dbdynsty25 said:

  I'm almost positive that the bass opens up and significantly improves as the PM-3 is used.  Most people in this thread claim brain burn in or just getting used to them, but I disagree since I've just been going back and forth between them and the M2 for hours on end.  When I first pulled it out of the box, listening to hip hop was so sterile and boring compared to the M2 which just seemed more lively and energetic.  Yes, it's definitely a more V shaped headphone, but the gap between the two in that type of a comparison was huge.  After listening to the PM-3s most of the weekend and just using pink noise when I wasn't listening, the PM-3's bass has closed that gap significantly.  It's still a more balanced headphone overall with no real big anomalies.  This just made the headphone quite a bit more engaging and fun.  So color me impressed.  So impressed that the M2 is on it's way out of my house.  Being more of a hip hop guy, I need that bass...not bloated mid bass humps like the M100s (my previous favorite headphone)...something that is more balanced that can hit pretty hard when pushed.  
 
All these claims about the PM-3s being so sensitive, you can run em off any device is just a little over exaggeration.  The M2s go quite a bit louder than the PM-3s...and w/ poorly recorded music, I need to turn up my GS6 almost all the way.  It's not like that with regular music ripped recently, but older stuff is rough.  The M2 is just a louder and more sensitive headphone that can be run out of portable devices better than the PM-3.  Oh, and they've got a proper Android cable w/ the volume up and down as well, unlike the PM-3s one button Android cable.  Sennheiser def pulls ahead in that regard.  Either way, I normally use my IEMs w/ my phone, so it's not a huge deal, especially the remotes, but it's just nice to know the option is there.

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You are correct. The PM-3 can do with a bit of amp'ing. The M2 is much more fun with all types of music. I had a few ah hah moments with the PM-3 and when I was at home listening or with a portable amp the PM-3 sounded great. I sold the PM-3 to a fellow head-fier because I just didn't need another hp to listen to in a perfect environment. That said I am excited to hear the Denon AH-MM400 when it arrives today.

subguy812 said:

 
I would say the bass is very bloated on the BT version of the M2 and not bloated at all on the wired M2. Yes the wired version sound different than the wireless version in passive mode. The WIRED M2 sounds incredible.

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Yes, it does. 

Hi guys, here's my experience with the PM3:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/694003/d-marc0s-journal-my-head-fi-journey-new-oppo-pm-3-and-audeze-el-8-open-first-impressions/540#post_11569466

I just received my PM-3's today at my office! This is turning out to be a pretty good Monday.

I find it really weird that the PM-3's soundstage per se isn't very large, but its imaging and instrument separation are amongst the best of what I've heard in a closed-back headphone.

miceblue said:

I find it really weird that the PM-3's soundstage per se isn't very large, but its imaging and instrument separation are amongst the best of what I've heard in a closed-back headphone.

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Interesting. I will do some listening to compare against my B&W P7, which is the same price, and imo has pretty decent soundstaging for a closed headphone.

d marc0 said:

  Hi guys, here's my experience with the PM3:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/694003/d-marc0s-journal-my-head-fi-journey-new-oppo-pm-3-and-audeze-el-8-open-first-impressions/540#post_11569466

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I think that is a very fair review. I agree with almost everything you have written. Good job! I think you will enjoy your X2.

I moved from the P7's to the pm-3's after about a week of comparative listening.  I started looking for a replacement after listening to 
the el-8 open and L2's.  The pm-3's soundstage is narrow but I believe the imaging and less veiled sound makes it a very worthy 
replacement.  I will look forward to your impressions.  Think about getting the uncluttered 3 foot cable - unless using it with a phone (sans amp)
- the less crap in the way the better...
 
jhv   

vinjeman said:

  I moved from the P7's to the pm-3's after about a week of comparative listening.  I started looking for a replacement after listening to 
the el-8 open and L2's.  The pm-3's soundstage is narrow but I believe the imaging and less veiled sound makes it a very worthy 
replacement.  I will look forward to your impressions.  Think about getting the uncluttered 3 foot cable - unless using it with a phone (sans amp)
- the less crap in the way the better...
 
jhv 

 

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I've been really taken w/ the PM3s!! At $399? (or is it 499 - I gotta look) - they provide a far better carrying-case than Audeze does w/ EL-8s - that cheap bag for those things? C'mon...
 
The PM3s are also quite comfortable, and feel like truly portable planar headphones!

 
With the stock cable I found they needed a fair amount of burn-in before they started opening-up. I wouldn't say they sounded congested before that - but there was certainly a sort of veiling going on, for me, with various gear - and system synergy is EVERYTHING in personal audio too IMHO - just like high end two-channel. Once I started experiencing greater separation and the bass tightened-up  - I really started to dig their transient speed, and, frankly, the damn comfort!! I also thought they were better for acoustic music than electronic.
I also love the fact that I haven't suffered from any listener fatigue whatsoever - and that's a GREAT thing!!
 
Then, their musical performance was enhanced INSANELY with these two DHC cables I've been using  (I'll get the models) - one is balanced - TRRS 2.5mm for my AK240 & AK120/Glove Audio A1 - and damn, did that make a difference in terms of sound-stage depth and width. The other DHC cable I have is a straight-up 3.5mm - and that combo also rendered far greater definition and dynamics than the PM3s sounded w/ the stock cable.
 
It's nuts - I just wrote about the sonic impact of using this new DHC cable
w/ my Audeze EL-8s! I didn't realize that til right now. I'm on a DHC kick right now - because Peters doing some SICK work there at Double Helix Cables!
Even if the cables cost intimidates you - Remember: PM3s are a STEAL for $399!!!!

 
Putting DHC on your PM3s will elevate their musical performance - and of course some people might not like it - but that damn lil' cable lead + PM3 brought out all sorts of micro and macro-dynamic detail that put these planar cans into a category far beyond their price-point. I'm working on a full review of em right now

msrp is $399 for the pm3s

glad you enjoy em

money4me247 said:

msrp is $399 for the pm3s

glad you enjoy em

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yeah I just checked out my invoice!
 
What a STEAL!

 
When I got the pair - and saw their case and even the small draw-string bag for the cable - plus the cans themselves - I honestly thought to myself:
 
This is what the Audeze EL-8s should look like! 

After one night, I already prefer the PM-3 over the closed EL-8, that I previously owned & sold, in almost every way so far. 
I think the EL-8's build quality, and comfort are a bit more luxurious than the PM-3, but that's at a $300 premium over the PM-3. 
 
As far as sound goes, the PM-3's matches my taste better. It's warm and ever so slightly on the bass-y side. Just enough to satisfy without feeling overwhelmed...
 
... which leads me to the bass happy B&W P7's. I look forward to really comparing these vs the P7's. 

mikemercer said:

I've been really taken w/ the PM3s!! At $399? (or is it 499 - I gotta look) - they provide a far better carrying-case than Audeze does w/ EL-8s - that cheap bag for those things? C'mon...

The PM3s are also quite comfortable, and feel like truly portable planar headphones!



With the stock cable I found they needed a fair amount of burn-in before they started opening-up. I wouldn't say they sounded congested before that - but there was certainly a sort of veiling going on, for me, with various gear - and system synergy is EVERYTHING in personal audio too IMHO - just like high end two-channel. Once I started experiencing greater separation and the bass tightened-up  - I really started to dig their transient speed, and, frankly, the damn comfort!! I also thought they were better for acoustic music than electronic.
I also love the fact that I haven't suffered from any listener fatigue whatsoever - and that's a GREAT thing!!

Then, their musical performance was enhanced INSANELY with these two DHC cables I've been using  (I'll get the models) - one is balanced - TRRS 2.5mm for my AK240 & AK120/Glove Audio A1 - and damn, did that make a difference in terms of sound-stage depth and width. The other DHC cable I have is a straight-up 3.5mm - and that combo also rendered far greater definition and dynamics than the PM3s sounded w/ the stock cable.

It's nuts - I just wrote about the sonic impact of using this new DHC cable
w/ my Audeze EL-8s! I didn't realize that til right now. I'm on a DHC kick right now - because Peters doing some SICK work there at Double Helix Cables!
Even if the cables cost intimidates you - Remember: PM3s are a STEAL for $399!!!!



Putting DHC on your PM3s will elevate their musical performance - and of course some people might not like it - but that damn lil' cable lead + PM3 brought out all sorts of micro and macro-dynamic detail that put these planar cans into a category far beyond their price-point. I'm working on a full review of em right now

Click to expand...

But man, not sure if its just my experience, but if you order some DHC cables prepare to wait for a while, also if you have any issues it also took a while. So I would recommend the cables for the patience customer willing to wait.

would like to find a better cable for my humble x5. Suggestions for a budget upgrade?

thanks for your time...

jhv.

vinjeman said:

would like to find a better cable for my humble x5. Suggestions for a budget upgrade?

thanks for your time...

jhv.

Click to expand...

I will be purchasing a pair of PM-3' soon,I hope, and also would be interested in this, but I don't consider the X5 to be so humble.