I noticed this once I was around lvl 25. It seems to me that the trick is not to kill all of the low level enemies so fast.
I take my time killing the first 2 waves. Then when the third wave hits I immediately send multiple rockets at them. And then my warlock void super, from a distance.
If you go slow during the first 2 waves the timer will be almost to 100 by the time the third wave starts.
Nah just rocket launcher the drop ships get those first waves over very fast as every one dies before they drop and you have more fun at the end with mega mobs :).