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HiFiMAN HE-400i Planar Magnetic Over-the-Ear Headphones Review

Stephen Hornbrook

The HiFiMAN HE-400i is an updated version of their entry model HE-400 featuring the new design changes introduced in the terrific HE-560 planar magnetic headphones. Believe it or not, at $499 the HE-400i is an absolute steal in the headphone world. Planar magnetic designs are often tricky, with drivers that require strong housings for the magnets which add extra weight along with needing plenty of wattage to drive. HiFiMAN has successfully solved both of these drawbacks with the HE-400i. They are easy to drive, light, and incredibly comfortable and that's just the icing on the cake. These bring phenomenal tonal quality, clarity, and depth to the music they deliver.

Headphone and Earphone Reviews

HiFiMAN HE-560 Planar Magnetic Over-the-Ear Headphones Review

Stephen Hornbrook

The newest planar magnetic headphones from HiFiMAN ushers in a new generation of design. A brand new single-sided driver allows for better imaging and sounds along with significant weight savings. Considerable thought has gone into the ergonomics of the new headphone and that has lead HiFiMAN to create the most comfortable over the ear headphone that I have had the pleasure to wear. Oh and they sound simply brilliant. A great buy in today's bustling headphone market.

Headphone and Earphone Reviews

HiFiMAN HM-802 Portable High Resolution Music Player Review

John E. Johnson, Jr.

HiFiMAN is probably best known for their headphones and headphone amplifiers, some of which we have reviewed, but they also manufacture portable music players as an alternative to the ubiqutious iPod. The HM-802 is one of several models, including the HM-700, which is less expensive than the HM-802, and the HM-901, which is more expensive. You also have the option of having a balanced amplifier module in the player or the standard unbalanced one. In this review, I cover the model HM-802, with the standard unbalanced amplifier card, as well as with the optional balanced amp card. It plays PCM music tracks up to 24/192 and DSD64, as well as wav, flac, mp3, alac, aac, and aiff files.

 

Portable Audio

HiFiMan HE-500 Over-the-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones and EF5 Headphone Amplifier

John E. Johnson, Jr.

HiFiMan is a relative newcomer (2006) to the audio product scene. Their specialty is headphones (including over-the-ear and earbuds) and headphone amplifiers. We have reviewed several of their headphones, with positive and enthusiastic findings. The HE-500, reviewed here, are over-the-ear headphones, meaning that they completely enclose the ears. This model also uses planar magnetic drivers, which unlike cone drivers, are flat, very thin plastic membranes, on which is attached a thin conductor. The membrane is near permanent magnets, and when the signal flows through the conductor, the opposing electromagnetic field on the conductive membrane is pushed away from or attracted to the permanent magnets, producing the sound.

Headphone and Earphone Reviews