[Za Warudo]

Hi all,

I just got my measurements back from Tyll on the HP100!  I'm happy to post the graphs here, but I'm not sure how to get the PDF uploaded.  Here's a screen snip of the freq response chart:



Apparently they're very sensitive to pad sealing.  And apparently, I have an impressive driver mismatch.  lol

I didn't realize there was such large 9khz treble spike, otherwise it's similar to how I hear it. I don't think you can get a perfect seal with how the pads are shaped and how large they are.

 

[cel4145]

I didn't realize there was such large 9khz treble spike, otherwise it's similar to how I hear it. I don't think you can get a perfect seal with how the pads are shaped and how large they are.

What's interesting is that if you take away that treble spike, the raw response is otherwise pretty similar to the target response that Tyll describes here:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphone-measurements-explained-frequency-response-part-two

So working from the raw response with the target response, what we have is a headphone that is a bit brighter than neutral. Not bad for a $200 headphone

 

[Stillhart]

What's interesting is that if you take away that treble spike, the raw response is otherwise pretty similar to the target response that Tyll describes here:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphone-measurements-explained-frequency-response-part-two

So working from the raw response with the target response, what we have is a headphone that is a bit brighter than neutral. Not bad for a $200 headphone

 
That's a good point.  I was wondering why they sound so neutral to my ears but still show a not-so-neutral FR.  

 

[TreblaX]

  The left driver of my HP100 stopped working all of a sudden yesterday. Does anybody have any idea about what can be done here?

  I had the same problem after 3 weeks use, only it was the right side.
In the early days of manufacture of the HP100 there were a number of reports of failure such as this, but I thought SoundMagic had improved their build quality.
If you are in Warranty I would get a replacement. I have had no further problems with the replacement in a year of use.
Good luck.

Quote:

  Just got these in Monday, and I already my right driver is going out. It's about 1/3 the volume of the left side. Swapped the RCA's on my amp to see if it was somehow a channel messed up in my audio settings, but it was the same result. Tried plugging it into my computer with just the 3.5mm jack, and the same thing. Also tried my Fiio X5, and the results are the same.
 
Maybe it's the cable, but it's proprietary, so I can't test it. Guess I'll be contacting Amazon. Very upsetting, I'm going out of town this weekend and will be on the road for around 12 hours. I was looking forward to some good listening.
 
UPDATE: Return filed, and I will be shipping them back tomorrow. I was able to get another pair on order and to arrive by Friday for only $5 shipping. Maybe my time on the road won't be spoiled after all.

  My HP100 started to sound lower from one side after 1 year of use. 
Since warranty was expired, I decided to investigate
It was an assembly problem. The wire was not properly aligned through the center of the slider and was very compressed at the point where the slider joins the headband. Only a few filaments survived
 
I had to replace the wire. It was not easy since it's a very fine wire, without jacket and there is not much space to work.
The path is difficult to follow. In a few points I just couldn't remove the old cable  so I had to look for an alternative route.
Now I have a nice piece of orange kapton wire coming out of each cup.

 
Do any of you know whether the driver and wire connection problems is only in the HP100 or if it's in the HP150's as well?  I just spent like a week trying to search for some closed headphones in the same price range that would be similar in SQ and soundstage to the HP100/150s and I couldn't find a single pair.  I'm really debating whether I should just get a pair of HP150's but I don't want these issues because to me, $200 is a lot to spend for headphones.

 

[Stillhart]

   
Do any of you know whether the driver and wire connection problems is only in the HP100 or if it's in the HP150's as well?  I just spent like a week trying to search for some closed headphones in the same price range that would be similar in SQ and soundstage to the HP100/150s and I couldn't find a single pair.  I'm really debating whether I should just get a pair of HP150's but I don't want these issues because to me, $200 is a lot to spend for headphones.

 
AWD has a "Used Very good" pair $167, which should save you a few bucks.  There's a "Used Like New" HP150 for $170, which is probably a better option.

 

[TreblaX]

For whoever is interested, I emailed sound magic asking if the build quality issues (wire disconnecting or membrane not going back to original shape) in the hp100s was prevalent in the hp150s and they responded that the hp150s have solved these problems.

 

[KewlMunky]

For whoever is interested, I emailed sound magic asking if the build quality issues (wire disconnecting or membrane not going back to original shape) in the hp100s was prevalent in the hp150s and they responded that the hp150s have solved these problems.

 
Seems rather unfair that they would keep the 100 on the market then. I guess I'm not sure if they are still producing them, but amazon is still selling them new. The honorable thing would have been to just pull them off if they have that many issues. This is a real bummer for me. From all that I have read, the 100 and 150 sound mostly similar, so I went with the 100 because they looked nicer. If I have to return my second 100 I'll get the 150 next, then.

 

[TreblaX]

   
Seems rather unfair that they would keep the 100 on the market then. I guess I'm not sure if they are still producing them, but amazon is still selling them new. The honorable thing would have been to just pull them off if they have that many issues. This is a real bummer for me. From all that I have read, the 100 and 150 sound mostly similar, so I went with the 100 because they looked nicer. If I have to return my second 100 I'll get the 150 next, then.

 
You have a valid point and I am wondering this as well.  If you contact them or find an answer to these elsewhere would you mind sharing with us?

 

[TreblaX]

I checked the soundMAGIC HP100 on anazon.uk and it says that they are discontinued. Furthermore, I emailed soundMAGIC asking them the differences between the 100 and 150 and they responded that the major differences were in the aesthetics and accessories but there were also improvements in the industrial arts so that the drivers are better protected.

 

[KewlMunky]

I checked the soundMAGIC HP100 on anazon.uk and it says that they are discontinued. Furthermore, I emailed soundMAGIC asking them the differences between the 100 and 150 and they responded that the major differences were in the aesthetics and accessories but there were also improvements in the industrial arts so that the drivers are better protected.

 
I really like the way the 100 looks, so I wish they would have just made a revision to it to fix it. Maybe there was a bad reputation for it, so they thought they'd do better with a new look and model. Oh well.
 
By the way, has anyone sucessfully found a cable that can fit in the recessed port of their headphones? I found an adapter someone had mentioned, but it seems rather spendy with a few bad reviews. Monoprice also has a cable that is specifically made with an extended shank that allows a cable to reach through a phone case.
 
adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Monster-3-5-mm-Headphone-Adapter-iPhone/dp/B000YBY2U4
cable: http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-3-5mm-Audio-Cable-Black/dp/B00KFSPVS8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1426679977&sr=8-3&keywords=monoprice+flat+audio+cable

 

[Stillhart]

   
I really like the way the 100 looks, so I wish they would have just made a revision to it to fix it. Maybe there was a bad reputation for it, so they thought they'd do better with a new look and model. Oh well.
 
By the way, has anyone sucessfully found a cable that can fit in the recessed port of their headphones? I found an adapter someone had mentioned, but it seems rather spendy with a few bad reviews. Monoprice also has a cable that is specifically made with an extended shank that allows a cable to reach through a phone case.
 
adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Monster-3-5-mm-Headphone-Adapter-iPhone/dp/B000YBY2U4
cable: http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-3-5mm-Audio-Cable-Black/dp/B00KFSPVS8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1426679977&sr=8-3&keywords=monoprice+flat+audio+cable

 
I tried that Monoprice cable and it doesn't work.  I posted photos and everything.  EDIT - It's still in the "recent images in this thread" section.  lol
 
I also tried a Monster adapter from eBay that was suggested at one point and it didn't work either.

 

[cj42]

   
I really like the way the 100 looks, so I wish they would have just made a revision to it to fix it. Maybe there was a bad reputation for it, so they thought they'd do better with a new look and model. Oh well.
 
By the way, has anyone sucessfully found a cable that can fit in the recessed port of their headphones? I found an adapter someone had mentioned, but it seems rather spendy with a few bad reviews. Monoprice also has a cable that is specifically made with an extended shank that allows a cable to reach through a phone case.
 
adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Monster-3-5-mm-Headphone-Adapter-iPhone/dp/B000YBY2U4
cable: http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-3-5mm-Audio-Cable-Black/dp/B00KFSPVS8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1426679977&sr=8-3&keywords=monoprice+flat+audio+cable

 
 

   
I tried that Monoprice cable and it doesn't work.  I posted photos and everything.  EDIT - It's still in the "recent images in this thread" section.  lol
 
I also tried a Monster adapter from eBay that was suggested at one point and it didn't work either.

 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3-5mm-3Pole-Mini-Stereo-Male-Gold-Jack-Plug-Audio-Headphone-Car-Aux-Cable-/281199686467?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
they usually go for cheaper in auctions.

 

[KewlMunky]

   
 
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3-5mm-3Pole-Mini-Stereo-Male-Gold-Jack-Plug-Audio-Headphone-Car-Aux-Cable-/281199686467?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
they usually go for cheaper in auctions.

Have you confirmed this cable to work?

 

[onebigunion]

I didn't realize there was such large 9khz treble spike, otherwise it's similar to how I hear it. I don't think you can get a perfect seal with how the pads are shaped and how large they are.

The spike is really in just one of the cups.  They don't seem to be matched too well.   Plus, 9-10khz is just a bit above sibilance region, it may just be perceived as a little more airy treble.  Plus, its balanced out by the elevated mid  bass response, definitely somewhat of a v-shaped can.  They clearly are sensitive to placement and difficult to get a proper seal, as evidenced by the different individual curves shown in the bass region.  Likely due to the size of the cups.  Overall, that looks pretty good.  The difficulty in getting proper seal and the resultant variability in bass response is really the only thing that would concern me.  I can see why people like these, definitely not neutral but a pretty balanced and fun signature.

 

[onebigunion]

   
Are the ATH-A900X's comparable to these?  They're $160 and I have heard great things about their soundstage, build quality, and comfort.  Maybe they don't sound AS good as the HP100's but are they close to it?

Much less bass response on the AT's, closer to neutral.  I haven't heard the Soundmagics, but the A900X is a great phone for the price, soundstage is very good for a closed can.  The Soundmagic's bass would likely be too much for me, and its boost extending too far up.   I think the A900X is a little more linear through the treble range, but how noticeable that would be is questionable.  Mainly, its going to come down to how much bass you want