PSB M4U 2 - Page 10

Would that be using the it in passive mode? So is the built in amp only really meant for use with portable devices?

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogger02 

Would that be using the it in passive mode? So is the built in amp only really meant for use with portable devices?

You would actually use the passive mode in the same way as you would in active mode. No difference in usage there. The output sound signature/quality on the other hand is quite different.

So the question is why have passive then? Well if you run out of batteries and can't use it in active, you still could continue using the M4U 2 in passive mode & continue listening to music - rather than the headphones becoming completely redundant (which is the case with some other active headphones).

No, I realise the use of passive mode, I just meant with an amp/DAC would it be used in passive mode or active mode?

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogger02 

No, I realise the use of passive mode, I just meant with an amp/DAC would it be used in passive mode or active mode?

You don't want to double amp these with an amp and active mode- one or the other.  Your amp can be used as an alternative to the built-in amp.  If using your own amp, run these in passive mode.  IMO, these are the best sounding of the built-in amped headphones in passive mode.

Okay cool, just AnakChan seemed to think you could not use the in built amp with a stand alone DAC, would this be the case?

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogger02 

Okay cool, just AnakChan seemed to think you could not use the in built amp with a stand alone DAC, would this be the case?

I'm not sure why you couldn't, except perhaps more noise/hiss, but AnakChan has much more experience than I in that area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigster75 

I'm not sure why you couldn't, except perhaps more noise/hiss, but AnakChan has much more experience than I in that area.

OK, so a little more about this. I thought I'd do a test. Since I don't have an ODAC, I've used my Benchmark DAC1 Pre. But I used the lineout of the Benchmark instead of its headphone out.

1) in Active mode, I could hardly hear any music at all. Very faint. Although the Benchmark has a volume control, that is meant more for the headphone-out (i.e. using the Benchmark's internal amp)
2) in Passive mode, the Benchmark blasted out through the M4U 2 like max volume. Again, no volume control available here.

In other words the M4U 2's active amp has to be used in conjunction to another amp with volume control. Conceptually that is double-amping (which is what I wrote in my M4U 2 review too) but it seems M4U 2's active amp isn't like the standard amps we're thinking of.

When I get my iBasso DX100 back, I can give it another shot - since the DX100's volume control affects both the headphone out and line out.

I see. So it's like the built in amp is meat primarily for portable music than. Any more observations would be great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolkManiac 

So no thoughts on a replacement iPod cable that has the volume controls?  I may just order the cable from V-Moda and see what happens

PolkManiac, actually your cable replacement question turned out to be a good one and I finally managed to test 10 mins ago (borrowed my friend's M-80 finally). It turns out that it's not fully compatible! So if the M4U 2 is in passive mode, then it works fine. You could use the V-Moda cables. However if you switch the M4U 2 to active or to noise cancellation, no sound comes out!!

I took a pic of the different cables and the fundamental difference appears the PSB cables have all 4 connections on both ends whereas on the V-Moda, it's 4 connections on the source end, whilst the headphone end has only 3 :-

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnakChan 

 

OK, so a little more about this. I thought I'd do a test. Since I don't have an ODAC, I've used my Benchmark DAC1 Pre. But I used the lineout of the Benchmark instead of its headphone out.

 

1) in Active mode, I could hardly hear any music at all. Very faint. Although the Benchmark has a volume control, that is meant more for the headphone-out (i.e. using the Benchmark's internal amp)
2) in Passive mode, the Benchmark blasted out through the M4U 2 like max volume. Again, no volume control available here.

 

In other words the M4U 2's active amp has to be used in conjunction to another amp with volume control. Conceptually that is double-amping (which is what I wrote in my M4U 2 review too) but it seems M4U 2's active amp isn't like the standard amps we're thinking of.

 

When I get my iBasso DX100 back, I can give it another shot - since the DX100's volume control affects both the headphone out and line out.

And here's an update about the iBasso. The iBasso DX100's volume control affects both the headphone out as well as the Line Out. Rather interestingly the the M4U 2 works the same regardless of whichever jack you use - headphone out or line out. Volume control on both are the same - i.e. if I have the volume control at 200 (out of 255), the volume is the same on the headphone out as well as the line out of the DX100 to the M4U 2 in active mode.

So specifically to the DX100 who's line out has variable volume control, it works like frogger02 initially thought. But then you need a DAC-only with a volume control. Therefore in normal cases what I mentioned before still stands - that the M4U 2 is to be used out of headphone jack.

Well that's a huge bummer about the cable.  I was hoping for a cable option that has a volume control, but I guess not.

Any idea of a place that sells them for less than $399? This is the best price I've found them directly from the brand.

I'm wondering if anyone has heard these and the Denon D600 and what are your thoughts.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by miow 

Any idea of a place that sells them for less than $399? This is the best price I've found them directly from the brand.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has heard these and the Denon D600 and what are your thoughts.
 

I have auditioned the M4U2 on several occasions and owned the D600.  The M4U2 is well balanced with solid bass, fairly neutral and accurate overall, above average detail and great bass (not a basshead can, but darn close).  It sounds great in both active and passive mode which makes them unique in the world of noise cancelling headphones.  Also, you have the option of amping without activating noise cancellation. 

The D600, despite the frequency curves, has excellent midrange detail and extended highs that are slightly bright but never harsh.  The bass is there, even plentiful at times, but it doesn't have the presence and punch that the M4U2 provides.  I would say the D600 is superior for vocals and instrumentals such as acoustic guitar.  The M4U2 is probably the better all-arounder and would work as well for classical as for hip hop.

I think these are both among the best headphones in their price range, but with very different sound signatures.

$399 is as low as I have seen them.

If they'd tweak the headband and make a passive version while maintaining the current frequency response, purchasing one would be a no-brainer.