HiFiMan HE400se Grill Mod - A Simple Mod For Better Sound

This is a simple non-permanent mod for the HiFiMan HE400se. Most people probably have all the tools and items required in their home.
The main advantages with this mod is more powerful bass and the removal of some of the hiss in the treble, this helps warm them up a bit and sound less thin. The soundstage opens up a bit more as well.
Music by CSP - / cspmusic_

[@jb678901]

I just did the tape mod to my US$90 HE400SE V2 (stealth) and like the results! The tape was sourced from AliEx for US$6.50 : PTFE 300 degree hi temp tape (10M, 0.13mm, 50mm) cut to a dimension of 18.2mm x 45mm, for each side. The PADS have to be removed in order to do this mod. The tape is placed over the outside of each planar magnet with that cut width (of 18.2mm) covering space two and space three from the rear...on each side. To increase brightness...reducing the tape length from 45mm down to 35mm is optional.
I also modded the headband with an after-market unit (HiFiMan Ananda-styled) for $30. I used the OEM screws that came with the HE400SE for this simple mod. Much better look and fitment, imho.
I also replaced the GRILLS, cut to dimensions with sheet metal clippers:
GLOSS BLACK (6x6mm hexagon) 100 x33cm Aluminium Racing Auto-Auto Grill Mesh, sourced from AliEx for US$15. I did use hot glue to position the wires out of the way and at the edges of the cup frame in order to keep the visual through the grill nice and clean. I suppose I could add some nylon mesh...maybe painted with L and R symbols, at a later date. Else use red nylon mesh and blue nylon mesh for the R and L, resp.
Switched to the OPENHEART 8 Core Headphone Cable, 1 to 2 jack dual 3.5/4.4mm Balanced Cable Silver Plated Copper Upgrade Replacement, 1.4M length, from AliEx for US$13.50.
Lastly, switched up to the ONIX Alpha XL1 DONGLE DAC/AMP, for US$100 on AliEx. EXCEPTIONAL performer!!!!
The results...excellent. Very happy with this "CheapAudioMan" solution.

[@AY-dw4om]

Removing the hifiman 400 series back grill improve this series sound enormously, it balance the sound and allow a much better 3D perception of the sound - which the grill destroys by reflecting some of the waves back to our ears. which is not good! The grill removal gives them some of the qualities of the higher egg shape hifimans up the ladder. it actually makes them twice as expensive sound-wize.

[@jamesberryman9893]

I think it looks amazing! Fantastic job!

[@SwordAndBored]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@YektaAEmre]

Looks good

[@soulfulfool]

for a girl

[@bunnarco6147]

Awesome:)

[@PedroPedro-jm4lk]

Forgive me for being somewhat cynical....but is ths more for a visual aesethic rather than to noticably increase sonic improvement? I do like the individual ethereal visual concept but for me I would like to be able to hear more from the music and it sound 'ethereal'.

[@SwordAndBored]

This does change both visuals and sound, even just taking the clips off and holding the stock grills on and removing them while listening to music is a noticeable difference. The bass has more punch and the overall tonality is a bit warmer, as well as the treble is less like radio static. I find the stage becomes larger as well. At the end of the day they are still the HE400se but I do find this to be an easy way to improve on their sound.

[@EtreGenerique]

In my memory (I got it few days 6 years ago/ there are approximately 13 db between 6 kHz and 10 kHz , it's worst than free mobile headset.

[@kadizzz3915]

Looks amazing... but this drives is fragile as fuck... do not recomend do this...

[@fantrollgamerlvmax]

Unless you smoke i think it would be fine, my DIY mesh has bigger holes but the headphone still work fine!

[@SwordAndBored]

I wouldn't recommend it for all environments. But for at home with a dedicated space to go as long as it's treated with care I think it should be fine. Or at least it has been fine for me so far.

[@AY-dw4om]

@@SwordAndBored It will be fine for grown people and delicate people. for my 10 year old son, its a big no go - he will trash the headphones in hours. for my self , it doesn't do any risk. But we have to be aware that those hifiman planar magnetic drivers tend to die sooner or later due to the driver getting its traced conductor detach from the membrane and the headphones are finished. with or without the mod. its a know phenomenal happened to my 400se set as well after 2 years. happens to many other users worldwide with photos showing it all over the web. its the technology weakness.