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The HE-350 is dead; long live the HE-35X. But will the Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-35X, debuting at a pre-order price of just $90, be crowned king of Massdrop’s entry-level audiophile headphone lineup? Nearly three years ago, Massdrop announced the HE-350, an open-back, 50mm dynamic driver headphone created in collaboration with high-end headphone manufacturer HIFIMAN. Priced at just $99 (cheap by any audiophile’s standards), and looking quite like its high-priced brethren at the time, the HE-350 seemed like an absolute steal. Having owned and enjoyed HIFIMAN’s classic HE-500 and HE-6 planar magnetic powerhouses, I jumped on the HE-350 drop expecting an excellent entry-level headphone to put into the rotation for comparison reviews and occasional personal use. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The HE-350 was utterly disappointing to my ears. I quickly sold it at a loss and swore off chasing budget audiophile products priced too good to be true. So, to say I was surprised when Massdrop reached out to me to be an early reviewer of its latest Massdrop x HIFIMAN collaboration would be an understatement. “We’ve overhauled our Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-350. We listened to all the comments and feedback to improve sound, durability, and comfort,” Massdrop said in reaching out to me. I guess they’re confident that the new HE-35X’s improvements will have me singing a different tune this time around. Let’s find out.
Unboxing Impressions
It wouldn’t be hard to mistake the HE-35X for the HE-350. Straight out of the box, the HE-35X looks and feels a lot like its predecessor. The same sleek metallic gray and black color combination that caught my eye the first time around is back. I would’ve opted for an all matte finish like the Beyerdynamic Amiron Home or Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX for some differentiation from its predecessor, but Massdrop didn’t ask me about looks. So far, the HE-35X’s glossy plastic cups are holding up better than those of my several times more expensive HE-500 and HE-6, which both showed fine surface scratches from even the slightest mishandling. Also returning for this edition is the suspension headband. I’m told this version has metal-reinforced yokes. I’ll take Massdrop’s word for it since the HE-35X feels slightly more robust than the toy-like HE-350. Of all the headphone headbands out there, this is one of the better designs for comfort and articulation. Between its light weight, Goldilocks clamping force (not too loose, not too tight — unless you have a really wide head), and thinly padded wide synthetic leather strap, the HE-35X is very comfortable for short listening sessions and better than tolerable over a full day’s use. Can you ask for more in this department? Not really. I will caution you of one thing: Once you set the strap on the indentation that fits your head, minimize readjustments — the tabs that secure the strap in place quickly wear the paint off the black metal headband, leaving a fine silver line between each indentation hole.  A welcomed HE-35X enhancement comes by way of its ear pads. The HE-35X comes equipped with HIFIMAN’s popular FocusPads. These are the same premium angled hybrid (pleather/velour) ear pads found on HIFIMAN’s HE-400i and other higher-priced headphones of similar design and are an especially nice feature when you consider that HIFIMAN sells them for $39. Based on past experiences with HIFIMAN ear pads, I can attest the FocusPads help immensely with positioning and comfort; however, they still get toasty — watch for ear sweat. These ear pads have also been said to be itchy for some users, particularly those with sensitive skin. If this is the case for you, I suggest removing the pads to hand-wash them with a mild detergent and then letting them air dry. I’ve had good results doing this myself, and if that still fails you, I have no doubt that the ear pad connoisseurs of our hobby will soon be testing the various options from Brainwavz and ZMF Headphones to see if any of them perform better than the FocusPads. As far as tactile enhancements go, the last one worth mentioning is the cable. Back in the day, HIFMAN’s removable cables terminated at the cups with the most finger-frustrating mini-coax connections. Thank the audio gods that those things are gone. The HE-350 used more convenient 2.5mm TRS connectors, but now the HE-35X uses robust 3.5mm TRS connections at the ear cups for a quick, secure hook-up. The cable itself is plain and simple: Black, 53” long (I’m assuming it’s all OFC copper), terminated with a right-angle 1/8” headphone plug (3.5mm), and a 1/4” adapter is included. While the cable’s plugs are gold plated, oddly, the jacks on the cups aren’t. I guess they had to cut costs somewhere.
Listening Impressions
While the HE-35X looks and feels much like the old HE-350, it sounds entirely different — that’s a very good thing. Massdrop tells me the HE-35X has been completely re-tuned to improve frequency response and appeal to customer requests. I’ll wholeheartedly back that claim. I tolerated the HE-350 long enough to get some listening impressions on paper. I know a lot of people went through lengths to mod their HE-350s in attempt to correct its shortcomings. Well, I actually kept listening to the HE-35X long after I had a good enough impression to write this review. In other words, the HE-35X’s frequency response sounds leagues above the HE-350. In fact, it’s a pretty fun headphone. What I mean by that is that it’s tuned to get your toes tapping with boosted bass and a tipped-up top end. The HE-35X’s treble jumps out front from the get-go. You’ll need to give your ears a few minutes to acclimate to this, but despite being crisp and forward, the HE-35X’s highs aren’t ear-piercing or overly bright or fatiguing. This is a big win for the HE-35X since many headphones around this price point struggle with sibilance and sharp highs that crumble as cymbals crash. Sure, cymbals can sound splashy sometimes, some grain comes out when things get loud, and some female voices can sound especially forward, but it’s hard to fault a budget-priced headphone for these things. Overall, the HE-35X delivers a decent level of clarity and separation between brass sections and cymbals and toppy female vocalists and their pianos — better than par for the price if you ask me. I’ll attribute this to the high-pass filtering circuit in each ear cup Massdrop says was introduced to “attenuate the treble for a better overall sound signature.” If I had to fault the HE-35X’s top end, it would be in its lack of dimension and tonal quality; there’s little air or aura despite the large dynamic drivers and open-back design. On the positive side, being tipped-up but not toppy is a major refinement over the HE-350 and a solid accomplishment overall. The HE-35X’s highs simply sound more controlled and balanced overall. Moving into the mids is where I feel the HE-35X labors some. This is somewhat predictable; when a headphone has emphasized bass and treble regions, finer midrange details will inevitably lack luster. This takes some of the euphoria out of tracks like John Butler’s “Ocean,” where the HE-35X struggles to fully reproduce the full-bodied extension and emotion of his 11-string guitar. A Deftones album, for another instance, will sound cutting but feel lean as the drive of the hearty distortion feels slightly recessed. As you crank the volume on your amp, your ears won’t be met with more machismo but instead with loudly splashing cymbals and booming bass lines. The piano, drums, and sax in “When the World Was One” by Matthew Halsall & the Gondwana Orchestra lack a bit of depth, presence, and separation as they struggle to flutter around the HE-35X’s tuning. While this isn’t to my taste, again it’s not uncommon for a headphone like this. It also doesn’t mean jazz, folk, or rock will necessarily sound bad out of the HE-35X, you just have to understand upfront that moody mids are not this headphone’s forte. While the HE-35X stumbles slightly in the mids, namely towards the upper end of that range, it finds its stride again deeper in the dynamic range. The HE-35X’s bass extension is its saving grace. I expected either anemic or flabby overemphasized bass, but this is a headphone that carries a healthy rumble right into your ears, which makes electronic, hip hop, and rap most fun to listen to through the HE-35X. Heck, queue up Moderat’s “Bad Kingdom” and decide for yourself if you’re getting good bass for the buck.  The bass hits with conviction on this budget performer, but it performs best when the tracks aren’t overly busy, which seems to be a recurring theme. “Home” by John Butler Trio illustrates my point. The opening synth bass is clean and convincing, but when the floor toms come in heavy on the chorus, the HE-35X struggles to keep up with the congestion and loses impact and timbre. But hold on; spin up Oddisee’s “Ready to Rock” and, yep, you’ll be ready to roll. This is the kind of track the HE-35X lives for.  The HE-35X also does quite well with simple songs. Take John Mayer’s latest release, “I Guess I Just Feel Like,” where the even-toned and relaxed Mayer doesn’t challenge the HE-35X to do anything remarkable or complex — it’s just a laid-back listen where there’s little emphasis on any part of the dynamic range. “What am I Here For” by Jade Bird is another song where the HE-35X exhibits its ability to hint at being holographic when the tones and volume are just right. I admit to wanting the HE-35X to be more holographic more often though. Despite being an open-back headphone, I can’t credit it with sounding especially three-dimensional, airy, or realistic. There’s no real magic about its sound stage, but it does place the music with pinpoint precision right between your ears. The HE-35X fills your head with music, which is much better than just filling your ears with noise (there was nothing musical about the HE-350). So, what does this all mean? When unchallenged by dynamic layers of instruments and vocalists, the HE-35X easily punches above its weight. Simply put, I think the HE-35X is a fine and very listenable headphone for the price. Sure, there are better options out there for more money. There are also far worse options out there for less money, equal money, and even more money. What this all means is the Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE-35X offers good value for the audiophile on a restricted budget. That said, any buyer of the HE-35X needs to accept that it will not be their endgame headphone — it will only be a gateway to the absurdity that comes with being an audiophile (Massdrop will appreciate your repeat business). Massdrop may decide to market the HE-35X as the king of their entry-level audiophile headphone line-up. I’ll crown it as the prince for the price. The real king is still the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX.
Alternate Approaches
Here’s my prediction for potential HE-35X buyers: You’ll stick with it for a little while, maybe even mess around with some mods, and then you’ll start to wonder what the next best thing is — it’s inevitable as an audiophile. So, I have a few recommendations for you. Each of these is a reiteration of a classic hi-fi headphone, so your “upgraditis” should be stayed for quite a while longer. AKG: If you want a more neutral /balanced headphone with better detail clarity that will play well with a wider range of music (and responds well to EQing if you’re into that), the Massdrop x AKG K7XX should be a top consideration. At $200, it offers a strong feature set and attractive price:performance ratio. The original Austria-made AKG K701, was my first real “audiophile” headphone courtesy of The Spirited Uncle M (you'd need to be a follower of mine to understand this reference) and remains a solid choice for those seeking a no-frills hi-fi headphone. Massdrop offers their version in black and red. The K702, and K712 (enhanced low-end performance) are equally valid options.  Beyerdynamic: If you like a V-shaped sonic signature like the HE-35X exhibits, but want a more refined product — better clarity, timbre, and build — the $170 Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium Limited-Edition Black headphone offers a big bang for the buck. Beyerdynamic, in my opinion, has some of the more comfortable and eye-appealing designs; although, some people do complain of sibilance. Unless you have a very powerful amp, the 250-ohm version should be purchased. Sennheiser: As previously mentioned, Massdrop’s greatest achievement in the audiophile community might be bringing Sennheiser’s classic HD 650 to the masses in a far more cost-effective package, the $200 Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX. The color is different, the cable is shorter, but the sound performance is the same, which makes this one of the best bargains in the head-fi space today. The HD 6XX is a lush headphone that is very easy to listen to. You will sacrifice some sub-bass slam and twinkle in the treble, but you get a very warm, full-hearted headphone that plays well with most music genres. Of the headphones mentioned in this section, this one is easily the most universally enjoyed headphone on the market. If vocal depth and emphasis is important in your music, the HD 6XX should be a top choice. HIFIMAN: If you’re truly set on going with a HIFIMAN headphone, you need to go planar magnetic. Your best cost of entry here is the $170 Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX. I haven’t personally heard this model, but I know that planar performance is going to offer you a more refined sound than the HE-35X’s dynamic driver. You’ll sacrifice some comfort and style due to the added weight and different headband, but you’ll likely gain more depth, clarity, and sound quality in return.  No matter which headphone you choose, I hope you enjoy your journey to #AudioNirvana
(Edited)
ShcottyG
3
Mar 19, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeUntil I get to pick up a set of the 6XX cans, how would you say these compare to a the likes of the Sennheiser HD558's? If I have a set of 558's already is there any value in these cans at their introductory price point? Or would that be wasted money that should just be set aside for the 6XX's? And even at that, are the 6XX's worth the money if I have the 588's? And thanks for the review!
Mar 19, 2019
thesoundapprentice
56
Mar 19, 2019
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ShcottyGI personally haven't heard the 558's, so I can't really help you there with a comparison. I can tell you that the HE-35X is nothing like the 6XX, so if the 6XX is the sound signature you lean toward (warm, mid-centric, more lush), I'd probably hold off until you have the funds for them. The 6XX is essentially the HD650, which is a classic hi-fi headphone. You can't really go wrong with it unless you don't have a good amp. The HE-35X is going to suit a narrower range of music, imo. The 6XX is a terrific value. If you can tell me more of your musical tastes, I might be able to offer a more insightful recommendation. I did include some other recommendations on my full review that is posted on my website.
Mar 19, 2019
ShcottyG
3
Mar 19, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeThanks, appreciate the feedback! I'll try and find somewhere to test out the HD650's to compare to the 558's... but assuming the 650s share a similar sound signature to the 558s (but better) I may stick to the Sennheiser cans, though at the same time I do want to branch out from Sennheiser to expand my options when switching between genres. Was considering a set of ATH-AD500x or ATX-AD900x cans but saw this drop pop up in my inbox and decided to pick around in the comments for feedback on these before going the Audio Technica route. Granted the 558 vs 650 sound signature assumption may not be a good assumption to make... but I'm thinking Sennheisers would likely be more similar to other Sennheisers than other brands... but will definitely try and find somewhere to sample different brands before committing my money to one or the other. I'm all over the map as far as music is concerned. Alternative, rock, metal, electronic, country, some rap... really depends on the mood and season; though as far as headphones are concerned you could probably scratch country from that lineup since I rarely listen to that genre at my desk where my good stuff lives.
Mar 19, 2019
thesoundapprentice
56
Mar 19, 2019
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ShcottyGElectronic and rap, these things do alright. Alt, rock, metal, country, I would lean toward the HD650 for sure. The AKG 7XX might also suit you better.
Mar 19, 2019
BrotherKathos
127
Mar 20, 2019
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ShcottyGI have the 558s and hd6xx. The 6xx has better bass extension and definition, and softer highs as well. Midrange is also cleaner on the 6xx, but the 558 is more comfy to me as the clamp on the 6xx gives me pain after a while. 558s are noticeably less clean, but still enjoyable sometimes and I still use them. I’ve joined this drop as pretty much a test to see if these will pair well with my portable setup and as a cheaper travel hp.
Mar 20, 2019
HIFI778
652
Apr 5, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeAre u going to publish a book on these headphones? 😲
Apr 5, 2019
thesoundapprentice
56
Apr 5, 2019
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HIFI778You just read it. Sorry you found my assessment too long for your liking. I try to be thorough enough to help people make an informed decision.
Apr 5, 2019
petecamacho
70
Apr 8, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeThank you for the excellent detailed review but you did everything in recommending every other headphone as a better option that are twice the price. However I do recommend the outstanding 4xx for speed and great soundstage. I've never understood the hype with the Beyerdynamics line. I would also like to try the Sennheiser's 6xx but something tells me I would get bored real quick.
(Edited)
Apr 8, 2019
thesoundapprentice
56
Apr 8, 2019
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petecamachoThanks for reading. I included the other recommendations because I strongly feel that people will look to those as their next upgrade options (and they're available through Massdrop). When the HE-35X moves off the pre-order pricing and is $120, the price difference becomes almost moot because they will have better longevity and offer a better "you get what you pay for" value, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with any other $90-120 headphones besides the old Brainwavz HM5 to directly compare the HE-35X to.
Apr 8, 2019
petecamacho
70
Apr 8, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeSilly me..I missed a few important notes on your review. Being blind from one eye sucks. I would love to hear your opinion on the 6xx vs 4xx. And yes you are the sound apprentice!
Apr 8, 2019
B1gdee05
341
Jul 30, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeAbsolutely thorough and brilliant written review. I totally agree with you on the majority of items that you have stated 😊😊 I had purchased the 35X with the introduction price and I must say for 90$ I don't think no other over the ear headphone that can compete, especially when you hook them up with balance cable and powered via tube/valve amplifier... the sound is awesome however I cannot justify paying the 120$ as I believe there are better sounding headphone out there within this price range.. As you stated these are very good introduction headphone especially for the novices into audiophile...
Jul 30, 2019
thesoundapprentice
56
Jul 30, 2019
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B1gdee05Thanks for reading and the kind words!
Jul 30, 2019
MartyM
26
Dec 4, 2019
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thesoundapprenticeYou got it I read everything!!! And I have ADHD! Thx for the precious infos!
(Edited)
Dec 4, 2019
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