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Drop + Ultrasone Signature X Headphones
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Drop + Ultrasone Signature X Headphones
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Product Description
Bass is a big deal—especially in today’s music. Many headphones boost bass, but the results can be sub-par, all the way down to subs Read More
Customer Reviews
3.8
(23 reviews)
5star(9)
4star(7)
3star(3)
2star(2)
1star(2)
By Feature
Build Quality
2.4
(9)
Sound
4.7
(9)
Comfort
3.7
(9)
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keyboard_arrow_downghostsets
11
Jan 22, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
Great for bassheads
I have really enjoyed these so far. They are great for genres like EDM, rap and rock as well. They are able to handle bass really well and get even crazier when you EQ lower frequencies up. There's not really any muddiness like a pair of Beats and you can still hear everything else well. I would say if you have ever tried the Ultrasone Pro 900i these are like a slightly less clear version of those with more punchy bass. They excel in mid-range impact and some light low-end rumble.
As a side note I did also try these with the Brainwavz oval protein leather pads and the experience was even better. They fit a little loose but work well overall. That z reviews guy was 100% right in saying to try switching them out.
As far as the headphone build, the clamp force can be a little tight, but I found with using other pads it made them more tolerable. They feel very solid and the metal caps on the sides are a nice touch.
Recommends this product? Yes
Evshrug
3775
Community
Aug 7, 2023
HameemI like the tuning of campfire IEMs, the Cascade is an outlier as one of the more colored tunings I’ve heard from Campfire.
MorganJoylighter
11
Feb 4, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
Narrowly beats Meze 99 for favorite closed headphone in the $200-300 price range.
I am a bass addict so the bass-centric marketing Drop used for this headphone pulled me in right away, even though I absolutely did not need any more headphones right now. I have 7 for different purposes/contexts and even then have several left over that are not getting used. Yes, the bass is great, but what I really like about this headphone is how it manages to stay pleasing throughout the whole spectrum of sound. It's not too bright or too dark. I mainly listen to instrumental film/TV/game scores and these make my music sound amazing...especially certain highs like harps, bells, and other tinkly things sound positively divine. I also intermittently suffer from tinnitus-like brain irritation at certain midrange frequencies and these don't trigger that as much as some other phones (hello, Audeze, and thank God for EQs).
Having a headphone that succeeds in those areas AND has a metric ****-ton of bass, AND is lightweight and secure enough to wear around the house while doing chores, is pretty much a holy grail for me. I was using the Meze 99 for that before, and I really like them still, and (especially since their fit it so secure), using them for jogging (yes I jog with over-ear phones, no tinny cramped IEMs for me). So I'm not saying they're drastically superior to the Meze 99, but they do win by a little for me.
So to summarize, I wasn't looking for these headphones, but I'm glad I found them. The bass is great but they are a lot more than just another bass monster.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
Evshrug
3775
Community
Aug 11, 2023
Well, both have strong bass quantity, and the initial impact (the attack) of drums is going to be as sudden and strong as you might like. However, it's like comparing the crisp motion of an OLED screen versus the ghosting of an old LCD monitor, or the CRACK! of nearby fireworks versus fireworks that are further away and have a softer, longer lasting boom... the Ultrasone is more impactful to me because it's sharper and has a more realistic hardness to it, while the Cascade is more artificially boomy than punchy (Which some people like because it gives a "big, grand" feeling, but it's not to my taste).
RKYSTMBOAT
14
Jan 23, 2023
Activities:Casual Listening, Gaming, Movies & TV
Music Genres:Classical, Country, Electronic, Hip-hop, Metal, Pop, Rock
checkVerified Buyer
Daily Drivers
Original:
-Great soundstage/imaging (especially for gaming)
-Punchy Bass
-Bright enough without being fatiguing
-Immediately throw away the stock pads and order some big thick pads. The pads have a HUGE impact with the way these headphones sound.
-Some plastic creaking when making slight movements. The headband seems super cheap and flimsy compared to other options in this price range.
With that being said, these are my absolute favorites for everything after upgrading the pads.
Update:
Sadly my concerns about the creaky cheap headband were justified. Today I went to put them on and out of no where the plastic snapped and broke off near where you adjust them making the headphones unusable. Such a shame because of how much I enjoyed them in the very brief time I had them. I never dropped them, attempted to stretch them out or folded them in any way. Because of this I would feel uneasy about recommending this product to anyone.
Second Batch Update 5/15:
Vast improvement over the first batch. They actually listened and now you have proper pads out of the box! Speaking of the box, Ultrasone provides a very nice case and all but I really wish they would of just gave a crappy pouch or something and improved on the headband. Headband is still creaky but I sprayed some silicon lube(came prepared after previous experience lol) all over the band and joints that helped greatly, hopefully they'll last longer than a month this time around. Like a scorned lover I still feel uneasy. I have tons of different headphones from the 100$ to 600$ range and the previous batch were the first to actually snap on me. I'm hoping that it was an isolated case. They're still my favorite and it feels good having Ultrasone back on my head!
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
leemore
21
Jan 28, 2023
RKYSTMBOATWhat new pads have you upgraded too? And what's the basic difference in sound? Thanks...Lee
Billllly
6
Jan 21, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
Impressive
Presentation was great and many accessories. Great entry level cans.. minus the delay ty drop 🍻
Recommends this product? Yes
Evshrug
3775
Community
Jan 27, 2023
BilllllyThanks for bearing with us/Drop while our warehouse partner tried to get their computer systems working again 😅 Glad they were worth the wait!
t0talpr0ph3cy
12
Jul 9, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
More Than What I Expected--Broke Easy
Ultrasone is a divisive brand with a mostly negative online opinion towards their sound signature. The build quality is cheap and plastic-y. They use a commonly used headband that you can even find on sub-$50 headphones. The S-Logic introduces a spaciousness that is not always natural or undistorted. They are very bass centric which impedes the overall sound quality. To say the least, there is a lot of detraction from this brand and for good reason.
But Drop hit the nail on the head with this release and with the sale going on bringing these down to $200, they're probably the value headphone you can buy right now. At that price, these things are an absolute steal.
I had been using a pair of V-Moda M-100's (not the masters) I got second hand off of Ebay. Running off the Drop+THX AAA amp and the topping D10 DAC. The M-100's have been #1 in this segment for almost a decade now and as far as overall sound quality goes, these definitely dethrone them. Overall, that is. I have not compared these against the m-100 master's or the m-200's, though.
The bass is much deeper in the Signature X's. These actually rumble with sub-bass whereas the V-Moda's can't even properly hit those frequencies. The V-Moda's punch harder with mid-bass, though. Because of this the V-Moda's offer a more clear and higher quality mids/highs. They are a more accurate headphone. However, the V-Moda is very loud-speakerish, closed, metallic, and sounds very close to the ear. The Signature X softens the mids/highs and blends it in to the bass better. The S-logic creates meaningful separation in this range, though. Sounds dance around your head and it brings out a clarity amidst the muddiness. It makes them more clear in the high range and muddier than the V-Moda at the same time. Definitely more blended and obscured. The Signature X's immediately sounded muted in this regard. As if the sound was being suffocated. The V-Moda's are very direct, accurate, natural, and clear whereas the Signature X's sound a lot softer.
With the right type of music, the Signature X slays the M-100. There are things you can hear on these that you absolutely cannot hear on the m-100's. The extra layer of atmosphere and immersion is much appreciated. They shine their best when listening to slower-paced, bass-heavy music like southern Hip-Hop. Songs like "Take it Off" by 8ball & MJG take full advantage of the Signature X's strong points. The level of atmosphere introduced by the sub-bass is unreal. The track sounds smooth, full, and totally enthralling. The immersion of the sub-bass will "take you there". The southern accents of 8-ball and MJG blend in to the sound nicely.
You could call this a hip hop headphone first and foremost. It slays the m-100 in any slower-paced, bass-heavy hip hop track with ease. It sounds several hundred dollars more expensive. Electronic music sounds excellent especially if it's more bass-heavy but less bass-y songs like from Aphex Twin suffer in comparison to the slapping, clapping and speedy m-100.
The signature X sounds a league better with the right music and at their best is a much better sounding headphone. But because it is a "bass" headphone it has the typical drawbacks you would expect. Some types of music simply sound better on the V-Moda.
The S-Logic truly works wonders. The soundstage is much improved from the m-100. Certain Aphex Twin songs sounded worse on this headphone because of the lack of speed, clap, kick, and slap but other songs more focused on separation sounded absolutely amazing. The way sounds dance around your head is hypnotic. It doesn't even sound like the noise is coming from a headphone. It dances around you. I launched up Quake Champions: Doom Edition to test how these perform in gaming. WOW. The S-Logic emulates surround sound incredibly. I do not have a surround sound gaming headset to compare them against, but the placement/distancing of sound was so incredible I'd imagine they'd slay most "surround sound" gaming headsets. This has to be the best "professional" or "audiophile" headphone for gaming.
Basically, if bass is your forte and rap/bass music is your main genre, these headphones sound like they're $500 headphones. If you love hypnotizing yourself by separation and placement of sound, then this is your headphone. And that deep bass and separation is what makes them sound like $500. If faster paced music with lots of kicks, claps, and slaps is your forte then the V-Moda will take the cake, but it never sounds $500 with any genre although it presents an excellent overall value. The V-Moda is the superior professional headphone and it's build quality is legendary whereas the Ultrasone is plastic barebones in this regard. However, as of writing this review, the Ultrasone presents the better value at $200 with the included case, cables (including a balanced cable), and extra thick earpads. It is of important note that the plastic build quality of the Ultrasone is definitely one of the worst in this price range, though. It's actually quite incredibly bad. It works just fine and I don't think it's going to break but it's a very cheap headband.
Both the V-Moda and Signature X suffer from their shell. You can hear metallic noise from the earcups in the V-Moda and likewise you can hear the plastic in the signature X but some modification with clay, felt, and filler could fix this.
V-Moda wins on build quality, clarity, and anything that kicks, claps, and slaps. The m-100's thump and it's unreal when they do. The Signature X's win when at their best with an overall superior sound and they can do things the V-Moda's simply cannot when it comes to deep bass. The V-Moda's are claustrophobic in their sound and the Signature X's proprietary S-logic creates separation and openness that which allows you hear finer details in the mids/highs while at the same time muting them and making them less forward and clear.
Overall, I prefer the Signature X's and anyone who loves bass, hip-hop, or electronic music will thoroughly enjoy this headphone. However, the V-Moda will be superior for any professional and anyone who wants a more universal headphone that doesn't suffer with higher-pitched, faster music.
If you're a gamer and listen to a lot of atmospheric music, bass music, pop music, R&B music, hip hop music... then this is your headphone bar none. This headphone slays anything in it's category at gaming and bass. I imagine that's a lot of people.
Don't let Ultrasone's negative reputation stop you from giving these headphones a go. If you game or if you love bass, then there is no better headphone until you start climbing over $500. In this regard it makes the V-Moda seem incompetent. But the caveat with that added subbass is real, though. Any headphone that introduces those frequencies will muddy the mids/highs and this headphone does do that. The V-Moda is simply speedier and claps more.
DJ's, professionals, or people who prefer the higher-frequency range should go for V-Moda.
Gamers and bassheads should go Ultrasone. Those that do will enjoy hearing music that can't be reproduced on the V-Moda or other similarly priced headphones and will get to enjoy the premium effects of s-logic. Music will dance around your perceptions and sparkle in your ears. The bass will fill you with immersion. It is a better sounding headphone by far with the right type of music. It's just not suitable for professionals and it does get beaten by the V-Moda in those frequency ranges.
V-Moda for DJ's and other pros, people who want to hear speed and clap.
Ultrasone for gamers and bassheads. Ultrasone for pure enjoyment. Which is what I am so I am very, very happy with my purchase.
Unfortunately, I have to give these headphones a 4-star and not a 5. The plastic is bad. The headband is bad. It is not a universal headphone that can excel at any type of music. It is not professional or accurate. It is a colorful, atmospheric and bassy headphone. I would love to give it 5 stars for being only $200 on sale and for how good it sounds with the right music (which is truly AMAZING), But it has very real drawbacks. It can't keep up with V-Moda's speed or clap. It sounds bad with certain songs. It sounds incredible with others. This is to be expected with any headphone because of the limitations of being a headphone.
But it does sound like a much more expensive bass-centric headphone. The value for the sound quality is incredible. Some of it's drawbacks are natural as a bass headphone but others are simply drawbacks across the board like the terrible headband (although it's fine in the comfort department but not nearly the best). The package with the inline microphone cable, the balanced cable, the coiled cable, the case, the aftermarket earpads is excellent. But it still has a very, very bad headband. How can something sound this good coming out of plastic like that? I dunno, but it gives you amazing bass-centric sound quality in it's price range by doing so. Either way, I have to take off a star for that.
The value is still incredible, though. You get incredible value if you suffer the poor headband. But it is what it is and it cannot rightfully get a full 5 stars being as brittle and plastic-y as it is. If the headband was better it would be 5-stars all day and honestly, suffering the headband is worth it for the value it offers.
4/5
These are $400-500 bass headphones in a $200 package. Excellent accessories. Excellent performance in it's range.
I should emphasize once again how bad this headband is. It's a very, very bad headband. One of the reviewers here on Drop even broke it. I can see how the plastic is TERRIBLE. It's a terrible, terrible plastic headband. You could honestly break it.
But the quality at the price is still excellent. It's a major, major trade-off. As bad as the headband is, I only take off one star for it because of how good everything else is and for the fact that you're getting $500 bass headphone sound for $200 on sale. $500 sound for $200 with the worst headband in the business is a deal the devil, to be honest. It is what it is. If you suffer the worst headband in the industry, you will find yourself enjoying the best gaming/bass headphone in this price range.
UPDATE: After many more hours of burning in, I'd have to say these headphones have shaped up to be even better than before.
They still do best with electronic, pop, hip hop, and bass heavy music. Especially music with a lot of spatial depth like some of Aphex Twin's work or psytrance. Analogue music is still not phenomenal but not at all bad.
But wow they are absolutely slamming. Way better than V-Moda overall for listening enjoyment.
The headband turned out to not be as bad as it initially seems. I would still describe it as cheap compared to others and the plastic seems brittle to the touch, but it winds up being more comfortable and sturdier than it seems. I'd describe it as "cheap plastic but still good". I'm going to add back the star I took off in order to give these my full recommendation.
UPDATE: Headband snapped in two different places on two different occasions. Only used them at desk have no idea how it happened. Terrible. Sounded great, though. Can't get them to fit right anymore even after trying to tape them up. Changing review to 1/5.
1/5
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
Loved-It-Till-It-Broke
11
Dec 19, 2023
t0talpr0ph3cyI completely agree with everything you said. I also wrote a review, full with updates and screencaps, showing how each step, Drop has screwed me over. Drop manipulated me so well, I didn't even realize what they were doing, dragging things out, so as to insure, the transaction gets pushed past the Paypal 180 day resolution dispute window. My Sig X's also broke, because the build quality is garbage on them! I contacted Drop on November 21st, and at first they denied my claim, until of course, I wrote my review and uploaded the email screencap. Then they agreed to return for a refund after that. I returned the headphones 3-weeks ago, and I haven't received a refund from Drop, and all I have received from them, were bogus nonsense excuses in email. I didn't find out till it was too late, that I was being manipulated. Now Paypal won't even help me, due to their stupid 180-day policy. Drop has made me a victim of fraud, because by USA Federal law, once a return has been received by company or seller, they are required to issue a refund within 7-days. We are far beyond 7-days. Drop has ruined my Christmas. And because of them, I might get the pleasure of being homeless next year, because that $216.52 would be really nice to make a rent payment, you know, that way I am not living under a bridge? Also, in January, the 6-month interest window ends, and I will get charged interest on an item I no longer own. Drop doesn't care, Paypal doesn't care. No help for me, I am completely screwed, and nobody cares.
Loved-It-Till-It-Broke
11
Nov 22, 2023
Activities:Casual Listening, Gaming, Movies & TV
Music Genres:Classical, Country, Electronic, Hip-hop, Jazz, Metal, R&B, Rock
checkVerified Buyer
These Headphones Sound Amazing! I Loved Them Till They Broke In Only 5-Months!
If your an basshead like me, then you will appreciate the amount of bass power these cans produce. The base gets down super low, brings on the thunder, but also the bass hits hard and punchy, which is great for rock music. The can's are fairly comfortable, since they upgraded the pads, since the original production runs. Fairly good isolation, which helps with bass response. But the cans also had the ability to produce some good highs, while keeping the mids mostly flat, preventing boomy sound.
Overall soundstage is also surprisingly good to hear in such a closed back can. These can's are a basshead's dream, while maintaining some quality audiophile sound. Having said all this however, these can's have about a 5-month lifespan of heavy use. I never mistreated these can's, they never fell off my head, I never smacked them with anything. All I have ever done was simply, put them on, take them off. I'd like to clarify, that the can's still work, and produce amazing sound!
However, when I was putting these on today, the right side plastic hinge cracked in several places. There is no telling how long this hinge is going to last, before its gone for good. All that plastic creaking, which sends chills up ones spine, when these can's are new, was apparently and indicator, as to the type of build quality these can's have. I would have expected a 200+ dollar pair of can's, to last longer then a cheap 50 dollar pair. IMO, both Ultrasone and Drop have no business selling these can's for 200, the build quality isn't worth it!
When I contacted Drop, to get a refund, or utilize some form of warranty, Drop felt it best to consider that a pair of cans cracking in the hinge after only 5-months, was not to be considered a defect. Infact, they went so far as to claim that its accidental damage or customer misuse. I know, can you believe that? The ordasity of these people! Apparently, just putting headphones on is considered accidental damage or misuse.
Just yet another company, who doesn't want to own up to their shoddy quality, and make good on a claim. Its all about money with Drop, they don't want to do what is right. Well, thats going to hurt them in the head, because I WILL NEVER BUY FROM DROP EVER AGAIN! You lost a customer Drop, and Ultrasone is on my crap list now too. Take my advice, stay away from both brands, and this headphone model. 
Recommends this product? No
Loved-It-Till-It-Broke
11
Jan 20, 2024
Thank you Phorte, I am too! You asked, how do these compare to my Denon AH-D9200's?
(1) The Denon's have a much better build quality for starters, all metal headband, durable metal, built like a tank, with genuine leather in a woven pattern, for the headband cushion. The cups are made out of bamboo wood, which is great, because its considered a stable wood, and it can take temperature and humidity differences then other woods out there, and it looks excellent, with a nice real metal logo placed onto the wooden cups. (the company does this by hand BTW!) Gotta love Japan, the traditional arts.
Unlike the the headband that uses genuine leather, the cup pads are made out of a higher end pleather, which supposedly resists sweat and can hold up better, so far I haven't had any issues with the pads since I got the Denon's last November, I just clean them with a baby wipe, then dry off with a baby bamboo soft cloth. Which reminds me, I need to clean my pads again.
(2) Unlike the Sig X's that use a standard copper core audio cable with a single connection point, requiring super thin wiring to run through the headband to both cups, the Denon's use oxygen free silver core cabling, and it uses 2 connection points for each cup, so no super thin wiring that can break required, for running through a headband.
(3) I will give it to the Sig X's for having overall more thunder power in the sub bass range. Having said that however, the Denon AH-D9200's, have much more detailed sub bass. So sure, you may not feel it in your chest like you can with the Sig X's if you boost the bass to +10DB. But if you boost the Denon's to +10DB as well, you still can get a lot of sub bass out of them, enough to satisfy any basshead, since they do use 50mm drivers as well.
But as I said, the Denon's have much higher end sound, where the bass is much more detailed, and the bass hits when its supposed to hit, and it doesn't get muddied like cheap can's do, where the bass sounds like malasas. The Denon's have good separation, and spatial imaging is pretty decent for a closed back can. The spatial imaging in the sig x's was pretty much not apparent, and you were lucky to get good separation.
The Denon midrange is kept fairly flat, so there is no boomy sound, which is something that I don't like in many cheap can's. And while many reviewers found the high frequency range to be just on the edge of uncomfortable for some, for me the high frequency range was muffled. (Possibly due to my setup) So I razed the high frequencies to +2DB, which corrected the issue.
(4) I am powering my Denon's the same way I did my Sig X's, off an S.M.S.L SP200 AMP. But the Denon's are easier to drive believe it or not! The Sig X's are a 32-OHM can, but the Denon's are a 24-OHM can. So any desktop AMP that can provide 2-watts or more into 24-OHMS, should be able to drive the Denon's with ease. Where as with the Sig X's, I would have recommended at least 3-watts or more per channel into 32-OHMS.
(5) I'm also running through an S.M.S.L M200 audio processing DAC, and using a vintage Realistic 12-band hardware equalizer unit to process and tune the sound. While the cost of the Denon Flagships is a tough pill to swallow, (Believe me I know) it was certainly worth the purchase, best decision I have made, since I became an headphone audiophile. You can get them cheaper used BTW, but be careful where you buy used.
(6 Final Thoughts) Since the build quality of the Sig X's is resulting in massive levels of returns, or thrown into the garbage E-Waste, it is quite clear that the Sig X's are not worth the money, (and they went up infact!) and really should be avoided. Even the Foxtex flagships would be better then these things too, and they are known for quality sound as well. But I personally would recommend the Denon AH-D9200's.
crobins75
14
Feb 6, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
Impressive Sound
I owned some Ultrasones about 10 years ago. Became a fan, got distracted by some other things. Saw these and bought them. Without boring you and being repetitious. Sound is great- across the spectrum. Reminded me why I became a fan 10 years ago and questioned why I got distracted and sold my old Ultrasones. Sound is not flabby, bass is great.
The build quality is super disappointing. I know what we are paying for here, but the plastic is overwhelmingly cheap feeling. As noted below, super squeaky on your head and that combined with the truly appalling ear pads makes for a less than amazing impression. Ditto on the coiled cable. I wish they had taken some of the energy they spent on packaging and directed it elsewhere. I recommend these with the caveat that you need to embrace the crappiness of the build at this price point, and enjoy the sound.
Recommends this product? Yes
Evshrug
3775
Community
May 12, 2023
crobins75Curious how you feel about the new second pair of pads, and the other three cables that came with it.
crobins75
14
May 15, 2023
EvshrugJust got the new ones- pads are way better, cables still feel a little off brand, but- again, the sound is there. These are also way less noisy than the first ones, the plastic is less crackle-y on my head. Overall, these remain impressive.
SwishyE
11
Aug 6, 2023
Activities:Casual Listening, Critical Listening, Gaming
Music Genres:Electronic
checkVerified Buyer
Headband broke after about half a year of desktop use, do not buy
They sound great but fell apart on my head, a $250-$300 product should last longer than 7 months. Gonna have to see if I can salvage them somehow because I loved them before the hinge gave. Would have been happy to pay just a bit more for a headband made of a reasonable material or with a reasonable design, I see bits of gear as investments and don't wanna have to replace them twice a year
Recommends this product? No
inmytaxi
175
Nov 25, 2023
Drop is sleazy lowlife clowns. Obviously a hairline crack can be either. If it was me I would sue them, personally, not the company, sue the clerk who denied the work personally.
Loved-It-Till-It-Broke
11
Dec 19, 2023
inmytaxiDrop has ruined my Christmas before it started. I returned my Sig X's 3-weeks ago, Drop has had them in their warehouse for over 2-weeks now, and they never sent me a refund. Their emails have nothing but bogus excuses that don't make sense as to why they won't issue me a refund. Drop dragged this whole ordeal out, so that it would go 180 days past the resolution dispute with Paypal, so I am double screwed now. While I believe it is Federal law in the USA, that once an item has been returned and received by a company or seller, they have within 7-days to issue the refund. Drop is far beyond the 7-day period. And then when January hits, the 6-month interest window will drop, and I will owe interest on an item I no longer own in my possession. And because of Drop, I might be homeless next year, that $216.52 would really help me pay my rent payment. But Drop would rather see me living under a bridge, then to do the right thing. Drop won't help me, Paypal won't help me, and there is just no recourse for me, and nobody seems to care.
headphonebuyer
5
Nov 15, 2023
Activities:Casual Listening, Critical Listening
Music Genres:Classical, Electronic, Hip-hop, Jazz, Metal, Pop, R&B, Rock, World
checkVerified Buyer
They sound great but the build quality is really terrible
The headphones creak when you move them and the whole body is made of plastic it feels like it could break easily. And the creaking. How could they send these out without fixing that? Seems to be a common problem.
Recommends this product? No
PopZeus
386
Aug 12, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
Great bassy, closed back for the price
This headphone sounds better than you think, and is about as comfortable or well-constructed as you think. I quite like my pair, but I do run it with EQ and Dekoni protein leather choice pads. To me, the design and build is a mixed bag. Yes, it creaks and feels like a lot of other cheapo headphones. And there is some risk to that. But it's also easy to find dozens of pad options, and other accessories, to tweak the tuning and comfort to your liking, and the design is very portable as far as over-ears go.
Accessories are great, especially for the price. I prefer the sound of the black cables, which retain some memory, but otherwise sound like decent wire. Love that you get a 3.5mm and 4.4mm option. Pad options are great too, but I prefer the sound of the smaller pads that are not nearly as comfy.
Bass is the star. There's lots of it, from 200 Hz all the way down to 20 Hz. Don't expect planar bass, but it's detailed enough to be interesting and it has so much impact. Lower mids pick up some of that bass lift, and upper mids are a bit recessed, particularly around the ear gain area. Quality-wise, they're clean but not super detailed. The Signature X can't compete with an HD6-series headphone. Treble is slightly recessed, but mostly plays it safely within the range of "relaxed neutral". Staging is not bad for a closed-back, with a slightly outside your head stage. Imaging is also solid, with instruments getting hard to place only during busy passages. Though the sound will wrap around your head, the stage is not very tall. (maybe because of the waveguide?)
Closest competitor in terms of sound is the Meze 99 Classic. That headphone has a hotter upper-mid/lower treble region, and has a less damped sound, which makes sense given how easy it is to drive. But the mids are the star of the 99s, so the Signature X mids can't compete with that responsive, dynamic timbre of the 99. By contrast, the Signature X's mids are a bit slower, not as in-your-face (though still quite good). Honestly, once I EQ some of the presence region back in (ymmv on how much bass you do or don't need), there's enough substance to the mids to make the Signature X sound very coherent, balanced and satisfying.
Note: I did get the first batch with reverse waveguide, and my second pair had a channel imbalance so I returned it. Keeping the first pair as it sounds fine. With those things in mind, as well as a note about how this headphone is practically begging for customization, I do recommend it with caveats.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
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