These are a cool product and worthy of an audition. Good balance and plenty of detail. Technically darn good. Plenty of top end, perhaps a bit much for some, but I like my top end sparkle. Like other orthos, these have a very 'together' and solid sound that comes across as a bit too 'weighty' for my tastes but I prefer a lighter on it's feet type of dynamic sound ala dynamic driver grado. I much prefer the high resolution, flatter response of the he500 however. Sure wish grado would make such a phone but alas it's not to be. Regarding the he500, It's...

This review is of the first model, prior to the revision and 'solving' of all its problems. Whatever, perhaps the rev2 is indeed a vastly improved item.....regardless these are a nice sounding headphone and of the half dozen or so orthos I've heard over the years, are the 'best'. The biggest problem I have with this sound is actually the low end, which puts me as the odd man out since everyone else names this as one of the phone's star qualities, and technically it is, it's very tight, full, quick etc..... I find it a little too much of a good thing...

....... as a young lad, some 30 years ago, when I first got into headphones and placed my order from J&R music world, waited in ernest for that UPS truck to deliver my pro4AA 'digital ready' headphones. I'd just gotten my new technics CD player and copys of police-ghost in the machine, billy idol's rebel yell and dark side of the moon. before cd's all we had to listen to for portable music was via tdk and maxell tape through a sony walkman that were dubbed and traded from friends lp collections. There was only a few cd offerings at first and boy was...

I'm an older fellow whose been listening to headphones for 30 years and I've enjoyed the AT house sound of treble enhanced yet fairly realistic sound. I've owned and used many of their phono cartridges and headphones over the years and generally find that it's good practice to stand up and take notice of any product from any company who has been involved in vinyl sound reproduction, Grado and AT come first to mind. The m50 however are not the typical musically bright sound but have a fatter, more rolled off sound.........Regardless, these are a great...

These have an addictive eq curve somehow as they emphasize just those aspects of the midrange in the same way that Doritos has been intentionally researched to cause one to eat the whole bag... it's no surprise how popular they are..... recommend for those who just want a headphone experience, especially if he/she listens to modern music. For classic music, meaning that which was made circa 1960 to 1990, these are Flat and unnatural sounding though. Lots of folks seem to think these are reference in terms of eq and even moreso for the 600 and on...

These really should be tried by everyone imo. They are not too expensive and work well for many genres of tunage. Ultimately they didn't work fo rme but I am very particular about the reproduction of traditional instruments ala strings, percussion, horns etc. The treble on these just did not work for me. Perhaps I didn't pair it up with the right amp. I can imagine a perfect marriage there may solve the problems in both the top and bottom end. The top sounded 'cotton candy'ish' to my ears and unnatural and the bass was too loose for my tastes. But...

love the musical and dynamic quality of the grado sound but I have a hard time enjoying most of their products. The HF2 rocks however and is easily my favorite stock grado phone for old time rock n roll, classic 70's and early 80's metal, bebop jazz and blues listening sessions. The ps500 is a slight devolution from this sound imo. They are similar but the ps500 sucked out the mids and favored a one-note bass humped sound that ultimately sounds more 'grey' and clinical than the warmer and more 'worn out jeans' sound of the HF2. Why grado went in the...

I love the full size grado HF2 and older grado's but these do not sound good to my ears. Strident and uneven. These were not lovingly crafted or dialed in. There was no 'man' behind the tuning of these and this is evident in the final product. I'd love to see grado come out with a smooth yet dynamic sounding iem similar to the HF2 but am not holding my breath, especially when I've found the soundmagic e30 which satisfies my soul in that respect and for much less than a household named company like grado would likely offer such a product for. back to...

much like their cartridges, I find ortofon to 'have a sound'. I enjoy it for the most part, but ultimately would rather listen to a less invasive, more natural sound that doesn't color my record collection. But for those who are not so particular in that way and who find balanced armatures too lean sounding, these could be a great solution as they are indeed balanced and musical and worth a try. These should be under $100 in my world. The fit is also problematic for me.

These sound wrong in lots of ways. The mids are way out of whack and the upper end is strident. This kind of wrong just cannot be saved with any amount of eq or ancilliary amplification/sound shaping. The 07 is a far better sound if you like the vsonic sound. Not sure why any company would put a product like this on the market unless they are the type who feel it's ok to throw something at the market place wall to see if it will stick or perhaps the marketing team felt it needed this in it's lineup for some logistical purpose. I am suspect of...

I just can't imagine anyone, no matter what music he/she enjoys, finding these to be a pleasant listen. FLAT, cardboard sound to my ears. Who likes flat sound? The fit is not good, as they are unbalanced and want to topple out of the ear. Please do not buy these, they are not good for your brainwaves

These must have been designed with some singular purpose in mind. They did not sound right to me in terms of balance, dynamics and detail. Very bass heavy. A lot of technology but ergonomics and fit suffer imo. I like the attempt and the price of these and recommend for those who like to investigate the extremes of bass heavy sound. They might be just what you're looking for, Give 'em a try,

I love soundmagic e30's. They have a full, natural, dynamic balanced sound but these pl50, like several BA's I 've tried, just sound wrong. There is not nearly enough meat on the bone for my taste. I am not a basshead but c'mon, I need something to hang my proverbial hat on. An upwards eq did not work in my attempt to fill these out. The upper end was nice though and the size and fit spectacular. I must not be a balanced armature kinda guy but for those who are, these are probably a great value and worth a try

these are nicely made and sound nice. They definitely put their sound signature stamp all over my record collection which is odd because they are fairly neutral in many respects. I feel it's somewhere in the dynamics and/or presentation that they add their unwanted stamp. For their designed purpose, on stage, I say these are spectacular and well made, but for casual and relaxed listening, they did not excite me enough to warrant further listening. But definitely worth a try considering they are reasonable priced, and measure well. give 'em a go and...

only auditioned this iem for a brief time as I would never pay nearly this much of my hard earned money on an iem. These must have been tuned to a certain type of modern music and for that, whatever it may have been, these probably sound outstanding

these did not quite work for me. there was an oddness imparted to the sound for the music I listen to. Did not really want to use these. but boy they did fit nice....perhaps I got a bum set or should try the upper end shure's, as I do love their old V15 phono cartridges, but then I think of how much I dislike their modern cartridges......and you see my dilemma? 

This is an update to the review after living with several sets of these beauties for 3 years....I now have acquired 7 sets of the e30. A quick synopsis of my resume. 30 years of hardcore interest and investment in hifi, instrument building, musician. I've owned many decades of home stereo equipment and have a definite preference and fondness for Vinyl. The soundmagic e30 have proven non-fatiquing and thoroughly enjoyable. Past headphones I've owned range from $1000 LCD, several $500-$200 of nearly every brand from the most current back through...

this little acorn has a pretty honest and balanced sound that is musical when used at low volume. The problem for me is the sound tube is too large and uncomfortable. These also need an eq boost in the low mids to fill out the sound and there is a uneven-ness somewhere in the mids that can be distracting.