HIFIMAN RE 400 a and i version Headphones Review

The Look – Stylishly fashioned in-ear monitor (IEM) with silver matte finish.

Replacement – Silicone earbud tips to suit various sizes.

Advanced Ergonomics – Titanium diaphragm, neodymium magnet and OFC copper cabling effectively reduce stethoscope effects.

The Reference IEM – Refined bass performance is easy to listen to and non-fatiguing. Perfect for most music genres from classical to pop/vocal.

Introduction:

I have much praise for HiFiMan’s own line of headphones but the HiFiMan RE-400 will be the first of their earphones that I will try out. Upon first glance at the HiFiMan RE-400, the design is simple enough and looks are straightforward – though performance is beyond what I have expected. Let us have a look.

Manufacturer’s Specification:

  • Frequency Response: 15~22 KHZ
  • Sensitivity: 102 dB
  • Impedance: 32 Ohms
  • Cable Length: 1.33 m
  • Plug: 3.5 mm

Design and Specification:

The HiFiMan RE-400’s design is clean and understated. The earpieces are made of aluminum that makes them very lightweight as well. The included seven silicone tips would help you get the right fit, and the copper-based cable is just about the right length.

With an impedance rating of 32 ohms, the HiFiMan RE-400’s drivers were made by HiFiMan’s own engineers, delivering sound through the 8.5 mm pieces which are titanium-coated. The package also includes a cable organizer – and that’s about it.

The HiFiMan RE-400 includes a microphone that lets you make and receive phone calls. One button is present that is used for pause/play and in addition it can initiate Siri when used on the iPhone or Google Now when used on an Android smartphone. While it did not initially include a carrying case when it first shipped, newly arrived units now come with a carrying case.

Setup:

For testing I hooked up the HiFiMan RE-400 with my own iOS and Android devices and even tried it connecting it my notebook where I’ve listened to mostly high-quality music files. This way, I am able to correctly listen to the tunes using the HiFiMan RE-400.

Performance:

To say that the HiFiMan RE-400 performs well is an understatement. Despite some drawbacks on the accessories, this is still a very capable earphone. Sound is perfectly well-balanced, and the sound output is as clear as it can get.

Whatever genre I’ve listened to: jazz, classical, rock – all of these gained high marks on the HiFiMan RE-400. Just like pricier earphones, it manages to clearly showcase each instrument on the music I am playing, whether it’s a guitar, a piano or the sound of a screaming crowd during a live performance. The bass is also effective, deeper than what I had expected but not too overpowering.

The HiFiMan RE-400 also does a decent job of blocking outside noise – not as effective as noise-cancelling earphones but enough for me to enjoy my music peacefully even inside a noisy environment.

Supplied Accessories:

  • Silicone Tips ×7
  • Filters (helps protect the earphone’s inner components from dust) ×10
  • Clip-affix the cable to a shirt or jacket to minimize cable noise ×1
  • Earphone Carry Pouch ×1

Pros & Cons:

Pros

  • Great design
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Decent performance

Cons

  • Volume controls on the inline remote would be better.

Conclusion:

For what it’s worth the HiFiMan RE-400 perfectly delivers a great sound output perfect for anyone looking for an excellent pair of earphones without burning a hole in their wallet. Despite missing an inline remote, it’s still a very capable earphone perfect for audiophiles.

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