I've been fortunate to able to try an advance release of the HE-35X and here's my review. When the Massdrop HE-350 premiered a couple years ago I bought a pair but ended up not liking their lively high end. This time around they've corrected that issue and improved them all around. Before I get to my thoughts, my daily drivers are the HE-400 with a DIY tube amp and DIY DAC. I also have owned the Grado SR-125, NAD HP50, Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 and others. I have direct access to many other headphones including Audeze LCD 2, EL8s and various AKG models. What I'm saying is have a lot of options to compare them to.
I've been using the HE-35X for the last month exclusively and my highlights are:
• Nice build quality, good stock cable - improved the ends to use standard 1/8" pins • Really like the hybrid pads (they are now pleather with a velour surface, like the focusPad). • Good bass, virtually identical to my HE-400, a marked improvement from the HE-350 • V frequency curve, I venture to guess most people will enjoy this frequency response • Lacking a bit of detail in the mids, really the only downside to the sound of the HE-35X • Highs are still lively, but not overkill like the original HE-350, due to the improved low end frequency response • Easy to drive • The headband could use a bit more padding • Electronic music with good bass/treble really shines on these cans
The HE-35X is a solid improvement over the HE-350 and satisfies the entry level audiophile niche nicely. Buyers of the HE-35X will not be disappointed.
lugnutA Massdrop representative reached out due to my prior disappointment in the HE-350 and asked if I'd like to try the upgraded 35X to compare them and I took them up on it. =)
Though it's tiny, it manages to power even high ohm headsets with amazing accuracy. It works great with the drop usb-c to usb-c and my Phillips shp-9600. Soon enough I'll be using the Akoustyx...
I have an external amplifier with no integrated DAC and I only have an xduo xa10 as a dac/amp can I use the xduo xa10 as a dac only with an external amplifier?
I've been using the HE-35X for the last month exclusively and my highlights are:
• Nice build quality, good stock cable - improved the ends to use standard 1/8" pins
• Really like the hybrid pads (they are now pleather with a velour surface, like the focusPad).
• Good bass, virtually identical to my HE-400, a marked improvement from the HE-350
• V frequency curve, I venture to guess most people will enjoy this frequency response
• Lacking a bit of detail in the mids, really the only downside to the sound of the HE-35X
• Highs are still lively, but not overkill like the original HE-350, due to the improved low end frequency response
• Easy to drive
• The headband could use a bit more padding
• Electronic music with good bass/treble really shines on these cans
The HE-35X is a solid improvement over the HE-350 and satisfies the entry level audiophile niche nicely. Buyers of the HE-35X will not be disappointed.