112 MACWORLD DECEMBER 2021
PLAYLIST REVIEW: DROP + THX PANDA WIRELESS HEADPHONEhigh end, and mid-range definition that’s
not overbearing or tiring to the ears. The
normal low end is punchy enough, but as
I said, it’s the sub-bass that really sets
these headphones apart. I
find it far more usable and
relevant than Sony’s Extra
Bass and other subwoofer-
emulation technologies,
which all sound a bit floppy in
comparison. I figure that it has
to have something to do with
the planar drivers, though that
THX amp might be a
contributing factor, too.
As I mentioned, the Drop +
THX Panda fit very snugly, and
again, Drop could have doubled up
on the headband padding and I
wouldn’t have complained. Still, as is
my habit, I’m wearing them as I write,
and they’re not absolutely killing me.
Nor did they do any damage during a
short 10-foot binge of the sci-fi and
Western mashup Firefly.
Alas, it was during that binge
that I started experiencing
occasional Bluetooth dropouts. The
dropouts were not frequent, and
making sure the right cup was on
the right ear minimized the
phenomenon, but most Bluetooth
headphones work fine for me at the same
moderate distance.BOTTOM LINE
The Drop + THX Panda sound excellent
overall, but you can get headphones that
are excellent in the normal
registers for a lot less than
$400. What you can’t get for
less in consumer
headphones—at any price, as
far as I know—is this kind of
clean, smooth, natural-
sounding sub-bass.
If you’re producing
cinema, I’d love to hear about
your experience mixing the
low end with these puppies
on your head. ■mmmmh
Drop +THX Panda
Wireless Headphone
PROS- Cleanest sub-bass I’ve
ever heard. - Excellent overall sound.
CONS - Could use a bit more
headband padding.
PRICE
$250
COMPANY
Drop
The headband is thin, but
the ear cups are generously
padded and comfortable.