The Hifiman HE400se is among the better-performing headphone sets you can get for the money. It can paint sound in a three-dimensional space very well while also pulling it in more spatial directions than some of the better, affordable open-back headphones.

Without a doubt, the HE400SE--with its reliable sound signature and structural upgrades--gets a strong recommendation from me.

HiFiMan has attained a certain level of mastery now when it comes to making these planar magnetic headphones and the HE400se bring a lot of what we have come to expect from the brand at a much more affordable price point.

The Hifiman He400se and 400i 2020 are both musical and very easy headphones to listen to. If you like body, fulness and warmth with more extension, go for the i version. If you prefer a more clean and neutral sound with more energy and excellent clarity, then the HE400se will rock your boat.

The HIFIMAN HE400SE has an ability to do well in all areas of sound and while not being the best at anything, are not the worst at anything either in any part of the sound signature which makes them an all-around generally good set of cans, not perfect, but great for the price and a well-rounded offering.

HiFiMAN offers tremendous value with the HE400se, and they are kind of an anomaly in the headphone market. Although budget-priced, there are no glaring issues in the build or design. The driver is fast enough to offer a taste of planar, and they respond well to EQ. Most of all, you can mod to your heart’s content and the price is low enough to not fret over breaking something. Aftermarket parts are also easily available, making the HE400se an ideal subject for modifications.

Thanks to their open-back design, they're able to create a great passive soundstage that feels immersive and wide. Although this same design means that they lack thump and rumble, they have a fairly neutral sound profile overall and even have a bump of extra warmth that helps balance out their bass. Vocals and lead instruments also sound natural and clear. However, their high-mid to low-treble is recessed, which veils the upper harmonics of vocals and instruments in mixes. On the upside, they deliver audio consistently, so you don't need to worry about large deviations in bass or treble due to fit, seal, and positioning.