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Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX Measurements and Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Aug 1, 2017.

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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX Measurements and Quick Impressions
    https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-hifiman-he4xx-planar-magnetic-headphones

    IMG_20170730_221117.jpg
    1. Focus-A pads included!
    2. Very nice paint scheme. The photo above is well illuminated. The color is more sedate under typical lighting.
    3. Driver matching is quite good given the price. HIFIMAN remains a leader in driver matching.
    4. Holy cow, I just noticed the price. BUY THIS NOW!
    Massdrop x HE4XX Frequency Response
    HE4XX Frequency Response.png

    This response was a bit unexpected... for the better. Compare to the HE400S measurement with Focus-A pads below:

    WHITE = HE400S with Focus-A pads (extra purchase)
    GREEN/RED = HE4XX
    HE4XX vs HE400S with Focus-A pads Frequency Response.png

    The Massdrop version has been tuned for better bass extension and smoother more even response.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2017
    purr1n, Aug 1, 2017
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  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX CSDs
    HE4XX L.jpg HE4XX R.jpg
     
    purr1n, Aug 1, 2017
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  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX Distortion (at above FR levels)
    HE4XX L HD.jpg
    HE4XX R HD.jpg

    Not the best, about on par with Mrspeakers Alpha Dog Prime headphones. Perfectly acceptable here given the price. We would see lower distortion with stronger magnets.
     
    purr1n, Aug 1, 2017
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  4. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    wow those look awesome! I went to massdrop's website and I don't see the price, are you able to tell us the price @Marvey or is it still confidential until the drop?

    EDIT: N/M I found the price after doing some digging, and you are right @Marvey, for the price, they seem like they are worth it! I would love to own a pair of those!
     
    The Alchemist, Aug 1, 2017
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  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'll swing back later for more impressions. They do sound cleaner than what the distortion measurements would indicate. I could have a few db shaved off the top, but the mid-treble bump doesn't stick up over the midrage, so it's not anything to be worried about. The timbre is similar to the HE-560, but tonality is actually more even. Hard to complain. It ticks a lot of boxes for an entry level headphone. At $169, it's a no brainer.
     
    purr1n, Aug 1, 2017
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  6. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    @Marvey do you happen to know when the drop will take place?
     
    The Alchemist, Aug 1, 2017
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  7. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    I was a big fan of the 560 after a pad swap. Interested to see how this compares.
     
    Mystic, Aug 1, 2017
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  8. MrTeaRex

    MrTeaRex His head's not fat, he's my brother!

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    MrTeaRex, Aug 1, 2017
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  9. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    i don't need another headphone. Why did they have to make them affordable?
     
    spwath, Aug 1, 2017
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  10. Ice-man

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    Looks like old school HFM...

    So which old school HFM does this most closely resemble in terms of signature?
     
    Ice-man, Aug 1, 2017
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  11. exime

    exime New

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    Hmm I just bought the 6XX though like my other 20,000 friends on massdrop. I think that makes this a tougher choice. I love the color though and don't have any planar headphones. I'll have to scratch my chin for a couple days.
     
    exime, Aug 1, 2017
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  12. No_One411

    No_One411 Fired by Jude

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    The real question is... "HOW MANY SCREWS?!"
     
    No_One411, Aug 1, 2017
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  13. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    I'd love to see how it compares to my HE 4, though I'm not a big fan of the low bass roll off though
     
    Mshenay, Aug 1, 2017
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  14. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Interesting. I was expecting an HE-400i clone.

    Which, at that price, would be perfectly fine.
     
    Skyline, Aug 1, 2017
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  15. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    Marvey can you say a few words about these and the TH X00, subjectively?

    The serial number is a nice touch.
     
    Mdkaler, Aug 1, 2017
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  16. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    But at the price, would you be afraid to mod it to fix that? I wouldn't.

    Edit: Unsure what can be done to them, a quick search didn't turn up much for possible mods.
     
    Elnrik, Aug 1, 2017
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  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I take umbrage at the sharp 8khz peak, lack of CSDs, smoothed THD, and poor seal on Jude's measurements. Perhaps he has an outlier.
     
    purr1n, Aug 1, 2017
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  18. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    No but ole school Hifiman came pretty flat stock, it's not perfect and it's full of distortion but that nice linear bass response is a lot of why I keep my HE 4 around, I'll be curious to see what mods are out there to improve the bass response. But I'm not aware of modding being able to lift sub bass roll off, at least not on an open can
     
    Mshenay, Aug 1, 2017
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  19. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    just curious, are these better than the massdrop M1060 Planars (measurement-wise) ?
     
    The Alchemist, Aug 1, 2017
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  20. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    How much do they weight...grams?
     
    Ice-man, Aug 1, 2017
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