The Problem with Reviewing Popular Headphones

No matter what I think, I’m wrong

Photo taken by the author.

This is the Hifiman HE400se, a pair of planar magnetic headphones that launched last year. It’s the latest in a long line of popular and relatively affordable audio gear to bear the “HE400” family name, and its $110-$150 street price means it is accessible both to mainstream listeners and curious audiophiles. I’m one of the last…