TOTL Portables (non-IEM)

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Zed Bopp, Jan 27, 2017.

  1. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    I'm a heavy user of these things (as I take long walks pretty much daily) and the very best portable models need to have their own thread.

    I don't do measurements btw, but I have some general knowledge about sound from mixing and mastering stuff for 10+ years. But yeah, I tend to speak more in general than specific terms. That's what you get.

    It's relieving to see that the prices for portables haven't yet jumped up to ridiculous levels like the 4k that somehow seems appropriate for full-sized flagships. But, I'm betting this is just around the corner, seeing portable use for larger & larger models gain popularity all the time. See Beats if you disagree.

    I listen to lots of rock, metal, hip-hop and some pop, soul and funk. Here's my favorites, the ones that punch above the rest, with brief-ish thoughts and observations (haven't heard 'em all, please help out with suggestions etc):

    Audeze Sine
    Soundwise, the best pair I've heard for fans of a neutral-ish sound-signature. There isn't one band of frequency that stands out really, well maybe that tight playnarr bass that isn't surprisingly boosted at all (without the Cipher cable that brings a few db of more lows). The mids are very present and give rock, metal etc. some really nice crunch and snap - this is what so many of good portables lack, I'll go into this more later. Highs are slightly lower in energy without EQ (but take a slight boost very well). They don't have any big issues like big spikes or noticeable grain in my opinion, well done Audeze.

    Comfort isn't the best, but if you can live with on-ears, you should be fine. Pad swapping seems to be very popular with these, so maybe people have some problems. They isolate ok, but could be better. For Apple-users with Lightning connection the Cipher cable (for 50 bucks extra) is a real no-brainer - a slight bass boost that's nice in the rumble of traffic, quite enough amping and the easy to use & smart EQ-app. I can't really comment about the differences in DACs (iPhone 6s+ vs Cipher) when mobile - they're more of an issue in the peace & quiet of indoors.

    Oppo PM-3

    I've had these as a loaner for some days now. It's pretty safe to declare, that the Sines and these are easily the best I've heard yet. Soundwise these are very, very smooth and pleasing to the ear, overall quality stuff. There is elevation in the lows, but it's done with good taste. Well, maybe personally I'd have a little less mid-bass, but it's a very minor thing... Lows have very nice weight, for sure. They should please lots of people - this is the tuning almost all of these portables aim for, PM-3 nails it.

    But as I said, these are totally smooth & non-offensive - maybe even a bit bland. Just a hint of an evil spike is nowhere to be found. But, stuff like rock and metal need some bite and aggression in the mids and highs. I don't have a problem with the overall level of highs, they're quite alright, it's something different... I'd say there is a dip in the mids, low-highs? Distorted guitars don't attack and punch like they should, snares don't snap and crackle quite enough. If one is looking only for flaws, these get very nearly a perfect score. This is the pair you put on when hung over, they are extremely easy to listen to. But yeah, compared to the Sines - they are a smidgen boring for my uses.

    These have totally awesome build quality and they just hug your head comfort-wise. These are the kind of pads my Sines should have! Certainly they are larger in diameter, but also much more plush. Physically these are a more thought-out product. The Sines have the looks too, but PM-3 is a complete package in this department.

    [​IMG]

    Sennheiser Momentum (over-ear, V1)

    Talking about warm & smooth, these go all the way (V2 has pretty much the same tuning, maybe even warmer - but this is only after a few quick tests). This is the ultimate in non-offensive tunings - mids and highs are there, but there's something going on (that big dip in the measurements, yeah... Can't remember the actual khz). It is a clearly colored sounding headphone, but not as much as Fidelio X2 etc. But way more so than Sine and PM-3. This was a 300euro headphone when it was released. There's no way it sounds that good, maybe 120. But you don't buy Momentums just for the SQ, that would be silly. Here's the reason:

    These have very nice lambskin pads, even if they aren't really circumaural for most people. The physical design is something Sennheiser does better than anyone, at least non-german companies. The low-profile headband and low weight are just a treat. And they are made to last. They feel thought out all the way.

    [​IMG]

    Focal Spirit Professional
    Okay, this is a basically made for different uses altogether, but it works very well here too - for fans of neutral signatures. The sound. These are the most neutral pair I've heard that are truly closed and passively isolating - and these isolate a bunch, much more than my DT770. These make ugly mixes sound like total garbage, they can be kind of dry. They are all about the regions that show compression and distortion.

    They have some boost in the upper mids and low trebles - the ping of a cymbal or the first hit of a snare is totally upfront. The bang & smash of a big rock chorus can be loud with these. Bass is very well balanced, but needs maybe a db or few of boost to work the best in traffic. Mids are terrific out of an iphone (not really a difference with better amping). Guitars sound very wide and sweet through these, there's some soundstage even. Unlike HD25, the old champ of passive isolation. There's roll-off in the trebles, but it's not drastic, like one would imagine a pair this closed would have.

    When not needing a closed pair, my neutrality/mixing preference is still HD600 - it brings out the "uglies" (transients, compression etc.) very well and has some air too. That 3k boost comes handy, it's important stuff.

    Comfort, this is where these get lots of flack. They have quite a tight grip on your head, but I find the pads quite plush and nice. The ear-pieces are also adjustable both ways - but, there's a price to be paid for that isolation. For some people these are just too much. But I must admit, Beyer DT770 is more comfy for sure.

    UPDATE: After listening to PM-3's exclusively for four days FSP's really show their strengths. Bass is very clean and snappy, it extends very nicely too. The mids punch great with distorted guitars and vocals are nicely upfront. Changing hp's listening to Deftones' debut Adrenaline brings out the fizzy and crappy guitar tones the second I pushed play. With the Oppos guitars aren't really that central in the mix. These are very nice for rock, if you like forward upper mids and neutral signatures. But, after a long day at work, tired, this crunch and punch can be a bit too much.

    [​IMG]

    To be continued...
    CAL! is next in my collection.

    What do you guys find the best (non-IEM) portables? Cheers, folks!
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2017
  2. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

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    I used ZMF Ori's (formerly Omni) as portables for a while. My neck started to hurt and the clamp made me feel dizzy. Less uncomfortable at home.
     
  3. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    I used to be really into the whole full sized closed/portable scene, but have converted mainly to IEMs in the last 9 months or so. I agree with you @Zed Bopp that this is one area of the hobby that hasn't gone through stupid price increases. Maybe because it kinda overlaps with the "general consumer" market.

    There was a good, but quite dead now, thread a while back discussing these. I did a big shootout about a year ago in it, most of which still applies, as stuff I've heard since wouldn't unseat the top few. TLDR I crowned MSR7 and PM3 co-champs based on signature preferences, with NAD VISO HP50 a cheaper alternative to PM3 for a warm/neutral option.

    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...est-commuter-headphone.1369/page-2#post-36760

     
  4. TRex

    TRex Almost "Made"

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    @Zed Bopp I have to disagree. iSine was a immediate disappointment. From the first second of demo, I noticed treble sounded off. Similar fate as the rest of Audeze (LCD-4 was tolerable - not the price). Bass to mids was fine though.

    @PoochZag the most popular personal audio gear is Beats. Portable closed headphones. Difficult to overtake the reign.
     
  5. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    A comfortable, isolating, neutral-to-warm ala HD600, not too ugly, portable used to be the holy grail for me. I went through so many and was ultimately dissatisfied. I don't know what it is about that sound signature, but it is apparently tough to nail in a closed back. Bright, sure. Bassy, sure. Midcentric, sure. But warmly balanced... not so much. I've actually given up.
     
  6. GettingBuckets

    GettingBuckets Almost "Made"

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    Definitely interested in portable over-ears since I prefer them over IEMs and use them for traveling quite a bit. I've had my fair share of them, but like imackler said, I never could settle down with one because there was always something off with every one of them.

    Other than the ones you listed, I heard good things about the Meze 99s too. Also, Focal released an over-ear portable alongside the Utopia and Elear that was dubbed the Listen. I haven't really heard anything about those though.
     
  7. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    I think iSine is a different thing altogether, that's the huge in-ear from Audeze - but yeah, I guess you meant the same thing.
     
  8. TRex

    TRex Almost "Made"

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    I was saying the troublesome treble is Audeze house sound (or playnars, but I never hear HifiMans & never interested).
     
  9. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    For me in-ears are always way more difficult to use, basically because they are always a hassle to put on. Over-heads just hang around your neck when not listening and are easy to put back on. Many people dislike having big & maybe ugly things on their head, I understand completely. But that's not me.

    When it gets really warm I reach for my IE8 or TF-10.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2017
  10. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    But have you actually tried the over-head Sines?
     
  11. TRex

    TRex Almost "Made"

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    I demoed Sine and all LCD series from 2 to 4.
     
  12. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    These are definitely worth a listen, specially at the price. I used to own the on1, they were kinda bassy and rough on the upper registers for indoor listening, but the detail was very good.
     
  13. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    If the PM-3's are too bassy, get some glasses! They break the seal just the right amount to bring the mid- and sub-bass in line with the rest of the spectrum.
     
  14. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    Have you tried the Meze 99's? The bass is a bit thicker than the HD600, but those are probably the closest I have heard to date.
     
  15. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    I guess it's that fat mid-bass that's making them a slight bit lazy for me. But yeah, bass isn't the problem with PM-3. It's nice.

    Crunch, crack, snap, sizzle etc., that's what's missing.
     
  16. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Sound wise how do you think these would compare to the PM-3?
     
  17. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Haven't listened to the PM-3, but they compared favorably in some respects to some full-sized sets like the K7XX (better FR extension and upper midrange presence), DT250-250 (better clarity overall), M50x (much better soundstage), M40x (better soundstage, better FR extension, less upper treble hash) and some on-ears like the Momentum On-Ear (better presentation, less honky), Onkyo ES-FC300 (less sleepy and relaxed, more perceived clarity as a result), HD25-1 II (better clarity, less sibiliance), Beats Solo 2 (less 'dead' sounding, less mid-bassy).
    I modded mine to flatten the bass a little to lose some of the boomyness and soften the treble a bit, and later sold them because I wasn't going out that much, they were underused.
    If they're tuned anything like the on1, I'd wager they'd turn out to be bassier, less bright but a bit rougher sounding when compared to the PM-3. Maybe not TOTL material but worth a listen, they're conveniently compact (they will fit in some 7" tablet cases) and quite handsome.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2017
  18. chopstix

    chopstix Canali at HF (keeping him close)

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    i heard the sines a bit back ...tried them next to my sony mdr-7520 cans thru my mojo
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._MDR_7520_Professional_Studio_Headphones.html

    ...sines had a nice sound sig but being on ear I decided to pass (i wear glasses, have read a number of issues around clamping pressure after an hr by many wearers) ....my sonys, despite not being foldable, are still lightweight and easier to drive than the sines.so i kept them....they have a mid bass hump (which i don't mind) and alot of detail...and being closed their sound sig is still boxed in....i'm not as experienced as many
    on here, however...bought 'em for $250....so some might want to consider these as an alternative, too.

    senn momentums over ear had a very pleasurable, easy to listen to sound sig, for sure...no wonder it's so popular.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2017

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