DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by purr1n, Oct 27, 2020.

  1. Xomyak

    Xomyak New

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    I got HE5XX 100% Deva from Drop a few days ago and sound doesn’t match the Sennheiser HD650, no body at all, voices are soooo thin whether male or female, hard rock folk metal is out of the question, electro or rap is still possible ! and quality makes you want something better, right side on the next day loose contact is shit, and for a few days no one from Drop has responded so quality and service is crap.
     
  2. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    It would help to understand your experience if you state your sources you're running them with. The HD650 are a forward sounding headphone in the upper mids, bass hump and intimate where as the HE-5XX are much more open, airy and far from intimate.

    My fav combo is the SDAC + Asgard 2 as it matches my preference even over my more expensive stuff I've owned and the HE-5XX are not thin at all but rather wide, spread out so voices tend to surround me more. Not doubting your experience but your impressions don't really tell us much without knowing what your chain is as I've not heard many mention the HE-5XX sounding that way.

    I've just seen you've joined recently and this is your first post, on intimate forums it helps to introduce yourself and explain your preferences.
     
  3. Johnny Opps

    Johnny Opps Facebook Friend

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    Just got the HE-5xx tonight. Initial impression - very fun. Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Bill Evans Trio, Dave Brubeck, Jordi Savall, Martha Argerich. Even Diana Krall & Madeline Peyroux, who are not really my cup of tea. Amazing all. Vast headspace. Very quick. This is my first planar, so am just learning. Will let everyone know when i go back to HD-6xx, right now having a blast.

    Tried Zepplin, Neil Young, Parliament, the Meters. Not as fun.

    hart cables balanced is inbound. Looking forward to that.

    more soon.
     
  4. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I asked @ChaChaRealSmooth if there would be any interest in a loaner of my modded unit, and he said he'd post an IC thread to see. In the meantime, I thought I'd check here. This is the unit in question:
    If there is still interest in hearing these, I will send them back across the Pacific (or to the EU) and they can make the rounds, followed by a sale with proceeds going to the SBAF coffers.
     
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  5. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Id be curious about them if they end up in the EU..

    Don't have the budget to buy them though. Have other plans with my money for the year.. My interest would be just for the loaner.
     
  6. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Not that interested. More interested in the Adorama sales on HE560 and HE6se. Also there has been another new release: HE400se. And I havent looked into the redesigned HE400i yet (aka 2020 version). Actually, not interested in any except HE6se and @rhythmdevils made a mod/fix.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2021
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I can put my slightly modded HE5XX on the loaner for USA.
     
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  8. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    I made a profile post about this, but the 5XX is pretty legit. I'm really enjoying mine for what they are.

    They have the typical "planar sound" if that's something you enjoy and have a very down the middle, non-wonky FR. Hard to ask for much more at this price. The build quality is fine. Here's hoping the QC has gotten better, and a driver doesn't crap out on me in a month.

    It has shades of other planars I've owned/auditioned (HE-500, Aeon Flow, LCD2C), but with a less colored sound.

    Microdetail isn't a strong suit, but who cares? They're fun and easy to listen to and make a great compliment to the HD600 and/or 650.

    I liked them enough to get a balanced cable so I could run them out of the LP, which brought some additional gains over the Vali 2 that I paired them with initially.

    No, they aren't the HE-500s, which is possibly my all-time favorite headphone. But, beyond that, it's hard to find much fault here.
     
  9. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Was heavily considering getting this for fun (not to take it seriously). A friend gave me his old HE400S pair, and so far it sounds pretty good for what it is with no mods. I just got this today and I was looking at this thread over the last few days.

    And I still have credits with Drop, so getting the HE5XX would be good price. If I read the graphs correctly...HE5XX in theory should be good enough with SET amps? I'm having no issues with HE400S on SW51+ (no treble weirdness or clipping like mad).
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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  11. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I'm shopping around for <$500 planar headphones and I came across this article comparing the HE-5XX and Deva

    https://www.headphones.com/communit...-he5xx-vs-hifiman-deva-do-they-sound-the-same

    I also just saw they released a Deva Pro. Which features both the TRRS for the wireless module and TRS connectors on both sides like the other HiFiMan headphones. Not only that but the wireless module is supposed to be an R2R DAC.

    Since it was just released on October, I haven't been able to find any measurements yet. Anyone here try the Devo Pros?
     
  12. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    I have not, but was seriously looking at them for workshop use. I don't need the isolation of a Bose or Sony ANC set since I use only handtools, but I have to be untethered. These could be a great option if decent and comfortable.
     
  13. HHS

    HHS Almost "Made"

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    I've had the Deva Pros for about a month. They're good, kind of an airy, mid-forward sound, good detail for the price
     

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