Review: Philips CitiScape Uptown (Updated Sept 18, 2012) - Page 11

Got my pair in today, and notice a slight hiss when the volume control is all the way up. Anyone else have this issue?

 

-Erik

Ya, I plugged them into my phone and didn't have the same problem. But the weird part is if I hook them up to my pc and crank the volume on the pc and not the slider, it doesn't have the problem. Perhaps the jack is interfering with mic pole or something? idk

 

-Erik

 

Edit: Has anyone recabled these yet?

In a few days I'll be looking for someone to recable my Uptowns (provided it's not outrageously expensive). This short, noisy cable is driving me nuts, to say nothing of the volume slider.

Giving it a quick look-over, I'm not so sure anymore. The cable itself looks to plug into the housing that the ear cup swivels on, but careful and firm tugs don't pull it out. The round caps on the outside of the housing (with the Philips name on them) don't appear to pop off as with the SR850s. On the inside of the headband on either side, just above the ear cups, is a curved metal bracket with four small Philips screws; I suspect this retains the metal 'wire' that allows for headphone adjustment.

 

Right now, I can't see any way into the housing itself. I have to hope I can find some disassembly pics of an Uptown online, or else find a broken pair someone has to buy cheap. A lot of work for an inexpensive headphone but A) I'm starting to enjoy their sound a lot, and B) it's as good an intro as any into DIY mods.

If you look under the inside rim of the pads, you'll find some screws.  It looks like that may be the path to remove the drivers and get to the wiring.

Just got mine today, only used with my Resound/Vigor so far....but in comparison to the monoprice headphones I have, they just sound fuller, with better detail and extension. Not perfect, but a very enjoyable sound. Also: SUPER comfortable. Hate the volume slider though, and not a fan of the cable in general. Seems like that's sort of the same general impression everyone's giving though :P

 

I see them now, thanks. I'm going to look around for any broken Uptowns someone might have. The need to tinker is hard to ignore.

 

I did some more testing, and I just can't agree with that.

 

You wouldn't happen to play FPSs using CMSS-3D Headphone or Dolby Headphone, would you? Using those usually gives me clear front and rear distinction using headphones...other than the Uptown, anyway. It just doesn't sound directional or distant to my ears.

 

Ultimately, while I like everything else about the Uptown, I just can't bring myself to keep a headphone that falls short for that purpose. Any takers?

 

Neither that I know of; I believe both require specific software or a sound card to set up, yes?

 

My gaming sound comes from the computer's headphone jack (Gigabyte M68MT-S2P motherboard... Hurray on-board audio), to a FiiO E6 (it seems to tame some of the Samson's bass), to the Samsons on a standard Windows 7 machine. In my own setup, the SR850 points direction much better, but as I said gives zero sense of distance. The Uptowns are somewhat less precise in direction, but do give distance cues. My setup, however, is far from ideal. It's just not in the cards to change soon, I'm afraid.

 

Yeah, it doesn't sound like you're using CMSS-3D or DH at all. That changes things, since you're probably not noticing the front/rear distinction in particular that those technologies emphasize much better than typical game stereo mixes that only provide left/right panning and maybe a lowpass filter for rear sounds.

 

Try comparing those headphones while listening to this video:

 

 

I'm getting used to the Uptown's clamping force and sound presentation...for music listening, anyway. I still can't get over the lack of depth in its soundstage for gaming.

 

chanced to hooked up the Uptown to the hybrid XCAN V3, via the dacportLX....

and i am transported to an intimate jazzpub, shimmering cymbals, dancing piano notes.. v lifelike.

Nothing flabby, prominent vocals....just popped in Bee Gees....NIGHTFEVER... v involving...this isssssss great.

Edited by Lorspeaker - 10/11/12 at 5:49pm

Now that my HTF600 has a broken right driver out of the blue, that leaves the Uptown as my only portable headphone, so I'm keeping these for the time being.

 

It could just be the mental side to burn-in, but I'm getting increasingly used to their fit and sound presentation for music.

 

Also, these things indeed live up to all that "MusicSeal" marketing. The only way the Uptown will leak sound is if you're playing them at extremely loud, ear-damaging levels. At sane volumes, they sound practically silent to anyone in your vicinity.

 

Now if I could just figure out a way to give the soundstage some depth for gaming's sake...

Edited by NamelessPFG - 10/11/12 at 6:14pm

Greetings Everyone! :) 

 

I just got my pair today and I'm worried a bit because mine doesn't come with an adapter and the box is slightly different. I ordered mine at 1saleaday via ebay.

My box came with "MUSIC SEAL KEEPS YOUR MUSIC YOURS" while all of the unboxing videos on Youtube comes with "HIGH PRECISION SOUND".

 

This is what I mean:

[img]http://i49.tinypic.com/2822d5s.jpg[/img]

 

The one that Manveru posted also has the "HIGH PRECISION SOUND" box.

 

[img]http://cdn.head-fi.org/e/ec/ecf9c856_UptownBox.jpeg[/img]

Edited by FrozenFlame - 10/12/12 at 11:39pm