DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones, Black

Price: $230.30
(as of May 13,2023 09:08:57 UTC – Details)

Product Description

ICONIC AUDIO IN A CUTTING-EDGE BUILD

In our sixth collaboration with famed audio brand HIFIMAN, we’re counting back down to five—5XX, that is. Introducing the Drop + HIFIMAN HE5XX planar magnetic headphones: a high-resolution exclusive with legendary lineage. Inspired by HIFIMAN’s iconic HE500 Series headphones, the open-back HE5XX pairs powerful, speaker-like audio with new ultra-light components to maximize both fidelity and comfort. We worked closely with Dr. Fang—founder and head engineer at HIFIMAN—to drastically reduce weight on the classic dual-sided planar magnetic design through thinner double magnets and Nano Diaphragm membranes. The result? A brighter, more neutral take on the HE500 Series sound, with upgraded efficiency and a better fit than ever before.

SAVING A LEGENDARY DRIVER’S LEGACY

It’s been nearly 10 years since HIFIMAN launched the Legacy HE500: the last pair of “classic” HIFIMAN headphones. Like other models in the HE500 Series, the Legacy featured a dual-sided planar magnetic design, which used magnets on both sides of a membrane to generate sound waves. This led to unrivaled sensitivity, but also extra weight. Newer single-sided magnet designs slimmed things down; but for many enthusiasts, something in the sound was lost. In the HE5XX, that sound is back—with improved clarity, and without the weight. Thanks to stronger double-sided magnets, 2-micron-thick Nano Diaphragm membranes, and other careful design adjustments, the HE5XX is 30-percent lighter than the Legacy HE500. What’s more, these same components (plus a newly designed conductor layer) greatly increase the efficiency of the HE5XX, making it easier to drive. For those that want to push to performance even further, the HE-5XX is also wired to work with a balanced cable.

HIFIMAN: FOR AUDIOPHILES, BY AUDIOPHILES

Founded in New York City in 2007, HIFIMAN has always kept its ears close to the audiophile community. Case and point: Dr. Fang, company founder and head engineer. Dr. Fang started out as an active contributor on Head-Fi, regularly attending local meetups while pursuing his doctorate at Columbia. When he realized his PhD research could be relevant to his passion—the music-listening experience and the audiophile products that improve it—he started talking with forum members and meetup attendees about what they’d like to see in the next generation of headphones. With his first designs, HIFIMAN was born. In the few short years since its inception, HIFIMAN has released several highly regarded audio products, all while keeping close ties with the audiophile community. At Drop, we couldn’t imagine a better way of doing things.

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating principle: Open back Drivers: Nano Diaphragm planar magnetic drivers Magnets: Double sided Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Sensitivity: 93.5 dB Impedance: 18 ohms Finish: Matte black with high-gloss black printing Headband: Spring steel with adjustable sliders Earpads: Hybrid Focus pads Cable: 4.9 ft (1.5 m) stereo cable Termination: 3.5 mm Weight: 12.5 oz (355 g)

Driver / Design:
Planar Magnetic / Open-back Planar Magnetic / Open-back Planar Magnetic / Open-back 45mm Tesla neodymium technology Planar Magnetic V-Planar Technology / Closed-back 56 mm ring radiator dynamic drivers

Audio Profile:
A distinctly warm and subtly dark tone all its own with improved sensitivity over the HE4XX. The sound is smooth, engaging, and even across the frequency range, with airy, sparkly highs and the Planar bass slam that HIFIMAN is known for. A brighter, more neutral take on the classic HE500 Series sound, with upgraded efficiency and a better fit than ever before Smoothed frequency response while retaining a punchy sound profile which make beyerdynamic a recording studio favorite. The latest generation Tesla driver offers a wide frequency range and a weighty, controlled bass. The Ether CX sound more like a pair of open-back headphones—clean, open, realistic, relaxed—while retaining the low sound leakage and high isolation you’d expect from closed cans. Driver damping to create midrange balance and reveal treble detail, while having a balanced upper midrange and sub-bass that extends to 10hz. The HD 8XX offers you a personal concert hall on-demand—without waking the neighbors.

Impedance / Sensitivity:
25 ohms / 91dB 35 ohms / 93 dB 18 ohms / 93.5 dB 32 ohms / 101 dB 23 ohms / 92 dB 300 ohms

Frequency Response:
20 Hz – 20 kHz 20 Hz – 35 kHz 20 Hz – 20 kHz 5 Hz – 40 kHz 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz (-10 dB)

Cable:
4.9 ft (1.5 m), removable 4.9 ft (1.5 m), removable 4.9 ft (1.5 m), removable 6 ft (1.8 m), removable 6.41 ft (2 m), removable 9.8 ft (3 m), removable, with 6.35 mm (1/4″) TRS single-ended plug

Plug:
¼ in (6.35 mm) ⅛ in (3.5 mm) ⅛ in (3.5 mm) ⅛ in (3.5 mm) 4-pin XLR 6.35 mm (1/4″) TRS single-ended plug

Weight:
14.8 oz (420g) 13.1 oz (370 g) 12.5 oz (355 g) 14.6 oz (413 g) 15.2 oz (430 g) 11.6 oz (330 g)

Included:
⅛ in (3.5 mm) to ¼ in (6.35 mm) adapter ⅛ in (3.5 mm) to ¼ in (6.35 mm) adapter ⅛ in (3.5 mm) to ¼ in (6.35 mm) adapter ⅛ in (3.5 mm) to ¼ in (6.35 mm) adapter, Pair of sheepskin ear pads, and velour earpads 4-pin XLR to ⅛ in (3.5 mm) to ¼ in (6.35 mm) adapter, 10″ (25 cm) long, Soft velvet bag Cable ( 9.8 ft (3 m) ) with 6.35 mm (1/4″) TRS single-ended plug

Ideal Use:
Ideally paired with a portable or desktop amp, they also sound great directly from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer. Ideally paired with a portable or desktop amp, they also sound great directly from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer. Ideally paired with a portable or desktop amp, they also sound great directly from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer. Tesla studio reference headphone for mixing, mastering, monitoring (closed) A low 23 ohm impedance allow the Ether CX to be driven with anything from a portable device while the closed-back design allows plenty of isolation for public spaces. Drive with a Drop amp at home for to get the most from these cans. The HD 8XX redefines the critical listening experience. Class leading ergonomics provide a remarkable listening session that does not stand in the way of hi-fidelity sound reproduction. Pair with amplifier.

ULTRALIGHT COMPONENTS: Inspired by HIFIMAN’s iconic HE500 Series headphones, the open-back HE5XX pairs powerful, speaker-like audio with new ultra-light components to maximize both fidelity and comfort.
SAVING A LEGENDARY DRIVER’S LEGACY: In the HE5XX, that sound is back—with improved clarity, and without the weight. Thanks to stronger double-sided magnets, 2-micron-thick Nano Diaphragm membranes, and other careful design adjustments, the HE5XX is 30-percent lighter than the Legacy HE500.
A MORE NEUTRAL TAKE ON THE HE500: A brighter, more neutral take on the trademark HE500 Series sound, with upgraded efficiency and a better fit than ever before. Thinner double magnets and Nano Diaphragm membranes maximize fidelity and comfort.
INCREASED EFFICIENCY: What’s more, these same components (plus a newly designed conductor layer) greatly increase the efficiency of the HE5XX, making it easier to drive. For those that want to push to performance even further, the HE-5XX is also wired to work with a balanced cable.
Connector type: 3.5mm Jack