Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
Koolpep
Koolpep
Thanks - while I think they are pretty good with electronic - I understand where you are coming from. I felt these headphones don't do anything really wrong - they don't have any serious flaw, but they are, for a lack of a better word, boring...
Kyaku
Kyaku
That's exactly it. For something crafted with mouth watering aesthetics i expected more fun.
Smarty-pants
Smarty-pants
You seem to like a U-shaped or V-shaped type sound signature, and there are plenty of headphones out there to meet that need.
Not sure what you were expecting, but the PM-3 stay pretty close to natural/neutral sounding,
pretty much repeating what is in the recorded music, but with just a pinch of excitement.
Almost all owner and user comments have agreed on that assessment, so again not sure why you thought there would be
'boosted' highs and lows.
 
I also own a Fiio X1, and while it is a good player for it's price range, I do not feel it is good for critical listening.
I have found other players and amps that sound much more crisp and detailed compared to the X1,
so I think some of what you were hearing may have actually been the limitations of the X1.
Even if your other headphones provide enough highs/lows with the X1,
that is just proving how permanently altered their EQ sound signature is.
Personally I would rather have a more neutral sounding headphone, and when I want more excitement,
then I'd use an EQ add that when I want it.

I just don't think your review is a good review of the PM-3.
It's more of an explanation of the extreme sound signature that you like, and how the PM-3 just doesn't provide that, nor does it try to.

One criticism that might be valid though, is the depth of the earpads.
Perhaps Oppo couldn't get the sound they need with deeper pads, but you certainly aren't the only one asking for deeper pads.
There seems to be a small (yet significant) amount of people complaining about their ears touching the drivers.
Kyaku
Kyaku
You seem to be offended to some degree of my personal thoughts. And then added your personal thoughts. You are just criticizing my thoughts towards the set, nothing more. There's nothing you said that i didn't already mention. If you read what i wrote. Then you would know that i already stated that this review is to my personal tastes and comparing to my gear alone. And you cant tell me theyre closest to neutral with a pinch of excitement. Because they can't be both. You even state there's a small amount yet significant amount of people complaining about the shallow cups. So you realize you contradict yourself in the same sentence? Many reviewers also agreed on this amazing bass. Where i found it dull and annoying. And i can't say I'm a pure v or u shaped listener. Did i mention that i thought oppo met their goal? I'm pretty sure i did. No where in my review did i mention anything that wasn't true. I did not mislead anyone with bad information. I called it how it is. That's all. No need to be mad bro.
Koolpep
Koolpep
Well. I had the PM3 on a meet a few weeks back. I think it's always important to check what your reference point is. While a few people really liked it, the majority felt it was great value for money and good sound quality but not very engaging. We drove it with oppos own HA-1 and HA-2. The consensus was like kyakus review. Does nothing wrong but there are better headphones to connect you to your music. Make your toes tip, make you want to move and dance. Envelope you with the music. It is by no means a bad headphone, but equally, I had higher expectations to this particular model and felt a bit let down. So, in short, I have at least 5 more opinions that mirror kyaku's and mine, all from audiophiles who's opinions I respect a lot. In short: great headphone but a bit meh... It might be as well depending on the music you like. Might sound way better with certain genres. Anyhow. It could find a place in my collection though as a portable traveling headphone. Tyll praised this headphone a lot and usually I pretty much like what he likes but in this case....
citiboi
citiboi
I own the Oppo PM-3 and have been using it for about 2 weeks.  I absolutely love its clarity and neutrality.. even if I must agree that it can be a little boring and does not get your feet tapping. But hey, to each his own.  There isn't any one headphone out there which appeals to everyone.  I have different headphones and iems for different genre of music.
24bitbob
24bitbob
Hi Kyaku,
Good review, I thought you offered your thoughts in a respectful, considered manner.  For me it was useful. 
Can I ask: what is your 'go to' headphone when out and about?  I ask because, like you, I prefer a lively top end.  The problem I have with the headphones I currently use (B&O & Audio Technica) is that the bottom end on both sets, whilst plentiful, lack control or firmness.  I was mulling over the PM-3, but I want to think carefully before dropping that kind of money.  Maybe it's an amplifier thing, but I was interested in your preferred headphone.
Regards,
Bob
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