The HEDDphone D1 Evaluate: The Open-Again Everyone seems to be Scouting

After a surprising premiere at Can Jam Dallas, the HEDD Audio HEDDphone D1 has lastly arrived at Audio46. This headphone has been scouted simply as a lot as a D1 athlete, which makes its title fairly apropos. It is available in as a direct competitor for the Sennheiser HD 600 and different related open-back reference headphones. So does this headphone reside as much as the hype? We will dive into all the small print and discover out. 

The HEDDphone D1 is a well-constructed headphone. It does not have a flashy design, however HEDD Audio makes certain it nonetheless seems to be presentable in any atmosphere. Its darkish gray shade palette makes the D1 mix in and go incognito in a setup, so that you’re solely centered on the sound fairly than the look. On prime of that, you’ll be able to inform HEDD Audio positively had long-term consolation in thoughts. The earpads in perforated velour are excellent for a snug match and a little bit of air flow to forestall overheating whereas carrying. 

Whereas carrying the D1, I seen the scarf was exceptionally padded to forestall any fatigue on the prime of the pinnacle. The earcups had some slight rotation so you would regulate them to the form of your head, which is barely greater than you get from another choices. 

When it comes to connectivity, the HEDDphnoe D1 is simple to plug and play. The cable has twin 3.5mm connections, and because the port will not be recessed, you’ll be able to combine plenty of totally different third social gathering improve cables to raise your listening expertise. Even for out of doors gear, you will not want an excessive amount of outdoors energy to get these headphones up and operating; nevertheless, pairing the D1 with a pleasant amplifier positively opened up the signature. 

• Design: Open-back over-ear headphone
• Drivers: Dynamic with a Skinny-ply Carbon Diaphragm
• Frequency Vary: 5Hz-40Hz
• Most SPL: 100dB at 1mW
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Pads: Perforated Velour
• Cable: Textile-covered premium cable
• Inputs: 2 x 3.5mm
• Weight: 350g

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Onto the listening! My first impression of the D1 headphone was that it was very impartial. The whole signature was specified by entrance of me in a really extensive soundstage, so there was area for all of the devices to be positioned with ease. The D1 stands to be a reference headphone from a primary impression alone. I preferred how the soundstage was extensive to get that correct imaging, the place you would recognize the separation of every aspect in a monitor. Whereas every part laid comparatively flat, there was nonetheless a dynamic aspect to your complete signature that saved issues extra fascinating and entertaining for extra numerous listening habits. 

General, the signature of the D1 was pure however nonetheless V-shaped. The midrange got here ahead to focus on vocals and extra melodic components. I used to be positively a fan of how balanced every part sounded, and it turned clear why these headphones have been held in such excessive regard. The punchy bass paired with ethereal mild treble, then an in depth midrange with pure sound copy are all marks for a unbelievable sounding headphone. The D1 delivers all these components with ease, because the headphones are straightforward to pair with an amplifier or to only plug and play. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

When analyzing the person frequency ranges, I seen some finer particulars that made this signature sound prefer it does. The bass frequencies, I discovered, have been a hit and miss to me and my colleagues. The D1’s bass response is unquestionably quick and punchier than different reference headphones. I preferred the way it had extra physique and depth than one thing just like the Sennheiser, the place I discovered the bass to be a bit missing. The D1 provides a low finish that’s colourful and full of heat, so that you at all times have a gentle basis for different frequencies to construct up from. I may see how this heavy response might grow to be fatiguing to some ears, and its punch could also be a bit too highly effective for extra delicate ears. Nonetheless, any audiophile will recognize the additional layer of heat and shade that comes from the underside layer. It makes tracks extra colourful and dynamic and retains the signature from changing into too flat or boring. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

Displaying off the V-shape within the signature, the midrange comes ahead to be the star of the present. All of the element and readability comes by on this vary, and it sits proper on the entrance so you do not miss a factor. The vocals are a spotlight and one in every of my favourite elements of the D1; vocalists appeared like they have been singing proper in entrance of you within the area. There have been layers of devices that filtered backwards and took up area in all areas of the soundstage, and it made the sound extra three-dimensional versus solely flat. The coloration of every instrument was distinctive with element and had good texture to make devices sound precisely how you’d count on. This vary reveals off the reference sound that you simply’d need out of the D1.  

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

To spherical out the signature, the treble within the D1 got here in with lightness and an ethereal high quality to elevate every part up. It was like a breath of contemporary air after having the highly effective low finish and extremely detailed midrange, and its openness prevented the signature from being too heavy or compressed. Frequencies dissipated naturally within the prime finish, although you could discover a lack of roll-off so it looks like frequencies are prolonged farther out than you’d think about. I nonetheless appreciated all the feel and element that got here in by the treble, and it carried into the textures of the bass and midrange as nicely. Orchestral items have been a pleasure to take heed to due to the instrumental placement within the soundstage and the area for room area to reside. Reverbs and different post-production results lived within the prime and acquired a pleasant characteristic in sure genres. 

For those who’re in search of open-back headphones which have good reference sound and retail for below $1k, there are plenty of choices to select from. In the identical worth vary because the D1, it narrows that listing right down to some key gamers:

• Sennheiser HD 600 / HD 650
• Meze 109 Professional
• Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Professional MK II
• FiiO FT7

Whereas you may even see extra choices than this, I picked these out to say due to their related sound profiles. Every of those headphones has a reference sound high quality to it, and makes it an excellent competitors for one thing just like the HEDDphone D1. When listening to the D1’s signature in comparison with these different ones, you will discover that the D1 is notably extra dynamic than one thing just like the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Professional MK II or the Sennheiser HD 600. I’d give it a detailed comparability to the Sennheiser HD 650, which has barely punchier bass than the mannequin that got here earlier than it. Nonetheless, the D1 blows them out of the water and delivers a low-end response that balances extra precisely than the competitors. For those who’re somebody who prefers a lightweight bass once you combine, the D1 might not be the headphone to put money into.

Conversely, there have been different headphones I discovered to be extra enjoyable than the D1. If it is leisure and extensive soul you are going for, check out the Meze 109 Professional or the FiiO FT7. Each of those have superb pure sound, however have extra of a dynamic sound signature than one thing that’s flat just like the D1 or the Sennheiser. The 109 Professional is very extensive and has a way more open prime finish sound, which is a step above what the D1 offers you with its ethereal treble. Each sounds are catered to totally different listeners, so it depends upon what kind of sound you are in search of in a headphone. 

The HEDDphone D1 is a superb headphone for folks in search of an improve however nonetheless with the sound they know and love. Mixing engineers will recognize the impartial signature and pure sound copy that expands throughout any style. You possibly can even use this headphone as a daily listening headphone, because the bass and treble are colourful and textured to maintain tracks fascinating and never too scientific. For those who’re seeking to improve out of your Sennheiser or Beyerdynamic, I’d positively contemplate the HEDDphone D1 as your subsequent open-back headphone. 

You will get the HEDDphone D1 at Audio46.