Audio Zenith PMx2 Redux and Quick Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. Audio Zenith

    Audio Zenith Custom Title KGB

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    Making this video ended up being tougher than I thought. Lack of English vocabulary didn't help either ;-). Hope it is still informative .

     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2015
  2. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Thanks for the video Alex. Really informative.
     
  3. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    Great video Alex. I know nothing about headphone modification, so hearing about your mods was really enlightening. I think the explanation of what you do and why goes a long way towards justifying the cost of the PMx2 and explaining why they sound SO much better than the stock PM-2.

    Is it possible I enjoy my PMx2's more now that I know what goes into the creation of them?

    Thanks.
     
  4. Audio Zenith

    Audio Zenith Custom Title KGB

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    Thank you guys for the comments. I found it to be very difficult, recording this video all in one shot. If felt like I was speaking to myself the whole time, something I supposedly never do ;-).
    The second one I am posting now came out a bit better (I think ;-) but is still just as long, sorry this was the best I could manage. Hope some will find it informative enough to be worth their time.

     
  5. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Alex brought his babies to the LA meet. These I heard, and they sounded very smooth and controlled. Really nice cans. One of the best playnars I've ever heard.

    Here are some measurements:

    Frequency Response

    AZ_PM2_fr.png

    CSD Right

    AZ_PM2_CSD_right.png

    CSD Left

    AZ_PM2_CSD_left.png

    Lets say Fang only wished his latest "uber" cans sounded as good as these.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2016
  6. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    wonder if anyone who's heard these and the code-x could comment on their similarities/differences?
     
  7. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Both are great headphones, though I think from memory the Code-X was a little more lively. The AZ PMx2 is a more relaxed presentation.

    Here is a FR comparo (Codex - Blue / AZ PMx2 - Green):

    VS_Codex.png
     
  8. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    wow thanks man, you just whip that up?!? amazing :)
     
  9. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Has Alex managed to tame that funny midrange distortion bump? (it showed up more in measurements than in listening if I recall)
     
  10. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Hard to say from measurements taken on a meet. Noise gets in the way of distortion measurements. This is the best I could do under such conditions:

    Meet distortion measurements right (have little faith on these)

    AZ_PM2_dist_right_approx.png

    Meet distortion measurements left (have little faith on these)

    AZ_PM2_dist_left_approx.png

    @Marvey measurements go much lower in the noise floor (specially given meet conditions when I measured these) and I would go by those.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
  11. rghanbari

    rghanbari New

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    Thanks for posting these @ultrabike ! I can't wait to hear these refined models, and seeing these curves only makes me more eager. PMx2's (older rev) were the clear winner in our 12+ headphone shootout a couple weeks ago. Alex has already delivered a pair to my friend and is working on mine. We hope to have a followup group audition session next week.
     
  12. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    My pair is this newest revision. They're the real deal.

    From what Marv said when he tried the newest version, the midrange distortion of the stock Oppos is gone. My subjective impressions are that these are some of the smoothest, cleanest, most refined headphones (FR-wise) I've ever heard.

    I also have the Code-X. Both are fantastic, and the Code-X is a somewhat more "playful" take on a neutral frequency response. The PMx2 is more refined sounding by comparison.
     
  13. riker1384

    riker1384 Acquaintance

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    That looks like the smoothest headphone response I've seen. Is there anything else better?
     
  14. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Apologies if I've missed this, but are the changes in the new version detailed anywhere? I didn't see anything except the last few posts here and some impressions on Head-Fi (source); (source); (comparison to Utopia).

    I heard a pair over a year ago and my biggest qualm was comfort over time given my larger ears. I kind of want to give them a try again and compare to the Utopes I've had for a few weeks now.

    Edit: Paging @Audio Zenith.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2016
  15. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    @zonto AFAIK there hasn't been any official public statement about the latest revision. You can always ask Alex directly however, and he'll give you the deets.

    From what he told me it was mainly a very small boost to frequency extremes to improve the sense of extension, as well as removing any remaining traces of the stock PM2's midrange distortion. Also he says he found a way to reduce the weight of the modifications a bit.

    The pads remain the same.

    That's all to my knowledge.
     
  16. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    I'd love to hear any comparisons vs utopia, code-x and other usual suspects...
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The latest revision of the PMx2 did not lose much or anything to the Utopias in terms of resolution, midrange clarity, or macrodynamics on a Rag / Yggdrasil stack. If you value smooth response and more full bodied sound, the PMx2 is easily ahead of the Utopia (or anything else on the planet). I prefer the Utopia from higher Z out amps where the bass won't be so lean, and balance out its forward upper mids. The Utopia might have more potential when it comes to pairing with SET OPT headamps. The Code-X is a bit lively and has a sharper transient attack. That HFM etch with the HE-5 / HE-6 is still a little bit there. The PMx2's transients are more damped, but transient response is just as fast in the treble. The Code-X sounds marginally faster in the mids. I actually feel the Utopia is faster than the others, but it's hard to qualify transient response because it encompasses so many characteristics. I'm likely referring to the Utopia's transient response interplay between the microdynamics and microdetail. None of this last point should be of concern unless you have a DNA, EC, or Apex SET headamp, or maybe a ECP TIII.

    PMx2 is hall of fame in the closed headphone category, and competes with the best outside of it.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2016
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They are running changes. I know Alex always strives to improve his products. The guy never stops. All the changes are documented here:
    [​IMG]
     
  19. GanGreinke

    GanGreinke Friend

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    I see that @Marvey has recommended using the Ragnarok, but I was wondering what other amps people have found to be good pairings with the PMx2? I've been using the Jotunheim with the Yggdrasil, and I've been feeling that I want more of a soundstage and slam.
     
  20. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Sort of a random question/request, but has anyone taken measurements with the cups taped off to make them fully closed? I remember using my hands to cover the cups and not hearing much change, which is a decent indicator that sound doesn't leak too much and reflections and bunk are reasonably well contained. I'm just curious to see what is affected if the cups were actually fully sealed to improve isolation.
     

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