Over-Ear
Beyerdynamic DT 250
76Great
$98
Full review dataBeyerdynamic DT 250 vs HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 - Great overall at around $169.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
82Great
$169
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Beyerdynamic DT 250
Sound8.0
Value7.0
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
Sound8.5
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Beyerdynamic DT 250 | HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $98 | $169 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2019 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 45 mm | 70 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-30kHz | 20Hz-35kHz |
| Impedance | 80 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 93 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Controls | - | none |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 240 g | 370 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Beyerdynamic DT 250
The Beyerdynamic DT 250 is a wired, closed-back studio headphone built for critical listening and monitoring tasks. It delivers a neutral, accurate sound with solid bass response, comfortable fit, and good isolation, making it a reliable choice for musicians and engineers. While its performance is solid, the non-standard cable connector and modest value for the price are notable drawbacks.
- Pro:Accurate and neutral sound reproduction
- Pro:Comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Good passive isolation
- Con:Non-standard cable connector limits replacements
- Con:Value is weaker compared to some rivals
- Con:Not fully field-serviceable
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
The HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 is an open-back planar headphone that delivers impressive clarity and speed for its budget-friendly price. While its neutral tuning may benefit from EQ for some listeners, it offers solid comfort and strong overall value in the sub-$200 range. Its main limitations include lighter bass response and an open design that lacks isolation.
- Pro:Fast, resolving planar sound with good detail
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
- Pro:Excellent value for the price
- Con:Tuning can sound sharp on bright tracks
- Con:Bass is lighter compared to some rivals
- Con:No carrying case included
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.