It’s a dramatically more nuanced and precise solution that’s more complex (and expensive) to implement. Planar ribbons are different they’re based on a thin diaphragm with lots of conductors embedded on each side, suspended between magnets. Moving coils are common and inexpensive but tend to generate distortion because they can’t accurately create the exact frequency being asked of it.
#Panda wireless usb drivers#
Planar ribbon drivers are an alternative to the magnetically driven moving coils found in most headphones. The signal is fed to planar ribbon drivers borrowed, as best I can determine, from the superb Oppo PM3 headphones. This isn’t the first time Drop has brought a version of the THX AAA to market, and the AAA has a reputation for being clean and precise.
The heart and soul of the headphones is a THX AAA amp – hence the THX partnership.
#Panda wireless usb Bluetooth#
A Qualcomm chipset handles a slew of formats for consumers and audiophiles alike, including Bluetooth aptX, aptX HD, and aptX adaptive, plus LDAC and AAC. USB-C charging sources aren’t that common yet, so hopefully Drop will include a USB-C to USB-A adapter or wall outlet. What I didn’t get, at least in this pre-production version: any way to actually charge the headphones if you don’t happen to have a USB-C port on your laptop. Also in the case, you’ll find a small cubby for storing the included 2-foot USB-C charging cable and 3.5-foot audio cable. The earcups lie flat for storage, so the headphones slip into a zippered hardshell case that’s only two inches thick. There’s a nearby USB-C port for charging, and the left ear has an AUX input for wired listening. Left-right controls tracks, up-down controls volume, and push in to turn it on and off (or enter pairing mode). There’s a single plus-shaped joystick-style button on the right earcup, and you won’t need a user guide to make sense of it. Case in point: Drop’s controls are simply genius.
The minimalist aesthetic extends to inputs and controls. That was fine for me, but my Beyerdynamic Amiron headphones extend 1.5 inches, so I wonder if folks with a lot going on up top might find these uncomfortable. I count a total of five detents, which extends the cups a total of about. There’s a solid amount of clamping pressure to hold the headphones on your head, but the headband has surprisingly little travel. The earcups are much better, with a generous amount of leather-covered (and easily removable) memory foam. It’s not so much padded as simply made from a rubbery material with the slimmest of cushioning. That’s why I was a little surprised there wasn’t more padding on the headband. There’s no question these headphones are heavy, though – weighing in at more than 13 ounces, they feel substantial in your hands and do tend to feel a little heavy on your noggin, especially after a few hours of music or gaming. It’s easy to miss the singular tiny “Drop” branding on the right side of the headband otherwise it’s matte black.Ĭonstruction is aluminum covered in plastic, and it has a tight, solid feel befitting $400 cans. But that’s irrelevant the stark, smooth, logo-free design is as intended. Having said that, they actually are pre-production – the production line hasn’t quite started yet, and deliveries to Indiegogo backers won’t begin until June at the earliest. Based on pedigree alone, it’s a safe bet that these $400 cans will be great for audiophiles – but we wanted to see if these headphones would also make sense for gamers.ĭesign and FeaturesThe Drop + THX Panda headphones resemble pre-production prototypes – not because they’re rough or unfinished, but because they’re so minimalist. Working with THX, Drop is readying the Panda high-fidelity wireless headphones for its Indiegogo debut later this year. Drop has developed a well-deserved reputation for creating smart, innovative collaborations with leading brands.
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