CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Headphone, IEM, and Other Audio Related Discussion => Topic started by: anetode on November 06, 2013, 02:44:19 PM
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Got them in last night.
+ Excellent sense of space for a closed can, good instrument separation.
+ Smooth sound and well extended on both ends.
+ Quick bass. Not HD800 quick, but good for its price range. Impact is slightly exaggerated in the mid-bass.
- Something around like 3-4khz doesn't sound quite right. Could've been just the recording.
- Uncomfortable to wear after a while.
- Ho-hum design.
~ OK isolation, nothing extraordinary. Tight clamping force that's not entirely mitigated by the soft pads.
Pretty much tops in the HD25/DT1350/P5/Momentum market, as Tyll said.
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Are these carried in any physical retail stores? I would love to see them in person for size reference to see if they'd be comfortable as portables.
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I haven't seen them in any of the big box stores yet. They're fairly easy to drive and sturdily built so they're well-suited for portable use. Only issue is comfort and style. Size-wise they're not exactly small, the cups are roughly the same size as those of the Sony ZX 700/1000.
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Thank's Anetode! :)p5. I actually like the design, but guess the tight fit might be problematic for some.
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3-4khz? Can you listen to some more tracks to confirm if its a peak or whatever it is that is going on there? I am most sensitive to that part of the spectrum.
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3-4khz? Can you listen to some more tracks to confirm if its a peak or whatever it is that is going on there? I am most sensitive to that part of the spectrum.
Have you seen the measurements Tyll took?
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/NADVISOHP50.pdf
Take a look at the uncompensated data, there's a gradual peak of sorts at that point. Looking at the distortion measurements, it doesn't seem like the peek would be too bad in actual listening (which is where things become subjective).
Edit: I'm paying attention to reviews on this headphone as well, I plan to buy them because the red version looks nice and they seem to sound good. I'm also a fan of PSB speakers but the M4U's design kind of reminded me of the Panasonic HTF600S.
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The raw response is actually low around 4khz when compared to cans say like the hd598. http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD598.pdf
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3-4khz? Can you listen to some more tracks to confirm if its a peak or whatever it is that is going on there? I am most sensitive to that part of the spectrum.
After listening a bit more and trying out a frequency sweep I think it was just an artifact present on a couple CDs in a box set. That, or I was on crack. Either way the HP50s are legit.
Though I'm going to have to do something about their headband.
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hello,
thanks for the impressions. after reading Tyll's review, my spousal unit really wants these.
reviews are still a bit thin on the ground, so again many thanks! ;D
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I'm curious as to why Tyll didn't comment on the M4U 2 any further than just stating that they "sounded good with the electronics off" in his noise cancelling headphone comparison review.
Might be a stretch, since these are the passive ones: http://stereos.about.com/od/accessoriesheadphones/ss/NAD-Viso-HP-50-Measurements_2.htm
Even though there are certainly audible differences, their similarity is uncanny. One would think the PSB's would already have piqued his interest, given how much he likes the HP50.
Not here to validate a personal purchase, but I gotta say the M4U2's are my current favorite headphones. Not as clean, detailed or linear up top as a Paradox, but the compromise in sound quality is paid back in abundance when commuting. Don't know why I've been so anally prejudiced towards NC's.. Possibly since they haven't really delivered so far. Anyway, the psb's rock in a train or a bus. Can get so much more out of the music.
Interested in the HP50 as well. Given how much the PSB's already deliver, I'm thinking these as a passive counterpart, that they are essentially, would certainly be worthwhile to any, who hasn't got experience with any of Burton's designs, to try out. :wheel:
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I'm curious as to why Tyll didn't comment on the M4U 2 any further than just stating that they "sounded good with the electronics off" in his noise cancelling headphone comparison review.
I thought the M4U 2 was a bit too strident for my liking. I'd have to go back and re-read what I said, but when it comes to noise cancelers, I think the ability to isolate is the highest priority, so I didn't delve too deeply into sound quality when the cans didn't deliver on the noise canceling aspect.
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I'm curious as to why Tyll didn't comment on the M4U 2 any further than just stating that they "sounded good with the electronics off" in his noise cancelling headphone comparison review.
I thought the M4U 2 was a bit too strident for my liking. I'd have to go back and re-read what I said, but when it comes to noise cancelers, I think the ability to isolate is the highest priority, so I didn't delve too deeply into sound quality when the cans didn't deliver on the noise canceling aspect.
Hoy,
So basically you're saying the HP50 are a clear step above the PSB. Interesting.
In quiet conditions the noise floor is indeed noticeable but not apparent with the music I listen to. Haven't tried these out in an airplane environment yet, but I take it Bose still are the way to go as far as NC circuitry goes. Still the M4U2 are decent enough in a train or a bus, and heaps and bound better than standard passive on-/over ears.
Also, even though the upper range, can't point out which areas in specific, do get boosted with NC on, the Paradox for instance are still overall brighter, though of course cleaner as well. I quite like the fact that they're quite forgiving and a bit more laid back, which is a view that seems to contradict with yours... Maybe it's the specific genre of music I generally listen to that doesn't exhibit this problem.
I know you're active on this forum so instead of "Tyll" or "he", I should've probably just directly referred to you as "you". Heh. Did not intend to talk behind your back and I hope my quote is accurate enough. Thanks for your input.
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Did not intend to talk behind your back and I hope my quote is accurate enough. Thanks for your input.
No worries.
BTW, the Bose QC20 in-ear noise cancelers are UNBELIEVABLY good. Sound is seriously passible for a noise canceler, but the noise canceling itself is stupendous. Really a great little headphone.
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^Yep, the Bose is a good recommendation. They gots patents. I heard Jude's pair at RMAF. I could hear some high frequency "air" but they were impressive and pretty comfortable. (Shallow fit, not an Ety triple flange deep fit.)
UE acoustic engineer says he uses the QC20 in the office to make calls and hear himself well. So that's another plus! (Sorry for the OT NC add-on.)
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hello,
any thoughts on how durable these might be? as mentioned above my spousal unit wants 'em. but she breaks EVERYTHING in pretty short order.
thanks
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hello,
any thoughts on how durable these might be? as mentioned above my spousal unit wants 'em. but she breaks EVERYTHING in pretty short order.
thanks
The cable is detachable, so it's not a problem if she snags them on things (happens to my SO often with headphone cables).
However, if you sit on the folding hinges or the cups themselves, they may crack. The cups are made of plastic that doesn't feel very durable, unlike the HD25 for example. The headband is thick enough and seems to have a metal band to reinforce it so I do not think that will be a problem.