These headphones really grew on me. I think the fairest way to compare them is against other sealed headphones of comparable size. I was hoping to borrow a pair of NAD HE50, which I have heard in the past, but couldn't get them in time.
However when I do pit them directly against the superb Hifiman HE-500 paired with my O2+ODAC, the PM3 is simply more tonally right. While the bass isn't as full or impacting (with more of a slap than a full slam,) it's much more accurate and *yes* slightly more extended.
Vocals really shine on these headphones -- although they aren't perfect and horns (in the same relative range) are actually more natural and full sounding on the HE-500. Listening to Donald Fagen's voice on the Nightfly, strangely the HE-500 sounds more nasally and even honky in comparison.
The soundstage is obviously degrees smaller and less airy on the PM3, as well instrument placement is also less enhanced. I'll even admit they are *slightly* boring in the way a pretty girl dressed down with little to no makeup might be less exciting or even engaging.
However they are able to more clearly resolve real information, almost nothing is padded or masked. The PM3 also have the blackest background of any planar I've ever heard, even the HE-560. Kudos.
Again, any knock against these headphones is going to be physical limitations on the relative size of the diaphragm and sealed portable design. Obviously I would like less of a claustrophobic feeling, a tad more separation, imaging, air and liveliness outside of the head; the HE-500 does all these things in spades. The PM-3 simply can't impart the same energy to as forcefully move the pinna.
Yet I still find a good degree of the same planar speed, clarity, pinpoint accuracy and ornate delicateness about their sound which is more palpable than dynamics. Planars represent the closest to a wire with gain, even more than electrostatics. I might not ever again be able to go back to dynamics.
It's truly hard to criticize the way these headphones were engineered. Thankfully more headphone manufacturers have begun concentrating on first getting the human voice and upper mids/lower treble range correct, which then allows sound to more naturally fall into place. No complaints there. The PM-3 do everything fundamentally right in theory and practice.
The balanced sound signature allows these to be played *loud* with no fatigue. This is a great quality for a portable played in loud environments. The only real fatigue for me was the way the cups touch my ears, it can be annoying. Although I absolutely love the detachable cable on one side, simply perfect for everyday wear. And the build quality is very decent, practical (dare I say impeccable) for $399. And they are very easy to clean and store.
I already know that OPPO can create one of the best portable sealed headphones. In 2015, we have finally gotten planars for the masses. Now I would like to know if they can create a truly non-portable open-backed audiophile planar headphone with larger dimensions and greater impedance. I certainly wouldn't put it past them. Keep the same frequency signature and it might just be heaven.
The PM3 get 4.5 out of 5 stars for me on their own. But easily 5 out of 5 when placed in the sealed portable category, an absolute pleasure.
And I just wanted to that OPPO for giving me the opportunity to audition these impressive phones for a week.
However when I do pit them directly against the superb Hifiman HE-500 paired with my O2+ODAC, the PM3 is simply more tonally right. While the bass isn't as full or impacting (with more of a slap than a full slam,) it's much more accurate and *yes* slightly more extended.
Vocals really shine on these headphones -- although they aren't perfect and horns (in the same relative range) are actually more natural and full sounding on the HE-500. Listening to Donald Fagen's voice on the Nightfly, strangely the HE-500 sounds more nasally and even honky in comparison.
The soundstage is obviously degrees smaller and less airy on the PM3, as well instrument placement is also less enhanced. I'll even admit they are *slightly* boring in the way a pretty girl dressed down with little to no makeup might be less exciting or even engaging.
However they are able to more clearly resolve real information, almost nothing is padded or masked. The PM3 also have the blackest background of any planar I've ever heard, even the HE-560. Kudos. Again, any knock against these headphones is going to be physical limitations on the relative size of the diaphragm and sealed portable design. Obviously I would like less of a claustrophobic feeling, a tad more separation, imaging, air and liveliness outside of the head; the HE-500 does all these things in spades. The PM-3 simply can't impart the same energy to as forcefully move the pinna.
Yet I still find a good degree of the same planar speed, clarity, pinpoint accuracy and ornate delicateness about their sound which is more palpable than dynamics. Planars represent the closest to a wire with gain, even more than electrostatics. I might not ever again be able to go back to dynamics.
It's truly hard to criticize the way these headphones were engineered. Thankfully more headphone manufacturers have begun concentrating on first getting the human voice and upper mids/lower treble range correct, which then allows sound to more naturally fall into place. No complaints there. The PM-3 do everything fundamentally right in theory and practice.
The balanced sound signature allows these to be played *loud* with no fatigue. This is a great quality for a portable played in loud environments. The only real fatigue for me was the way the cups touch my ears, it can be annoying. Although I absolutely love the detachable cable on one side, simply perfect for everyday wear. And the build quality is very decent, practical (dare I say impeccable) for $399. And they are very easy to clean and store.
I already know that OPPO can create one of the best portable sealed headphones. In 2015, we have finally gotten planars for the masses. Now I would like to know if they can create a truly non-portable open-backed audiophile planar headphone with larger dimensions and greater impedance. I certainly wouldn't put it past them. Keep the same frequency signature and it might just be heaven.
The PM3 get 4.5 out of 5 stars for me on their own. But easily 5 out of 5 when placed in the sealed portable category, an absolute pleasure.
And I just wanted to that OPPO for giving me the opportunity to audition these impressive phones for a week.
