Which headphones of Drop's currently available?
I have some rewards points to burn but there's no obviously good options on Drop right now for headphones Contenders Ultrasone - maybe? I don't own any Ultrasones, so curious. Looks like garbage travel headphone which could be useful also. Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro. - Maybe? I have the DT 880 Good price point, really uncomfortable headphones but could be interesting to try the upgraded version. E-MU - strong contender but $400 is a bad price point for what it is. Which of the above would you choose and why? Nothing else on Drop is relevant to my interests, because Already own 6xx 820 800 s Ether cx Garbage / Consumer grade Meze 99 - garbage bass canons, hard pass No gaming headphones obviously Sennheiser wireless - no to wireless/bluetooth Hifiman - I have 2 of drop hifimans and they make really bad cheap shit on Drop, hard pass on HE-R7DX Aeon - I own the closed, Drop refuses to address #padgate so no reason to buy open Beyerdynamic 177x - wireless, nope Too similar 8x / 560s...
Mar 28, 2024
I own two Lasmex L-85 headphones. My impressions:
Build quality is stellar: smooth metal and high-grade plastics used throughout. They have and open-back design, with less sound leakage (out) that most open-back headphones. Comparatively, a fair amount of outside sound is let in.
The L-85 stock earpads' openings are too small to encompass normal-sized ears, so they would be classified as having an on-ear design. Fortunately, the pads are easily replaceable. To improvement comfort and to sound-stage width, I replaced the stock pads with various Brainwavz Earpads.
Unfortunately, the L-85's frequency response is drastically V-shaped, with a wide bass-to-lower-mids hump and too much treble. Using Brainwavz protein leather earpads installed, a FiiO Q1 mkII DAC/amp, and a free Windows program called Equalizer APO, simply copy-paste the following into the 'Edit text' bar of the Graphic Equalizer:
GraphicEQ: 30 0; 35 -5; 40 -7.5; 45 -9; 52 -10.5; 60 -11.25; 70 -11.75; 80 -12; 120 -12; 160 -11.75; 200 -11.5; 250 -10.75; 315 -9; 400 -6; 500 -3; 630 -1; 800 0; 1000 -0.5; 1500 -2; 2200 -4; 4000 -6; 20000 -6
In iOS (iPhone, iPod, iPad), the Pop , Lounge, or Treble Reducer presets are suitable.
Brainwavz Hybrid Earpads improve the airiness of the sound. I configured this profile with them installed:
GraphicEQ: 20 0; 25 -4.25; 32 -7.5; 40 -9.5; 50 -10.75; 60 -11.5; 70 -11.9; 80 -12; 100 -12; 160 -11.75; 200 -11.25; 250 -10; 315 -8; 400 -5; 500 -2.5; 630 -1; 800 0; 1000 -0.75; 1500 -2.25; 2200 -4; 4000 -7; 20000 -7
And finally, on another pair of L-85s (that have less bass and treble than the first headphone), I installed Brainwavz Angled Sheepskin Leather Earpads and configured this profile:
GraphicEQ: 21 0; 25 -3.5; 30 -6; 36 -8; 44 -9.5; 53 -10.25; 65 -10.75; 80 -11; 120 -11; 160 -10.75; 200 -10.25; 250 -9.5; 315 -8; 400 -5; 500 -2.75; 630 -1; 800 0; 1000 -0.75; 1500 -2.25; 2200 -4; 4000 -5; 20000 -5
The driver used in this headphone is likely the one discussed here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lasmex-l-85-headphones.817590
In summary, the Lasmex L-85 is a well-constructed, value-conscious headphone with capable drivers. With some initial effort (pad exchanging and customized EQ applied), they can be transformed into an absolutely superb headphone that will compare favorably to more expensive models.
(updated August 21, 2018)
Now I'm curious to find out if a pair of HD6XX (with or without EQ) sound better than my EQ'd L-85s with angled Brainwavz sheepskin pads installed. The HD6XX scales well with higher-end DAC/amps - but is limited from lower-end amps. So that could be an important aspect to consider for prospective buyers of either headphone.
Nevertheless, I guarantee my L-85s are more durable and comfortable than the HD6XX. Plus, the Lasmex earcups fold 90-degrees (in both directions), and it uses a standard, singled-sided, 3.5mm connection - not a double-sided proprietary connection like the HD6XX, which is really only beneficial if running the headphones in a balanced set-up.
I find these to be pleasant enough even without an EQ, but it is great to know that my ears can tell a V-shape curve.
I invite you to try-out my EQ correction for these. Curious to hear your thoughts on what it does to the sound.