Наушники — HiFiMAN HE400se

The HE400se is the entry point into open-back planar magnetic headphones from HiFiMAN, and the maker currently lists it at USD 109, down from a regular price of USD 149. The global version uses the Stealth Magnet design, unlike an earlier variant sold only in China, and it builds on the older HE400S with a different driver and a reworked cup.

Key specs that matter

HiFiMAN gives a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a sensitivity of 91 dB. The current Stealth Magnet edition is rated at 32 ohm, while the earlier regular edition carried a 25 ohm rating. The maker quotes a weight of 385 g for the headset. It is an over-ear design with an open back, so outside noise enters and the output leaks to people nearby, and it belongs in a private space at home and not on a train or in a shared office.

Engineering and use context

HiFiMAN uses a large round planar diaphragm with silver traces laid across its surface to carry the signal. In the Stealth Magnet layout the magnets have a special shape that lets sound waves pass through them with less diffraction turbulence, which HiFiMAN credits with reducing distortion. Its cups are 100 mm across and use the clip-on pad mount of the brand, and the cup was stiffened to make it less prone to vibration. The fourth-generation headband seen on the Deva and HE-R10 carries the frame and adjusts for size. The angled earpads are thicker at the back and combine perforated faux leather on the inside, cloth on the face that touches the head and solid faux leather on the outer ring. HiFiMAN also redesigned the protective casing and updated the cable for this generation, and the maker backs the headphone with a one-year warranty.

Pairing

Each cup takes its own 3.5 mm plug, so the detachable 1.5 m silver cable is double-ended and finishes in a single-ended 3.5 mm jack, with a 6.35 mm adapter in the box for desktop gear. Balanced aftermarket leads can be fitted to the same cup sockets. Planar drivers draw more current than typical dynamic earphones, so a separate amplifier, or a desktop converter whose output stage has solid current reserves, gives the HE400se more headroom than a phone jack. The connection is wired only, and the double-ended layout also makes a damaged lead easy to replace without opening the cups.

Alternatives

The HiFiMAN HE600 is an open-back planar model higher up the range, with a thinner second-generation NEO Supernano diaphragm and a rare-earth-free magnet system.