Drop Panda + THX Wireless Headphone PR

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Dec 11, 2019.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    If this officially out yet? If so, I will post my pre-written succinct review and most importantly measurements tonight. Actually I can post my subjective review already.

    The headphone was snug for my head - I had it full expanded for my big head - but it was not uncomfortable despite the extra weight from the built in Bluetooth and built-in THX AAA amp, DAC, and battery. It will work in passive mode.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2020
  2. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    The guy in the video said it was a pre release version that was sent out to him and he will review in a week. So idk if you can post it.
     
  3. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Bit different I realize but am curious in SQ between these vs the FDX1 for office/DD use
     
  4. Will

    Will Massdrop

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    Fire away.
     
  5. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    @Will? Isn’t massdrop already a funding platform?
     
  6. Will

    Will Massdrop

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    Makes the product accessible to more people. Units will be sold on DROP eventually, but we gotta sell a lot of Pandas and they've got a big email list.

    If you're interested in buying and haven't hit the request button, you should do that.
     
  7. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Uhhh, this kind of move and taking a hail mary NRE contract are the two big harbingers of the startup death spiral. My guess is burn rate is too high and revenue not growing fast enough for the board.

    I'm hoping whatever is happening turns around with this launch. It looks like an important one and I wish the team luck here.

    Edit: I'm happy to offer any advice or help if I can. I've solved for stale/declining growth curves at big companies and VC funded startups.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2020
  8. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    Are the pads user replaceable? I don't think they were on the PM-3.
     
  9. Will

    Will Massdrop

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    Yep, Panda pads are user replaceable/swap-able.
     
  10. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    @purr1n - It roughly looks like the headband is slightly smaller or the same size as the Dan Clark Ether 1.x in terms of the headband in your picture? In other words, can the big head club apply for this PM3 remake?

    Or, if a more common reference helps SBAF more, how big is Panda at max vs HD6xx (ex: Panda at max is equivalent to HD6xx at 5 clicks away from max on each side).

    On a different note, glad this project got going. PM3 was one of the few "mid-fi priced / high end general consumer priced" headphones that I've been curious about for a while.
     
  11. Tommy

    Tommy Acquaintance

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    @Will if using these in passive mode is the bluetooth turned off, or are they constantly on? Thanks :)
     
  12. Will

    Will Massdrop

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    The passive input acts as a kill-switch for the electronics. Using 3.5mm turns everything off until you unplug and return to active mode.
     
  13. QuadFacepalm

    QuadFacepalm New

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    Got in on the preorder for $320, the cynic in me is hoping to not be let down when July rolls around.

    Part of me still misses my Oppo PM-3 in steel blue, but I just couldn't deal with the FR or comfort level on my ears; bass was too low relative to upper mids, while low to mid-treble had this gaping hole. Those issues, along with the early treble rolloff, led me to trade them for the HD650 + cash.
     
  14. Huntersknoll

    Huntersknoll New

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    @Will
    I got a weird question.. Can you stream two bluetooth sources to it at once? Aka having music streamed to it by my phone/DAP but also playing PS4? Just want to have some tunes while I'm grinding out some levels in FFXIV
     
  15. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Massdrop’s @Will :

    https://drop.com/buy/drop-wireless-headphones/talk/2749109

    Yes, we have achieved full parametric EQ, managed by the DSP cores in Panda. You EQ, save it to Panda, and now that eq is applied no matter what BT source you use. Full announcement + press release + visuals coming toward the end of the month with software release in late January. World first Parametric EQ in a headphone. Can't wait for the audiophile meetups next year with 30 Pandas that all sound different.​
     
  16. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    My experience with the Panda has been overall positive, but the Bluetooth connectivity was a huge pain in the ass. I ended up testing many different dongles for Massdrop to figure out what works...they gave me $10 credit oh boy!

    In case you're wondering, Avantree DG80 Bluetooth 5.0 is what you're after for computer connectivity. Will also turn into a Roon endpoint!
     
  17. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    The headband is very uncomfortable for me, immediately creating hotspot on the top. As I see it, the main problem is in the form, the headband is so wide it touches only in one spot. And the lean padding amplifies it. Plus, Dekoni Nuggets do not stick to it.

    Any one with the same problem that found solution?
     
  18. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^See if you can use the headband clamp + grip of the synthetic pads to barely use the top of the headband at all.

    Try to use clamp + friction to keep them on. If you are moving around a lot or it is hot, this may get sweaty but the good seal, clamp, soft pads with large surface area will hopefully distribute the pressure/weight over the sides of your head and <not> on top.

    If the pressure on sides bugs you, depending on your features you might be able to put the bottom rear corner of the pads on the corners of your jaw, which can take a lot of clamp without issue (usually). This was my trick with Focal Spirit Pro semi-on-ear phones.

    Otherwise, there are some other add-on/wrap-around headband pads that I have seen pop up here and there over the past year or so...
     

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