The AH-D340 is the entry level model in the Music Maniac series, followed up by the D600 & D7100. The headphone is also promoted as a portable solution for music lovers. The 40mm driver provides very good performance and clarity. The 36 ohm impedance value made it friendly with most portable devices (tested on iPod Classic & Nano). I did try using the Fiio E11, which actually only seemed to improve performance slightly but colored the sound more than expected. Driven out of a desktop headphone amplifier (Burson HA160), the D340 gained more speed and definition with some bass authority. The closed headphone offers a soundstage that keeps the listener involved in the music rather than having that claustrophobic atmosphere.
However, they may not offer the vast soundscapes like the
Sony MDR MA900
can but still do a fair job. Imaging and stereo separation as well came out nicely, the D340 is no studio monitor and it flavors the music in an enjoyable manner.
I have to say that I am not overly impressed by the new design of the Denon line. The D340 is playing in a market with great looking headphones like the Sennheiser Momentums, Onkyo..etc. Comparatively, the design is a bit understated in my opinion. There is of course nothing you can do about the
Princess Leia look
, but the black version is especially very understated. The black leather lining with white stitches does look nice, though the overall use of plastic gives a slightly flimsy feel to the product. The detachable cord is a plus (and a necessity these days, looking at the competition) and felt no microphonics with it. The iPhone remote/mic controls are practical, though I personally do not own an iPhone to test it. The right angle 3.5mm jack was convenient and had no issues using it on my iPod Classic with case.The earpads are plush and comfortable, with the driver located deep inside. This is an on-ear model and the sufficient cushioning on the earpads prevents discomfort during prolonged use. I felt that the pentagonal earpads actually were slightly enclosing the rear of the earlobe and behaving more like a on/around ear hybrid!
The
Denon D340
is without a doubt, a mids/vocals-lover’s headphone.The mids are presented with great detail and clarity and are an absolute delight.There is no bleed of the mid bass and a very seamless flow into the highs, which picks-up female vocals beautifully. Acoustic, Vocals, Country & Jazz are the true talent of the D340. Brushfire Fairytales from Jack Johnson was lovely as ever,The Civil Wars is another album that I would recommend listening to on this headphone. My usual test track, Spanish Harlem by Rebecca Pidgeon in 24/96 resolution was nuanced, sweet & clear.The resolution this headphone is capable of was very evident in Take Five by Dave Brubeck as well making it a suitable accompaniment to HighRes players like the Astell & Kern, Fiio X3, iBasso DX series and so on.I love vocals and the D340 just seems to enable my mids addiction. The mids are infact as good as my Audiotechnica W1000x (though the latter does seem to have a little bit more air in the highs and a stunning soundstage) making it a suitable at-home headphone as well.
The highs are once again well extended and clean. There is enough resolution here to go hand in hand with the mids-forward presentation style of the D340. The highs never got sibilant nor too bright to bear. Comparatively, the highs on the Sennheiser Amperior were more shiny and slightly bright.
The present trend of overpowering bass does not seem to have affected the D340, though I definitely feel the lack of weighty bass in tracks that truly require it! I regularly listen to the ATH W1000x & HD650, both bass heavy headphones (maybe that explains my feeling!). Nevertheless, listening to Rihanna’s “Shine bright like a diamond” on the Sennheiser Amperior, Momentum, Onkyo clearly showed that the D340′s bass impact was comparatively lighter and a bit recessed as well.On Chasing Pirates – Norah Jones the bass line was good but not attracting as much attention to it as on the HD650 & W1000x.The result was the same on Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.The D340 adopts a very linear or neutral presentation of the bass frequencies.Normally, I like that presentation (reminds me of the Sennheiser HD448), feels refreshing with all the bass thrown around these days. The D340 also has a very resolved treble region, such clear and sharply defined boundaries.Fair warning, some could find this a bit too bright! Though I don’t deem it “too bright”, I want to have some mid-bass weight to sufficiently balance this presentation.
Overall the Denon AH-D340 is a very good headphone that I recommend for music lovers more into subtlety, neutral sound and midrange. It has a very mature and refined presentation. For a complete review head on over to my blog.