We’re heading up to London this weekend for the Stylus Vinyl Show 2016. We have been asked to host the only dedicated headphone room at this years show. Taking the best of our range of headphones and amps from brands Audeze, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, OPPO, Grado, Mr Speakers and more – we will be offering visitors the chance to listen to some of the best headphones around with top of the range turntables and phono stages supplied by Vinyl Passion and Music First Audio.
There will also be the chance to WIN a pair of Grado SR60e headphones especially for people attending the Stylus show.
And to top it all off we will be showing off the new Audeze LCD-4. Don’t miss out on this chance to hear possibly the best headphone money can buy!
Here is a selection of headphones and amps that will be available to listen to:
Audeze
LCD-4
LCD-3
LCD-XC
Deckard
Beyerdynamic
T1 (2nd Gen)
T5P (2nd Gen)
A2
Final
Sonorous X
Sonorous VI
Sonorous III
Sonorous II
Grado
SR80e
SR225e
SR325e
Mr Speakers
Ether C
Ether
OPPO
PM-1
PM-3
HA-1
Sennheiser
HD800S
HDVD800
HD650
Come along, say hi and bring your favourite records to hear them at their best!
It’s tempting to ignore the relatively diminutive OPPO PM-3 in favour of its two larger siblings, the PM-1 and PM-2; but that would be a mistake. The closed back PM-3 has versatility which the larger models do not, and for the cost of these headphones, an incredible sound quality is available.
Pros:
Four different cables included
Very comfortable
Good Isolation
Strong and light construction
Cons:
May get a bit sticky under the earpads in hot conditions
Design and Appearance
The PM-3 looks respectable and will melt into the background. It’s the headphone equivalent of the besuited gent in Piccadilly; you wouldn’t look twice but he gets things done. The OPPO PM-3 is a smaller version of the PM-1, with steel headband, earcup yokes and trim, with leather headband and a good solid feel.
Durability and Build Quality
It seems as if the PM-3 is built for many years’ use like its bigger brothers; the headphones would give off a ‘military grade’ feel if they weren’t so light and comfortable. Cables are built for a more portable use as opposed to the premium ‘stay at home’ cable supplied with the PM-1 and PM-2. The 3m cable is decent nonetheless, and together with the other three supplied cables should serve for years to come.
Comfort
The OPPO PM-3 strikes a good balance between clamping force and comfort; the earpads see to that. There’s plenty of give in them and they are reminiscent of a comfy chair which is particularly difficult to get out of. The addition of glasses doesn’t throw up any problems either; the PM-3 can be worn for long periods and so it should too!
Sound Isolation
With nothing playing, the isolation of the PM-3 could be better but this is the trade-off against the comfort level which, as stated, is very high. However with music playing, exterior sound is masked effectively as the ears are bathed in some very sweet audio. Not much tends to make it out of the earcups, so fellow passengers need not know our peculiar music tastes.
Portability
The OPPO PM-3 is fairly typical in terms of size, being a portable over-ear model. The weight of them is slightly above average for this kind of use but considering what’s on offer within this package, they’re surprisingly light. The provided travel case, like that included with the PM-1 and PM-2 models, means that these headphones can go anywhere and be tucked away safely if needed; the case is padded and offers a good deal of protection.
The OPPO PM-3 is tuned to be fun and comfortable; the bass and midrange are where it’s at, and the treble is toned down slightly to allow them to shine. The result is a very natural and powerful sound.
Bass
The 55mm drivers certainly pack a low punch in terms of frequency, but they are quick on their feet; the low end is liquid and very responsive. However it knows its place and leaves room for the rest of the sound to astound. The mid-upper bass level has a bit more presence but again, not to excess. It serves to underpin and complement the midrange and higher frequencies very well.
Mids (e.g. vocals, acoustic instruments)
Harmonics, vocals guitars and the like are given a very spacious and natural treatment. There appears to be acres of room in the PM-3 as reverb and all those subtle environmental cues can be followed to their conclusions without other instrumentation getting in the way. Guitar distortion, synths and drum parts really give an impression of immediacy and presence.
Treble (e.g. high hats)
The OPPO PM-3 is on the warmer side of things; the treble is kept to a level where details are brought to the attention but not at the expense of the rest of the frequency spectrum. Drums have a nice crack and cymbals sizzle, but most would not find any discomfort or fatigue coming their way after a long listening session.
Soundstage and Separation
For a closed-back headphone, the PM-3 has a great soundstage which wraps the listener in the audio so much that it’s hard to escape. From this hapless yet happy position it’s still easy to focus in on individual instruments and follow them along, the imaging giving them a real living, 3D feel.
Music genres good for and why
It’s a job to find anything which does not sound excellent with the PM-3. Hip Hop and Dance are given the benefit of the deep bass, guitar-based rock is given a thrilling mid-range definition and the tuning/separation gives classical music a sharp but gentle edge.
Summary
There have been some very good headphones released recently and we’re getting used to the fact that standards are constantly being exceeded; yet OPPO Digital’s recent foray into the headphone market really impresses us. The PM-3 is definitely recommended for those who have a variety of uses or situations for their headphones, and enjoy a varied taste in musical genres. The PM-3 does it all brilliantly.
OPPO PM1 Planar Magnetic Headphones – Expert Review
Intro
The name Oppo is perhaps better known for smartphones produced in Asia; but Oppo Digital, which produces these headphones, is a Californian company and quite separate but for its distinctive (and licenced) logo.
An unconventional arrangement then, but does this ‘out of the box’ thinking translate itself to the headphones? Well no – because the headphones do come in a box, albeit a rather fine one. It may be one of the nicest boxes we’ve seen headphones presented in; it’s rather reminiscent of a Jaguar X-Type dashboard, and opens like one too. Well, the glove-box anyway.
It may be worth noting however, that for a considerable saving you can opt for the Oppo PM-2 version which has a few of the extras and details omitted. For instance, where you might have a chrome trim on the PM-1, the PM-2 uses plastic, and it does away with the presentation case.
They do have the same drivers and will have a very similar sound signature, so if you are as happy with good champagne at £30 per bottle as you are with the best champagne at £120 per bottle, then consider the PM-2.
The good impressions don’t stop with the box; it’s entirely in keeping with the rest of the design and feel of the PM-1. They’ve gone for a chunky yet light feel with plush generously-sized earcups held by large aluminium yokes, and a steel headband tempered by a soft, yielding leather padding.
Durability & build quality
The materials may be plush, but the Oppo PM-1 gives the impression that it’s no rich man’s toy or passing fancy. It means business and can produce the goods.
The cable is a good example; covered in a close-woven black fabric, it’s reminiscent of goods made in a bygone age. They are certainly high quality.
The Oppo PM-1 headphones looks like they’re more at home amid the tantalus cabinets and antique davenports of a West London penthouse; and likewise they have the solid feel of an item which will stand up to years of enjoyment.
Comfort
The earpads are big enough for the appendages of most people, but if earcup size has been an issue before, these may be on the snug side. The earpads are perforated and breath a little, so things shouldn’t get too moist under them.
The Oppo PM-1 headphones are held on by equal pressure between the plump earpads and equally generous headband padding, and wearing glasses doesn’t pose any problems.
Suitability for intended application
The Oppo PM-1 is definitely meant for relaxing and enjoying the music with few distractions coming either from the headphones themselves or from without; the open design will allow audio out and exterior sound to penetrate so a nice quiet space is ideal in which to get totally lost in the music.
Portability
The handsome case which these headphones arrive in is of limited use if travelling as the accent is on quality and presentation, but there is a travel case offered for the PM-1 in the packaging so if you are planning to travel with them you won’t be disappointed. The earcups fold flat on the PM-1 so they can be packed without being too hungry for space.
Also included is a small one metre cable with a 3.5mm jack for enjoying the headphones from smaller players and amps;
Sound characteristics:
(Used with Chord Hugo DAC/Amp & FiiO X3)
Bass:
Bass is as you’d expect from a planar magnetic design; it reaches low and fills the bottom part of the audio spectrum nicely. It’s not overblown; it’s just enough to tickle your eardrums and be felt as much as heard. Higher up, the bass is as strong and impactful as is called for by the audio with all the quality hinted at by the PM-1’s outward design.
Mids (e.g. vocals, acoustic instruments):
The midrange gives the impression that the PM-1 is slightly on the ‘fun’ side of neutral – but it’s subtle. The midrange has as much presence as the bass and treble, but the Oppo PM-1 does not sound neutral, perhaps ‘sumptuous neutral’ is more like it. There is plenty of space and very little congestion amid busier sections of music. Anything here can be paid attention to, and zoomed in on for all those tiny details.
Both male and female vocals are given a slight prominence and backing vocals are just as present in the mix, with definition and details easily giving added realism.
Treble (e.g. high hats):
Treble is smooth. The Oppo PM-1 headphones are not dark (at least when paired with a Chord Hugo) but they allow a comfortable, non-fatiguing listen. There’s enough treble here to add the upper harmonics to instuments and shimmering qualities to percussion and not quite enough to cross the threshold into uncomfortable territory.
Given that the Oppo PM-1 is provided with a smaller 1m 3.5mm cable, the headphones were tried with a similar sound source, the Fiio X3. The slightly warmer nature of the X3 was apparent on the PM-1, but the combination still gives a punchy and involving presentation. The PM-1 does respond well to lower-powered devices but my cheap android phone could have done with going a couple of notches higher in volume. Apple iPhones and brands such as Samsung/HTC should not have any issues though.
There is a lot of room in these headphones! Anything recorded in a studio with separate close miking and mixed is as wide as the producer envisioned, but live and classical recordings are given a real treatment. The listener is virtually surrounded among strings, woodwinds and flutes.
Separation is likewise superb; the Oppo PM-1 is like a pair of opera glasses for the ears. However with a lot of classical recordings, the shuffling of feet and turning of music pages will be noticeable, along with the odd click of a woodwind key.
Music genres good for and why:
Everything was tried with the PM-1 from Harry Richman to Herb Alpert, and it all sounded great. The PM-1 is another one of those all-rounders which doesn’t even blink in the face of audio adversity; the obvious result of good breeding, no doubt.
Pros:
High quality in every way
Comfortable to wear and hear
Exceptional sound quality
Travel pouch
