Reference Home Theater loves the Oppo PM-3

Concise and well-put, Stephen Hornbrook's review of the awesome Oppo PM-3 is well worth the read.

“We recently gave another Oppo product, the HA-2, perfect marks, so to do so again seems odd. Yet I feel even stronger about the Oppo PM-3’s perfect score than I do about the excellent HA-2. The Oppo PM-3 planar magnetic headphones are scary good. Previously my go-to recommendations for closed back headphones were the PSB M4U, NAD HP50, and Sennheiser Momentum. The Oppo PM-3 outshines them all and will be one of the most confident product recommendations I have ever offered. They are versatile as they can be driven directly from a smartphone, but will benefit from quality amplification so users can squeeze every bit of performance from these amazing headphones. If you don’t need a closed-back headphone, the Hifiman HE-400i delivers better sonic performance but only with better amplification. If looking for more flexibility with sources and listening environments, the Oppo PM-3 is the clear winner. Very highly recommended.”

Source: Oppo PM-3 Headphones Review

For reference, my review of the PM-3 can be read at Headfonia.

Which Grado GR10 do you have?

The above photograph is my Grado GR10. It is from 2014. It's front metal cap is silver and shines. There is a small port between its sheath and the cap. The older version lacks the port. And, like the GR8, its aluminium cap is matte, not shiny. The older version one can be seen below (photo taken by Headfi member CH23, seen in this Head-fi post):

Could be evidence of continual production kaizen, à la manière employed by Sennheiser in the HD series of headphones? And if so, are surreptitious updates a good thing?

As you know, I'm a big fan of the GR10. While the GR10 has many fans, some people are vehemently against it. And, if the changes noted at Head-fi truly return disparate results, it's understandable that opinions vary. I am  have tested the old GR10 vs. the new GR10. 

And recently, Grado recently released the GR10e, which I think we can assume boasts further improvements. Later, I will be taking a look at the GR10e, and comparing it with the GR10, which many of you know is my favourite universal earphone.

Source: GRADO GR10: Reviews, First Impressions Thread - Page 67
Be sure to check out my review of the 2014 Grado GR10 at Headfonia.

Lachlan on the Sony NWZ-ZX2

Lachlan fondled the new NWZ-ZX2, which he compared to version 1. Evidently, it still hisses:

“So I had a quick demo of the Sony NWZ-ZX2! First of all, I confirmed with the IM02 that the ZX2 still hisses. It was quite noisy in the shopping centre so I couldn’t tell if it hisses less than the ZX1, but it seemed like it might be a slight improvement. The unit on the whole is chunkier and heavier than the ZX1, which makes the whole thing seem a bit excessive. But hey if you are paying 1299 then I suppose you want to look like you have something in your pocket. I can’t comment on the sound as the player was only loaded with demo tracks that I’m not familiar with. Don’t think I’ll be getting one any time soon though.”

Lach's got loads of great stuff on his Facebook page, so check it out.

BTW, the earphones he yaks about in the above quote the Audio Technica ATH-IM02, which he reviews here (YouTube). 

Headfonia: Oppo HA-2 - 2007 All Over Again

Well, after long last, I've finished my review of the Oppo HA-2 for Headfonia. It's a great DAC/amp that has the following quirks:

- AK100-level output noise
- confusing in/out for DAC users on the run

But those are mere niggles. The HA-2 is an amazing piece of portable equipment with a great DAC. It should challenge the status quo on both ends of the price spectrum. It should leave an iPhone-like mark on the industry. 

Substance or style? Master & Dynamic MH40 headphones

Johnny Darko's latest review is a good one of a good headphone- of a headphone that is one of my favourites. The MH40 is lush, comfy, and full of innovative tech. John says sums up with the following:

“Right out of the gate, this New York headphone company shows how righteous headphone dynamics are possible from a sealed design, even with an iPod touch as source. That Master & Dynamic manage all of this AND have their headphones look so handsome is one heck of an achievement - the MH40 prove beyond reasonable doubt that substance and style don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

Source: Master & Dynamic MH40 headphones review

And by all means, read my thoughts on the MH40, both at OHM and at headfonia, and if you have the time, read Master & Dynamic's vision for the headphones. 

Engineers at Neil Young’s company admit doubts on music player

While this article is now a couple months, it is no less relevant. This quote from Monty Montgomery sums up everything of import regarding hi-res music:

““Neil is advocating for good sound, and I think that is a noble and good thing that will benefit people,” Montgomery says. “I just object to where science is being misrepresented.””

He explains the ridiculous 16-bit 'stair step' graphs we are now used to seeing:

“Nonsense, says Montgomery, who explains that the samples actually serve as plot points that are used by music software to draw continuous, analog-form waves. CD-quality files are more than enough to generate smooth waves for all frequencies detectable by human ears, he adds.”

Source: Engineers at Neil Young’s company admit doubts on music player

thanks @Lachlan

QUICK THOUGHTS: CUSTOM ART MUSIC TWO, REVISITED

In a follow-up to shotgunshane's excellent review, Mr. T. explains why the Custom Art Music Two remains a great choice. 

“Overall, for the price, overall sound quality, and available features, the Music Two is a great quality product from Custom Art. Many high-end aficionados have now gone for the upscale Harmony 8 and (treble-boosted) 8 Pro flagship models, but the Music Two is still a very good option as a “midrange” model, though it’s actually priced well under most midrange price tags.”

Source: Quick Thoughts: Custom Art Music Two, Revisited

shotgunshane reviews the ortofon e-Q8

shotgunshane's views on the ortofon e-Q8 VS the Final Audio VII are spot-on: 

“The e-q8 has better bandwidth (extension at both ends), slightly fuller note weight and quite frankly the best distortion guitars I think I’ve heard on an iem. This may be THE iem to own for rock and metal.

The only area in sound the heaven VII beats the e-q8 is with that FAD magical reverb. Pianos are fantastic on the heaven and more lifelike due to reverb imo. The keys’ notes linger so beautifully and tastefully.

If I mostly listened to pianists, I’d have to look hard at the FAD line up. But I’m a rock-n-roll kind of guy and the e-q8 is excellent in guitar tone, timbre, grit and bite.”

He continues later:

“So... I liked the loaner set so much I ordered my own pair tonight from Dimitri. The e-q8 is easily the best single armature I’ve heard.”

Right on, shane. If you can drive them properly, the e-Q8 is one of the top two or three single-driver earphones on the planet.

His thoughts, among others, can be read in the ortofon eQ-8 headfi thread.

And here is my review of them at Headfonia.