Drop + HIFIMAN HE-4XX Evaluation|planar headphones

Decrease and HIFIMAN are old partners at this moment and also today we're returning to the collaboration that started it right into the mainstream with the Decrease + HIFIMAN HE-4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones. Featuring an open-back style and a roomy soundstage, crisp bass, as well as lots of information, these are a prime suitable for video gaming and songs alike. Usually priced at $180, they're currently on sale through completion of the month for $159. Let's dive in and also see if you must select them up.

Requirements .

• Existing Rate: Typically, $180 (Amazon.com), Existing Price: $159 (Decline).
• Decline + HIFIMAN.
• Open principle.
• Planar magnetic drivers.
• Special midnight-blue colorway.
• Soft-touch matte surface.
• Spring steel and hand-stitched protein leather headband.
• Focus-A hybrid ear pads.
• Flexible sliders.
• Steel gimbals and also Allen screws with black oxide coating.
• Silver printing.
• Laser-etched serialization.
• Regularity response: 20 Hz-- 35 kHz.
• Level of sensitivity: 93 dB.
• Insusceptibility: 35 ohms.
• Cable television: 4.9 feet (1.5 m), removable.
• Plug: 1/4 in (6.35 mm).
• Weight: 13.1 oz (370 g).

Review and also First Impressions .

The HE-4XX's were originally launched in 2017 however are still strong challengers right here in 2021, despite the launch of the HE-400i ($ 169), HE-400SE ($ 149), and HE-X4 ($ 129) models filling out cheaper price factors in the line-up. As one of the most costly HE-400 variation, it's just suitable to anticipate the most effective performance and also it measures up to its positioning in the stack-- though it's challenged highly by the new HE-400SE, so perhaps a revision is in order?

As a HIFIMAN mid-tier to entry-level HIFIMAN headphone, you currently know what to expect: big, planar chauffeurs and circular earcups with open backs that incorporate your whole ear. If you're brand-new to the globe of headphones, welcome, and here's what that term "planar magnetic" means.

Rather than using a cone-shaped dynamic chauffeur, the vehicle drivers inside the HE-4XX are a flat aircraft mapped with filament. Surrounding the airplane is a variety of magnets. As electrical power is passed via the filament the aircraft shakes, moving air, yet is kept in stress by the magnet selection. This layout provides numerous advantages, including lowered distortion, bigger bass, better detail throughout the frequency range, and also a bigger overall noise-- a minimum of theoretically. Like any kind of headphone chauffeur, exactly how effective it is relies on exactly how the producer styles and inevitably songs the chauffeur. A good planar magnetic headphone can sound outstanding. A mediocre one can sound, well, sub-par.

The compromise for those benefits is that planars often need even more power to appear their ideal. That's real below, though to a lesser degree than lots of planar headphones. The vehicle drivers include a level of sensitivity of 93 dB and an insusceptibility of 35 ohms. That implies that the HE-4XXs can be worked on the majority of computer systems and mobile phones as well as will certainly generate a pleasing noise. To truly meet their capacity, nonetheless, you'll require to give them more power through even a moderate amplifier, like the JDS Labs Atom. That included headroom tightens up bass action and expands soundstage, but don't feel required to over-spend. As I create this, I'm enjoying the HE-4XX on the CX-Pro dongle DAC which set you back a whopping $13 and they seem fantastic. The vital takeaway is you don't _ demand _ anything separate but the headphones scale well with improved gear, including for gaming.

One of the vital emphases with this headphone is convenience. Drop accentuates the Focus A ear cushions and also for excellent factor: they're wonderful. They include velour material where it touches your face however have healthy protein leather around the external ring to help in sound isolation as well as bass existence. They're likewise angled to much better suit the contours of your head. The headband is lightly cushioned and also trimmed in stitched black artificial natural leather. The earcups do not revolve however do turn on their yokes to improve fit.

Looking at the headphone as an entire, it appears well developed and also made to last. The headband and also yokes are made of steel. If you're of a mind, you can even take apart and also change the headband as some modders have performed with good outcomes. I would be remiss if I didn't discuss that over the years of its launch, a variety of individuals have actually reported concerns with the plastic modification hold that connects the headband to the yokes stopping working. I've just had the HE-4XXs for a couple of weeks, however I have actually experienced no concerns on my unit. I thoroughly examined and evaluated each of the prospective points of failure as well as could not locate any type of loosened screws or worryingly fragile points. Rephrase, at this point, it seems as durable as any type of various other headphone however is something to remember for the future.

The one thing that does bother me is the cord. Like many HIFIMAN headphones, it uses a detachable cable with 3.5 mm finishes for each earcup and also to attach to the tool. The cord itself is great, it's just as well brief. Connected to my GoXLR in the middle of my workdesk, kicking back in my chair leaves really little slack for easily transmitting it around my computer mouse and also keyboard. Instead, I'm compelled to work around it. Penalty for attaching to a mobile phone in your pocket but I would certainly have liked to see a somewhat longer cable for desktop computer arrangements.

Fit and also Convenience .

The HE-4XX is a normally comfortable headphone. The weight is healthy, which enables the headband to do its work well for one to two-hour stretches. Beyond the two-hour mark, I did discover myself experiencing some hot-spotting on the top of my head and also would certainly require to pause or rearrange the headphones every 45 mins or so after. I do have brief hair as well as am specifically conscious hot-spotting, so your gas mileage might vary, especially if you do not maintain a close crop like I do.

The pillows are extremely comfy. I like the hybrid style. The sensation of the fabric really felt great versus my skin while the leather outers assisted separate outside noise. The clamp pressure was moderately high, so the headphones remained in location well but the pads were soft sufficient to fend off jaw or head pain. I additionally valued the small angle of the pads and also discovered it to be a much better match for the shapes of my head.

Taken overall, these headphones supply good comfort, and also rearranging every now and then is something I located myself doing anyhow.

Paying attention Impacts .

The very first thing I saw about the Drop + HE4XX is the soundstage. Basically, under $200, these headphones offer among the widest soundstages you're going to listen to. The imaging and presentation feels very realistic. It's not quite to the "speaker-like" levels of HIFIMAN Sundara or Ananda, however it exceeds the sort of the HD6XX as well as HD58X from Sennheiser, which is darned outstanding.

The bass reaction is likewise superb. Planars are well-known for the possible bass they can provide. I say possible since it's not an offered: bass feedback needs to be tuned and made around to be really remarkable. The HE-4XXs have a rapid bass action. Notes struck as well as stop precisely as they're intended to without any sticking around haze. "Motley Staff" by Blog Post Malone was a fantastic demonstration of the speed as well as detail the headphones can provide. Without being frustrating, the bass line _ struck _ and also maintained its staccato distribution, lending the tune strike as well as impact that can in some cases break down on lesser headphones.

The mids as well as highs are also well done. Testing the headphones, Spotify experienced the Top 50 from Blog Post Malone to Olivia Rodrigo's "motorist's license" as well as the distinction was raw. They transitioned from punchy and hard to providing piano notes and also Olivia's vocals with gentle sweetness. The spaciousness played magnificently right into this. Notes had a really natural decay that seemed reasonable as well as in some way intimate at the very same time. The characteristics on the HE-4XXs are impressive.

At the same time, in a back-to-back paying attention test with the Sennheiser HD-58X Jubilee, I need to give the side in general detail to the Sennheisers. There's ever so little much more texture in the greater notes. It's subtle however present. The imaging on the HE-4XXs is better, nevertheless, so it's a little a laundry between the two headphones in this department.

Another natural comparison protests the HE-400SE which I reviewed previously this year and significantly appreciated. The 2 headphones are comparable in layout and also audio profile, but the HE-4XX is has a much more energetic noise. There's more pop and sprightliness that makes them much more fun to pay attention to. Both headphones are terrific-- the HE-400SE is a terrific value in contrast-- yet if you can afford to springtime for the 4XX, it's a much more compelling pay attention.

For pc gaming, the HE-4XX's done quite possibly. The quality difference from even a wonderful pc gaming headset is raw. I had the Sennheiser GSP-500 accessible and also the HE-4XX surpassed it in every way. Even though it's not developed for pc gaming, the sense of area is imaging makes it a terrific fit for also twitch-based shooters where positionality matters. Among the advantages of the 4XX's big planar chauffeurs and open backs is that every sound source has area to take a breath, so it's much easier to censure the layers of noise and where each is originating from, especially with Dolby Atmos made it possible for.

That claimed, if you're searching for an audiophile headset that stresses gaming to an even greater level, the Audio-Technica ADG1X is an also far better fit that can be discovered for a similar price, albeit with the sacrifice of some bass. Which is where I return around: the HE-4XX is simply very well-rounded. It's not the outright best in any kind of one division but it strikes the best notes to serve as an incredibly good "all-around" headset for music, pc gaming, and home entertainment as a whole.

Final Ideas .

In a method, the Decline + HE4XX's seem like among one of the most essential headphones in Drop's line-up. Because its initial launch in 2017, it's been a go-to suggestion for individuals looking for an exceptional headphone under $200. Getting here late to the celebration, I'm satisfied to lastly be able to see what all the buzz was about. Indeed, if you're searching for a great headphone for music, pc gaming, and also whatever in between, this is a strong choice that won't cost a fortune. The Decline + Sennheiser HD58X has a minor side in total detail, yet the HE-4XXs have a larger variety that even more than makes up the distinction. If you're on a budget plan yet desire a headphone that's mosting likely to sound wonderful with pretty much anything you toss at it, the HE-4XX is a fantastic alternative.

_ The product defined in this post was provided by the supplier for evaluation functions. _.