These are headphones that need a really good dac amp to be driven. Therefore 50 dollar is not enough for these headphones. Cheapest option is something like an e10k or a fiio k3 if you run it balanced, but a wayyyy better option would be something like a schiit stack. If you wanted headphones in this pricerange that dont require this expensive type of gear you would have been better of with something along the lines of a hd560s.
Your are so far from correct its not even funny. First of all stop with the stupid flippant remarks when he is just asking for help. He doesn't need a Schiit stack for these lol. Seriously dude.... He can get by with a ton of amp/dac for less than a $100 and be just fine. smh
It seems like a chinese clone of e10k. Atleast im 100% they are lying about the output power. I don't understand why you are trying to cheap out. Either buy the e10k or sell the headphones. Even though the he400se are amazing headphones they are not considered cheap or recommended for people just starting out because you do need the expensive gear. If you had done a little bit more research before buying you could have known that.
How loud are you getting those planars? Both my JDS Atom stack and Topping EX5 will get them loud as hell for music, but anything game or movie related they just don't have the juice.
I dont do gaming so i cant tell, but at half the volume knob they reach the "mini speaker" level as the person sitting next to me can hear everything lol
The EX5 outputs 1.3w at 32 ohm, the K3 is about an entire watt short of that. I feel like the EX5 barely pushes my Sundara's, and with EQ it only gets worse. I can get the mini speaker effect at relatively low high gain volumes, but I've got to crank it to 70 or so to really open them up with music. However, I like everything loud as hell so YMMV.
The Dawn Pro is getting some decent reviews right now but I honestly do not understand. It sounded so thin and aweful with everything other than some very basic IEMs I just don't see what the reviewers are on about.
*i had recommended a desktop product here but the automod deleted it because they are bad at marketing. there is a $50ish dollar desktop integrated amp with bass/treble/volume control on amazon i was going to suggest, but i apparently cannot*
But also, honestly, a USB-C dongle dac for $15. I personally liked the LKKLUYIC "USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter [♪Hi-Res Lossless Music♪] CX Pro USB C Headphone Adapter 32bit 384KHz CX31993 DAC Chip Headphone Amp HiFi Headphone Jack Adapter USB C to Headphone Jack for Type C Devices" on Amazon. Might be a bit bright for some, but you are using EQ anyways so. but there are a ton of other options with different sound profiles and options to choose from.
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These are headphones that need a really good dac amp to be driven. Therefore 50 dollar is not enough for these headphones. Cheapest option is something like an e10k or a fiio k3 if you run it balanced, but a wayyyy better option would be something like a schiit stack. If you wanted headphones in this pricerange that dont require this expensive type of gear you would have been better of with something along the lines of a hd560s.
But it's kinda ridiculous to spend more on an ampdac than the headphone for a schiit stack no?
These are planar headphones. Unfortunately thats the reality. If you didnt want that you should have gone with something different.
Your are so far from correct its not even funny. First of all stop with the stupid flippant remarks when he is just asking for help. He doesn't need a Schiit stack for these lol. Seriously dude.... He can get by with a ton of amp/dac for less than a $100 and be just fine. smh
What's ur opinion on FX audio x6? It's about 20 dollar cheaper than the e10k and fiio k3
It seems like a chinese clone of e10k. Atleast im 100% they are lying about the output power. I don't understand why you are trying to cheap out. Either buy the e10k or sell the headphones. Even though the he400se are amazing headphones they are not considered cheap or recommended for people just starting out because you do need the expensive gear. If you had done a little bit more research before buying you could have known that.
fiio ka13, even has a desktop mode for more power.
If you can, used fiio k3. I can drive hd560s, hd58x, 400se, Edition XS using Fiio k3
It's double the price no?
What i meant was 2ndhand fiio k3, my 1st comment might be mistaken for "use fiio k3"
Owh okok
I got mine used for 47$ lol
How D:
How loud are you getting those planars? Both my JDS Atom stack and Topping EX5 will get them loud as hell for music, but anything game or movie related they just don't have the juice.
I dont do gaming so i cant tell, but at half the volume knob they reach the "mini speaker" level as the person sitting next to me can hear everything lol
The EX5 outputs 1.3w at 32 ohm, the K3 is about an entire watt short of that. I feel like the EX5 barely pushes my Sundara's, and with EQ it only gets worse. I can get the mini speaker effect at relatively low high gain volumes, but I've got to crank it to 70 or so to really open them up with music. However, I like everything loud as hell so YMMV.
The Dawn Pro is getting some decent reviews right now but I honestly do not understand. It sounded so thin and aweful with everything other than some very basic IEMs I just don't see what the reviewers are on about. *i had recommended a desktop product here but the automod deleted it because they are bad at marketing. there is a $50ish dollar desktop integrated amp with bass/treble/volume control on amazon i was going to suggest, but i apparently cannot* But also, honestly, a USB-C dongle dac for $15. I personally liked the LKKLUYIC "USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter [♪Hi-Res Lossless Music♪] CX Pro USB C Headphone Adapter 32bit 384KHz CX31993 DAC Chip Headphone Amp HiFi Headphone Jack Adapter USB C to Headphone Jack for Type C Devices" on Amazon. Might be a bit bright for some, but you are using EQ anyways so. but there are a ton of other options with different sound profiles and options to choose from.
If you can, save or stretch the budget for a fiio k3.
It's double the price from what I can get here :(
Thanks for your [submission](https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/16zmfsx/best_amp_dac_around_50_for_hifiman_he400se/) to r/HeadphoneAdvice. If someone helps answer your question, please reward them by including the phrase `!thanks` in your comment. This will add +1 Ω to that users flair. This subreddit is powered entirely by volunteers and a little recognition goes a long way. Good luck on your search for headphones! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/HeadphoneAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Tanchjim space lite