The NAD VISO HP50 could have been a truly outstanding headphone. They produced a set with great sound, with a marvelous midrange, bass when it is called for in the music and highs that do not sound shrill, glaring or in any way harsh to the ear. And for a closed back headphone, it has decent sound stage, though I don't think the "Room Sound" technology is superior to that of open back headphones I've tried in the same price range, or even some open backed headphones that are much less expensive.
If anyone has seen the review from the Wirecutter that said these headphones couldn't reproduce sound under 90hz, I can tell you that is a load of horse****. Going to the online tone generator, I was able to hear tones from 90hz on down to 20hz, though with the 20hz tone, you feel it as much as hear it with these headphones.
No, the problems with the VISO HP50 is its physical design, and choice of materials. The plastic cups look and feel cheap, and their glossy surface does nothing to dispel this impression. The hinge on the cups has horizontal slop that I'm afraid will only get worse with use. Though the headband adjustment stays in place where you put it, it also has slight popping or creaking noises that transmit directly into the cup and will annoy you if you move around very much.
And now on to the pads. There is no space within the pads for average to larger than average sized ears, so these headphones are more like an on-ear design for me. The material used in the pads is soft and makes a good seal, there is very good isolation with these headphones, but the pads squash down with use and you'll be pressed against the material covering the driver in no time, since there isn't much space in there.
I left the worst part for the end, the look of the headphone. While its on a stand, its tolerable. While being worn, it looks ridiculous. Truly, you look like you've attached a handle to the top of your head.
I have a difficult time recommending these to anyone, just because of the deficiencies in the build, but I have no issues with their sound, and use them when I want a more discerning presentation than my other sets.
If anyone has seen the review from the Wirecutter that said these headphones couldn't reproduce sound under 90hz, I can tell you that is a load of horse****. Going to the online tone generator, I was able to hear tones from 90hz on down to 20hz, though with the 20hz tone, you feel it as much as hear it with these headphones.
No, the problems with the VISO HP50 is its physical design, and choice of materials. The plastic cups look and feel cheap, and their glossy surface does nothing to dispel this impression. The hinge on the cups has horizontal slop that I'm afraid will only get worse with use. Though the headband adjustment stays in place where you put it, it also has slight popping or creaking noises that transmit directly into the cup and will annoy you if you move around very much.
And now on to the pads. There is no space within the pads for average to larger than average sized ears, so these headphones are more like an on-ear design for me. The material used in the pads is soft and makes a good seal, there is very good isolation with these headphones, but the pads squash down with use and you'll be pressed against the material covering the driver in no time, since there isn't much space in there.
I left the worst part for the end, the look of the headphone. While its on a stand, its tolerable. While being worn, it looks ridiculous. Truly, you look like you've attached a handle to the top of your head.
I have a difficult time recommending these to anyone, just because of the deficiencies in the build, but I have no issues with their sound, and use them when I want a more discerning presentation than my other sets.