HiFiMan RE-400

First, an admission: I've never really liked any of HiFiMan's in-ear headphones. For whatever reason, they just didn't sound all that great and never measured up to the Chinese company's full-size HE family of headphones, which employ proprietary thin-film "planar magnetic" flat drivers that produce clear, dynamic sound. (The HE models have earned a following among audiophiles.)

The good news is I feel a lot better about the new $99 RE-400 "Waterline" in-ear model. It sounds a lot better than HiFiMan's previous in-ear offerings, all of which have been discontinued.

While the RE-400s don't have the in-line remote/microphone found in a lot of today's mobile headphones, their comfortable fit and clear sound will appeal to audiophiles or anyone craving an in-ear headphone without exaggerated bass or overly crisp treble.

The earphones have a simple, understated design with machined aluminum earpieces.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Features and design
The RE-400s have an understated, clean design, and their small, machined aluminum ear pieces are a big part of the reason the RE-400s are as comfortable as they are. They're relatively lightweight, and one of the four sets of different size silicone ear tips (included) should allow you to get a snug, secure fit.

The 50-inch-long, oxygen-free copper cable is cloth covered, up to the point where it divides into separate left and right plastic covered cables. The wires can either hang straight down or loop back over your ears.

The bottom half of the 50-inch-long, oxygen-free copper cable is cloth covered.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

While most companies selling in-ear headphones buy their drivers from outside suppliers, the RE-400's 8.5mm titanium-coated drivers were designed by HiFiMan engineers and are made in the company's own factory. Impedance is rated at 32 ohms.

Along with with four sets of silicone ear tips, you get a small white plastic cable winding bar. But that's it -- no other accessories, not even a cheap travel pouch, are included. The RE-400s also lack any type of mic or phone controls.

You get four sets of ear tips and a cable organizer -- but no case.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

It's always hard to tell how well in-ear headphones will hold up over time, but the RE-400s' construction seems fairly sturdy, and it's worth noting that the cord terminates in an L-shaped plug, which tends to hold up better than a straight plug.