Massdrop x HiFiMAN HE-350 Audiophile Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x HiFiMAN HE-350 Audiophile Headphones

Oct 22, 2016

So I did a headphone burn in over about a period of a week (8 hours a day), and that did seem to round out the highs a bit. I've also swapped out the pads with the Brainwavz pads that everyone recommended; the pads are SOOOO COMFY - thanks for the recommendations. .... but after listening to them for a few hours, I can't say that I love the sound signature on these. Bass seems a bit heavy and hollow, mids are recessed. Highs are still a tad sharp, but not as bad as before. These are my first set of HiFiMAN headphones, and I thought perhaps I'd be getting a great deal for $99, but now I'm not so sure. I guess this is a typical case of "you get what you pay for". I still really want to love the brand, but maybe the next time around I'll just spend the extra money and get the 400s or the 560. It's a good thing that the RE-00's that I bought were spectacular for the price point. The 350's? Not so much.
So that said, I still want a set of daily drivers in the sub $150 range. Suggestions? Is the ATH-M50x the answer?

Oct 22, 2016

ikhan

Oct 22, 2016

HawaiiRI own a pair of M50x. Cannot complain especially for the price. Solid build, premium feel, and quality audio. These are all subjective I suppose, but I am not the only person who enjoys the M50x. They are well received in general. It is a safe bet.

Oct 22, 2016

lo_tse

Oct 22, 2016

HawaiiRInteresting feedback. If I remember correctly, on one ever have made the comment "...... base seems a bit heavy......." in here. Almost everyone commented that it is light in base. May be you should open the back and check whether the hole at the back of the driver is kept open by mistake.

Oct 22, 2016

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HawaiiR

134

Oct 22, 2016

ikhanDo you own the HE-350 as well? Curious how they compare. I know the basic differences, but curious about the overall sound quality differences.

Oct 22, 2016

ikhan

Oct 22, 2016

HawaiiRNo unfortunately. I see no reasonable benefit over the M50x besides open back, so I never bought it.

Oct 22, 2016

HawaiiR

134

Oct 22, 2016

lo_tseThis is after I swapped out the ear pads, as I mentioned. I think that was the whole point of swapping those out, right? To increase the presence of lower frequencies? I'm not particularly liking the result - I prefer snappier, tighter bass response - on these cans they seem much looser than I like. Personal preference, I suppose.

Oct 22, 2016

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mdr944

Oct 22, 2016

HawaiiRI have these from the last drop and did [all] the same things you have done to yours with the same feelings. I have many different headphones and in the 150 dollar range I say the best I have are the Fostex T50RP MK3 and T20 RP MK3. You will not be disappointed with either of these. I do have a few pairs of the M50x and they are just OK even with different pads.

Oct 22, 2016

HawaiiR

134

Oct 23, 2016

mdr944Thank you. I'll take a look at some review on the Fostex that you mentioned. I wish there was a store in Hawaii that carried wide range of these cans to try on before spending money on 5 pairs, just to pick out 1 or 2 that I like. I just picked up a set of DT770's as well. Burning those in right now as I type.

Oct 23, 2016

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lo_tse

Oct 23, 2016

HawaiiRI do own the HE-350 and I like it . I do not find the high "ear piercing or shrill" at all. Yes,the base can use a bit more oomp. I recalled the reason to switch out the pads was to "tame the high" and make the wear more comfortable. Then someone from MD described a "base mod" to increase the base (since almost everyone said the base is lacking) by opening the back of the phone and remove the sticker that block the hole at the back of the driver. People tried this mod agreed that the base response improved. However, someone tried the "base mod" also comment that the base, although elevated relatively, is a bit boomy and hollow. Kind of what you described. That's why I made the suggestion.

Oct 23, 2016

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meowmixmeow

Oct 23, 2016

HawaiiRI have the m50x and the he350. the m50x is ok, kind of hard to say which is better because m50x are closed and the he-350 are open. sound stage feels more in your head rather than airy, or expansive like he-350 . People use to rave about how great the m50x before, and was mostly publicized through popular :youtubers" who kind of review everything rather than just headphones. I honestly think the m50/x/s headphones aren't worth more than what they are selling for in regards to how people say they compete with headphones twice their price. Build quality wise it's good, but other folks have problems with the hinge that swivels the cups tend to break quite often. Mine haven't broke yet, but it's because I never use them anymore. Those took a back seat to my 250 ohm dt 770. I heard the t50rp fostex which are semi open and the t20rp which are supposedly open are super good for the price. I havent tried them myself, but it's worth a try to take a look at those. One thing I heard about them though is that they'll need more amp power to drive those.

Oct 23, 2016

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DacerP

Oct 23, 2016

HawaiiRI had the M50x for >3 years. For 150$, yes they are the best closed cans. But if you make me pick, I would go with the HE 350. I dunno, but I love the tone and sound reproduction on the HE 350.

Oct 23, 2016

HawaiiR

134

Oct 23, 2016

lo_tseHi! I believe opening the back was one of two ways to increase the bass response. The other one was to swap the pads: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-hifiman-he-350/talk/532876
Swapping out pads with thicker ones, to my recollection, has always been about increasing bass response. I'll try out the sticker removal mod this week sometime. Hopefully that helps tighten it up a bit. Thanks for reminding me about it!

Oct 23, 2016

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HawaiiR

134

Oct 23, 2016

meowmixmeowYeah I understand about open vs closed. I guess my other set of open cans are in a much higher price bracket, so they sound WAY better than the 350's, which is expected of course. My issue with it is that aside from the sound stage, the sound quality doesn't compare to my V6 or HD-25 ii. Not even close. Thanks for your thoughts on the M50. I've always had some hesitation about buying them for some reason. Not sure why, to be honest...LOL. Might skip the Fostex if they need an amp. I have one, but I don't always like to have to hook up to it.

Oct 23, 2016

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