Headphone Change Time...Denon MM400 or Oppo PM-3?

[Kursah]

So the Oppo's showed up today. The wife and kids already opened the box and tried em on. I tried them straight away on my phone, to some old Metallica and Godsmack...because I read in the Head-Fi forums that rock and metal fans need not apply to these headphones and that had me concerned.

So far I can't say I'm dissapointed at all. Hooked em up to my Aune T1, turned the signal boost down to 0db from +10db (for the HE-400's). Though 0db is almost not enough...I find myself between 2/3 and 3/4 volume and I don't much like that. But that's more of a personal preference.

The HE-400's do have superior bass and treble no doubt, but the volume I need to crank to achieve the same level as the PM-3's is so much louder. I'm using the same output and EQ, and I gotta say I'm impressed. The HE-400's also hit much harder, as is expected with higher output and larger drivers.

I've given the PM-3's all of 20 minutes worth of listening though, and I'm super impressed. They're VERY comfortable thus far. I can't even feel the headband, and the ear cushions are just a touch small and my ears do touch but it's not painful (yet).

I'm pretty hopeful, doing some after-hours work and going to give them a good listen since I have the 30-day return policy on my side. The quality and feel of these phones is amazingly impressive. The bass does seem to go deeper than the HE-400's, but that's likely because I can actually hear it better being a closed-back phone...as I know the HE-400 can reach deep, but in semi-noisy to noisy environments like I live in now with family, animals, city streets, etc...I miss a lot. I'm getting that feeling of new songs sounding new again like I originally had with my HE-400's. That's a great feeling.

I had a lotta hype and concern going into these phones, but also I knew I was just gonna give them a fair shake and see what happens. I primarily listen to rock and metal from all reaches of mainstream and indie. So far they are laid back, and the treble isn't quite as defined as I am used to, where the D2000 has a sparkle to it and the HE-400 has the spike. But I'm finding that I really like it because I can still pick every part of the instruments apart. Awesome!

So far I would say I'm pretty damn happy, but am going to stay reserved until further notice. More to come, there's a lotta music and some gaming to be done yet....

 

[Zakin]

I'll be surprised if the HE400s have superior treble, possibly a little smoother but otherwise it's crazy uneven. But keep in mind I've started to become used to something a bit more even response wise. Though to be fair, your setup is a bit more modest.

 

[Kursah]

Ya, well I suppose it's just more forward and aggressive than the PM-3's which to me seemed a little better initially...the last hour I've really grown to like the PM-3's more laid back treble. Overall it's got a pretty good presentation.

 

[Zakin]

Yeah the one thing that sort of makes me want to throw my HE-400s into the wall sometimes, especially on poorly recorded music is the treble is super crazy spiked in a sibilance range. Nails on the chalkboard to me. Otherwise I liked them a lot. Pretty sure you'll agree over the course of a few weeks that the Oppo's are the more even treble, possibly slightly laid back but I wouldn't say too far off of neutral from what I have read around.

 

[BumbleBee]

all my headphones have rolled off highs

 

[Kursah]

I've been enjoying them a lot, though after a couple hours the clamping pressure starts to bother me. Also had some unexpected bills come up that might force my hand on a refund... on top of selling my HE-400's...

But I'm gonna enjoy them until I know for sure!

 

[WhiteNoise]

Maybe just stick to your Denons. Seems you really can't afford to be spending money on toys just now.

Don't mind me...I'm in Husband/father mode.

 

[Kursah]

I hear ya there...well I gotta order parts for the D2000's to get them to where I'd be more comfortable wearing them w/o breaking the hinges.

I have a possible trade on Head-Fi happening. PM-3's are going back...the clamping pressure gives me a killer headache after about 2 hours or so...which makes them worse than the HE-400's though they're way comfier initially. For small heapdhones, or smaller full-size headphones, they sound amazing. Anyone that can afford them will likely enjoy their sound.

 

[WhiteNoise]

I've demoed the HE-400's at a local head-fi meet last year. I got a decent amount of time with them due to the my demo table being next to them. I enjoyed them.

 

[Kursah]

They're great imho, and that bass for open cans!!!! You just gotta be able to have the right environment for them..wish I still did. Can't justify keeping a spendy (to me) pair of headphone I can't listen to with nothing wrong with them...

Oh well, as I said, trade pending on Head-Fi, going for something more budget-oriented. For now I'm pretty damn well adjusted to my HARX700's with HM5 pleather pads on them...pretty damn good overall! I'm impressed at these old 'phones!

If my deal doesn't go through for the trade, I'll be placing my HE-400's for sale here on TPU first to give ya'all dibs on a pair of ear badassery!

 

[WhiteNoise]

The only headphone I could see myself purchasing in the future would be the Grado GS1000e. I currently own the Grado 325 which I love the sound of but hate the on ear design. The Grado GS1000 is over ear and the one time I tried them at a meet I was blown away. I recently sent mine back to Grado to be serviced. I hope to get them back by next month.

I also own the Audeze LCD-2 R2F and they are by far the best headphones I have owned and heard. These will be with me till I'm dead I believe.

 

[Kursah]

Do you have any closed headphones that you enjoy as well?

 

[WhiteNoise]

I do own a pair of Sony XB700 cans. They are closed back and when I want to really get into some bass heavy music I pop those on. I owned a pair of Sony V6 cans for over 15 years that I loved. I sold those last year. One of the best headphones for the money. A little light in the bass department but great critical listening cans IMO.

Honestly I don't see myself ever buying closed headphones again. Open headphones just sound better to me. And if I wake up my wife in the middle of the night...oh well.

Also I forgot to mention that I would really like to own Mr. Speakers Ether. I see myself buying those before the Grado cans if money permits.

This is a pretty complete list of my current headphones including IEM's and ones I have sold in the past year.


Audeze LCD2 Rev. 2
Grado SR325i
Sony MDR-V6 SOLD
Sony MDR-XB700
Sony MDR-EX85LP
Sony MDR-XB60EX
Klipsch Image S4i
Sennheiser HD595 SOLD
Sennheiser RS-120
Sennheiser CX-200 SOLD
Harman Kardon Hakar CL SOLD

 

[Kursah]

I have a couple pair of XB500's, the kids commandeared one pair and the other is collecting dust. When I fell the true need for some bass they usually fit the bill.

Wish I could enjoy a pair of LCD2's, man-o-man I wouldn't care if i woke up the wife either!

 

[WhiteNoise]

I have a couple pair of XB500's, the kids commandeared one pair and the other is collecting dust. When I fell the true need for some bass they usually fit the bill.

Wish I could enjoy a pair of LCD2's, man-o-man I wouldn't care if i woke up the wife either!

I have to admit my XB700's mainly collect dust as well. I haven't had it on my head since maybe 1st quarter last year. But when it comes to pounding bass the XB700 does hammer it into my skull. My main issue with those headphones is to really sound good through the entire FR I have to EQ them and I hate EQing anything. Any stereo I own or other audio equipment has the FR set to 0db. The XB700 though require a boost in the mids and highs to really sound good, otherwise the bass is just too over powering and even pushes into the mids a bit.

Of course anyone that doesn't have experience listening to quality headphones won't know the difference and think the XB line is amazing...It is not until you venture into the more expensive, higher quality cans that one realizes what they have been missing.

In my experience more money usually does buy SQ in many cases. There are exceptions of course.

 

[BumbleBee]

Do you have any closed headphones that you enjoy as well?

Audio Technica ATH-W5000, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80

I would probably like the Shure SRH1540 too if they didn't cost $500

 

[Zakin]

I have a couple pair of XB500's, the kids commandeared one pair and the other is collecting dust. When I fell the true need for some bass they usually fit the bill.

Wish I could enjoy a pair of LCD2's, man-o-man I wouldn't care if i woke up the wife either!

I once owned some LCD-2's, for about three months, they gave me insane crazy headaches from how miserable the headband design is though. People complain about Hifiman but Audeze took the cake on that one. Otherwise they sounded pretty good, they sort of sounded like a suped up HD650 to me, I know it's not quite that but it's similar to an extent for Planar vs Driver. My next purchase will likely just be end game so I can not worry about it for some time, just like people running Stax since the 80s and still being happy. Likely will be HE-1000 with Schiit Ragg/Ygg, or possibly a high end tube amp.

 

[BumbleBee]

I have a couple pair of XB500's, the kids commandeared one pair and the other is collecting dust. When I fell the true need for some bass they usually fit the bill.

Wish I could enjoy a pair of LCD2's, man-o-man I wouldn't care if i woke up the wife either!

Audeze EL8 is a lot cheaper but not very comfortable.

 

[Zakin]

Audeze EL8 is a lot cheaper but not very comfortable.

I haven't heard them myself yet, but I've also heard they're really not that wonderful at all sound wise. Lots of people seem to be enjoying both the HE-400i and HE-560 more, and they cost the same or less. Otherwise people are saying you might just be better off buying LCD-2 for a marginal amount more and get the actual Audeze sound. (Keep in mind, this is just from some of the trusted Changstar/HF sources that have in the past always matched up with me.)

Also I've heard the Shure 1540 is a really fun headphone, if I could get one of those second hand for like 300, I probably would just for the hell of it. I've always wanted to try a Shure, but I've heard negative things on treble response and distortion on most of their previous flagships.

 

[WhiteNoise]

Funny, I find the LCD-2 to be one of the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned. I can wear these for hours on end.

Now my Grado 325 starts hurting my ears after about 1.5-2 hours. I would love to find a cushion for those that would be larger and go over ear....hmmm I think that will be my next google search.

The HE-400's sound pretty nice. The HE-560's sound waay better. Like a big improvement which is to be expected when looking at the price difference.

I really enjoy the HD600 too and feel that they work really well with tube amps. I spent some time with the HD600 and a Crack OTL tube amp. Those two together were wonderful. I actually preferred them to the HE-400 that I listened to that very same day.

 

[BumbleBee]

I can only wear my LCD-3 for a couple hours then my neck starts feeling it. I love my HD600 it's a daily driver and really affordable at $350 (currently $310 on Amazon).

 

[WhiteNoise]

Well you are a girl. I've been wearing motorcycle helmets since I was 7 years old, nearly every day since then actually. I guess that gave me one awesome neck.

 

[Zakin]

I wouldn't say I'm weak, lot of people say it's been mostly based on head shape then actual muscle capacity. I know some pretty small guys that have no issue with the LCD line, but they have odd comfort issues with Sennheiser stuff which I feel is pretty close to pillowy on my head.

 

[WhiteNoise]

You have a girly neck and odd shaped head. Just admit it!


/jk