KEF M400 is the second flagship of KEF earphones. The positioning is slightly lower than M500. Soomal released the "KEF M500 Headphone Evaluation Report" in June 2014. The official price of M500 is about 2200 yuan. The official price of the M400 is around RMB 1,700. The price of the M500 is about 1,700 yuan, while the price of the M400 is around 1,300 yuan. Compared with the Tianlong MM300 headphones we have just measured, the acoustic structure and shape of the headphones of the KEF M400. The price and positioning are very similar. Let's take a look at how the M400 performs. Also thank the netizens for providing us with the KEF M500 again.
Since we have recently tested More Products on KEF, we will not introduce this brand here. I believe that everyone should not think that KEF is a cottage brand. If you don't understand it, you can learn it yourself. From KEF products. We can find that the price difference between M500 and M400 is not big, and the price of M500 is not high compared to B&W's P series. When we evaluated M500 in 2014, we just evaluated B&W P5 and it was simple. Sound contrast. From the appearance, the KEF M400, M500 and B&W P5, P7 and Denon's MM400 are very close. The acoustic structure is also very similar, of course, the details are different.
Unlike the KEF M500, which uses a single aluminum cutting design, the M400 uses a cast aluminum extruded head frame and outer casing. The surface of the outer casing has a certain curvature. The optional color is more than the M500. The earphones will be more than the M500. Light, the size is also slightly smaller. However, the M500 monolithic cut aluminum looks tough lines, which is a typical simplified style in the hardware product design. Compared with the Tianlong MM300, the KEF M400 is also slightly smaller. The size of the pad part and the feeling of wearing, the difference in size can be basically ignored. It can be said that they are very similar to the three headphones.
The KEF M400 earphones have a foldable storage design, which is basically the same as the M500's folding style, while the Tianlong MM300 cannot be folded in. The KEF M400 uses a single-sided pluggable cable with an extended 3.5mm four-section plug. [On-line control of the headset cable], the headset can support Apple's multi-function remote control and call function. However, the jack of the M400 headset is only increased in depth, there is no lock structure for the plug and socket. The MM300 is made with an elliptical cross-section to prevent rotation. The KEF M500's interface is on the side of the earphones. It is more chic and uses a 2.5mm diameter plug. We originally planned to use the M500 and M400 to match the line, but it is not yet Can be achieved.
From the data and explosion view provided by KEF official, the outer casing of the KEF M400's earphone cavity and the inner cavity of the cavity are different from the M500 [different shapes], front side tuning board, ear pad, unit size and placement. The position is basically the same. The KEF M400 uses a CCAW voice coil, 40mm diameter neodymium magnet speaker unit. Officially provides indicators, sensitivity 101.5dB, impedance 32 ohms [M500 103dB, 32 ohms]. Since KEF is clearly optimized for iPod and iOS devices, High-sensitivity design is also a common practice. The sensitivity of the Tianlong MM300 96dB is indeed lower in some similar headphones. The problems we have mentioned in the previous evaluation.
We took the KEF M400 headset for about 200 hours. Thanks to the netizens for continuing to provide Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 and KEF M500 for AB comparison. Of course, in subjective comparison, we will also focus on comparing Tianlong MM300, because compared to Momentum, Tianlong MM300 and The acoustic design and dimensions of the KEF M400 are very similar. The test uses the iPhone 6 Plus, vivo X5Max and FIIO X5K players as the main reference.
Overall impression: To be honest, if no M500 is provided by netizens, the M500 that was evaluated a year and a half ago has left us with an impression that we can't complete today's evaluation. However, we just received the M500, M500 style and before the release of today's evaluation. M400 still has obvious differences. In terms of resolving power, M500 is indeed slightly better than M400 and Tianlong MM300. The quality of M400 and MM300 is very close, mainly in the style and details of medium and high frequency, medium frequency and low frequency. This also makes the sound patterns of these two headphones have obvious differences, and don't forget that the sensitivity of the M400 is much higher than that of the MM300, so it is easy to drive a lot.
High-frequency performance: The high frequency of the M400 has a good resolution. Compared with the Tianlong MM300, its sound is more slack, and the dynamics of the mid-high frequency are obviously better than the MM300, but in the higher part of the high frequency, the two perform very similarly. The high frequency transient of the M400 will be slightly slower. For the high frequency of percussion and plucked instruments, the details will be slightly better. The MM300's high frequency is more compact and the control is better. The high frequency is high and the high frequency is high. In terms of performance, the two are most similar. However, in the high-frequency to mid-high frequency part, the dynamics of the MM300 are affected by low sensitivity, the sound appears to be relatively rigid, and the tension is somewhat insufficient. The KEF M400 will have a slightly better dynamic in this part. It will be more open. However, compared with the KEF M500, the high frequency resolution of the above two is one level worse, and the high frequency of the M500 seems to be more relaxed, although this can not be compared with the open headphones. Check out our KEF The M500 evaluation said that the high frequency of the M500 is more relaxed than the B&W P5.
IF performance: KEF M400's IF has better dynamic performance when paired with iPhone-level audio source. Compared with MM300, M400's sound is more stereo, vocal performance will be significantly more transparent. Although we are evaluating in MM300 In the MM300, compared to Momentum, the IF is solid, but it also talks about its IF tightening problem. In fact, for closed headphones, MM300 such IF performance is very common, to be compared Relaxation is not easy. But compared to the M400 obviously better IF dynamics, I believe it is a bit strange to listen to the MM300. Relatively speaking, this difference is relatively easier in vocal performance to make people like different choices. In vivo Under the X5Max or better sound source, the female MM300's performance is also very clean, the thickness of the sound will be slightly better than the M400. But under the high quality sound source, the M400 can better reflect the sound stretch, and some analytical advantages.
Low frequency performance: The low frequency of M400 is slightly different from the relatively light style of M500. Of course, it is not the deliberate extrusion of B&W P5. If M400, M500 and Tianlong MM300, B&W P5 are four contrasts, then M400 and MM300 are the closest. Their low frequency is slightly reinforced by extrusion [this structure seems to have to be treated similarly, otherwise it is the M500's lighter style], but it is very slight. It will not be like the style of Sennheiser. It is not the style of B&W. However, the low frequency of the KEF M400 is relatively slack, so it may lose some transient control. The low frequency of the Tianlong MM300 is relatively compact. Although the low frequency transient is clean, it is a bit too tight. Under the popular music, it still sounds relatively rigid, and the deeper resolution of the dive will be affected. Overall, the M400's low frequency is slightly squeezed and enhanced, and the resolution is different from that of the high-end headphones, but the taste Neutral, the sound is slightly softer, in the closed, ear-ear headphones to maintain a more relaxed style of overall listening.
In summary, the MFF M400 has a certain advantage over the MM300. The sound is much looser than the similar structure of the Tianlong MM300. This also makes its vocal performance not only better, but also the sound tension is obvious. The advantage, while the more relaxed state also brings a slightly better resolution. Compared with the higher-end KEF M500, the M400's style is not imagined, the M500's sound is more delicate, although the acoustic structure is very similar, but the M500's The sound is obviously more relaxed, and the resolution will be better. But the thickness of the intermediate frequency is worse than that of the M400. It is relatively light. In the high frequency part, the M400 and MM300 are similar in level, the style is similar, and the high frequency is high. The segment similarity is very high, and in the middle and high frequency part, the dynamic advantage of the M400 begins to become apparent. The MM300 begins to become noticeably tight.
In combination with the B&W P5 we have evaluated, most of them use 40mm diameter units, but the design of the ear type can be said to be a compromise to the size of the appearance, or it can be said that the 40mm unit design under such design The challenge. According to the original open or semi-open design, the 40mm unit can make a larger shape than the M400, M500 and MM300 headphones.
However, the smaller earbud sizes of the KEF M400, M500, Denon M500 and B&W P5 make them relatively weak in dynamic performance, but if they are heard 2-3 years ago when these headphones were just released, they still feel their The performance is amazing. In a limited space, under the specific wearing style, the above headphones still show different sound styles. From the sound performance, different brands still show technical differences. B&W insists on the audio products of digital peripheral products, high-density, heavy-frequency style, and KEF is also the old-fashioned British HiFi brand. It still pays more attention to whether the sound is stretched. Although the audio products of Tianlong for decades have mostly given the impression of "heavy taste" "But MM300 seems to be more like the "indicator", the sound is too tight, there is not much "heavy taste" performance.
In the above earphones, because we don't have B&W P5 at hand, we can't completely determine its position. The quality of M500 is really higher than M400, but the lighter low frequency is not necessarily more suitable than the M400 for the more popular pop music. Tianlong MM300 Although there are good performances, they are slightly weaker than the two models of KEF. Of course, Sennheiser's size and size are different from them, the price is similar, the sound performance is obviously weaker than KEF M500 and M400, but its structure Different, the space inside the ear pad is very large, so the sound of the big girl will be very loose, but it will be thinner. As for the little girl, there is really no advantage in the sound. Of course, buy this type of positioning headphones, brand, shape The design is also very important. In view of the previous evaluation of the KEF speaker, the netizen who was commented is considered to be a cottage brand, and may not have too high expectations for KEF and Tianlong.
Unlike the KEF M500, which uses a single aluminum cutting design, the M400 uses a cast aluminum extruded head frame and outer casing. The surface of the outer casing has a certain curvature. The optional color is more than the M500. The earphones will be more than the M500. Light, the size is also slightly smaller. However, the M500 monolithic cut aluminum looks tough lines, which is a typical simplified style in the hardware product design. Compared with the Tianlong MM300, the KEF M400 is also slightly smaller. The size of the pad part and the feeling of wearing, the difference in size can be basically ignored. It can be said that they are very similar to the three headphones.
We took the KEF M400 headset for about 200 hours. Thanks to the netizens for continuing to provide Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 and KEF M500 for AB comparison. Of course, in subjective comparison, we will also focus on comparing Tianlong MM300, because compared to Momentum, Tianlong MM300 and The acoustic design and dimensions of the KEF M400 are very similar. The test uses the iPhone 6 Plus, vivo X5Max and FIIO X5K players as the main reference.
High-frequency performance: The high frequency of the M400 has a good resolution. Compared with the Tianlong MM300, its sound is more slack, and the dynamics of the mid-high frequency are obviously better than the MM300, but in the higher part of the high frequency, the two perform very similarly. The high frequency transient of the M400 will be slightly slower. For the high frequency of percussion and plucked instruments, the details will be slightly better. The MM300's high frequency is more compact and the control is better. The high frequency is high and the high frequency is high. In terms of performance, the two are most similar. However, in the high-frequency to mid-high frequency part, the dynamics of the MM300 are affected by low sensitivity, the sound appears to be relatively rigid, and the tension is somewhat insufficient. The KEF M400 will have a slightly better dynamic in this part. It will be more open. However, compared with the KEF M500, the high frequency resolution of the above two is one level worse, and the high frequency of the M500 seems to be more relaxed, although this can not be compared with the open headphones. Check out our KEF The M500 evaluation said that the high frequency of the M500 is more relaxed than the B&W P5.
IF performance: KEF M400's IF has better dynamic performance when paired with iPhone-level audio source. Compared with MM300, M400's sound is more stereo, vocal performance will be significantly more transparent. Although we are evaluating in MM300 In the MM300, compared to Momentum, the IF is solid, but it also talks about its IF tightening problem. In fact, for closed headphones, MM300 such IF performance is very common, to be compared Relaxation is not easy. But compared to the M400 obviously better IF dynamics, I believe it is a bit strange to listen to the MM300. Relatively speaking, this difference is relatively easier in vocal performance to make people like different choices. In vivo Under the X5Max or better sound source, the female MM300's performance is also very clean, the thickness of the sound will be slightly better than the M400. But under the high quality sound source, the M400 can better reflect the sound stretch, and some analytical advantages.
Low frequency performance: The low frequency of M400 is slightly different from the relatively light style of M500. Of course, it is not the deliberate extrusion of B&W P5. If M400, M500 and Tianlong MM300, B&W P5 are four contrasts, then M400 and MM300 are the closest. Their low frequency is slightly reinforced by extrusion [this structure seems to have to be treated similarly, otherwise it is the M500's lighter style], but it is very slight. It will not be like the style of Sennheiser. It is not the style of B&W. However, the low frequency of the KEF M400 is relatively slack, so it may lose some transient control. The low frequency of the Tianlong MM300 is relatively compact. Although the low frequency transient is clean, it is a bit too tight. Under the popular music, it still sounds relatively rigid, and the deeper resolution of the dive will be affected. Overall, the M400's low frequency is slightly squeezed and enhanced, and the resolution is different from that of the high-end headphones, but the taste Neutral, the sound is slightly softer, in the closed, ear-ear headphones to maintain a more relaxed style of overall listening.
In summary, the MFF M400 has a certain advantage over the MM300. The sound is much looser than the similar structure of the Tianlong MM300. This also makes its vocal performance not only better, but also the sound tension is obvious. The advantage, while the more relaxed state also brings a slightly better resolution. Compared with the higher-end KEF M500, the M400's style is not imagined, the M500's sound is more delicate, although the acoustic structure is very similar, but the M500's The sound is obviously more relaxed, and the resolution will be better. But the thickness of the intermediate frequency is worse than that of the M400. It is relatively light. In the high frequency part, the M400 and MM300 are similar in level, the style is similar, and the high frequency is high. The segment similarity is very high, and in the middle and high frequency part, the dynamic advantage of the M400 begins to become apparent. The MM300 begins to become noticeably tight.
In combination with the B&W P5 we have evaluated, most of them use 40mm diameter units, but the design of the ear type can be said to be a compromise to the size of the appearance, or it can be said that the 40mm unit design under such design The challenge. According to the original open or semi-open design, the 40mm unit can make a larger shape than the M400, M500 and MM300 headphones.
However, the smaller earbud sizes of the KEF M400, M500, Denon M500 and B&W P5 make them relatively weak in dynamic performance, but if they are heard 2-3 years ago when these headphones were just released, they still feel their The performance is amazing. In a limited space, under the specific wearing style, the above headphones still show different sound styles. From the sound performance, different brands still show technical differences. B&W insists on the audio products of digital peripheral products, high-density, heavy-frequency style, and KEF is also the old-fashioned British HiFi brand. It still pays more attention to whether the sound is stretched. Although the audio products of Tianlong for decades have mostly given the impression of "heavy taste" "But MM300 seems to be more like the "indicator", the sound is too tight, there is not much "heavy taste" performance.
In the above earphones, because we don't have B&W P5 at hand, we can't completely determine its position. The quality of M500 is really higher than M400, but the lighter low frequency is not necessarily more suitable than the M400 for the more popular pop music. Tianlong MM300 Although there are good performances, they are slightly weaker than the two models of KEF. Of course, Sennheiser's size and size are different from them, the price is similar, the sound performance is obviously weaker than KEF M500 and M400, but its structure Different, the space inside the ear pad is very large, so the sound of the big girl will be very loose, but it will be thinner. As for the little girl, there is really no advantage in the sound. Of course, buy this type of positioning headphones, brand, shape The design is also very important. In view of the previous evaluation of the KEF speaker, the netizen who was commented is considered to be a cottage brand, and may not have too high expectations for KEF and Tianlong.
Kaflon Measuring And Controlling Instruments Co., Ltd. , http://www.interwell-pen.com