Which headphones of Drop's currently available?
I have some rewards points to burn but there's no obviously good options on Drop right now for headphones Contenders Ultrasone - maybe? I don't own any Ultrasones, so curious. Looks like garbage travel headphone which could be useful also. Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro. - Maybe? I have the DT 880 Good price point, really uncomfortable headphones but could be interesting to try the upgraded version. E-MU - strong contender but $400 is a bad price point for what it is. Which of the above would you choose and why? Nothing else on Drop is relevant to my interests, because Already own 6xx 820 800 s Ether cx Garbage / Consumer grade Meze 99 - garbage bass canons, hard pass No gaming headphones obviously Sennheiser wireless - no to wireless/bluetooth Hifiman - I have 2 of drop hifimans and they make really bad cheap shit on Drop, hard pass on HE-R7DX Aeon - I own the closed, Drop refuses to address #padgate so no reason to buy open Beyerdynamic 177x - wireless, nope Too similar 8x / 560s...
Mar 28, 2024
HIFIMAN Planar Drivers - This is the tech that put HIFIMAN on the map. When reviewing planar magnetic headphones, most people talk about the speed of the driver and the low frequency “slam”. Speed (as a subjective term) generally creates a greater sense of realism; after you reach the point of diminishing returns on resolution, speed is (imo) going to have a huge impact on your experience. Through our collaboration, this technology is available at an all time low cost of $169.99. Focus-A Earpads - Earpads have a massive impact on the sound, and an even bigger impact on the comfort of the headphone. Unfortunately, we often have to compromise here, choosing a less comfortable earpad because it results in better acoustic performance. Focus-A pads are universally regarded as incredibly comfortable. Soft velour is the only material that contacts your skin, and the foam inside is soft to match.
New Headband + Colorway - Where HiFiMAN’s original headband design had some structural challenges (heavy materials, small contact points), they had a stylistic elegance few would debate (unless you’re a Float fan, then you get to complain). In working on this collaboration, we were able to bring back the original headband structure, while solving the construction problems cited in Massdrop discussions. The colorway is new as well, featuring midnight blue earcups with black accents throughout. Thanks for your interest and feel free to respond here with questions. That said, if the answer to your question is clearly stated in the description, I will apply a 10 day shipping delay to your next Massdrop order (jk but please read, our team spends tons of time making the descriptions as useful as possible).
This has been a great project and we’re excited to finally make the announcement : )
1. I love the way (most) Hifiman headphones sound. 2. I tend to dislike/disagree with the way they conduct their business and treat their customers.
Without going into too much detail, I as well as many others know Hifiman's had a few shortcomings when it comes to community outreach and customer care (the Susvara thing, the HEK thing, the other thing...), Dr. Fang is perfectly aware of this himself too - not telling people what drivers are inside the headphones they are trying to sell is really not the way I'd personally handle the situation. I'm sure plenty will still sell, hell I might buy a pair myself even though I own much higher end HFM headphones already, but still I feel like there is a lack of openness when it comes to their dealings a lot of the time.
I personally wouldn't go as far as saying they're shady, I've yet to be disappointed with their products (though some are not for me), but there is something about the whole dealio that people will feel irked by and for good reason. Would I like to know what kind of driver is inside of the headphones I'm buying? Yes. Do I need to? Not really.
If you can't get that information for your clients that's up to you, as said I personally don't mind much, I just think it may reflect poorly on both companies even if sales are left unaffected. Might be worth considering/debating with Dr. Fang and/or the HFM team.
As seems likely in this case, Imagine you just bought the HE400S for $300 then got on here and found that they were selling the exact same driver with a little different hardware for $170. I'd guess you'd be a little angry about that. Not necessarily the same thing as the HD650/HD6XX thing since there are clear differences between the HE4xx and the HE400S, but I think you can see my point.
Go back through every headphone collaboration we've launched and you'll see me explaining the details of the driver where our agreements allow for it. Interestingly, there are always people who make up their own stories. I'm particularly fond of the 50+ page discussion on Head-Fi around what driver is in the K7XX when we state in the first paragraph of the description that it's based on the K702 65th anniversary edition.
If you think I'm a bamboozler, that's up to you, but the historical evidence would suggest otherwise.
We picked the two we felt would result in the best offering for the community. Is it perfect? no. I'd like nothing more than to share details on every part (we spend tons of time solving these hard problems with our partners and can rarely talk about it, kinda sucks) of our collaborations, but to make these releases possible, we have to compromise.
Responses like yours help the issue. By summarizing it in a civil fashion, you've created a post we can share with HiFiMAN and try to convince them it's worth the risk of sharing. I've gotta run to a meeting but thanks again!
What a joke.
Your concern has been addressed by a previous comment and the ignorant consumer rage is not flattering.
Sigh.
I made my earlier comment, because I truly think your comments are incomprehensible. Yes, sign of the times (I will heed JimMorrisonLiver's advice not to get political), but if you want others to take you seriously, then you have to stop the verbal incontinence.
Cheers
Read this thread. If you don't know Marv then I guess you have no reason to believe him but I do. I agree HFM should divulge the driver but I also have no issue believing this will be a good pair of headphones for the price.
http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/massdrop-x-hifiman-he4xx-measurements-and-impressions.4815/page-3#post-153979
Would it be worth buying if you already own the 400S? Questionable, that's up to you, all I mean to illustrate is that they're not identical drivers to any of the ones in HFM's current production models.
That being said; I try and keep an eye on what falls into my budget for audio products (e.g.; not a lot). Careful shopping netted me some Velodyne reference headphone's a while back; which I love to death. However, Velodyne's not making headset's anymore; and tender loving care can only keep well-worn headphones going for so long.
So yeah... I want a Planar Magnetic headset. I've never had one... I've heard a couple over the years including some from HifiMan... but the $250+ entry point for Planar Magnetic is just more than I can justify for something that is basically a luxury item.
So... let's say that these headphones from Massdrop ARE just a re-branded HE400i... that's still massively under HifiMan's MSRP of ~$450.... and still ~$70 off the current sale summer price from HifiMan's webpage ($250).
Let's say that Massdrop did get that $170 price-point by offering to solve some of the infrastructure problems in getting buyers the headsets. Let's say that Massdrop did get that $170 price-point by guaranteeing a minimum number of headphones sold.
Let's say that these are the worst headbands that HiFiMan had sitting around in their warehouse coupled with the worst driver's HiFiMan had sitting in their parts bins...
Let's say all of that was absolutely true.
Does it really matter to anybody actually buying here? Does it really matter to somebody who just wants to hear what a Planar Magnetic could sound like before investing hundreds of dollars?
No. No it doesn't.
Is it shady that Massdrop is not openly specifying what drivers are actually in these Massdrop-Made tagged headphones? As a buyer now invested; the potentially shady aspects did not matter one bit. I saw the proposed price-point that Massdrop was offering; browsed over to Amazon; and did a quick comparison of what $170 could get me there; and sure... I could in-fact beat the listed specifications that I knew about... by buying used.
I decided that this "Drop" was worth the risk to buy... even if it was the lowest performing product HifiMan had to offer; because it's still a better price-point even assuming the worst headband with the worst driver's HifiMan has to offer.
And trust me; I've run into the no warranty returns issues buying cheap. $170 might be cheap for planar magnetic headphones; but that still is a LOT of money. It's quite a gamble.
Again. Dude. You're getting way too emotional about a pair of headphones. Especially when you're not even going to buy them. Go lie down. You'll feel better after a nap.
I'll probably end up giving these out as a gift to someone who I feel is a budding audiophile, but I NEED to hear what they sound like when compared to my HE-500's.
I am excited - Thanks for offering this drop!
If you want to get into heaven, I think getting us some new-and-improved ATH-like Leatherhead's would do the trick. I'm sure it's unlikely, but is it impossible?
HE-400 Frequency response: 20Hz to 35 KHz Sensitivity: 92.5 DB Impedance: 35 Ohm
HE-400s Frequency Response : 20Hz – 35KHz Sensitivity : 98dB Impedance : 22 Ohms
HE-400i Frequency Response: : 20Hz-35KHz Sensitivity : 93dB Impedance : 35 Ohms
HE-4xx Frequency response: 20 Hz–35 kHz Sensitivity: 93 dB Impedance: 35 ohms
https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE400.pdf
https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE4002014.pdf
https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE400S.pdf
Sure the 650s (and therefore the 6XX) are classics and well regarded, but with a giant *warm* grain of salt.
But part of it DOES come down to customer service - I was just bounced between Massdrop and the manufacturer for weeks with both of them saying the other should replace it. In the end I just gave up.
Its simply a dealbreaker too, that we need to pay tax/customs for products allready manufactured in Europe Add the issue one could face if warranty need to be used, another hassle expenses for shipping back for repair.
Funny MD still notify me even the products are not available to Europe ! Will they ever get things done right ?
If I need other headphones in future I'll go back to Thomann or buy local.
Goodbye MD
It Bottoms out at 20hz rather 10hz.... i dont think EQ can make that much difference... but who knows... i may have to try one...
I broke my first pair of 400i the second day I had them. Might be my fault, but I've had headphones for 40 years and never broken a pair. The U-shaped plastic piece that holds the earcups to the headband snapped.