Design, build and comfort.
The pre-production Drop THX Panda shipped to me was about “…90% complete” and reflective of the final model according to Drop. It was shipped in a low-key, minimalist cardboard display box that’s par for the course for most Drop shipments. I’m totally ok with this approach, seeing as I tend to either recycle or hide packaging in the cupboard the minute it’s open. Plus, if it means that Drop is able to put resources into product development over packaging, then I’m doubly ok with it.
Panda’s pre-production shipping + storage box.
Inside the packaging, the Pandas come housed securely in their zippered semi-hard clam-shell case which is both light-weight and reassuringly sturdy. Unzip and flip open the lid, and you’ll find the Pandas themselves sitting snugly inside with their cups folded 90-degrees flat, plus a USB-C charging cable and a non-microphonic (thank you!) 3.5mm AUX cable for wired playback are housed inside a small storage compartment inside the case. A very welcome touch is the fact that the Pandas can be stowed inside their case with the headband in a fully-extended position.
Panda is able to fit into its clamshell case even with the headband fully extended.
Lifting the Drop THX Panda out of the box, I was immediately struck with the sense that these are 375 grams’ worth of well-built, and well put-together headphones. Finished in a minimalist all-black scheme, the Pandas look premium, unassuming and potent. The only visible branding feature is a small ‘DROP’ logo inside one of the armbands.
Panda’s cast aluminium yokes.
Despite having wireless components as well as that THX amplification technology housed inside them, the cups housing the drivers are made from soft-touch plastic and are surprisingly compact – not much larger than noise-cancelling/commuter headphones from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. The cups are also spring-loaded and return to the same position of articulation when not on your head – a feature implemented after listening to the Drop.com community.
The cups are connected to the headband via a cast aluminium yoke assembly with only a single point of contact. The mechanism feels smooth, and the aluminium is both solid and soft to the touch with its matte finish. As well as being only thinly padded, the headband extension isn’t the smoothest in this particular pre-production model, but Drop has communicated that headband is one element that will be upgraded by the time the launch Panda is ready to ship. Thankfully the sparseness of the headband padding doesn’t matter too much when it comes to comfort, as the fairly lightweight of the Pandas is mainly borne by the clamping of the earcups and pads, rather than the headband itself.
One other interesting feature Will pointed out is that the shape of the headband has been designed in such a way so that the Panda remains comfortable even when worn around the neck when not in use – another learning from the Drop community forums.
Panda’s headband is designed to rest comfortably against the user’s neck.
The earpads are made of soft, supple protein leather that are very soft to the touch, and also happen to isolate tremendously well – both for the user, and those nearby. Using the ‘click-test’, I’m unable to hear my fingers snap when playing music at a low to moderate volume – very impressive, and good to note for commuters. I’m not sure whether it’s quite the -40dB claimed in the spec-sheet, but it’s certainly impressive. On the subject of commuting, it’s possible to wear sunglasses without too much loss of seal or reduction in bass extension.
While the Drop THX Panda are certainly circum-aural (over-ear) headphones, there’s not a huge amount of space inside the earcups but my smallish ears manage just fine. Clamp-force is perfect in my books – just enough to ensure the Panda feels securely perched on your head without getting painful nor irritating.
Panda’s removable over-ear protein leather ear-pads.
Overall, the Pandas have managed to impress in the comfort and build stakes, and they’re only going to improve between here and the final product which is great news. What’s most interesting about the overall design is that Drop has managed to create a genuinely portable product that doesn’t feel like it’s compromised to make it portable. It’s a genuine day-to-day proposition for commuters and long-haul travellers alike, and it’s also an all-day proposition as well thanks to its comfort and thoughtful design touches.
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Peter
Great review! These are on the list now! Seen a lot of reviewers raving about them already, but this review is a bit more thorough then the rest of them. Great job!
Matty Graham
Thanks Peter, glad to hear you found it useful – I hope you enjoy the production model.
Robert
How would the Panda compare with the Sennheiser HD1 Wireless?
Matty Graham
Cheers Peter! I hope it gave you a good idea as to what we can expect when the launch version arrives.
Robert
How would the Panda compare with the Sennheiser HD1 Wireless?
Matty Graham
It would be an interesting comparison – that’s for sure. The Panda is a little more ‘purist’ in the way it’s been designed, but not having compared directly I couldn’t say exactly – it probably depends on whether you’re a traveller (and need ANC), or looking for straight-up SQ.
Usman
A comparison to the Sony WH-1000XM3 would also be helpful !
Matty Graham
Hey Usman, I don’t have either on hand to compare any more, but I distinctly remember the Sony having a dark, mid bass-centric sound. And of course, they’re designed to actively cancel noise. The Panda is hands-down better in terms of sound quality, and I’d say it’s passive isolation is a “fine” trade-off.
Toni
About Panda vs Meze 99 Classics – which do you prefer was more comfortable? Do you think that Panda had bigger and softer pads or how was it? I have Meze’s and I’m thinking to purchase Panda for office use. I like the Meze’s but sometimes I just wish that the pads were softer and maybe a bit bigger.
Matty Graham
Hi Toni, the Panda is a snugger, more comfortable fit overall and also isolates better.
arnold
Nice review!
How does the sound quality compare to the Audeze EL-8?
Ajith Nambiar
How does one get hands on a panda in Australia. The drop check out says doesn’t ship to Aus when I put my address as Melbourne.
Tony Peng
I think nowadays would be a lot harder, I got my pair in Australia via the Panda was still in crowd funding stage on Indiegogo. Now you can only purchase it through the official website on Drop
Zaza Asatiani
Hi Matty, you did a fantastic job. Thanks!
Can we say that Drop Panda is the best sounding wireless headphones currently available on the market?
Before I heard about Panda for first time, I had a dillemma to decide between Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless, Audio-Technica DSR9BT and Shure Ionic 50.
Have you listend to them as well? Any comparison with Panda?
Best Regards,
Zaza
akira
hey, ive been searching for a long time for a comparison between the mobius and panda. could you please elaborate on that comparison. I really wanna know which one sounds better
. Im planning to use it with a fiio m5.
I just want to know which one sounds better
Matty Graham
Hi mate, I’ve just got my hands on the production Panda so I’ll let you know in a week or so after I’ve had a good listen to them.
akira
thanks sooo much, ive heard the mobius arent good for music but I dont believe that. id like to hear from you what you think about them both. seeing as your an experienced audiophile