Drop HIFIMAN HE-5XX review

Build, design, and comfort. 

Packaging

Keep in mind that the HE-5XX review unit that I have on-hand is a pre-production model, but it ought to be fairly indicative of the final model in terms of materials and how it’s put together. As for the packaging, I’m not so sure. Drop generally tends to lean on the ‘Spartan’ side when it comes to packaging their gear, which is probably net-net a good thing as it means that as much focus is going into their gear (and future R&D) as possible. The HE-5XX I received came in a fairly non-descript, non-branded box featuring the headphones themselves nestled in a cut-out satin-y relief. 

Cable

The only accessory provided with the HE-5XX is a 1.5 metre cable with a single-ended 3.5mm termination. It’s of decent-enough construction and tends to avoid both kinking and any microphonics at all, being made with a rubbery plastic finish. There’s about 40cm of cable play above the ‘Y-splitter’ which I find pretty useful, but I find the overall length of the cable just too short for general home hifi use. And let’s face it – being a full-sized open-back planar, they’re not exactly on-the-go headphones, although the provided HE-5XX cable does make for a pretty neat portable cable which I’d probably consider pinching for use on the Focal Stellia…except that I need to send it back to Drop. 

Interestingly, the HE-5XX employs a 3.5mm mono jack connection at both earcups (as opposed to the single-sided cable on the Deva), which opens the HE-5XX up to a myriad of aftermarket cables, including those of the balanced variety. I have a 2.5 mm aftermarket balanced cable from Meze Audio designed for the 99 Classics, which works happily with the HE-5XX and allows it to enjoy the additional power and improved cross-talk of balanced systems. The original HE-500 used a sturdy, but otherwise infuriating screw-type system to affix its detachable cables, so Drop + HIFIMAN’s decision to not throwback to that style is most welcome. 

Form-factor 

The HE-5XX is instantly recognisable as a HIFIMAN headphone at a glance, although it does borrow design elements from both classic, and newer headphones in their line-up. The HE-5XX is very much a full-sized, over-ear open-back headphone using the same large, oval earcups as the HIFIMAN Deva although finished in all-black. The cups themselves are made from plastic and are joined to simple, skeletonised black metal gimbals via a pair of screws. The outside of the cups are covered in a thin black mesh, which gives you a pretty good look at the planar drivers as well as the wave-guide which covers them. 

The headband assembly is the ‘classic’ HIFIMAN style employed on previous Drop.com models such as the HE-4XX and Edition XX, being made of synthetic leather with light padding over a metal stretched band. It’s very ‘minimal’, but the simple construction-approach helps to keep the overall weight of the HE-5XX as low as possible. The headband attaches to the metal gimbals courtesy of a simple round connector, which allows about five degrees of ‘wiggle’ back and forth for rotational adjustment, and ten firm ‘clicks’ of vertical adjustment on either side. The gimbal/headband connection is probably the weakest overall point of the HE-5XX’s build as it feels a little flimsy and wobbly. I’m not saying that it’s not made to last, but it’s not really confidence-inspiring. However, borrowing this style of headband does contribute to two things: the HE-5XX’s sharp pricing, and 355-gram weight. 

Drop.com has chosen a hybrid choice of materials for the HE-5XX’s large, oval pads. The outside and inside walls are made of a soft, supple synthetic leather, and the flat area that sits against your head is made of perforated, breathable velour-like material. The pads are generously-sized and extremely comfortable. My ears don’t touch a single point of the driver or pad surface of the HE-5XX while wearing them, they’re simply huge. The foam used is fairly springy and returns to its natural shape quickly when depressed. 

Comfort

The HE-5XX is an extremely comfy pair of cans, largely thanks to its lightweight which is evenly distributed over your head when worn. The large cups help to do a lot of the work here, and as a result, there’s absolutely no sense of pressure or pulling-down on the top of the headband itself. Clamp-force on the HE-5XX is negligible – if anything, it’s a little on the light side. They’re a breeze to slide on and off, although if you find yourself leaning a little too far back in your listening chair you might find yourself needing to readjust them back onto the top of your head. All things considered, the HE-5XX is an absolute pleasure to wear. They’re very much an ‘all day’ pair of headphones when it comes to comfort, and I found myself looking forward to sliding into my listening chair and popping the HE-5XX on for a relaxed session after a day of work. 

Overall, the build of the HE-5XX is a little on the ‘economy’ side of the fence in terms of its look and feel as a holistic product. Sure, it’s a little bit of a ‘Frankenstein’ like many previous Drop.com collaborations, but at the end of the day, you can’t see it while you’re wearing it. And when you are wearing it, it genuinely does disappear on your head and get out of the way. I actually prefer this design approach to the more expensive $499 HIFIMAN Sundara, as the HE-5XX’s simpler construction is both more comfortable as well as easier to live with.

The review continues over the jump on page 3.