Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) for Metalheads, ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) for Everyone Else
Price: ~$299 USD (Often on sale for ~$239)
If you listen to Pop, Jazz, or Classical, stop reading. Go buy a Sony or a Bose and be happy.
But if your playlist consists of double-kick drums, down-tuned guitars, and vocalists who sound like they are gargling gravel, you have a problem. Most headphones turn complex Heavy Metal into a muddy, distorted mess.
Enter Heavys. Founded by Axel Grell (the guy who designed the legendary Sennheiser HD 800), this company asked a simple question: “What if we just added more speakers?”
The Heavys H1H packs eight drivers (four per ear) into a chassis that weighs nearly a pound. I spent two weeks testing them with everything from Metallica to Lorna Shore to see if these are the holy grail of heavy music or just a heavy gimmick.
Here is my honest, ear-ringing review.
Test 1: The “Wall of Sound” (8 Drivers)
The Claim: 8 Drivers (4 Tweeters + 4 Woofers) for separation.
The Reality: It effectively declutters the chaos.
Standard headphones use one driver to do everything. Asking one speaker to play a sub-bass drop and a high-pitched cymbal crash at the same time causes distortion (mud).
- The Architecture: Heavys uses two 38mm woofers for the low end and two 12mm tweeters for the highs in each ear.
- The Result: It’s startling. I could hear the “snap” of the snare drum clearly even during the most chaotic breakdown. The tweeters are angled to fire across your ear (like a stage monitor), creating a soundstage that feels wide and aggressive.
- The Tuning: Out of the box, the mids can sound a bit recessed (the “scooped” metal sound). You must use the app’s 5-band EQ to dial this in. Once you do, the “ice-pick definition” is real.
Test 2: The “HellBlocker” ANC
The Claim: Specialized Noise Cancellation for loud environments.
The Reality: It blocks the drone, keeps the tone.
They call it “HellBlocker.” It’s a hybrid ANC system.
- The Performance: It is not as silent as a Sony WH-1000XM5. You will still hear the guy next to you typing.
- The “Why”: Aggressive ANC usually kills bass impact. Heavys tuned this to block low-frequency drone (like a tour bus engine) without neutering the kick drums. It works for commuting, but don’t expect total sensory deprivation.
Test 3: The Weight (Heavys by Name…)
The Claim: Ergonomic design for long sessions.
The Reality: Do your neck exercises.
- The Mass: These weigh 410g (14.5 oz). For comparison, the Sony XM5 is ~250g. That is a massive difference.
- The Clamp: The clamping force is high. This is intentional—it keeps them on your head while you headbang. They are secure, but after 2 hours, I felt the fatigue.
- The Padding: The ear cups are huge and deep (“squidgey-soft”), which helps distribute the weight, but you never forget you are wearing them.
Test 4: Psychoacoustics (The Loudness Hack)
The Claim: Perceived Loudness Technology.
The Reality: It sounds loud without hurting.
Heavys uses a trick based on the Fletcher-Munson curve. Basically, humans hear bass and treble poorly at low volumes. The H1H boosts these frequencies so the music feels “loud” and energetic even when the actual volume is safe.
- The Benefit: You get the adrenaline rush of a concert without the tinnitus (ringing ears) the next day.
Test 5: The Aesthetic & Drama
The Claim: Customizable “Shells.”
The Reality: Cool, but the plastic loves fingerprints.
- The Look: You can snap on custom shells (Cannibal Corpse, Opeth, Queen). It’s a fun way to signal your tribe.
- The Build: The plastic is tough but attracts fingerprints like a magnet.
- The Drama: Heavys has had some internet beef (allegations of aggressive marketing on Reddit). While the marketing is aggressive, the hardware does back it up.
Buying in the USA 🇺🇸
Price: MSRP is $299, but they run sales constantly for $239.
Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $220 (which covers the headphones).
Availability: Mostly Direct-to-Consumer via their website, though sometimes found at Micro Center.
Comparison: Metal vs. The World
| Feature | Heavys H1H | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sennheiser HD 660S2 |
| Price | ~$239 – $299 | ~$329 | ~$499 |
| Drivers | 8 (Hybrid) | 2 (Dynamic) | 2 (Open Back) |
| Weight | 410g (Heavy) | 250g (Light) | 260g (Light) |
| ANC | HellBlocker (Mid) | Class Leading | None (Passive) |
| Sound Profile | Visceral / Punchy | Safe / Bass-heavy | Neutral / Wide |
| Best For | Metal / Hard Rock | Commuting / Pop | Critical Listening |
The Verdict: The Sony is better for the subway. The Sennheiser is better for analyzing a jazz track. The Heavys are better for feeling like you are in the mosh pit.
The Verdict: A Sledgehammer, Not a Scalpel
The Heavys H1H is a specialized tool. It solves the specific problem of “muddy metal” brilliantly using brute-force engineering (more drivers).
If you are a metalhead, these are the best headphones you can buy. They make old tracks sound new again. If you aren’t, they are just heavy, expensive headphones.
Pros:
- 8-Driver Setup separates instruments perfectly.
- Bass Response is deep and fast (perfect for double-kick).
- Wired Mode offers distinct audiophile quality.
- “Loudness” tuning saves your hearing.
Cons:
- Heavy: 410g is a lot of neck strain.
- Battery: No specific claim, but average.
- ANC: Average compared to Sony/Bose.
Disclaimer: I tested these with “Master of Puppets” at max volume. My neck hurts, but my soul is happy.
