DROP + HIFIMAN HE-X4 Planar Magnetic Over-Ear & Open-Back Headphones with Detachable Cables, High Sensitivity, Easy to Drive, Midnight-Blue

These will be considered by audiophiles as a good entry level planar magnetic headphones that won't break the bank, but for most of us that is more than we need or could ask for. I personally would probably not see enough quality difference to justify some of the other HiFi man headphones cost when they are well over a thousand dollars, but I would still love to try them. I always feel like if something is going to be that expensive it better blow me away, tuck me in at night and tell me how great I am. In other words, sound great and lie to me.I did knock one star off for comfort and gaming just because it can't be perfect, nothing can. As far as comfort these are excellent, they hug your head with a great balance of clamp force and soft ear cups, but for me, on the left ear it always feels like my ear is not sitting in it all the way even when it is. It is not uncomfortable by any means, but still gives me that feeling like I need to adjust them when I really don't. I will get more used to it over time, so that is a minor issue.As for the one star off for gaming, that is just purely for anyone that prefers or "needs" a rumble for bass when they game. These won't do that, but they do provide a rich and balanced bass delivery with amazing accuracy. In GTA V you will still get a nice deep sound for motorcycle purr and for explosions, it just won't shake your ears if that makes sense.Long story short, I recommend these highly!These headphones find a great balance in not only sound, but in the price to quality/expectation. I previously bought the Philips SHP9500 on an Amazon sale for $50, which is a steal, even at the standard $75 they are a great pair of headphones. This pair at $130, when I bought them, beats them in warmth and balanced sound and offers a more balanced and rich bass delivery too. The one area that I will give to the Philips is since they are dynamic headphones at 32 ohms of impedance, they do not require an amp to drive them when listening on a cell phone. Technically you would not need that for the HiFi man set either, but at the highest volume it will leave you wanting a bit more of a push. I just bought the Douk Audio Tube amp for $50 here on Amazon and it makes these sound amazing.

i guess you can say that my new hobby/obsession are headphones, specifically open backs. I had first purchased the dt990 and i am really happy with it but also wanted to try the Hifimans as i have heard really good things about them as well. This next pair i wanted one was the Sundara but i didn't want to pay the price, so i researched and something that came close was the HE-x4. Now, i know the 4xx is probably the right choice for the next best thing but there were reviews where it said the x4 was better than the 4xx and 5xx and wow i saw the price and i couldn't turn it down.So long story short these are great headphones but the sound signature is different from the 990. It is much warmer and a little lack luster in my opinion, especially when listening to podcoasts or videos. But, turn up the music and wow it punches. I have it set with my Fulla and i think it can handle it because i never go higher than 25%. The bass is much more pronounced and the experience is very warm. The mids and highs are a little lacking.construction and looks are spectacular. It's another reason why i chose these because i like how they looked. the grill is very clean, minimal, and pleasing to look at when not on my head. the band can get a little heavy and put a little pressure on the top of my head but only when i notice. I haven't had it on for long use, so i can't say if that's going to bother long term. But the "leather" is very nice and well made.in conclusion, i think there is a time and place for these. I can work with them and have calls or watch movies and/or Youtube videos, but don't expect for the voices to be impactful. Do use these for music listening because they shine much better here.

THESE REALLY NEED AN AMP TO SOUND GOOD. I really gotta stress that. They won't blow you away straight out of a headphone jack. They require quite a bit of volume to drive since they're low sensitivity, and a decent cheap amp will improve them dramatically.And an amp with a balanced 2.5 output and a balanced 2.5mm cable for these will make them sound even more amazing.I started with a pair of hifiman he4xx's that I adore, and then noticed that these use a more modern driver in the EXACT same housings. Seriously. Fit and finish from this to the 4xx is identical, but these are $60 cheaper with newer planar drivers from the 5xx.I did some extensive listening between the two and they both sound damn near the same. Without a side by side, you'd never really know. But these ones have a TINY bit more bass extension and a very, very slightly brighter feel, but they're no grado sparkle. They sound truly outstanding no matter what you do with them. Music, movies, gaming, they sound amazing.I honestly wish hifiman would just create a closed back version next for portable use. These are so good, you can wear them for hours.My only gripe is the included cable is like a foot shorter than it should be. I'd highly recommend getting a twin 3.5 to 2.5mm balanced cable with a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter and an inexpensive little DAC/AMP. It's worth the investment, and you can get all that and still come in under the price of the HE4xx's (which are again, completely identical, down to their slightly obnoxious short cable)

They sounded alright, not amazing for the price to be honest. The headstrap was super uncomfortable and constantly game me a headache when I wore them for more than an hour. After 2 weeks of use, the grounding wire disconnected and they actually broke. I would heavily recommend not purchasing these.