Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
82Great
$169
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 vs JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones: 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
JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones
76Great
$98
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
Sound8.5
Value9.0
JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.5
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 | JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $169 | $98 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 76 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | 70 mm | 40 mm |
| Driver size | - | 40mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-35kHz | 20-20,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.4 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Latency | - | 200 ms |
| Wireless range | - | 9.14 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 70 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 40 h |
| Full charge time | - | 150 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 minutes = 7.5 hours |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | 3-mic ENC |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | none | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Voice Assistance / Siri / Google |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 235 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 5 |
| Call noise reduction | - | 3-mic ENC |
| Microphone | - | 5 x condenser |
What reviewers said
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
JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC are an affordable over-ear option that pack strong active noise cancellation, a lengthy battery life, and a supportive app into a budget-friendly package. They deliver a bass-forward sound profile that suits many listeners, while their hybrid ANC and multipoint connectivity add versatility for everyday use. However, they omit some premium conveniences like wear detection, a carry case, and higher-end codec support, making them a trade-off for the price.
- Pro:Very long battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Comfortable fit and solid build for budget headphones
- Con:No wear detection or auto-pause feature
- Con:Lacks LDAC or other high-quality codecs
- Con:No carry case included
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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