Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
82Great
$169
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 vs Soundcore Life Q35: 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
Soundcore Life Q35
78Great
$92
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
Soundcore Life Q35
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 | Soundcore Life Q35 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $169 | $92 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | Custom silk-diaphragm drivers |
| Driver size | 70 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-35kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 60 h |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | none | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 370 g | 268 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
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
Soundcore Life Q35
The Soundcore Life Q35 are over-ear wireless headphones that deliver a bass-forward yet fairly balanced sound, strong active noise cancellation, and standout battery endurance that often exceeds the advertised 40 hours. They pack useful features like LDAC support, multipoint Bluetooth, and a companion app with EQ, all in a comfortable, affordable package, though their tuning isn't reference-grade and the midrange could be more transparent.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, often outlasting the rated 40 hours
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC with a transparency mode
- Pro:Comfortable fit and solid build for the price
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning can sound boomy to some ears
- Con:Midrange clarity and out-of-box tuning could be better
- Con:No wear detection, so music keeps playing when removed
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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