Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
82Great
$169
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 vs Moondrop EDGE2: 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
Moondrop EDGE2
76Great
$89
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
Moondrop EDGE2
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.5
Calls6.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 | Moondrop EDGE2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $169 | $89 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 76 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | 40mm dynamic driver with wooden dome composite diaphragm |
| Driver size | 70 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-35kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 6.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery incl. case | - | 22.5 h |
| Full charge time | - | 72 min |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | - |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
| Call noise reduction | - | AI ENC |
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
Moondrop EDGE2
The Moondrop EDGE2 is a budget-friendly wireless over-ear headphone that mixes solid sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation, and a very long 50-hour battery life with broad codec support like LDAC and LHDC. Its 40mm wooden-dome drivers deliver a near-neutral, smooth signature that impresses for the price, but usability quirks like button layout and audible ANC hiss keep it from being a flawless all-rounder. Overall, it's a capable value pick for those who prioritize battery and codecs over polish.
- Pro:Excellent ~50-hour battery life
- Pro:Supports LDAC, LHDC, AAC, and SBC codecs
- Pro:Smooth, near-neutral sound with good detail for the price
- Con:ANC introduces noticeable hiss in quiet environments
- Con:Button layout can be awkward to use
- Con:Budget build and finish show compromises
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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