Pete68: You meant the HE-400s both times, or just the latter? I assumed you meant the HE-400 the first time, but it seems like I was confused as well because I now realise that the HE-4 is significantly cheaper model. I have done an update to my post to better explain the models at the beginning, but I'm still not confident that I have got it right :?
dalethorn: Thanks! That's a very good question. I had heard people say very positive things about the bass of orthos before (not all), so I was looking out for this. Although I think the HE-400 is purposely tuned to be more enjoyable to the bass loving masses I think Hifiman have done a really good job with it. Do I think that it has something quite special about it's sound, but is blisteringly obvious that the bass is different and better than any dynamic driver? No. It's vastly different in it's bass presentation compared to the only other ortho that I've heard - the Mad Dog. The HE-400 has more weight and greater kick to the bass, but as good as it is there are dynamics that beat it for me, like the Denon AH-D7000. I was actually lucky enough to have the Fostex TH600 at the same time as the HE-400. The TH600 is like a new version of the Denon D7000, without the wood cups. It's still a great headphone with amazing bass, but it's not quite as fun, warm, or as smooth as the Denon (the lack of wood perhaps). The TH600 is a little better than the HE400, but certainly not for value (being twice as much). I guess I'm going off topic a bit, so I will shut up now and get working on finishing the TH600 review...