View Full Version : Planar headphones... any good?...Yup!
I see both oppo and hifiman do planar cans now at reasonable prices. anyone tried/are using them. oppo pm3 or hifiman 4000s in particular., or are we better sticking to dynamic ones
Ah well I got chance of a mint set of Oppo's so snaffled them :) Let you know if it was a mistake
willbewill
10-05-2017, 21:58
Cool, I'll be interested in your judgement on them.
I've always wondered the same thing. I've seen Stax at the local salon, with extreme prices at the time. Interesting to know that there are newer less expensive alternatives. I'd be interested in knowing what the fuss is about!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
https://www.samma3a.com/upload/images/reviews/oppo/pm3/DSC00027.jpg
This is the oppo's. look ok, and are closed back high efficiency planars. Might have been better with the hifiman as i could have bought new and they are open I think. But Oppo get a great name and good build is important
rigger67
11-05-2017, 10:46
This is the oppo's. look ok, and are closed back high efficiency planars. Might have been better with the hifiman as i could have bought new and they are open I think. But Oppo get a great name and good build is important
But how do they sound ??
dunno, not arrived yet... keep u posted:)
rigger67
11-05-2017, 10:54
dunno, not arrived yet... keep u posted:)
Oh, sorry mate - because the photo, you know ;)
https://www.samma3a.com/upload/images/reviews/oppo/pm3/DSC00027.jpg
This is the oppo's. look ok, and are closed back high efficiency planars. Might have been better with the hifiman as i could have bought new and they are open I think. But Oppo get a great name and good build is important
Will if you don't like them I might be interested ( price dependant of course ) as I need a closed back set of phones to replace my Senn 650's as the Boss doesn't like listening to my music in bed lol
Mine didnt either.:lol: Supposed to be coming today Mike. Not sure they have even been run in yet. He didnt say how many hrs he used them. I know planar often need a fair bit of that before getting sweet. Hope they come before I go to babysit
jandl100
12-05-2017, 08:44
Hmm, interesting - planar driver headphones.
Not tried any, but I am curious about them.
Quite a good summary of the 3 different headphone driver technnologies here http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/dynamic-vs-planar-magnetic-drivers
Dynamic drivers are like conventional speaker cones/domes.
Planar are like ribbon speakers.
Electrostatics are like ... err ... electrostatic speakers!
I've owned and enjoyed dynamics and 'stat headphones - very different beasts!! - but I've not heard planars.
I'll be very interested in your thoughts, Grant! :)
What cans have you used up till now?
Hmm, interesting - planar driver headphones.
Not tried any, but I am curious about them.
Quite a good summary of the 3 different headphone driver technnologies here http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/dynamic-vs-planar-magnetic-drivers
Dynamic drivers are like conventional speaker cones/domes.
Planar are like ribbon speakers.
Electrostatics are like ... err ... electrostatic speakers!
I've owned and enjoyed dynamics and 'stat headphones - very different beasts!! - but I've not heard planars.
I'll be very interested in your thoughts, Grant! :)
What cans have you used up till now?
Must say I'm looking forward to trying them. Ive had a few sets over the years and am using AT's at moment which are very good.ath7's I think. these oppo's get a good rep across the board and are I think the only closed ones around at a sensible price Jerry. got 2 h/amps to try with them plus will try without too. supposed to come today
jandl100
12-05-2017, 09:00
ATH7 - what the old electrets?
https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/1740820.jpg
Very nice, if it's those.
Kind of half-way to electrostatics.
This should be interesting. :popcorn:
oops Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATHMSR7GM-ATH-MSR7GM-Headphones/dp/B00PEUBIKM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1494579772&sr=8-5&keywords=audio+technica++headphones
they are very good
jandl100
12-05-2017, 09:09
Ah, OK - I think I heard the vintage ATH7 electrets back in my long lost yoof and was well impressed - although beyond my budget at the time.
Still, your more modern ATs look good, so comparisons will be interesting.
Go on - how much did the Oppos cost you? ;)
Too Bloody Much is the answer......unless they impress then it'll be worth it:D
could have got hifiman 4000's brand new for similar cash. they are full size open back planar. The oppo is a fair bit more though.
Arrived in one piece thankfully. Typically ive to go out shortly to babysit .
Couple of pics, and i will report my findings once i get a listen
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170512/ca708c8efdd43fa1f2789322d25e8b2b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170512/81ffe83bdbb59812c7ca6bad8587b5d7.jpg
Have to say they are solid and nicely built at least yet light too.
Quick hi rezhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170512/e4a8b86d039341cac74c79d44bec5d3d.jpg
well, a quick review on these. They come in at over twice the price of my Audio Technica cans I'm using so it was with some trepidation I bought these Planar cans from the esteemed makers Oppo.
These come with a long cable for home listening, an android/ windows phone cable and an ios one and a canvas zip carry bag(I didnt get the bag as I bought mine slightly used)New Price is around £350 at moment rising to £400 depending.
First thing you notice is the weight or lack of, and second is how well made they feel. These are Oppo's budget version of their pm1 planers that are over a grand so first thing I can say is they dont seem budget in any way. True the earcups are fake leather, but its nice stuff, and you can wear it for long periods(at least it seems that way to me). Very comfortable and my AT's are pretty good.Sound wise, they are deffo slanting toward the audiophile as the response seems pretty flat. Bass is tight but not at all overpowering. mid range is so sweet, you don't really want to take them off.So, no bass boost here and if thats your desire best looking elsewhere. Up top, the highs are overall very good, although perhaps a little more constrained than the AT's. The extreme top couple of keys on a piano sound wrong but that can be forgiven for all the rest sound so right.
Sound stage is better than the AT's too. I had Wallflower on and I really felt Diana was licking her lips at me as she sang at and for me only while the band were back on the stage.:eyebrows: Alas, she wasn't.:doh: ah well you cant have everything. The light guitar work on Billy Joels Your My Home is astounding too....
VFM. hard to say as they probably are not twice as good as the AT's, but I wont be getting rid of anytime soon. Nina Simone sounds just..... real. the clapping in Sinnerman is so incredibly everywhere.
Well, enough enthusing, as they are not perfect by any means but at the price these are hard to shift. not as sensitive and easy to drive as the AT's, although not much in it, and I will say this, they take 10/15 mins to get on song. I have yet to try them in a phone but am told they will work. I feel you will need an amp to hear them at their best.
jandl100
12-05-2017, 20:08
Sounds good , Grant.
My experience with new dynamic cans is that they often need several dozen hours of running in to get to their best, some have even sounded horrid to start with but have turned out really good.
I've no idea if that is true of planars, but I wouldn't be surprised.
I suspect they will get even better over the coming weeks of use. :)
Thanks for the write-up Grant!
Haven't heard any Oppo's but regularly use Hifiman HE-400i and HE-1000 planar phones. Also use Philips Fidelio X2, Denon AH-D2000 and assorted In Ears..
Planars really gain from high quality head phone amps! Do NOT judge them with sub optimal amplification, which of course also applies to dynamics. Dynamics are generally the better choice, to my ears, if really good, powerful amplification isn't available!
Thanks for the write-up Grant!
Haven't heard any Oppo's but regularly use Hifiman HE-400i and HE-1000 planar phones. Also use Philips Fidelio X2, Denon AH-D2000 and assorted In Ears..
Planars really gain from high quality head phone amps! Do NOT judge them with sub optimal amplification, which of course also applies to dynamics. Dynamics are generally the better choice, to my ears, if really good, powerful amplification isn't available!
Using it with a nice dac amp at moment.(smsl m6 minidac) I have tried it with just a phone and although needed a bit more drive it sounded surprisingly decent.
Sounds good , Grant.
My experience with new dynamic cans is that they often need several dozen hours of running in to get to their best, some have even sounded horrid to start with but have turned out really good.
I've no idea if that is true of planars, but I wouldn't be surprised.
I suspect they will get even better over the coming weeks of use. :)
Yes, when I first plugged in My first reaction was, oh shit, these are shit:lol: but they came on song and just got better and better
had these on all morning and have to say both comfort and sound wise you totally forget they are on. by far the most comfortable cans Ive used
final update I guess. Love these cans:) not for everyone but I like them. clarity and subtlety in spades. decent soundstage too so you forget they are on
rigger67
15-05-2017, 12:49
Nice write-up, Grant :)
They sound intriguing.
I guess what you could do is plug them in, turn them up and then walk away to make a cuppa or drop the kids off at the pool or something .. anything that will occupy that ten to fifteen minutes :D
TBH the longer they are on the better they sound Paul. getting driven quite nicely with Jerrys dac/amp at moment via optical. A nice mix. No distortion and decent soundstage. they aint perfect but they are likely the best I will ever afford
rigger67
15-05-2017, 13:24
I've always fancied trying a pair of high-end Stax (come to think of it, is there any other kind ??) but never have.
Closest I got was a pair of AKG when I last went to HiFiHangar. They wanted £100 for them but they kept cutting out depending on how the wire was situated.
The thing that got me - as you said - was the soundstage : it was really amazing, properly "out of your head" left and right :)
I don't really use 'phones enough to justify a wodge of cash on them though.
I've got AKG Y50 for travelling and Grado SR80i for home use and they're both decent enough.
Stax are electrostatic I think. use a generator of summat. not sure I want 10k v buzzing around my napper:eek:. pricey too. these are budget planars at about £350. most are over 1k and all way up. they are very nice and different to the normal driver thats for sure. Not everyones cuppa though I guess
When I was trying our various set ups for portable use (by that, I don't mean walking/running/cycling and the like, but for use when away from home in hotels, etc) I tried the PM3s, amongst many others. They're a nice phone, best used with an amp IME (a Mojo worked really well).
I ended up with the Audeze Sine with the Cipher cable. This set up is much more convenient (if you're an Apple device user) and SQ is, for me, a notch above the Oppo (slightly more dynamic, whilst not becoming harsh; improved sense of space; better detail: these comments apply to me, my musical tastes and my hearing. Headphones are just so personal that everyone will have a different take). They are also a tad more comfortable. As the amp is in the cable, you can set the EQ using the Audeze app which is stored in the amp, so you can use the same settings on any Apple device. Nice touch. Having said that, I tend to use it 'flat', as it were.
Definitely worth considering if you're looking at this type of 'phone.
When I was trying our various set ups for portable use (by that, I don't mean walking/running/cycling and the like, but for use when away from home in hotels, etc) I tried the PM3s, amongst many others. They're a nice phone, best used with an amp IME (a Mojo worked really well).
I ended up with the Audeze Sine with the Cipher cable. This set up is much more convenient (if you're an Apple device user) and SQ is, for me, a notch above the Oppo (slightly more dynamic, whilst not becoming harsh; improved sense of space; better detail: these comments apply to me, my musical tastes and my hearing. Headphones are just so personal that everyone will have a different take). They are also a tad more comfortable. As the amp is in the cable, you can set the EQ using the Audeze app which is stored in the amp, so you can use the same settings on any Apple device. Nice touch. Having said that, I tend to use it 'flat', as it were.
Definitely worth considering if you're looking at this type of 'phone.
interesting Simon. I decided to rule them out as they were on ear and i prefer over for comfort. like the cable amp/dac idea
jandl100
16-05-2017, 14:26
I can't get on with on-ears, either.
I've tried a few and after quite a short while my ears start to ache.
The only exception are B&O Form 2, they are as light as a feather and I can wear them for as long as I like without problems. They don't grip much either, which is great for comfort, but they can tend to slide off without due care!
I love the sound of them, too. Amazingly open and detailed with decent if not very deep bass, so not for head-bangers. In fact I prefer the B&O Form 2 to most cans I have tried at any price.
Clive197
16-05-2017, 16:15
Welcome to the OPPO club Grant. I've been using them for a couple of years now and will not be moving them on anytime soon.
For downstairs use I use the PM1's and for bedroom and travel the PM3's are truly excellent, something you now know about.
Having just returned from a long haul trip involving 2 loads of 12 hrs in a plane the PM3's other advantage is that they keep a lot of the jet noise away from my delicate little ears.
I would also recommend upgrading the standard cable to Atlas Zeno for the PM3's, a worthwhile purchase. Tried a set of Zeno's on the PM1's but couldn't hear much difference but I needed the extra length so I've kept them.
Sadly I have now heard that OPPO are discontinuing selling headphones. So anybody who can get there hands on a pair ex dem or something will find that they won't be disappointed.
put a search into ebay if any come up.. its pricey stuff.... Yes, I am enjoying them muchly. my kinps cable will have to do at moment as i'm all spent:)
I have a set of Hifiman 400's they sound excellent with a Chord Mojo.
ps they are for sale if anyone is interested as I have gone to closed back cans to stop the wife moaning when she is watching tv.
southall-1998
19-07-2017, 21:32
Have you seen this video review, Grant?
S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fgl394wfJE
Just agrees to a point that they dont work well without an amp. They also need a bit of running in to an extent but overall they are several thousand times better than he says his are. They dont go silly low with exagerated bass, but highs are pretty good. Guitar is nigh on perfect on mine, but again i use an amp. Ive a set of at cans that are 32 ohm that need less driving than these. They will work out of a cell phone but not well
My experience with new dynamic cans is that they often need several dozen hours of running in to get to their best, some have even sounded horrid to start with but have turned out really good.
Well, that got me thinking. Although I don't use headphones nowadays, I did buy a pair of Sennheiser HD-25 SP2s a few years ago, which I hardly used at all before abandoning them as distinctly underwhelming. Following your advice, I just left them running for a few days, and ... big improvement. Thanks, Jerry!
Clive197
21-07-2017, 15:32
Sadly I have now heard that OPPO are discontinuing selling headphones. So anybody who can get there hands on a pair ex dem or something will find that they won't be disappointed.
That information has turned out to be a little premature. The only products that OPPO have discontinued are PM2 Headphones, HA1 Headphone amplifier/DAC and the HA2 Portable headphone amp/DAC (not the HA2SE). Sorry for the mistake.
wee tee cee
21-07-2017, 15:43
Interesting reading Grant. The OPPO stuff is beautifully put together and styled. I would really enjoy hearing them in my set up. I love statics and feel neutral cans are the only thing that gets close-or vice versa!!!
I listen on cans quite a bit due to working shifts-the thought of getting static like sound with cans is rather intriguing...
Interesting reading Grant. The OPPO stuff is beautifully put together and styled. I would really enjoy hearing them in my set up. I love statics and feel neutral cans are the only thing that gets close-or vice versa!!!
I listen on cans quite a bit due to working shifts-the thought of getting static like sound with cans is rather intriguing...
you can get a shot anytime Tony mate:)
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