Massdrop x HIFIMAN Edition XX Headphones Discussions | Drop

Massdrop x HIFIMAN Edition XX Headphones

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https://youtu.be/qLjzU52NPLE

Mar 12, 2019

Review #2 by Metal579: Metal579 just uploaded his review for the Massdrop Hifiman Edition XX. Massdrop sent him a review unit directly, and he states that they are from the final production model. Here are some takeaways:

They are not worth their price at $599 (overpriced in terms of performance)
Deeper bass extension than 4XX
Very low satisfying bass
They are not on par with the Edition X V2
Has a slight grainy sound for the price
Soundstage is very large
Soundstage seem to be coming vertically as well as from left and right
Mixed recommendation
Hi’s slightly forward
Uppermids more aggressive than the LCD-2C
Not a large step forward over the 4XX

Mar 13, 2019

I’m curious to hear what Joshua and DMS will say. Metal579 is usually on point but I feel he got Focal Elex wrong; either he got a bad unit or it’s QC due to Massdrop. Elex is highly praised by pretty much every respectful reviewer. I’m still waiting to judge but it’s not looking to good for the XX.

WallyWest

Mar 27, 2019

MegazineWell, now I regret that I bought it.

Mar 27, 2019

WallyWestI bought it as well. Keep note, so far it’s tied at 1-1. Metal579 is usually on point, so it’s a bit concerning and a let down, because the way these were advertised on the Massdrop page, was a bit misleading by HIFIMAN. I also haven't received responses to the questions for Dr. Fang from him -- which was an advertised perk -- and I’m now guessing it’s due to the performance of the XX not living up to the hype.

Apr 15, 2019

Is there a link?

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B1gdee05

341

Apr 26, 2019

MegazineA lot of headphones are overpriced compared to there performance.. The best value headphone regarding sound quality against price is the Koss KSC 75. When you hear these then you can say most if not all headphones are overpriced...

Apr 26, 2019

B1gdee05Lol. I never heard them.

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May 20, 2019

Megazine"Not a large step over HE4XX? You're deaf!"

May 21, 2019

ShawnP.WatsonIn stock form, I'm sure the Edition XX would be more comfortable and better-sounding. But I would bet that my EQ'd, Brainwavz XL-pad-swapped 4XX would compete directly for about a third of the cost. (For more information, see my post from the original drop for the Edition XX.)

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May 21, 2019

ShawnP.WatsonI've been listening to them and they are much better than 4XX. 4XX are still incredible for the price but we are speaking about two different price brackets.

May 21, 2019

Megazine"Price brackets" is what they want you to consider, not that the Edition XX has a larger driver & pads with much larger ear openings, which provide a larger soundstage. The 4XX with Brainwavz XL pads (6 models to choose from, each with a different sound) solve the issue of soundstage and comfort, compared to the XX, at least. Add in EQ (Equlaizer APO, copy-pasting my profile) to subtract the abundance of mid-bass to lower-mids (as I'm sure the XX has, as well, which results in a 'hazy' sound) and you have an Edition XX killer... for a fraction of the cost. Those that already own the 4XX can easily perform these mods... and would only need to purchase the HIFIMan attachment rings (that come with their velour pads, $10) and a pair of XL Hybrid pads ($29.50, less if you can catch them on a Brainwavz sale).

May 21, 2019

That’s your relative view of $450. That may sound like a lot of money to you, but to others it’s not. It all comes down to what you want from sound and music.

May 21, 2019

MegazineRegarding Metal 579. He's dead wrong on the "grainy treble". It is not as extended as Ananda with the extreme air, BUT, that was NOT the design criteria. The design criteria was to offer something different from....rather than less-than. XX has better low end extension. It's a more relaxing listen than Ananda. XX is not just some old HiFiMan parts thrown together with an older designed magnet structure, etc......."which is why they're cheaper". NO! Massdrop made some decisions and sought a particular sound signature for a particular audiophile taste they deemed underserved by the current HiFiMan lineup. The headband was carefully chosen, not to save on cost. NO! That was an assumption. The older style was deliberately chosen for function, durability, trouble-free operation, and believe it or not--style. Massdrop could have collarborated with HiFiMan on a Susvara derivation with a gold-plated headband if they wanted to. This narrative by Metal574 and others that XX is some sort of hobbled Ananda or Edition X v2....that was "built to a particular lower price point with lower cababilities--and that's why it costs less--is bullshit. That is NOT giving the Massdrop team enough credit AND it's not the truth. XX is it's own animal. It has its own unique sound signature for a different audiophile or an under served sound signature niche. I know it's natural to compare, compare, compare, but sometimes a reviewer needs to just see the product as a stand alone for it's own unique merits. I'm telling everyone that will read this post, XX has a very smooth treble and relaxed signature. That is what it was designed to have. The lower price point has nothing to do with the quality of the sound--It was not meant to be an apology for something that was lacking. The price point was to give the mid-fi'ers the opportunity to taste the high-end without going all in with $1000-1600. Massdrop has succeeded wildly on that note. I'm sure Massdrop could have chosen to make an Ananda version in midnight blue like they did with HD6XX and sold it for $600 too. But Massdrop did not do that. They created something unique just like the Elex. UNIQUE--NOT LESS THAN. Peace out.

(Edited)

May 22, 2019

mattrisWith that logic you can Equalize the XX to sound like even better cans like Ananda. Not saying this is a true statement, but showcasing the irony of your point. Have you and @Jorge007 heard the XX? @ShawnP.Watson I agree. I don’t really hear this grainy treble. Sounds very crisp to me, but not on the same level of detail of my TX-00. Metal went pretty hard on them so it’s great to see that when we hear something ourselves, we draw to different conclusions.

May 22, 2019

I'm not saying your wrong. I was just expecting them to sound much worse. I still don't know how I truly feel about them. I need more time. Been so busy since I got them.

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May 22, 2019

100mm vs. Ananda's 80mm driver. XX uses a symetrical magnetic structure to emaphasize the low end dynamics vs. Ananda's asymetrical magnetic structure to augment frequency extension and air. Different animal different design. XX has better bass and larger driver as per the design criteria.

(Edited)

May 22, 2019

MegazineFirst of all, my point had no irony. While I have not heard the XX, I can imagine what it sounds like: similar FR to the 4XX, but with a significantly larger soundstage, deeper bass extension, and perhaps slightly more detailed. Having said that, I would bet the headphones themselves that my EQ'd, pad-swapped 4XX would compete with the XX, if not be beat it in sound... for $380 less. Instead of purchasing yet another relatively expensive headphone, it would be wiser to invest in a superior DAC/amp - and/or an inexpensive mod, pads, or EQ - rather than run planar magnetic headphones directly from cellphones or computer motherboards, which simply will not provide enough juice - or the overall clarity - for the headphones to ever really sing. But Massdrop won't say that. (Quite the opposite, I'd say.)

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May 22, 2019

mattris“Expensive” is subjective. If you believe you can make the 4XX sound like the XX, your free to believe so. In my opinion, owning both and driving them properly, the difference between the two are night and day. I think the XX sounds very close to my LCD-2C ($800). I’m debating on only keeping one, but I love the pads on my LCD-2C. They feel so good.

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May 22, 2019

MegazineI called the $600 Edition XX a "relatively expensive headphone" because that's what it is. I'm not sure how my EQ'd, pad-swapped 4XX would compare to the Edition XX in stock form, but I truly think it would hold its own. (For sound alone, I would bet that many would prefer it over the stock XX.) In my opinion, it would be a mistake for 4XX owners to plonk down a significant amount of money on a new headphone before trying a $40 mod that will substantially improve the comfort and soundstage. Even in stock form, this Equalizer APO profile will do wonders: GraphicEQ: 44 0; 45 -0.4; 46 -0.75; 47 -1.08; 48 -1.37; 49 -1.62; 50 -1.85; 52 -2.2; 54 -2.5; 56 -2.76; 58 -3; 60 -3.22; 62 -3.42; 64 -3.6; 66 -3.75; 68 -3.88; 70 -4; 100 -5; 200 -5; 700 -3; 1000 -2.5; 2000 -1 Here's a profile to give the Edition XX a leaner sound, with even better (perceived) sub-bass extension: GraphicEQ: 10 0; 20 -4; 45 -6; 250 -6; 300 -5; 500 -5; 580 -4; 800 -4; 850 -3; 1100 -3; 1200 0

May 22, 2019

mattris“That’s what it is” . How can you be so sure if you’ve never heard it.. I respect your right to have an opinion, but your publicly making claims without actually hearing a product (XX). You than go as far to compare it to another headphone without doing an A & B test. But the worst crime of it all is that your drawing conclusion off something you never heard, and publicly sharing this information. It’s not a wise approach I wish anyone to make, but your free to do so. To put it frankly, and I mean no harm, your credibility is at stake from here on out. Take care.

(Edited)

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May 23, 2019

MegazineThe main point I want to make clear to 4XX owners - and those willing to purchase the 4XX - is that I recommend not purchasing the Edition XX if it is planned to be used directly from a phone or computer headphone jack, as doing so will not provide enough power - or clarity - to be worth the $600 investment. (Cheaper, more-portable, easier-to-drive, dynamic driver headphones would be a better choice in this regard.) A headphone 'getting loud enough' is not an indication of sound quality or reaching its maximum potential. (Headphones with a low impedance means only that the amplifier isn't strained to drive them.) For those that have a capable pair of headphones (like the 4XX), try a pad-swap, EQ, and a superior DAC/amp before buying another pair of expensive headphones, only to power them from the same (under-powered) device. I'm fine putting my credibility at stake. But I won't be purchasing the Edition XX for a whole host of reasons, namely that I am quite pleased with my headphone collection* at the moment. But for a dollar less than the XX, I'd much rather purchase the more-portable, leaner-sounding, detail-rich SendyAudio Aiva, even if it does have a smaller soundstage. *including numerous Sivga and Lasmex models (all pad-swapped, modified, and with EQ profiles)

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May 24, 2019

ShawnP.WatsonYou speak the truth ShawnP.Watson. I recognize how subjective and different everyone's experience of sound is and I respect that. But there is no excuse to post unverified claims that these are simply a hodge podge assembly of discarded and obsolete parts from the bins at the HiFiMan manufacturing plant. If that is the case these are some high quality discarded parts. The sound is truly amazing from these phones. I need a thesaurus to find all the synonyms for superlative to describe the sound of the EditionXXs.

May 24, 2019

MegazineI am not against DSP processing by any means. It is a wonderful tool to subtly adjust the sound of a headphone more to one's liking. All of the claims that you can take an HD-6XX and turn it into a clone sounding HD-800s using proper DSP and earpad swaps is BS. That is like putting MCAS on a Boeing 737 Max to correct an inherent design flaw. We all know the results of that manufacturing debacle. This hobby is fun but sometimes we stretch what is possible into unrealistic claims.

May 26, 2019

ShawnP.WatsonThat is funny.

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May 26, 2019

mattrisI can imagine my old Buick is a Bugati too!

May 27, 2019

WaynereyNo 'imagining' necessary. I actually swapped the pads on my 4XX, create an EQ profile... and saved over $385 by not buying the Edition XX, which I'm aware has similar overall character as the 4XX - just with a larger soundstage, significantly due to their stock earpads' larger ear openings. For sound alone, I'd put my modded/EQ'd 4XX against your stock Edition XX, especially if you allow me a $385 budget for a DAC/amp.

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Jun 28, 2019

Did you find the Edition XX to be warm and slightly dark, with a vast sound-stage and superb bass extension?

Jul 6, 2019

mattrisI find them to be warm, slightly dark. I love that the highs aren't too bright compared to my other cans like TX-00. Sound stage isn't super large but what's really cool about them is that they add hight to the sound--weird right?! I feel they make my music more immersive, maybe it's artificial but so enjoyable. Bass extension is excellent.

Jul 7, 2019

MegazineI was listening to the XX last night for several hours and it occurred to me that I'd simply forgotten I was wearing headphones. I was so completely involved that the Edition XX headphones disappeared. And I was considering then how relaxing a listen the XX was and how it sort of reminded me of the HD6XX when I first got to know them--only a lot better. Yes, the XX is ever so slightly dark and warm. I listen through my iFi Micro iDSD Black Label and when I hit the 3D+ switch, the sound stage increases of course, and a little sparkle in the treble comes through....and it's just PERFECT! It's exactly how I felt about the HD6XX. I really think anyone who likes the HD650 but is looking for an across-the-board upgrade should consider Edition XX. I concur with your comments Megazine about "slightly dark and warm".

(Edited)

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