but it's worth experimenting
Thank you posting this as I owned the 400se as my first and only planar headphone that I can afford. I’m planning to change the cups and get a dac and am surprised yet grateful for seeing this hack from you. I might try it when I get a dac and oh yes the cable to see if there is any difference to my listening exprience. Now I have something to look forward to do with my 400se. Thanks!
Love these short videos about easy ways to improve audio and doing it affordably…TY for your hard work and willingness to teach others about this hobby… 😊
Okay, I just tried this and the effect is amazing - many thanks for posting this video.
Hey there, what tape did u use for the mod?
@@seant4838 Blue painter's tape.
@@seant4838 tente usar "micropore tape"
ANSWER ME 😂😂😂
this tube toasting illustration in the back is amazing!
they have made an update to the headphones, the newer batches since a few months ago all don't have the 10k spike anymore, really good
Did I miss it, or did DMS not mention what kind of tape he used? Looks like it could be some sort of medical tape (so like an adhesive cloth) rather than like duct or Scotch tape? I would assume Scotch tape would just make it sound worse and possibly rattly. Maybe duct or electrical tape could work too?
He didn't mention anything about the tape, but it seems like he's using a heat-resistant ptfe teflon tape to cover those magnets.
THIS WORKS! THANK YOU!
I'm afraid such a mod will introduce distortions at listenable volumes, and maybe even affect the linearity of phase response. It would be nice if DMS measured it, I'd appreciate it a lot.
But by adding just a few dozen dollars you could replace the dawn pro with qudelix-5k which not only adds bluetooth support to the setup, but also provides 20-band parametric equalizer that can help you tune any headphone response closer to your preferred target.
I’ve been heavily considering getting a 5K for wayyyy longer than I’m willing to admit 😅
spoken like an educated man
I ordered a Dawn Pro. Thanks for the budget content!
Thanks for the video. The heights didn't really bother me but since I am into mods I just tried this one with my HE400se out of curiosity and listened briefly and measured it with my minidsp EARS. Resulted in a noticeable dip of 4dB in the mids from 300 to 500 Hz and an (incomplete but significant) reduction of the peak and the heights from 6 kHz on. Did not really enjoy this sound signature but it might be an improvement for some.
The Best 'HEADPHONE channel' in the planet Earth.
100% absolutely.
No doubt.
DMS and other guys - You can be proud.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU GUYS
I did a similar thing but for Bass reduction. Years a go I got some Sony MDR-XB950s (cabled version), and found when I used small squares of gaffa tape to cover the Bass ports (at the top of the cups between the headband mounts), it knocked off a lot of the 'Boomy bass' and gave a tighter, cleaner deep bass that didn't overpower the rest of the frequencies. I'd imagine this mod would work with MOST of the MDR-XB series, and possibly some of their newer stuff/Bluetooth headphones too... 🤔😏👍
😎🇬🇧
I own multiple headphones at a higher budget than the he400se. but that didn't stop me from getting a pair for myself. Frankly, I don't use it nearly as often as my other headphones and collects dust. This video though gives me something worthwhile to do at the very least so I'll consider modifying my he400se for giggles. Thank you!
Thinner pads lifts the treble slightly and with the tape mod you get pretty close. Must try mod for owners :)
Thanks for the video DMS. I just tried the mod using some gaffers tape on my Drop (Hifiman) HE-X4's and on first impression, I like the effect. The gaffers tape is the same width as the height of the magnets, so it was rather easy to get a good fit. After the mod, the sound signature seems to similar to the EQ settings I was using on my Qudelix 5K with the Auto EQ Preset for these headphones. I will keep listening for a few days with some different music and then remove the tape to see if I still like the mod better than the non-mod version. I'm currently listening to them using my Schiit Modi/Magni stack.
removing the grill improves a sound-stage a lot. custom cans has great 3D printable grill for 2GBP which protects the drivers but is acoustically invisible.
I got custom cans 3D printed grills for my he400i 2020s and it definitely makes a positive difference to the sound. Looks great, too!
How can i get those grilles is i dont have a 3D printer?
And i wont buy another pair of headphones just for the grilles lol
I think with headphones that have a minor frequency response problem but otherwise are excellent everywhere else, a parametric eq is basically a free solution to fix them completely. APO Equaliser is one of those things I can't listen to my headphones without because I can basically fix any annoyances in the frequency response easily.
I'm all for EQ to fine tune a set of headphones/earphones. Yes there are some that think EQ is bad period, but if the piece of gear can be EQ'ed (granted, some don't take to any EQ at all) , then tweek it a little to fix the issues it has. It's better than buying multiple headphones to get the sound you want and wasting your money.
@@paultomaszewski1964 I actually spent years EQing many types of headphones and speakers and I learned that when done right, almost all headphones or speakers improve with EQ but some improve more than others. But yes, there does exist small portion of gear that while would improve under EQ, would not be able to fix their deal breaking underlying acoustic issues. These are the headphones people describe that don't take to EQ.
thanks for the info. i have a pair of he400se and i’m going to try your mod.
Starts at 4:12. Mod is NOT shown how to install/do.
Can't wait for audiophile grade tape to come out
Ask Audi*Quest hahaha 10000_$ audiophile tape made in Chinaaaaaa
My main issue with HE400se is not treble, it's the 1.5K dip; it's like the whole center part of music just gets sucked out, and shoved into a cupboard. I'm using Wavelet and Poweramp on Android and Peace on Windows with a modified Oratory's preset, and honestly - it's a hassle, but I'd rather do that and have actual control over the tuning, rather than take apart and risk damaging a device for some hacky unpredictable result.
I've used PowerAmp for years! It's incredible what it can do to enhance music listening pleasure. It's a HIGHLY underrated app for Android, I just wish they made a proper Windows version 🤔😏👍
😎🇬🇧
I just discovered the same fix in EQ (a little more dB in 1.5kHz) and I found it very useful, there's no need to physical mods.
can you share your preset
@@GleyRiviery will you share your preset?
I thought you couldn’t touch the magnet drivers. This is a game changer for my Hifiman x4!
What kind of tape is that?
I modded my set in a couple of ways to get to an acceptable sound quality. First, change out the ear pads to Brainwavz XL Pleather (improves bass quality). Second, remove the foam liner and change out the metal grills to something more open, I used aluminum grill liners that cost $5 for a pack (improves sound stage). Last, I lined the inside of the outer half of the ear cups with 1/2" long pieces of 1/4" thick foam (used for filling gaps in window frames to seal them) spaced about 3/4" apart (improves sound clarity by reducing reverb inside the outer ear cup shell). If you like modding, these changes made a significant difference.
What's the foam liner ? Is this the foam ring being the screws when you take out the earpads ?
The black metal grills on the outside of the ear cups are held in place by a thin black plastic ring that snaps into place. You can carefully remove the plastic ring using a small flathead screwdriver. With that done, the metal grills just fall out. Underneath the metal grills is a thin, circle shaped piece of grey foam. I think it is there to keep dust out of the ear cups, or maybe to reduce sound waves from bouncing off the grills (probably dust prevention though). This foam restricts air flow and decreases soundstage and should be removed in my opinion. You can use the metal grills as a template to cut out replacement grills from a more open meshed metal screen to further improve soundstage. You can get metal screen with cool patterns from the hardware store if you want them to look nice, or just use whatever if your only concern is sound quality.
I have that headphone. I’ll give it a try. But I like the sharp treble.
What tape was that used in this video?
It did not look like a plastic film type "invisible" tape to me. Looked more like a paper tape like used for masking when painting.
Would a hospital type dressing tape, the type with the cross weave appearance (HypaFix comes to mind) that has holes in it provide a different effect?
.
I would love to see some more Headphone mods. I would like to see a review of Custom Cans (Jason's) mods like the Grill replacements for those HE400s.
This headphones is the single best deal in Headphone market IMO.
Why should you cause an uncontrolled change in the frequency response, when you can specifically influence / change it, with the help of an EQ.
In addition, it is completely unclear, what effects this "mod" has on other parameters, such as distortion...
I modified my EQ on the 6k, 7k, 8k, 9k and 10k to a V-Curve, smoothly up on the 12k and 20k, it's working great (for my ears at least)
Great pair for the price and in many ways above, but EQ like Oratory's preset does so much for it that I see no reason to go that way instead slapping tape inside. If mods can improve macrodynamics or soundstage then I'm interested. The HE400se btw has rather rounded bass lacking definition even if the depth and weight are best in class.
Another common mod to help open up the soundstage a bit is to remove the stock grills which have a layer of foam over thek and replace them with more open grills!
I think if you’re into tinkering and your gear is not so expensive that you’ll cry if you f it up, then experimentation is definitely acceptable. It’s something you can’t really do with IEMs and you’ll never do with headphones above that $300 tipping point ($200 for me). If you can improve sound, why not try? Thanks for the cool vid D!
My home setup is a non-stealth HE400SE ($65!) with a Topping DX1 ($75). Pretty hard to beat for the price imho! I do have the Dawn Pro coming so gonna be fun to test it out - was planning to use it mainly with my IEMs.
I'm about to buy Topping dx1 too because can't afford DX3 pro.
Please update I also do have the non stealth. I am also wondering how the moondrop dawn pro sound with the headphone.
Btw please do a comparison between the dx1 and moondrop for the he400se. See which is better.
Also how does the dx1 sound with the he400se?
@@gavinxq1224 Go for it! I genuinely think it's perfect for what it is. You *could* go for the recently released Fiio KA13 - smaller form factor but not as much power as the DX1 (but more than many other dongle-type dacs). If using only for a home/dekstop setup, i really don't think you can go wrong with the DX1. I may be shallow, but there's something much more satisfying about using a volume knob vs clicking volume buttons 😅 The Ifi Uno is also an option if you want the extra features it offers. But something about the simplicity and straightforward-ness of the DX1 is appealing to me.
@@calvinyip364 Yes, i'll give the combo a listen once the Dawn arrives! If i don't get back to you in a couple weeks, do send another comment here to remind me 😅
And i guess it would be hard for me to really say, since the DX1 is the only dac/amp i've ever used with the HE400SE. But i really enjoy listening to them - more than my also-budget IEMs (7hz Zero, Wan'er, Z300, Sonus). Really love the bass response - quick and present, but not overbearing (i'm not a basshead). Mids/vocals are clear but not shouty. And to be honest, i've never really had any treble issues so far - i might just not be as sensitive as others. Overall sound is full (aka not thin), but still clear and detailed. I can't comment on timbre coz i don't think i have enough experience to really differentiate. But again, i can't say if the DX1 has anything to do with any of this. Just that the combination doesn't seem to have any negative impacts for me.
I Actually prefer the non-stealth HE400se. Best deal in audio history!
My wife bought these (HE400SE) for my up and coming birthday this 27th of September. My old Sennheiser HD598 died and my current Sennheiser HD 555's are cracking in the plastic and are held to together with glue but still sound good but I've heavily modded them.
Hi, does anyone happen to know the make and model of the lamp in the table? I need one like that, and any help would be much appreciated!. Thanks!😮
I did it and I like it, thanks for sharing this tip
What kind of tape did you use?
5:13 Have you tried slightly thinner tape?
my he400se (china edition) improves a lot, sound has more body, not hollow anymore. I prefer modded he400se over my hd6xx or focal elex(cuz it's heavier). thanks for information!
Idk about the 400 but I tried a cable with TS plugs on my 560 V4 and they did not work, I needed to use a cable with TRS terminals
I suggest switching to a silver coated balanced 4.4mm copper cable for very realistic tones in the treble.
Jason at "Custom Cans" did some really nice modding for the HE400SE (3d printed and all). They also make really pretty cables and mods/ ballanced conversions for some sennheisers, beyerdynamics and the Sundara closed back.
I'd reckon they are quite a bit less..uhm..."esoteric" and more hands on than you guys, but maybe give him a ring regarding the 400SE.
I was about to mention their “SuperGrills”. Would definitely like to see how this tape mod compares to or combos with it.
I agree it would be cool if DMS give @CustomCans mod a go. Also i found that swapping to the Dekoni hybrid pads on my Sundara really helped streamline the sound. I’d be curious to what those pads would do for the 400se.
@@JohnRob98 I would be really interested to ;) If DMS wants to give it a go we would be happy to send out some supergrills and one of our new comfort leather head straps
Next step is HarmonicDyne Zeus Elite + MusiHIFI M3 ii ?
around 500$
MID-FI
What kind of tape is that??????
I'm really torn between these or the K361 at around the same price. Dac and amp is not an issue. I understand they are different and a little tough to compare. But for the money and purely based on sound, what should I go for?
I have a k371, unless you really need a closed headphone, this far outshines it
WHERE IS YOUR DACAMP ????
:D
i would to buy it :D
..worldwide please ...
I wish I knew this before I sold this headphone, specifically due to the spicy treble. Other than that, I loved the technical performance of this headphone a lot, given its price.
I will have a look at that mod, as I use my 400SE with my iFi Zen as its a darker sound
What kind of tape? It kind of looks like masking tape or medical tape. But is it paper or cloth tape?
Looks like cloth tape. I have the same question
I love headphone mod suggestions. I think this is a great direction for this channel for content between gear reviews.
Did you try cutting the tape a little shorter? Same width, just shorter...
How about tea bags? Would those work? Of 1-2 or maybe even 3 layers of felt or speaker grill cloth?
I wonder if it's bad for a dongle DAC to be put right next to powerful magnets like that ...
Magnets only effect physical storage media like hard drives and tapes. Will not effect a solid state digital device.
@@austingalan3872 Don't they have some updatable firmware? I could be overthinking this, but was surprised to see him do that. He also mentioned a slight problem with the DAC.
I don't think there's likely anything that will be hurt when it's not running.
Most of the electronics won't care, but there's likely a boost converter and you could bias/saturate the inductor cores, if you put them near a strong magnet while it''s powered on. It probably wouldn't do permanent damage, but might cause the boost regulator to lock up until it's power cycled.
I had these lmao... for all of 2 months IF even. I was trying some pad swapping and went to put the pad back on and my nail broke trying to get clip back in and finger slipped right into the driver... its now a mono speaker. feels bad. Wish it had the protection that the he4xx has
What would you pick for sound, he4xx or these
Okay.. But what kind of tape? There's quite a lot out there
We would like to see the comparison between the regular version and the Stealth Magnets Version. Thank you!
Could these headphones work just fine being plugged into powered desktop speakers or would you still need something like the moon drop dawn pro for power? I would only be using these headphones at my desk with my computer or would I be better off to look else where?
Hello, I've already ordered the HE400Se and am looking for portable amp-dac on a toght budget. Sadly the Dawn Pro are out of stock in India. Please let me know the best options from below-
Ibasso DC03 Pro - 66$
Shanling UA 2 Plus/UA3 (both under 80$)
Fiio Ka3/Q11 (96$)
Tempotec SOnata BHD Pro -97$
Tanchjim Space - (101$)
Shanling UA4 - 108$
FiiO Btr15 - 120$, pushing the budget, I know, but only if it really is a step above the cheaper ones mentioned above.
From unbalanced output nothing will be enough cause their low sensitivity. Of your options, it is better to choose the most powerful one - Q11 or BTR15 from balanced output. But it's better to look for a desktop budget amp-dac like Fiio K5 Pro, K11, Topping DX3 Pro etc.
How do the old HE-400i compare? Especially as you can pick these up second hand.
Because you mentioned 3D printing; that should absolutely work, considering DCA uses the same idea for their AMTS. In fact I've been wondering whether anybody has taken it upon themselves to recreate an AMTS for the less expensive DCAs out there
Thanks for the heads up 👍
I went with the Schiit Lokius..to help not a cheap headphone..the LCDX 2021 …so nothing is perfect ..and adjust to taste.
Why bottleneck your headphone like that? Pairing good headphone with cheap source is like using eco tyres on a Maserati.
The LCD-X deserves a Decware Taboo with seriously good tubes.
@@MarcelNL I’ve been eyeing the Woo23 …but no matter what amplification is used the inherent characteristics of the tuning of the LCDX MAY be ameliorated…but never cancelled completely.
Nice recommendation tho ‘ thanks.
Sorry these guys here keep deleting my messages. I am not allowed to talk about Decware amps, I guess. @@carminedesanto6746
And they can stick this channel up their arse for that, this is ridiculous. I will avoid this channel like the plague from now on.
Is this the stealth or non-stealth version? How different is it from the HE-x4 from Drop?
A friend did the tape mod on his 400se but when I tried it it sounded off, without that barely hearable treble spike it sounds off imo
have you tried removing the foam and replace the metal mesh ?
I thought it might be cool to replace the metal mesh with a design of my own creation, is there a place I can go to have that done or do I need to 3D print it?
@@JonathanDano i used some thin DIY 304 stainless steel meshes, it should be within 1 to 2 paper thin. Though i have not tried 3d print, you could search up a DIY project on youtube for the HE400se, the result looks pretty good.
removing the grill really changes a sound a lot. (I would say 20% improvement in sound stage). custom cans has great 3D printable grill for 2GBP which protects the drivers but is acoustically invisible.
I using oluv eq setting and foam for my he4xx and sound perfect
What kind of tape is it ? It has texture, it's not tape for paper, is it medical tape for cuts ?
Is this mod preferable to using eq like Poweramp? Please explain the difference. Thanks all!
hello. I enjoyed it.
I currently have fiio ka17.
I'm looking for headphones here,
he400se and sundara,
beyerdynamic dt770or990 pro
I'm thinking about it.
I'm looking for headphones to use for watching movies/playing a bit. Are there any headphones you can recommend?
Otherwise, other products are also fine.
Please feel free to recommend, thank you!
Has anyone tried this mod with other bright Hifimans like Sundara or Ananda (and it’s variaions)?
I heard if you take off the grills, it greatly improves the soundstage, have you tried (I don't know if the tape will cancel that)?
I had one, the right cup died after 3 months only, and it seems that’s a common issue with this headphone. I was starting this hobby and it was my first planar The high frequency didn’t bother me, maybe because of my age, I’m 48. Now a I have a dt1990 pro , a fidelio x2 hr and hifiman edition xs, I’m generally satisfied but curious about Focal headphones.
Version Stealth Magnetic?
I may try these again. Compared a gaming headset to these to sundara and thought the Sundara sounded a bit better. Would be interested to compare them again, after being used to a higher standard in audio after using the Sundara for a year almost.
From what I remember, these are a basically sundara but cheaper. I wonder if I can tell the difference in soundstage
You may need to use a different choice / brand / material, etc. with tape
I have the 400S, would the mod work for that also?
Anyone know what tape dms is using in the video?
7:38 "...spend a bit more..." You mean triple the price? When I think of "budget" cans the most important aspect is value. Bang for the buck. Yeah, the Sundara may sound better, but do they sound three times better? It's subjective of course, but I think the HE400se wins here.
Great video. Would love to try this @ Home on my own Hifiman HD400. Can you tell what kind of tape you use ? Is it all plastic, airtight, or more like a plaster you would put on your skin ?
It looks like a heat-resistant ptfe teflon tape to me.
Is it some kind of PTFE tap？
Will this work on the Drop+Hifiman HE-X4?
Gonna try this on my drop and hifiman hex4 and my 5xx and maybe my Sundaras
So why not just use EQ?
Have you tried multiple different sizes and positions or you just found out somewhere?
I found these at my local audio shop at 50 dollars brand new, its just crazy
Does it work on hifiman he-x4?
Cutom cans has a 3d printed mod for them
Can you do this on the 400i 2020?
What kind of tape?
Very cool!
I tried the mod with a good powerful amp fiio q7 good results
THIS TRICK WORKS WITH DROP X HIFIMAN HE-X4 AS WELL in case you come here trying to find out.
I believe that HE 400i ver 2020 have the most balanced sound in the entire Hifiman 400 series.
Unfortunately discontinued
I simple use Wavelet app to eq HE400se. No physical alteration needed.
Can Dawn pro power Sundara and 560s at good levels?
I got the Dawn pro just a week ago and yes they can power 560s very easily