DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Oct 27, 2020.

  1. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    tl/dr: fuckit.

    MrsForBin owed me a b-day present (a tad late, but still on time.) thus, ordered and confirmed.

    with any luck, the entry level planers to scratch that itch.
     
  2. Raimei Templar

    Raimei Templar Friend

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    Resolve Reviews posted a video on twitter of a disasembled DEVA and the Deva also features magnets on both sides, so it seems whoever at Hifiman Drop is talking to is either being dishonest or ignorant. There could be some minor differences but it certainly appears extremely similar to the Deva.

    One key difference of note is that the HE5xx is dual entry which means it is easier to run it balanced. Not sure if the Deva is wired for balanced or not but it is single entry. Might be important to someone who wants to go balanced.

    Seems like a good headphone for the price (as the wired Deva is also) but definitely has a shady air around it. Buying a Deva gets you a better headband and given that the price is the same I wonder if that is not the better option. Would be nice to see a comparison of the two to find out if there is any difference in tuning.

    Link to resolve reviewers twitter video here https://twitter.com/ResolveReviews/status/1322386609447133184?s=20
     
  3. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    One of two things happened:
    1. Drop is malicious and intentionally lying (super doubtful).

    2. Drop is incompetent and Fang straight up lied to them + they never bothered to verify. I can imagine Fang sitting there thinking: "Those dumb americans won't figure it out."

    I'm going with 2. It's pretty obvious they don't even have the B team left.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm going to point this out again: the HE5XX headband only has a cosmetic likeness to the OG HE-500 headband and gimbal assembly. I actually much prefer the HE5XX to the Sundara parts in terms of comfort and ergonomics. As for Deva, I have no idea on its ergonomics.

    One thing I wanted to point out is that I wouldn't consider the headband inferior based purely on the looks with the old school round buttons. The headband / gimbal mechanism is quite a bit different from that of the OG HE-500. The swivel is incorporated into the round buttons with built-in play instead of an extra screw mechanism between the rod of the screw. The ratchet mechanism for adjusting the height of the cups works has a good feel - tactile click adjustments with secure hold of position. The headband is more flexible and seems to have better quality padding as well. Whether everything will stay together, only time will tell. I think it will because the cups are such much lighter and there is much more built-in play, as opposed to the HE-500 which required a lot of force to adjust and was brittle (OG HE-500 headband literally exploded on me while I was adjusting it).​

    headband.jpg

    Here is the HE4XX, which has the older OG HE-500 style system
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, I don't think he's that malicious. It probably didn't even cross his mind as this one of those cross-brand thingies where he is the manufacturer. Mix and match parts and make customer (Drop) happy.

    General Motors has done far worse with Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac.

    It could still be possible there are differences between HE5XX and Deva. The HE4XX for example had similarities to both HE400S and HE400i. The HE5XX could very likely be similar, a mashup from HFM's bag of tricks and parts bin.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  6. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    I’m tempted to buy these, but this thread is like good cop, bad cop (good Drop, bad Drop?)

    I have no experience with planars, thought they might be a good starting point.

    @purr1n would a Vali 2 drive them, or they need moar power? What about Jotunheim or Lyr 3?

    If I had issues with them (defects), does anyone have any experience dealing with Drop on warranty issues from Canada?
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Vali 2 with a few ohms Zout with ease - no problem. I've been using them from the Motu Ultralite headouts. The HE5XX are quite sensitive.

    At slightly under 18-ohms, I would however avoid high Zout OTLs: BH Crack, Feliks, EC ZDS, etc.

    Let me come back with sensitivity measurements wrt to other headphones.

    UPDATE on usage with various amps: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...sumptions-behind-the-he5xx.10106/#post-324024

    @Vtory: I may end up making a TOC after all. Lots of good discussion scattered.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2020
  8. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    Yeah it's most likely (2).

    [​IMG]
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Newsflash: No specific Deva donations to SBAF coffers yet. However a generous member is sending a Deva to me.
     
  10. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Yeah, I'm putting this to bed and ordered a Deva to @purr1n's house.
     
  11. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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  12. mk801

    mk801 Almost "Made"

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    The Deva with the wireless bluemini has a single TRRS 3.5mm connector entry. The wired version of the Deva has dual entry 3.5mm connectors. The latter most likely can use balanced cables commonly found on the market today. The former probably can use balanced cables too (TRRS jack-4pin XLR).

    EDIT: typos from typing on my phone...
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  13. Brause

    Brause Friend

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    I had problems with the drop JVCs out of Calgary. I pushed their "Contact Support" button underneath my transaction via their webpage. They replied within three hours and sent me return shipping labels. Returning the item did not cost me anything.

    Very good service.

    [​IMG]


    --> The this came up...

    [​IMG]
     
  14. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I ordered the wireless one to @purr1n. Should I cancel and order the wired one instead? I figured if it's good, I want the wireless dongle.
     
  15. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    ^
    I doubt there will be any difference between the wired and the wireless versions other than the dual connectors and the dongle. Any version will solve this drama so send what you like :).
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Fricking HF gives me a headache sometimes. I figured I should post this. The OG HE-500s, as far as how I mostly utilized them, were with the Jerg pads, complete with the vents in the back. There seems to be some argument back and forth which seems to revolve around whether the HE5XX is the OG HE-500, of which is clearly not. No one ever claimed that the HE5XX is the OG HE-500.

    In regards to claims that the HE5XX has sonic similarities to the OG HE-500, I present this. I hope this at least helps in folks understanding - knowing that pads will make a difference.

    HE5XX vs OG HE-500
    Frequency Response (apples to apples)
    GRN/RED = HE5XX
    GRY = OG HE-500 with Jerg Pads
    upload_2020-10-31_10-33-15.png
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I put a TOC in the first post. Some prior posts have been edited to provide more clarity and better context - stuff like the headband. I hate putting together TOCs (more effort, more time), but I hate retardation even more. The TOC is an attempt to clear up retardation. The Deva question is an interesting one and more of an academic curiosity to me. As I mentioned, I could care less. General Motors has done far worse and the BRZ and FR-S were the same car with the Subaru being slightly more expensive even.

    Regardless of the outcome, the HE5XX still stands on its own for $220. If the Deva turns out to be the same sounding, and one prefers the baby poo color (the ergonomics are still in question since no one can attest through direct experience yet), then at least we have more options. If one is psychologically upset about the HE-5XX not being exactly like the OG HE500 or sounding exactly like the Deva (if in fact it turns out to be), then they have the option to not purchase the HE5XX. Not one at Drop is forcing anyone to buy this.

    Steady head. Put on Spock hat. This is an entry-mid level $220 headphone - geez.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    On HE5XX sensitivity, see below.

    Voltage RMS required to reach approx 102db SPL at 1kHz
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1.888 Mysphere 3.1 (drivers fully extended)
    1.828 Sennheiser HD6XX
    1.447 Dan Clark Audio Ether
    0.914 Drop HE5XX <----------------------------
    0.541 Focal Utopia
    0.369 Drop x Beyerdynamic DT177x
    0.217 Grado HF 2

    Note that a little above 17-ohms, the HE5XX will be asking for a little bit more current. This shouldn't be an issue because the sensitivity is pretty high. P = V^2 / R. In this case for this signal, we're talking about less than 0.05mW.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Last edited: Nov 1, 2020
  20. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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