Drop + HIFIMAN HE5XX Planar Magnetic Headphones Discussions | Drop

Nov 25, 2020

First of all, I'm new to this audiophile world, I was using gaming headsets like the Razer Kraken Mobile and Cooler Master MH730. I was fooled with the gaming marketing of "7.1 virtual surround sound". From the beginning of 2019, I wanted to know more about audio peripherals. From asking questions like 'what's the difference between a $50 headphone and a $500 one?' to advance search on types of headphone drivers and what do you need to get a close to perfect sound from my pc to my gear. I was planning to upgrade my headphone first and at the same time wanted to replace my budget mobo in my pc so I started to research on audio sound cards for pc. Found out that an external sound card (DAC) was better than a pci express internal sound card. Due to that, I invested in a Fiio Q1 Mark II and and was immediately blown away by the sound coming from it (FLAC Files and my Razer Hammerhead pro v2 IEM with dynamic drivers hahaha). So I just recently bought the Hifiman HE5xx like 4 days before black friday cause it's new and there won't be any discount on it. My only fears are 1. I'm new to the planar magnetic technology and I know the sound will be distortion free and very open. 2. I'm a bass lover and I don't know how the bass will sound in a so open back design and I'm willing to sacrifice the bass with more neutral, natural sound rather than heavy bass with lots amount of distortion. Will update more when I receive the headphone and also post some photos.

Nov 25, 2020

huy0819

Nov 28, 2020

TaaRiXWelcome to the hobby. 1. The 5XX are really good planars for the money. They are great for imaging and soundstage. 2. If you are looking for something with bass, then these 5XX may not be for you. These are open back headphones and due to this design it may not have a deep rumble if you like EDM or Hip Hop type of bass. There is good clean bass but they will not punch. They are easy to drive. I think your Fiio should do well to drive them. Good luck on your audiophile journey.

Nov 28, 2020

Nov 29, 2020

TaaRiXWhile the Fiio Q1 Mk II is a good lower-cost portable DAC/amp for relatively easy-to-drive headphones, it will not sufficiently drive planar magnetic headphones (like the 5XX), especially regarding bass quality. To unlock the headphones' potential, you need to invest in an amplifier with at least 1 Watt into 32 Ohms. Let me know if you would like some recommendations. (You can still use the Fiio unit as your DAC.)

Nov 29, 2020

Nov 29, 2020

huy0819Thank you for the reply. I can like sacrifice the punchy bass that I used to love for the overall better sound quality. I'm thinking of upgrading the cables in the near future to get the best sound possible from that headphone.

Nov 29, 2020

Vote

Nov 29, 2020

mattrisThank you for the info and of course I would love some recommendations. I'm not planning upgrade more on the gear in the near future but still will do some research on how to get the best sound possible from it. Maybe the cables? Don't get me wrong but for me it will be like a little overkill cause the DAC already has a built in amp and it can be possible that I will be satisfied with the sound with just that DAC and the cans.

Nov 29, 2020

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Dec 8, 2020

TaaRiXOk, I just listened to my 5XX on my FiiO Q1 mkII. The results were hazy, compressed, and lifeless compared to using the powerful, balanced output of my Geshelli Labs Erish amplifier (1 Watt @ 32 Ohms), sourced from the FiiO's line out. The difference was substantial enough to warrant an amplifier upgrade, especially with headphones that scale (improve) so noticeably with more power on tap (a standard concept with planar magnetic headphones). The FiiO's 80mW out of its 3.5mm-out is rather pathetic, like trying to play baseball or basketball with 8-foot ceilings. You could get a balanced cable to utilize the Q1's balanced-out, but it only offers 200mW and is designed to drive small IEMs with a 2.5mm connection. Most people think that if the maximum attainable volume is enough, then the amplifier is 'good enough'. This is entirely false. Output volume is irrelevant to the actual quality of the sound: bass tautness/extension, sound-stage spaciousness, clarity, imaging, etc. I'll recommend some good-value amplifiers for you in my next post. While another cable would be required, would you like to have the option to run the 5XX in 'balanced' mode for potentially superior performance? As you know, the 5XX's stock cable is only compatible with a standard single-ended (SE) amplifier.

Dec 8, 2020

Dec 9, 2020

mattrisI still don't know or more like to have a picture in my head about how the the cans sounds likes due to that it has not been shipped to my country yet lol. My plan is that I want to run it in balanced mode by using cables like hart or other custom ones with 2.5 mm output to run with my DAC if I'm not like pleased with the sound of the cans with the stock cables. Will get back to you when I have my hands on it for the amps but for now I'm left here just waiting for the delivery hahaha.

(Edited)

Dec 9, 2020

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Dec 9, 2020

TaaRiXGot it. When your 5XX arrives, let me know what you think of it with your FiiO Q1 mkII. Though I have to say, whether you're "pleased with the sound of the cans with the stock cables" is irrelevant to my point. The fact is, you will not be hearing anywhere near the potential of the 5XX's capabilities. There is a substantial improvement by using them with a powerful amplifier.

Dec 9, 2020

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cybergalaxy

Oct 7, 2021

mattrisI have thought Amp is to do with volume, whereas DAC is about the quality of the sound. Granted if amp is done poorly it would amplify sound with a poor quality but I would have thought the majority of the sound quality is due to DAC?

Oct 7, 2021

Oct 7, 2021

cybergalaxyGreater maximum volume potential is only one aspect of headphone amplifiers. And keep in mind that an amplifier making a pair of headphones 'loud enough' is not an indication of the headphones are being driven properly. An amplifier's specifications provide information about how well they will 'do the job' to amplify the incoming signal from the DAC in order to 'drive' the connected headphones. Planar magnetic headphones - like the HE5XX - usually require more power than standard (dynamic driver) headphones to achieve their maximum potential. As a general rule, greater power on tap from the amplifier yields a smoother, more-spacious presentation with tighter, cleaner bass. With most planar headphones, the benefits start to be less obvious after about 1 Watt per channel (into 32 Ohms), but some require 2 Watts or more to sound their best. The DAC in use is far less important than the amplifier. The audible differences between them are relatively minor, especially if they measure well (channel separation, noise, etc.). Apart from having the inputs you require, the most important facet of a DAC is the voltage it sends to the amplifier. Generally speaking, the higher the voltage, the better, as long as the amp isn't clipping. TL; DR In a headphone system, the majority of the resulting sound quality is due to the amplifier, not the DAC.

(Edited)

Oct 7, 2021

cybergalaxy

Oct 9, 2021

mattrisSo I suppose I would be quite happy and be certain that I am driving HE5xx to its possibly best performance with THX 789? A powerful amp I thought?

Oct 9, 2021

Vote

Oct 9, 2021

cybergalaxyThe power output of the THX 789 is respectable, but nothing special... especially from its 1/4" output, the standard large plug that comes standard - usually as an adapter - with most headphone cables. Another matter to consider is headphone-amp pairings. Since all headphones and amplifiers sound unique, certain headphone-amp 'combos' will sound better than others. But it really comes down to what kind of sound you're seeking: lean/warm, dark/bright, neutral, wide/narrow, detailed/smooth, how much bass extension, etc. Before I speak further, do you own either the THX 789 or the HE5xx?

Oct 9, 2021

cybergalaxy

Oct 9, 2021

mattrisI own both of them now, and have lent thx789 to my friend for testing, planning to drive he5xx via balanced cable.

Oct 9, 2021