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HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020Image © Amazon

HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020

65/ 100
Good
HearWiki score

Priced about right

$170
typical price, USD
Discontinuedupdated
Buy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
HiFiMAN
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
open
Connection
Wired
Noise cancelling
No
Released
2020

Score breakdowngood overall

Sound7.6
Value6.4

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 is a budget-friendly planar magnetic headphone that delivers a fast, detailed, and spacious sound, making it a strong choice for critical listening. While its open-back design offers a natural soundstage, the tuning may benefit from EQ to tame brightness and address lighter bass, especially from portable sources. It represents solid value for its price, though it lacks extra accessories and isolation.

What works

  • Excellent detail retrieval and speed
  • Comfortable fit for long sessions
  • Strong value in the sub-$200 range
  • Detachable cable and balanced connection option
  • Spacious open-back soundstage

What doesn't

  • Tuning can sound bright on some recordings
  • Sub-bass is light, especially from weaker sources
  • Open-back design offers no isolation
  • No carry case included

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020
Driver70 mm planar magnetic
Driver typeplanar
Driver size70 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response20 Hz - 35 kHz
Impedance35 Ω
Sensitivity93 dB/mW

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

4 source(s) feeding this product's score.

ear-fidelity.com

100

Ear Fidelity gives the HE400i 2020 very high praise, calling it outstanding value for the price and emphasizing its detailed, fast, and spacious presentation. The reviewer treats it as a standout open-back model in the sub-$200 category.

Read the full review

soundnews.net

93

Soundnews presents the HE400i Ver.2020 as a highly capable budget planar headphone with fast, resolving sound and strong overall value. The review also points out some tradeoffs, including weaker sub-bass from portable sources and no carry case in the box.

Read the full review

audiosciencereview.com

AudioScienceReview's discussion of the 2020 revision is mixed: it acknowledges the headphone is comfortable and can be a reasonable buy, but the reviewer prefers it with EQ because of measured tonal issues. The overall view is that it is competent, but not perfect out of the box.

Read the full review

headfonia.com

Headfonia views the HE-400i 2020 as an excellent bargain with notably improved value at its lower price. The review also highlights that HIFIMAN is selling it with a practical accessory set, but the main takeaway is that the sound quality is impressive for the cost.

Read the full review

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Mentioned in articles

Where the HiFiMAN HE 400i Ver.2020 comes up in our guides and explainers.

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