forbigger Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Folks, been searching high and low for review of this headphone but couldn't find an extensive review on it. All the infos are scattered here and there. One impression I found at HF during Dutch meet was some folks prefer this than HE60, did any of you agree with this statement? All the statements I found also said that this is an entirely different can than 404 Sig in a good/better way. Another question, this can is 1000 limited production with a price point not far from HF2 (was offered around $600 new), why is it still relatively available ? I mean its not that difficult to find new unlike HF2 which sold out already. Is it because its a stats thus not many people are interested ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 I would take a HE60 over any Lambda but that doesn't change the fact that the 404LE is damn good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadneddz Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Haven't heard the 404LE or SR-SC1 which some say are similar to each other, but the Lambdas i've owned and heard are just not as musically satisfying as the HE60. Even with lesser Stax amplification, the HE60 sound more refined to my ears. I was hoping to hear them from a BH, but sadly it looks like that won't be happening anymore. My only gripe was lack of bass quantity, slightly etched mids, and highest treble, plus its slightly diffused nature. If the BH cures that, than the HE60 would be mighty fine and able to compete with the very top headphones from a technical aspect. From a musical aspect, I think they rank among the highest already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger945 Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 I would take a HE60 over any Lambda but that doesn't change the fact that the 404LE is damn good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 The 404LE is to me what the SR-404 should have been all along, the marriage of the L-Signature and the LNS. This rumored SR-404II might give us that in a cheaper package which would be cool but those leather pads on the LE and the black frame are worth the price difference... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 The 404LE is to me what the SR-404 should have been all along, the marriage of the L-Signature and the LNS. This rumored SR-404II might give us that in a cheaper package which would be cool but those leather pads on the LE and the black frame are worth the price difference... couldn't agree more. I would take a SR-404LE over the ESP-950 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I'm still reserving judgement for when a certain package arrives and getting more familiar with my new source. However, right now I have to say that the HE-60 and 404LE are a lot closer than I expected them to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I dunno, in my opinion there is still a large chasm between the 404LE and ESP950, HE-60, SR-0, and SR-007 (haven't heard the 4070). Granted, there is a price difference (and reliability difference in some cases), but it's a price-performance ratio that is well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetoole Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 couldn't agree more. I would take a SR-404LE over the ESP-950 as well. I would too, even just for reasons which do not relate to the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I dunno, in my opinion there is still a large chasm between the 404LE and ESP950, HE-60, SR-0, and SR-007 (haven't heard the 4070). Granted, there is a price difference (and reliability difference in some cases), but it's a price-performance ratio that is well worth it. Closer than expected may not be very close, depending upon your expectations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mypasswordis Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I dunno, in my opinion there is still a large chasm between the 404LE and ESP950, HE-60, SR-0, and SR-007 (haven't heard the 4070). Granted, there is a price difference (and reliability difference in some cases), but it's a price-performance ratio that is well worth it. What are your rankings? Or do you just mean they sound very different? In which case, what are your rankings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetoole Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 The SR404LE are very nice headphones, I actually got to listen to a few tracks today in relative quiet during the not so silent auction, using JP#'s tubed exstata and Ari's cdp-deq2496, and really dug it. A certain redhead, who shall remain unnamed, sounded simply superb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I'm not even accounting for reliability problems with the ESP950. Even with a BHSE they still retain their signature Koss sound which sounds like a slightly fancier Koss A250. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mypasswordis Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Yeah I didn't really dig the ESP950 either, the few times that I heard it, again not mentioning build quality/reliability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Heh, I'll try and clarify. I just cannot see myself owning the 404LE. They don't do anything better than any of the headphones I listed and the cost differential in my opinion is minimal for the huge upgrade (good point Jim, but again, it's a big difference IMHO). I prefer Stax over Sennheiser and I think the SR-007mkI is still the top dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mypasswordis Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Cool, thanks for the clarification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Forbigger- another reason you might not see a proper review is the people that own them (other than HPA?) are veteran members and don't really do reviews because reviews are lame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mypasswordis Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I've never done a real review, does that mean I get to be a veteran? I'll probably get to hear the 404LE next weekend, I expect to hear good things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I couldn't get a good fit with the 404LE either. Removing my glasses helped, but the pads didn't fill in the area around my temples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetoole Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I do definitely prefer the shape of the SR404sig pads, and am even an unabashed SR404sig fan. The ltd, while sounding quite good, just didn't fit as nicely or be as comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forbigger Posted March 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Forbigger- another reason you might not see a proper review is the people that own them (other than HPA?) are veteran members and don't really do reviews because reviews are lame You guys should've done a review. What you guys said may affect the sales and who knows might sold out and become collectors item like HF2. Glad the hear that this headphone bettered the ESP950. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atothex Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Well, this thread has already been more informative than the vast majority of reviews I've read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 (edited) You guys should've done a review. What you guys said may affect the sales and who knows might sold out and become collectors item like HF2. Glad the hear that this headphone bettered the ESP950. I doubt anyone cares about the former. And they are sold out in most countries. Elusivedisc got their last shipment from Japan with this current batch. I think the SR-007mkI is still the top dog. x2 Edited March 14, 2010 by deepak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mypasswordis Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I do definitely prefer the shape of the SR404sig pads, and am even an unabashed SR404sig fan. The ltd, while sounding quite good, just didn't fit as nicely or be as comfortable. Nice... I'll definitely be very interested in a 404 vs. 404 Mk2 (vs. 404LE) comparison later on. Lambdas (edit: except the SR202) ftw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I heard the 404LE today and liked it very much. I also like the build materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.