Yeah yeah, might as well buy from wish.com I've heard it all. Anyway here is the non-stealth magnet version of the HE400SE which is almost the same as Drop's HE-X4. The seller has a good review record so far and has an alternate listing for these at a slightly higher price. Credit to Clear for the AliExpress coupon and Spend & Save promotion.
This is the Chinese market version that originally came out. From what I understand, osing the Stealth Magnets smooths out the treble but also reduces detail retrieval and increases bass distortion.
As with all cheaper HIFIMAN planars, the imaging falls away in busy passages and becomes diffuse, but if this is the upper limit of your spend and you're not a massive competitive gamer this is a much better buy than the SHP9500/9600 and the HD599.
If you do need that edge in gaming, go for the HD 599, or even just grab a pair of KOSS KSC75 and a headband you can clip them onto until you can save up for that $200 tier or higher.
Are the HD560s still a decent step up, noting the higher price? This seems like a solid price.
Compared to this HE400SE? The 560S will have less fuzzy imaging but still not ideal, will be hotter in the lower treble, and extend more in both the bass and the treble. Right now though you're looking at $280+ which is way too much.
I would opt for the K612 @ $220 if you're looking for a more gaming focused solution, but you will lose detail retrieval in the process.
If you're thinking musically and happy to get up to $300ish, definitely look into the Sennheiser HD6XX.
@jasswolf: Thanks! My use case would be predominantly gaming + music, so I’m hanging out for a price drop on the HD560s, but will also take a look at the K612.
@NedStark102: Oh yeah I remember you from the other day looking for a headphone. Too bad the HD560S is still close to $300 mate, even with BF going on. The HE400SE will need an amp and they aren't that great for gaming from personal experience of the HE-X4
@NedStark102: If it's not competitive gaming, opt for the HE400SE versions, or the HD6XX if you're happy to spend $300-$350.
I think you recommended something from Hifiman a couple months back for competitive gaming. They were more expensive than these, maybe in the $300-$500 range when I checked Amazon. Could they have been the stealth version of these? or maybe the Hifiman XS which are $600+
Edition XS can be had for $550ish on AliExpress, yeah.
You've also got the HIFIMAN HE6SE V2 from Adorama in the US for $700 via mail redirect if you have an amp that can do 3W or more at 50 Ohms.
What do you recommend for trying planars?
For demoing? The HIFIMAN HE400SE, Sundara, Edition XS, Arya Stealth, HE6SE, HE-1000SE, the Susvara, then maybe the Audeze MM-500 and the LCD-5. Closed back wise it would be the Dan Clark line-up.
If you mean a good entry level $100-$250 planar, it this HE400SE/HE-X4 lineup, or on the IEM side of things the 7Hz Timeless.
AliExpress is way better than Wish.com.
I have never used Wish, but I have only heard horrendous reports.
Just curious. Do any ozbargainers actually use wish.com ?
If they can save 20c or so, then you bet they will.
These are a great budget way to enter the planar headphones world.
Cheaper than Amazon 🐪🐪🐪
*Anticipates @jasswolf weighing in as price category clearer
Oh
This looks to win on direct comparing $140 HE400SE vs $185 HE-X4
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/734887