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What You Need to Know
Your First Step into Real Audiophile Sound
If you’ve been curious about what “audiophile-grade” headphones actually sound like but didn’t want to spend hundreds (or thousands) to find out, the HiFiMAN HE400se is built for you. It’s a full-size, over-ear, open-back headphone that uses planar magnetic drivers — a type of speaker technology typically found in headphones costing several times more.
So what does “planar magnetic” mean? Instead of a small voice coil pushing a cone (the way most headphones work), a planar magnetic driver spreads a thin conductive layer across a large, flat diaphragm. The entire surface moves together, driven by surrounding magnets. The result is faster, more precise sound with significantly lower distortion. You hear more detail, tighter bass, and a cleaner overall presentation — especially in complex musical passages where lesser headphones start to blur things together.
Stealth Magnets: Flagship Technology at an Entry-Level Price
What makes the HE400se particularly special for its price is HiFiMAN’s Stealth Magnet design. In a conventional planar driver, the magnets that drive the diaphragm can actually interfere with the sound waves passing through them, creating subtle distortion. HiFiMAN solved this by reshaping the magnets with rounded edges, so sound waves pass through more freely with less interference. It’s the same technology used in HiFiMAN’s flagship headphones like the Susvara (which sells for around $6,000). Getting that kind of engineering in a headphone at this price is genuinely unusual.
The HE400se uses a large 80mm diaphragm with silver traces, housed in round open-back earcups. “Open-back” means the rear of the earcups is perforated, allowing air and sound to flow through freely. This creates a wider, more natural-sounding presentation — your music feels like it exists around you rather than being trapped inside your head. The trade-off? Sound leaks in both directions, so these are best suited for quiet home listening.
What the Experts Are Saying
Chrono, Headphones.com
Chrono described the HE400se’s tonal balance as neutral-sounding with linear bass and midrange and a mostly even treble. He found the structural upgrades — including the new headband and yoke design — to be a meaningful improvement over earlier HE400 models, and praised the headphone’s comfort. He noted the bass extension is outstanding for its price class but could use a touch more presence in the lowest registers. His conclusion: the HE400se represents one of the best values in over-ear headphones and gets a strong recommendation.
Headphonesty (June 2022)
Headphonesty’s review described the HE400se as having a mostly neutral tonality with a bright tilt, noting that the stealth magnet driver delivers genuine planar performance. They praised the build quality as solid for the price, the comfort as good thanks to well-distributed weight, and the modding potential as a major plus for enthusiasts. Their verdict: tremendous value and the best budget planar on the market.
The Headphoneer (November 2024)
The Headphoneer found the HE400se’s midrange timbre to be natural and warm, with dynamic and textured bass. They noted the headphone scales impressively with amplification, and with a capable amp it performs far above its price. Their recommendation: pair it with a decently powerful amplifier and the HE400se delivers great bass, warm mids, and crisp highs.
Trusted Reviews (December 2022)
Trusted Reviews praised the HE400se’s three-dimensional imaging and overall comfort, calling it a genuine planar magnetic experience at a budget price. They noted it’s best suited for home listening and benefits from external amplification. Their takeaway: fantastic sound for the money, with imaging that rivals much more expensive headphones.
Headfonics (January 2022)
Headfonics measured the diaphragm at approximately 80mm and noted the stealth magnet design is effective at reducing interference. They found the HE400se performs well across the entire frequency range — not the absolute best at anything, but never the worst either. Their summary: a well-rounded, all-around good headphone that’s great for the price.
Who Is This Headphone Best For?
You’re curious about planar magnetic headphones and want to experience them without a major investment.
You listen at home in a quiet environment and want a spacious, natural sound.
You enjoy jazz, classical, acoustic, or vocal-forward music where detail and clarity really shine.
You already own (or plan to buy) a headphone amplifier or DAC/amp combo to get the most out of your headphones.
You want a headphone that responds well to EQ and is easy to modify with aftermarket pads and cables.
How It Connects to Your System
The HE400se uses a wired connection with dual 3.5mm jacks — one on each earcup. The included cable terminates in a 3.5mm plug with a 6.35mm (1/4”) adapter, so you can connect to just about any headphone amplifier, DAC/amp, audio interface, or portable player.
Keep in mind that while the HE400se has a low impedance of 25–32 ohms, its sensitivity is 91 dB, which means it needs more power than a typical pair of headphones to reach its full potential. You can listen from a phone or laptop in a pinch, but you’ll get noticeably better results — fuller bass, wider soundstage, better dynamics — with a dedicated headphone amp or DAC/amp. If you need help picking one out, give us a call.
What’s in the Box
- HiFiMAN HE400se headphones
- Dual 3.5mm-to-3.5mm headphone cable
- 6.35mm (1/4”) adapter
- Warranty documentation
Pairs Well With
Building your system? Here are some great companions for the HE400se.
- Headphone Amplifiers & DAC/Amps: The HE400se really comes alive with proper amplification. Browse our Headphone Amplifiers and DACs & Digital-to-Analog Converters.
- Replacement Cables: Many owners choose to upgrade the stock cable. Check out our Headphone Cables for options with dual 3.5mm connectors.
- Other HiFiMAN Headphones: If you’re looking to compare or upgrade within the HiFiMAN family, explore the SUNDARA or the Ananda.
- Music Streamers: Feed your new headphones high-quality audio from a dedicated streamer. Browse our Music Streamers.
Features & Specifications
Planar Magnetic Driver with Stealth Magnets
Lower Distortion, Cleaner Sound — The HE400se uses a full-size planar magnetic driver with an 80mm diaphragm. Unlike conventional headphones that drive sound from one small point, the HE400se’s entire diaphragm moves uniformly, producing faster transients and significantly lower distortion. HiFiMAN’s Stealth Magnet design takes it further by reshaping the magnets so sound waves pass through without interference — the same technology found in their flagship models.
Open-Back Design
Natural, Spacious Sound — The perforated earcup grilles let air and sound flow freely, creating a wide and natural soundstage. Your music feels open and dimensional rather than confined. This design is ideal for focused home listening in a quiet room.
Comfortable for Extended Listening
Lightweight Build, Thoughtful Fit — At approximately 385 grams, the HE400se is lighter than many planar magnetic headphones. The padded headband distributes weight evenly, and the hybrid earpads use a combination of cloth and synthetic leather for breathability and comfort over long sessions.
Durable, Upgradable Connections
Standard 3.5mm Connectors — Each earcup uses a standard 3.5mm TRS connector, making it easy to swap in aftermarket cables. The included cable terminates in a 3.5mm plug with a 6.35mm adapter for broad compatibility.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic with Stealth Magnets |
| Diaphragm Size | ~80mm |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 25–32Ω (varies by source; HiFiMAN lists 32Ω) |
| Sensitivity | 91 dB |
| Design | Open-back, over-ear (circumaural) |
| Cable Connection | Dual 3.5mm TRS (one per earcup) |
| Included Cable | 3.5mm to dual 3.5mm with 6.35mm adapter |
| Weight | 385 g (~13.6 oz) |
| Earpad Material | Hybrid cloth/synthetic leather (angled) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a headphone amplifier to use the HE400se?
You don’t strictly need one, but you’ll get noticeably better results with a dedicated amp or DAC/amp. The HE400se has a sensitivity of 91 dB, which is lower than most consumer headphones. A phone or laptop can drive them to moderate volume, but a headphone amplifier will unlock fuller bass, better dynamics, and a wider soundstage. Budget-friendly options like the Schiit Magni or the HiFiMAN EF400 are great starting points.
What does “open-back” mean, and is it right for me?
Open-back headphones have perforated earcups that let sound pass through freely in both directions. This creates a wider, more natural-sounding presentation compared to closed-back designs. The trade-off is that people nearby will hear what you’re listening to, and outside noise comes in easily. Open-back headphones are best for quiet home listening — a dedicated listening room, a home office, or late-night sessions. They’re not ideal for commuting or shared workspaces.
What’s the difference between planar magnetic and regular (dynamic) headphones?
Most headphones use a dynamic driver — a small coil that pushes a cone-shaped diaphragm. Planar magnetic headphones use a thin, flat diaphragm with conductive traces spread across its entire surface, driven by surrounding magnets. Because the whole diaphragm moves together, planar headphones typically produce faster, more detailed sound with lower distortion. The HE400se gives you that planar magnetic experience at a very accessible price.
How does the HE400se compare to the HiFiMAN SUNDARA?
The SUNDARA is HiFiMAN’s next step up, with a thinner diaphragm, slightly more refined treble, and premium build materials. Reviewers generally find the SUNDARA offers a bit more detail, better dynamics, and a more forward midrange. That said, multiple reviewers have noted the HE400se gets surprisingly close to the SUNDARA’s overall performance at a significantly lower price. If you’re on a budget, the HE400se is the better value. If you can stretch your budget and want the refinement, the SUNDARA is a worthwhile upgrade.
Is the stock cable good enough, or should I replace it?
Honestly, the stock cable is the most common complaint among reviewers. It works, but it tends to be stiff and hold its shape, which some people find annoying. The good news is that the HE400se uses standard 3.5mm TRS connectors on each earcup, so aftermarket replacement cables are widely available and affordable. We’d recommend budgeting for a replacement cable if cable feel matters to you.
Can I use these with my phone or laptop?
Yes, the HE400se will work plugged into a phone or laptop headphone jack. However, most phones and laptops don’t output enough power to drive these headphones to their full potential. You may find the volume is adequate for casual listening, but the bass will sound thinner and the overall presentation won’t be as dynamic or spacious as it would with a proper amplifier. For the best experience, we recommend pairing them with a headphone amp or DAC/amp.
Are the HE400se comfortable for long listening sessions?
Most reviewers find them comfortable for extended listening. At 385 grams, they’re lighter than many planar magnetic headphones, and the padded headband distributes weight well. The hybrid cloth-and-leather earpads are breathable. A few reviewers noted initial clamp force can feel snug, but this typically loosens with use. If you experience any top-of-head pressure, gently stretching the headband over a few days usually resolves it.
What else do I need to get started?
At minimum, you need a source device (phone, computer, music player) and the HE400se. For the best experience, add a headphone amplifier or DAC/amp combo. If you’re streaming music, a service that offers lossless or high-resolution audio (like Qobuz, Tidal, or Apple Music Lossless) will let you hear everything the HE400se is capable of. And as mentioned, a replacement cable is a popular upgrade. Not sure where to start? Give us a call at 800-942-0220 and we’ll help you put together the right setup.
Does HiFiMAN offer a warranty on the HE400se?
Yes, HiFiMAN provides a warranty on the HE400se. For the most current warranty terms and coverage details, check with HiFiMAN directly or give us a call. Audio Advisor also backs your purchase with our own 60-day money-back guarantee — so you can listen, evaluate, and make sure they’re right for you.
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