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Drop + HIFIMAN HE-35X Headphones

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Drop + HIFIMAN HE-35X Headphones

Name: Drop + HIFIMAN HE-35X Headphones
Brand: Drop
SKU: drop-hifiman-he-35x-headphones
Price: 75 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.292 (250 reviews)

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We’re always listening to your feedback and updating our products to make them the best that they can be. The Drop x HIFIMAN HE-35X delivers true audiophile performance at an entry-level price Read More

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AudioHead2387

119

Feb 26, 2020

Verified Buyer

I've owned, tried and listened to just about every single open back Headphone on the market for under $200. No joke. While these definitely are not better than top headphones such as the hd6xx, hd58x, dt880, he400i, he400s, he4xx and several others they definitely compete and hold their own against them and while they aren't "technically" better than any of those headphones I mentioned I actually enjoy these more as far as musicality goes. They are just super smooth sounding with a really nice relaxing and impactful bass response, super clean and clear mid-range with beautiful vocals and a smooth treble response that's never hot and always right where it should be for a laid back enjoyable music session. Everything about this Headphone for the price is just incredible. Especially considering I got them for $75. That's just insane and I'm blown away by what I'm hearing for that price. These are a remarkable improvement over the original he350's and I say this without a single doubt that these are hands down the very best open back headphones under $100 you can buy today. They Absolute destroy the shp9500, sr80e & sr60e, ath-ad500x & ad700x, status Audio ob-1 & lyxpro oeh-10, Sennheiser hd559, akg k240 & m220 pro and so many more the list goes on. Just far more enjoyable. Soundstage is expansive and imaging while not class leading is still on par. If your on a budget I cannot recommend these highly enough. Worth every single penny.

(Edited)

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Flinn

Jul 29, 2020

Ugh @maloc6 I'm right there with you... Addicted to both these days and I'm losing my mind!!!

CaptainSkelly

Nov 24, 2020

AudioHead2387Been trying to see if others also have the AD500x. I have an M40x (with replaced pads because the default ones are uncomfortable), ad500x, and now I have these HE-35x. I've been using my 500x's for a long while and I'm just absolutely in love with these since the day I plugged 'em in. I feel like the 500x has a wonderful balance and a good soundstage. I like the M40x's a lot but not as much as the 500x's. The new pads are kinda thick, so the bass is slightly sacrificed, but I usually fix that with the Windows settings for my DAC and set the bass boost enhancement to about 3dB and I have a nice balance that I like. Now with the 35x compared to the 500x's, I'm just not too sure which one I like more/which one is better. Although I think "better" is kind of a lame term to use since a lot of audio gear can be considered personal preference, but I'd just like your input on the pros and cons between the HE-35x and the AD500x specifically. I'm having trouble figuring out which one I like more! I think I like the sound on the 35x a little more, but the 500x still has great sound quality and is just the most comfortable headphones I've ever had, in addition with being VERY open back so I don't trip over my own words when I talk to friends online (bless the modmic btw, great product)

(Edited)

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moedawg140

Mar 21, 2019

Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-X Review Hi everyone, this is Maurice, also known as moedawg140 on Head-Fi. Here is my profile link if you'd like to read up a bit about me: https://www.head-fi.org/members/moedawg140.399714 . You can also find the review with video/pictures on my Instagram (moedawg140), here: . https://www.instagram.com/p/BvQ5b6LlH1V/ . I would like to thank Thomas, Christian, and the Massdrop team for the Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-35X for my honest opinion. . Massdrop is rolling out a new pricing structure. Paraphrasing from Mr. Fernandez: "We are doing this to reward members that support products early by giving them a price break before a product goes into store. . For the HE-35X the product is available at a special launch price until April 18 or until the first 750 are sold. . We want folks to know about this new pricing plan which will apply to future Massdrop Made headphones." . Here is the link that talks a bit more about the pricing: . https://www.massdrop.com/talk/22088/new-massdrop-made-launch-pricing . With regards to my thoughts about the HE-35X, it is everything you would want, and then some. . Compared to the original HE350, the HE-35X has more palpable bass, at around +5db to my ears. The upper bass and subbass is a bit more viseral than the HE350 with modifications such as the paper towel mod and Brainwavz Angled Pads (BAP). Smoother rumbling than the mods, with comforting touches to your head as the tracks play on. . The HE-35X has a toned down midrange compared to the HE-350, and is buttery smooth. . In the HE350 review, I stated "treble may sound bright to very bright"; the HE-35X has treble that is smoothed and as a result, a joy to listen. . Soundstage isn't as expansive as the HE350, but having a bit more lower register, with a smoother midrange and treble is a good compromise to embody, in my opinion. . With regards to headphone comfort, the HE-35X feels as good on the head as the HE350 with modifications. . The total presentation is that of an upgrade of the original HE350, the result of the reviews and owners' feedback. . Is the HE-35X worth it? If you haven't owned a HE350 level headphone, I would unequivocally say the HE-35X is definitely worth the price. If you already own the HE350 or another headphone like the musically neutral K7XX, maybe. The HE-35X sounds different enough in my opinion compared to the HE350 that both are completely different headphones. The HE-35X is in my opinion a revelation of the HE350: the epitome of the original. . Enjoy a luxuriously audiophile value!

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Xephyroth

238

Mar 19, 2019

Hi all, Massdrop sent me a sample to review. Please let me know if you have any questions! In May 2016, I submitted an order for the Massdrop x HiFiMAN HE-350 and received it on September 22nd that year. By the time I received them, I had already been familiar with headphones like the HD 280, HM5, K7XX, HD 650, and TH-X00 PH—a decent price range of headphones that are often enjoyed by the community. These days, the older HE-350 doesn’t hold up to the competition, but does the newly revised HE-35X make enough change to be a compelling offering? BUILD QUALITY: When compared to the older rendition, the HE-35X doesn’t have too many structural changes. It employs a new reinforced yoke to prevent breakage that other HiFiMAN headphones have encountered, and the 2.5mm connectors have been swapped out for 3.5mm for increased durability. Aside from those changes, you’re still getting a primarily plastic build aside from the headband, which is thin and lightweight. In short, this isn’t the kind of headphone that’s meant to take too much of a beating. Rather, it opts to be lightweight and affordable. COMFORT: In terms of comfort, the HE-35X is quite comfortable when compared against the older HE-350. When I wear the older HE-350, the stiff velour pads don’t form a proper seal around my ears, while the HE-35X’s new hybrid pleather/velour pads are soft, plushy, and conform around my ears to create a very comfortable seal and improve the distribution of the clamping force. The headband padding is still thin, but the clamping force of the ear pads should offset the need for thicker headband padding. However, this clamping force might cause stress on the jaw for some. This wasn’t a problem for me, but ought to be mentioned. One thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that this headphone may not fit well for larger size heads due to its smaller adjustment height. PORTABILITY: As far as portability is concerned, nothing has changed from the HE-350. These headphones are just not small. Their size is a strong indicator that they are really meant for use at your desk, but if you are committed to using them in a portable fashion, then they can be driven by portable devices like smartphones. Just be warned that open-back headphones may disturb those around you who are uninterested in your questionable taste in music. And thankfully, the HE-35X comes with a cable that terminates in 3.5mm but comes with a 3.5mm to ¼” adapter. SOUND: Okay, so far, it seems to be decent, but how does it sound? Well, this is going to be a more controversial headphone compared to other popular open back headphones like the HD 58X or HD 6XX. Firstly, do they sound better than the HE-350? Yes. Absolutely. Comparing the two, I can best describe the older HE-350’s treble as sounding like steel trash can lids, whereas the HE-35X has substantially better treble reproduction that can be considered bright, but artistically so. This is thanks to the decision to use a high-pass filtering circuit in each ear cup that balances the low treble. The bass extension on the HE-35X has also improved thanks to the new ear pads and proper seal. This headphone actually caters to my bass-head desires a lot more than I thought it would. These days, I listen to a variety of k-pop, instrumental, metal and more. I demoed the following songs with the HE-35X using the Massdrop x Grace Design m9XX:

Listening to Dreamer by pianist Hiromi, the HE-35X delivers quality reproduction of Hiromi’s keyboard playing. The presentation maintains the dynamics of her playing, and I’m able to enjoy her melodies and rhythms without any strange sibilance or frequencies fighting for the spotlight. The keys resonate in the midrange, which is one of the cleaner aspects of the HE-35X. Anthony Jackson’s bass lines are delivered in such a way that I can hear the timbre of his fingers against the bass guitar. There is a bit of bass elevation in this headphone, but it’s presented in a tasteful way that avoids bleeding into or overwhelming the lower midrange. Lastly, Simon Phillips’ percussion is delivered with impact; the snare comes in with good attack and remains well-distinguished from the sparkly, shimmery cymbals, while the kick delivers decent representation without stealing from Jackson’s basslines.
Listening to Eclipse by k-pop group LOOΠΔ, I can quickly hear the brightness of these headphones when it comes to percussion and vocals. There is definitely sibilance in the consonant “s” and “t” sounds—which have the potential to push to the front of the mix more on this headphone compared to headphones with more relaxed treble. Upper-treble cymbals can also be very forward in the mix. But with those two warnings aside, this headphone delivers an enjoyable listening experience for those looking for a V-shaped sound signature. The sound stage remains narrow, intimate, and immersive. Bass kicks are impactful while the bass synths are lightly pushed into the back of the mix while the vocals come center-stage. Compared to a more neutral headphone, the vocal range can push itself to the front more often and push bass synths to the back of the mix.
When I Meet Death by metal band Time, the Valuator delivers an excellent V-shape that provides bass impact with the kick which synchronizes very well with the guitar. In this scenario, the frequency response of the HE-35X delivers an especially enjoyable listening experience for the guitars and percussion. The vocals are balanced within the mix while letting the attack of the guitar lead the song forward. While remaining narrow in its soundstage, the presentation is immersive and another great example of the type of music this headphone is great for.
Story by rock band CHON is often my go-to song for showcasing soundstage on a headphone, and as mentioned before, soundstage still remains narrow, but immersive. The presentation of this song is very well done with the HE-35X. The bass guitar carries noticeable impact in this song, as notes are delivered in long durations, while the guitars maintain excellent clarity and good stereo separation. The percussion is balanced without harsh cymbal presentation, and if you close your eyes and focus on the percussion, you might be able to visualize Nathan Camarena playing the drums.

Other things to try: If you are a Windows user, you may consider going into the properties of your playback device, selecting “Enhancements”, checking “Bass Boost”, clicking the “Settings…” button and setting it to +6dB@80Hz. I found this bass boost to be quite enjoyable under certain circumstances, and the HE-35X was able to hold up surprisingly well without completely diminishing the presentation of other frequencies. CONCLUSION: So who is this headphone for? Well, I find that it’s best described as a V-shaped headphone due to its elevated bass response and brighter treble. If you’re listening to instrumental music that doesn’t carry too many sibilant frequencies, I’d say this could be right up your alley. These are also great for more energetic music genres like metal and pop, but tracks that have very hot masters and emphatic treble brightness and sibilance may end up over-represented in those frequencies. For me, I do feel as though this headphone is quite competent and has merits that the previous HE-350 just did not have. While audiophile newcomers might want to play it safe and lean towards a more neutral headphone, if you’re sure you’re looking for something V-shaped with an emphasis in the treble, the HE-35X is probably right up your alley. For those coming from warmer headphones like the HD 6XX and K7XX, this headphone is in a completely different category and should even provide some competition to the similarly priced Grado SR80e, which is also known for its brightness.

(Edited)

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Neural0

Mar 24, 2019

I wanted to post my thoughts on these:

5/5 Stars Overall, the Price/Performance Ratio of the HE-35X's simply can't be beat.

These hit all the marks of the originals while improving on every front. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an entry into audiphile goodness. Disclaimer: I use my HiFiMan 350's as my daily driver and with the $30 upgrade in pads + the bass mod = I love them, and the majority of my review of the new X's is a direct comparison between the two. Initial Reaction: The 35X's look very similar to the originals, although this one has a slight refinement to the design. The cord is the same heavy weight as the original and I appreciate the L/R designation on the terminals. I see that the 3.5mm is now standardized throughout the build, this really doesn't affect me that much since I didn't need to hook up my originals, but I'm sure it matters to someone who wants to use another cord 3.5mm. The adjustable headset has a very satisfying secure click when moving up and down, whereas my originals easily slide too far and don't feel as secure. They haven't ever slid up, just a noticeable improvement on the original. The comfort!! The strap is welcoming, the original metal bracket was ridiculously stiff and put pressure immediately on the sides of my head. The updated unit is perfectly firm, not overbearing. I also notice the earpads are a much improvement, falling right in between the original very stiff pads and the ultra soft aftermarket Brainwavez pads that I purchased for myself. I prefer these pads, only because the aftermarkets I purchased didn't have the airflow and also mushed too softly onto my head. Goldilocks, this is just right. These are soft comfortable while also keeping their rigidity. But there still isn't the pressure like from the other clamp. The sound: Highs are not too overpowering, I'm not cringing at the cymbals or high hats. Mids and vocals are clean and I keep finding new parts of my songs (There's rain in the beginning of 'Bad in Common'!?), a pretty incredible feat considering I was on that track with the old HiFiMan's. Soundstage is wide and poignant, I can feel exactly where the different singers are in the track, when a louder The one thing missing right away is the deep low-end bass which is reminiscent of the original experience with the 350's. They needed to be broken in before they produced that rich sound and I think the 35X's are doing the same thing. Overall the sound is warm and inviting throuhgout the vocals down into a baritone, but there is the missing piece of "DAT HOUSE BASS THO" on the low-end with the stock equalizer. This is reminiscent of the originals when I first received them before I had to do a bass mod: But my god, it's a good tradeoff. I find myself enjoying the music on the new cans even while writing this review because the clarity on the full range of sound is that good.

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Neural0

Mar 27, 2019

Received them about a month ago from Massdrop specifically to review them since I had the HiFiMan HE-350's as I mentioned.

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C4_yrslf

Nov 13, 2020

Neural0I'm curious as to what is a bass mod?

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thesoundapprentice

Mar 19, 2019

The HE-350 is dead; long live the HE-35X. But will the Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-35X, debuting at a pre-order price of just $90, be crowned king of Massdrop’s entry-level audiophile headphone lineup? Nearly three years ago, Massdrop announced the HE-350, an open-back, 50mm dynamic driver headphone created in collaboration with high-end headphone manufacturer HIFIMAN. Priced at just $99 (cheap by any audiophile’s standards), and looking quite like its high-priced brethren at the time, the HE-350 seemed like an absolute steal. Having owned and enjoyed HIFIMAN’s classic HE-500 and HE-6 planar magnetic powerhouses, I jumped on the HE-350 drop expecting an excellent entry-level headphone to put into the rotation for comparison reviews and occasional personal use. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The HE-350 was utterly disappointing to my ears. I quickly sold it at a loss and swore off chasing budget audiophile products priced too good to be true. So, to say I was surprised when Massdrop reached out to me to be an early reviewer of its latest Massdrop x HIFIMAN collaboration would be an understatement. “We’ve overhauled our Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-350. We listened to all the comments and feedback to improve sound, durability, and comfort,” Massdrop said in reaching out to me. I guess they’re confident that the new HE-35X’s improvements will have me singing a different tune this time around. Let’s find out.

Unboxing Impressions

It wouldn’t be hard to mistake the HE-35X for the HE-350. Straight out of the box, the HE-35X looks and feels a lot like its predecessor. The same sleek metallic gray and black color combination that caught my eye the first time around is back. I would’ve opted for an all matte finish like the Beyerdynamic Amiron Home or Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX for some differentiation from its predecessor, but Massdrop didn’t ask me about looks. So far, the HE-35X’s glossy plastic cups are holding up better than those of my several times more expensive HE-500 and HE-6, which both showed fine surface scratches from even the slightest mishandling. Also returning for this edition is the suspension headband. I’m told this version has metal-reinforced yokes. I’ll take Massdrop’s word for it since the HE-35X feels slightly more robust than the toy-like HE-350. Of all the headphone headbands out there, this is one of the better designs for comfort and articulation. Between its light weight, Goldilocks clamping force (not too loose, not too tight — unless you have a really wide head), and thinly padded wide synthetic leather strap, the HE-35X is very comfortable for short listening sessions and better than tolerable over a full day’s use. Can you ask for more in this department? Not really. I will caution you of one thing: Once you set the strap on the indentation that fits your head, minimize readjustments — the tabs that secure the strap in place quickly wear the paint off the black metal headband, leaving a fine silver line between each indentation hole. A welcomed HE-35X enhancement comes by way of its ear pads. The HE-35X comes equipped with HIFIMAN’s popular FocusPads. These are the same premium angled hybrid (pleather/velour) ear pads found on HIFIMAN’s HE-400i and other higher-priced headphones of similar design and are an especially nice feature when you consider that HIFIMAN sells them for $39. Based on past experiences with HIFIMAN ear pads, I can attest the FocusPads help immensely with positioning and comfort; however, they still get toasty — watch for ear sweat. These ear pads have also been said to be itchy for some users, particularly those with sensitive skin. If this is the case for you, I suggest removing the pads to hand-wash them with a mild detergent and then letting them air dry. I’ve had good results doing this myself, and if that still fails you, I have no doubt that the ear pad connoisseurs of our hobby will soon be testing the various options from Brainwavz and ZMF Headphones to see if any of them perform better than the FocusPads. As far as tactile enhancements go, the last one worth mentioning is the cable. Back in the day, HIFMAN’s removable cables terminated at the cups with the most finger-frustrating mini-coax connections. Thank the audio gods that those things are gone. The HE-350 used more convenient 2.5mm TRS connectors, but now the HE-35X uses robust 3.5mm TRS connections at the ear cups for a quick, secure hook-up. The cable itself is plain and simple: Black, 53” long (I’m assuming it’s all OFC copper), terminated with a right-angle 1/8” headphone plug (3.5mm), and a 1/4” adapter is included. While the cable’s plugs are gold plated, oddly, the jacks on the cups aren’t. I guess they had to cut costs somewhere.

Listening Impressions

While the HE-35X looks and feels much like the old HE-350, it sounds entirely different — that’s a very good thing. Massdrop tells me the HE-35X has been completely re-tuned to improve frequency response and appeal to customer requests. I’ll wholeheartedly back that claim. I tolerated the HE-350 long enough to get some listening impressions on paper. I know a lot of people went through lengths to mod their HE-350s in attempt to correct its shortcomings. Well, I actually kept listening to the HE-35X long after I had a good enough impression to write this review. In other words, the HE-35X’s frequency response sounds leagues above the HE-350. In fact, it’s a pretty fun headphone. What I mean by that is that it’s tuned to get your toes tapping with boosted bass and a tipped-up top end. The HE-35X’s treble jumps out front from the get-go. You’ll need to give your ears a few minutes to acclimate to this, but despite being crisp and forward, the HE-35X’s highs aren’t ear-piercing or overly bright or fatiguing. This is a big win for the HE-35X since many headphones around this price point struggle with sibilance and sharp highs that crumble as cymbals crash. Sure, cymbals can sound splashy sometimes, some grain comes out when things get loud, and some female voices can sound especially forward, but it’s hard to fault a budget-priced headphone for these things. Overall, the HE-35X delivers a decent level of clarity and separation between brass sections and cymbals and toppy female vocalists and their pianos — better than par for the price if you ask me. I’ll attribute this to the high-pass filtering circuit in each ear cup Massdrop says was introduced to “attenuate the treble for a better overall sound signature.” If I had to fault the HE-35X’s top end, it would be in its lack of dimension and tonal quality; there’s little air or aura despite the large dynamic drivers and open-back design. On the positive side, being tipped-up but not toppy is a major refinement over the HE-350 and a solid accomplishment overall. The HE-35X’s highs simply sound more controlled and balanced overall. Moving into the mids is where I feel the HE-35X labors some. This is somewhat predictable; when a headphone has emphasized bass and treble regions, finer midrange details will inevitably lack luster. This takes some of the euphoria out of tracks like John Butler’s “Ocean,” where the HE-35X struggles to fully reproduce the full-bodied extension and emotion of his 11-string guitar. A Deftones album, for another instance, will sound cutting but feel lean as the drive of the hearty distortion feels slightly recessed. As you crank the volume on your amp, your ears won’t be met with more machismo but instead with loudly splashing cymbals and booming bass lines. The piano, drums, and sax in “When the World Was One” by Matthew Halsall & the Gondwana Orchestra lack a bit of depth, presence, and separation as they struggle to flutter around the HE-35X’s tuning. While this isn’t to my taste, again it’s not uncommon for a headphone like this. It also doesn’t mean jazz, folk, or rock will necessarily sound bad out of the HE-35X, you just have to understand upfront that moody mids are not this headphone’s forte. While the HE-35X stumbles slightly in the mids, namely towards the upper end of that range, it finds its stride again deeper in the dynamic range. The HE-35X’s bass extension is its saving grace. I expected either anemic or flabby overemphasized bass, but this is a headphone that carries a healthy rumble right into your ears, which makes electronic, hip hop, and rap most fun to listen to through the HE-35X. Heck, queue up Moderat’s “Bad Kingdom” and decide for yourself if you’re getting good bass for the buck. The bass hits with conviction on this budget performer, but it performs best when the tracks aren’t overly busy, which seems to be a recurring theme. “Home” by John Butler Trio illustrates my point. The opening synth bass is clean and convincing, but when the floor toms come in heavy on the chorus, the HE-35X struggles to keep up with the congestion and loses impact and timbre. But hold on; spin up Oddisee’s “Ready to Rock” and, yep, you’ll be ready to roll. This is the kind of track the HE-35X lives for. The HE-35X also does quite well with simple songs. Take John Mayer’s latest release, “I Guess I Just Feel Like,” where the even-toned and relaxed Mayer doesn’t challenge the HE-35X to do anything remarkable or complex — it’s just a laid-back listen where there’s little emphasis on any part of the dynamic range. “What am I Here For” by Jade Bird is another song where the HE-35X exhibits its ability to hint at being holographic when the tones and volume are just right. I admit to wanting the HE-35X to be more holographic more often though. Despite being an open-back headphone, I can’t credit it with sounding especially three-dimensional, airy, or realistic. There’s no real magic about its sound stage, but it does place the music with pinpoint precision right between your ears. The HE-35X fills your head with music, which is much better than just filling your ears with noise (there was nothing musical about the HE-350). So, what does this all mean? When unchallenged by dynamic layers of instruments and vocalists, the HE-35X easily punches above its weight. Simply put, I think the HE-35X is a fine and very listenable headphone for the price. Sure, there are better options out there for more money. There are also far worse options out there for less money, equal money, and even more money. What this all means is the Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-35X offers good value for the audiophile on a restricted budget. That said, any buyer of the HE-35X needs to accept that it will not be their endgame headphone — it will only be a gateway to the absurdity that comes with being an audiophile (Massdrop will appreciate your repeat business). Massdrop may decide to market the HE-35X as the king of their entry-level audiophile headphone line-up. I’ll crown it as the prince for the price. The real king is still the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX.

Alternate Approaches

Here’s my prediction for potential HE-35X buyers: You’ll stick with it for a little while, maybe even mess around with some mods, and then you’ll start to wonder what the next best thing is — it’s inevitable as an audiophile. So, I have a few recommendations for you. Each of these is a reiteration of a classic hi-fi headphone, so your “upgraditis” should be stayed for quite a while longer. AKG: If you want a more neutral /balanced headphone with better detail clarity that will play well with a wider range of music (and responds well to EQing if you’re into that), the Massdrop x AKG K7XX should be a top consideration. At $200, it offers a strong feature set and attractive price:performance ratio. The original Austria-made AKG K701, was my first real “audiophile” headphone courtesy of The Spirited Uncle M (you'd need to be a follower of mine to understand this reference) and remains a solid choice for those seeking a no-frills hi-fi headphone. Massdrop offers their version in black and red. The K702, and K712 (enhanced low-end performance) are equally valid options. Beyerdynamic: If you like a V-shaped sonic signature like the HE-35X exhibits, but want a more refined product — better clarity, timbre, and build — the $170 Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium Limited-Edition Black headphone offers a big bang for the buck. Beyerdynamic, in my opinion, has some of the more comfortable and eye-appealing designs; although, some people do complain of sibilance. Unless you have a very powerful amp, the 250-ohm version should be purchased. Sennheiser: As previously mentioned, Massdrop’s greatest achievement in the audiophile community might be bringing Sennheiser’s classic HD 650 to the masses in a far more cost-effective package, the $200 Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX. The color is different, the cable is shorter, but the sound performance is the same, which makes this one of the best bargains in the head-fi space today. The HD 6XX is a lush headphone that is very easy to listen to. You will sacrifice some sub-bass slam and twinkle in the treble, but you get a very warm, full-hearted headphone that plays well with most music genres. Of the headphones mentioned in this section, this one is easily the most universally enjoyed headphone on the market. If vocal depth and emphasis is important in your music, the HD 6XX should be a top choice. HIFIMAN: If you’re truly set on going with a HIFIMAN headphone, you need to go planar magnetic. Your best cost of entry here is the $170 Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX. I haven’t personally heard this model, but I know that planar performance is going to offer you a more refined sound than the HE-35X’s dynamic driver. You’ll sacrifice some comfort and style due to the added weight and different headband, but you’ll likely gain more depth, clarity, and sound quality in return. No matter which headphone you choose, I hope you enjoy your journey to #AudioNirvana.

(Edited)

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thesoundapprentice

Jul 30, 2019

Thanks for reading and the kind words!

MartyM

Dec 4, 2019

thesoundapprenticeYou got it I read everything!!! And I have ADHD! Thx for the precious infos!

(Edited)

Willco

Mar 21, 2019

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.

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lugnut

103

Mar 27, 2019

WillcoJust wondering how did you get a chance to try out a pair of these ?

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Willco

Mar 28, 2019

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. =)

benherrmann

Nov 14, 2020

Verified Buyer

This is why I gave this baby 5 stars...

As a matter of background information, I've been doing quite a bit of blogging about various budget audio gear - usually those items priced below $200 (in certain categories) or so. I've already written about a dozen or more budget headphones from a variety of brands, about half of which I enjoyed using. And sometimes you experience a set of cans whose price vs performance ratio winds up being a huge step above - and this HE-35X falls squarely in that category. One would be quite surprised at the number of "good" cans out there - but in the end, there winds up being a discernible difference between audio gear that sounds just "good" vs those that provide for a "realistic" realistic audio experience. When I received the email from Drop about these HE-35X's for only $75, I had to give 'em a try. This is the first HiFiMan product that I've purchased, so my experiences with these cans will also determine if I am to buy more of their products. The first surprise occurred when they arrived. Drop/HiFiMan packages this headphone in an absolutely gorgeous product box - one that one would normally associated with far more expensive products (and not one for $75). This is one box that I will not discard for any reason. After giving these cans a burn-in period of 24 hours using a variety of test tones, music, vocals, and other burn-in tracks, I then ran them through the mill - listening to a variety of classical, jazz, Latin jazz, big band, and other large instrumental genre's. I've long since found that testing audio gear with music that incorporates many different instruments, gives you a good indicator of their capabilities. To start right off, I did not particularly care for the pads that came with them and I previously surmised this would be the case, thus I ordered a set of 3rd party pads from another vendor on Amazon - that link being below: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CH8PNPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 With the stock pads, I felt that the music had a slight "veiled" sound to them. As ridiculous as this sounds, the music sounded like I was listening to a performance while seated behind a very thin curtain (if that even makes sense - thus the term veiled). As some of you may know, changing pads can be both a frustrating and tedious experience with many headphones on the market. However, with the HiFiMan headphones, I love (and admire) the idea of the removable plastic ear pad rings (if that's the proper term for them) that they use in their headphones. In the case of the HE-35X, I soon found out however, that the pads used on that particular model are glued to those rings. Sure, you can pop the ring off which is simple enough, but in the case of the HE-35X's you have to tear the pads off of the rings, thus destroying the pads (which in my case was no big deal because I didn't like them to begin with). Since that time I've come to realize that you can order extra ear pad rings - which fit most, if not all of the HiFiMan cans - and I ordered two additional pair (they are like $10 a pair which is very inexpensive). The link for these rings is here: https://hifiman.com/products/detail/272 So prior to having the additional ear pad rings arriving, I began stretching the 3rd party ear pads to get them on and around the ear pad rings on the HE-35X and after getting the rings to stay flat (because of the tension of the new pads), I managed to snap them back on (took me about 15 minutes to do this - more difficult than I imagined). But the effort was well worth it. And the results? Keeping in mind that all comments are subjective, all of a sudden the music opened up - sounded more airy. That imaginary thin veil effect was now removed. What was absolutely amazing to me (sound-wise) was the definition of the HE-35X. In familiar classical music pieces, I could now distinctly hear instruments that heretofore were not noticeable. Violins (strings) had a silky sheen to them that immediately caught my attention. Cymbals came through with extra clarity and realism, and small instruments such as a triangle (which is usually hidden when an entire orchestra is playing) was now clearly discernible, thus adding a new dimension to the music. Now do note that at the age of 71, my hearing drops off drastically from around 13,500 kHz. So to me the mids and highs were exceptionally smooth - very smooth, that is. But what about the bass you ask? Very palpable and dynamic! The HE-35X's do not lack in that department. Midrange instruments such as brass comes through with hair raising timbre (realistic, that is). I read a few reviews that indicated that the sound staging was OK - perhaps, so-so. Well, I am listening to the HE-35X's through several budget DAC's - those being the iFi Zen DAC, the FX-AUDIO X6 II, the Micca OriGen 2, and the Soundavo HP-DAC 1. In each case I found the sound-staging to be superb from left to right and front to rear. If you've read the beginning of this personal review, I alluded to the fact that with regards to sound, "good" does not compare with "realistic." What I meant by that is that we often use the term "good" to refer to audio gear that we find pleasing to listen to. However, as many of you know, it is rare (at whatever price level) to experience sound reproduction levels that are so palpable, so realistic, and so involving (especially at inexpensive price levels) that you're left just shaking your head in disbelief. With these types of components you tend to experience a live performance (with well recorded music) vicariously. Such is the case (at least for me) with the HE-35X's. The timbre of instruments come through with realism (no coloration) and the acoustic effects of the halls/rooms being used to make the music, the depth, the air - all combine to make for a very gratifying experience. And for only $75, this is unheard of in my book! So although I expressed my views about the stock pads, how I ultimately grade audio gear depends on the overall sound quality of the instrument I'm evaluating. These are exceptionally smooth sounding cans and very, very musical. Now do again note that I am basing what I heard of these cans with the new pads that I purchased off a very well known international site that begins with A. For $75, you could do worse - trust me on that one. The musicality and other attributes that I mentioned above have resulted in my giving them an unqualified 5 stars. Have a great life everyone...

(Edited)

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benherrmann

Nov 20, 2020

I got them right here (see link) - from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CH8PNPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Now do note that you can choose different colors - I chose the dark red with dots in the fabric - looks really great and feels wonderful on the ears. First just grasp the stock ear pads by one corner and pull gradually, but firmly back until the ear pad ring detaches from the headphones. Now do remember, that the stock earpads are glued on to that removable ear-pad ring and you have to pull (scrape) them away from that plastic ring, which will seem tedious at first. Then you take the replacement pads, you stretch them to get the ring inside of them. At first the ring will bend and you'll be saying to yourself, "Oh no, did I screw up here?" But no, you won't screw up. Then, you just flatten the plastic ring and then clip it back on again. It took me 10 - 15 minutes for me to get a hang of it. But I noticed a very noticeable difference in the sound reproduction using these replacement pads. Do note that you can order extra ear pad rings from the HiFiMan website ($10 a pair). I purchased two additional pairs for future use since after trying these cans, I plan on eventually moving up the chain and getting some HiFiMan Planars models. Having extra ear pad rings and getting extra pads will help big time. Hope this helps...

(Edited)

KSWDDS

Nov 20, 2020

benherrmannThanks for the link and the detailed explanation! Much appreciated.

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Mishra1390

Oct 9, 2019

Verified Buyer

Fairly average

I am not experienced with open back headphones. I was expecting a better sound stage, but found the experience bit underwhelming, found some earbuds better at that. Lacks bass to disappointing level, but otherwise is ok, with too much treble though.

Recommends this product? No

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NEXONUS

269

Jan 11, 2020

I hate to break it to you, but his review seems to be in line with other reviews. The 35x sounds closed and intimate despite being open, and they are bright. However, I disagree that they 'lack bass to a disappointing level'.

xodiak

Jun 13, 2020

Mishra1390A very basic amp might turn that frown upside down. There have been some less than $100 amps recommended here. You won't be disappointed.

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might.be.alon

Apr 30, 2020

Verified Buyer

All the reviews I've read online couldn't quite piece together how they'd be in person. In a word? Passably delightful.

What's in the box? Not a lot, really. The headphones themselves, and a 3.5mm cable, with a 6.35mm adapter fitted to the end of it. That was it. The inclusion of a 6.35mm adapter was appreciated. The box itself is fairly sturdy though, and one of the nicer physical cartons I've seen. It just didn't have a lot inside it. Comfort These headphones are a fairly tight fit, but thanks to the soft hybrid earpads and suspension strap, I don't find this to be too much of an issue, though those who are particularly "clamp sensitive" may have more issue than I with this. The earpads are nice, though fit to the headphones with a proprietary clip-ring, so replacements may be problematic in the future. Fortunately the stock earpads are perfectly acceptable at this price point - they're actually better than I anticipated. The hybrid earpad design does get a tad warm, but it's not unreasonably hot by any means. Quality The build and material choice feels about on-par with the Philips SHP-9500 - a full plastic construction, with a metal headband. It doesn't feel like tacky cheap plastic though, and it feels fairly nice in the hand; the HE-35X doesn't have that cheap plastic creak that many similarly priced headsets do. I do have concerns about the longevity of the yoke assembly though, as Hifiman are somewhat known for dubious longevity [1] [2]... The suspension strap feels like it may be prone to tearing, as it's the cheap kind of pleather that doesn't even pretend to be real. Maybe it will hold up though. Cable What's it like? It's fine. Will I be replacing it? Absolutely. The stock cable provided is a soft, rubbery cable that terminates in a right-angle 3.5mm connector. Interesting choice, for a pair of open-back headphones that look a little too goofy to go outside with. But at least it has almost zero microphonics, right? To be picky, the left and right indicators on the cable are printed onto the rubber connector covering, and I fully anticipate this will rub off with little effort. Sound I ran these with my Chord Mojo and JDS Labs The Element for the most part, and they were excellent - for the price. Due to the open-back design of these, you wouldn't really want to be using them outside. Which is probably for the best, as I found the experience to be lacklustre running directly from the output of my FiiO M6, lacking in some dynamics. Not to say they were unenjoyable without a decent amplifier, but they are definitely better with a more power. If I have to describe the HE-35X in a single word, it would be relaxed. It's not quite the word I want, but I can't think of a better one for now. They're an inviting headphone for longer listening sessions, and at least to my taste, they're not particularly fatiguing. Soundstage Given how large these are, and how open they are, I fully expected these to have a soundstage wider than a bus. I feel they fell short in this department, and were much more intimate than I expected. Not necessarily a bad thing, just not what I was expecting. They feel maybe a few feet wide, at most. Not as wide as the SHP-9500, a similarly priced open-back headphone. Treble The original HE-350 earned a bit of a name for being a treble monster, and I think Hifiman has tamed this significantly in the X revision, but potentially they reigned it in a little too much. I've heard some people say they're really treble-hot with that "Hifiman wall of treble" kinda thing, but I didn't really have much issue with it. It's not as aggressive as I'd have expected from a Hifiman can, that's for sure. Others say they can take an EQ reasonably well to fix this, but your mileage may vary. I have yet to try. Midrange I would hesitate to call it forward, but it's present enough, with a smooth texture to it. It feels relaxed, non-abrasive, inoffensive... But I find they can lack resolution and detail at times. It's enjoyable, but feels off, and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. Bass I can't tell if I like the low-end on these or not. They can slam, but at what cost? I'm not even sure "slam" is the right word here, if I'm honest; they definitely ride the line between strong and muddy. Some complicated tracks can definitely overwhelm the drivers if you feed them enough fast, successive low notes, but when they play well... they play well.

Summary For $75, I didn't expect them to hold a candle to higher end headphones. And I was right to make that assumption; but given their price, they're definitely worth it - especially if this is your first purchase (which currently earns you $20 off). My primary reservation is with the quality of the materials, but only time will tell on that front.

(Edited)

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FightKnight

May 16, 2020

might.be.alonWhat do you use for EQ?

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copper_wasp

Apr 23, 2020

Verified Buyer

5 stars at the $75 price point.

WOW. When I listen to these I cannot believe I snagged them for under $100. They are an incredibly fun headphone that is good for just about anything. Adequate treble, good mids and great bass. Very easy to drive. Build quality is perfectly fine. The headband and pads are very comfortable. This is my first pair of Hifimans and they’ve made a great first impression. I’m very interested in their planars now. If you’ve even considered picking these up, I say just do it.