AUSDOM M05 With APT-X WorldWide Review ------Reviewers Wanted !

[iancraig10]

I was very curious what you'd find Brooko. Thanks. I did feedback to Ausdom, basically very similar myself. They are very interested in what we find with them.

I also feel that it is a game changer at that price level. I'd like the mid bass lowered slightly and slightly more extended treble. I didn't hear the ringing but perhaps if that weren't there, then I'd feel the need for the treble to be raised even more?

I tried calls on the phone yesterday with my wife in the car receiving. Funnily enough, on the way out to Christmas shopping, she said that I was really clear and on the way back, she sounded bad to me but I sounded OK to her. So a lot of that might be the phone signal/ quality of connection.

The ANC7 sound is similar in its current form but with ANC on, the clarity of the audio is improved and with a few tweaks would be excellent. I don't know whether you've tried the Bose QC25, but with NC on, the Bose really sounds ok, but with it off, it sounds poor. This was 'similar' with the ANC7. Better with the ANC on.

With a little minor tweaking, I think that the M05 would be excellent. I wondered about pad depth being changed as well to help with the feeling of hollowness, because I don't know where that is in the FR.

I compared the M05 against others that I have and some do actually have a slightly stronger top (which would balance the mid bass if it were raised) but they are also more expensive than the M05. Given that, I would have bought the M05 if they were available at the time actually. One that has a 'similar' kind of sound sig is the Henson. But it costs quite a bit more.

One thing about most Bluetooth headphones is that they don't seem to extend in bass and treble as much as wired. Whether that's the drivers or one of the restrictions of Bluetooth I'm not sure. If you connect the M05 via the wire, it sharpens up its act again.

For a first act (at least for the brand name, Ausdom), they have done well IMO. They have produced headphones for other companies. Even better in that they are taking feedback very seriously instead of ploughing in with a product and using that feedback for development. Few companies have done that and that's a sign of a good product in the future.

I still think that it's quite a daring thing to put out Bluetooth headphones on a Hifi forum as well!! We all have wired headphone sound learned and expect the same from wireless, which takes some doing.

 

[Brooko]

I was very curious what you'd find Brooko. Thanks. I did feedback to Ausdom, basically very similar myself. They are very interested in what we find with them.

I also feel that it is a game changer at that price level. I'd like the mid bass lowered slightly and slightly more extended treble. I didn't hear the ringing but perhaps if that weren't there, then I'd feel the need for the treble to be raised even more?

I tried calls on the phone yesterday with my wife in the car receiving. Funnily enough, on the way out to Christmas shopping, she said that I was really clear and on the way back, she sounded bad to me but I sounded OK to her. So a lot of that might be the phone signal/ quality of connection.

The ANC7 sound is similar in its current form but with ANC on, the clarity of the audio is improved and with a few tweaks would be excellent. I don't know whether you've tried the Bose QC25, but with NC on, the Bose really sounds ok, but with it off, it sounds poor. This was 'similar' with the ANC7. Better with the ANC on.

With a little minor tweaking, I think that the M05 would be excellent. I wondered about pad depth being changed as well to help with the feeling of hollowness, because I don't know where that is in the FR.

I compared the M05 against others that I have and some do actually have a slightly stronger top (which would balance the mid bass if it were raised) but they are also more expensive than the M05. Given that, I would have bought the M05 if they were available at the time actually. One that has a 'similar' kind of sound sig is the Henson. But it costs quite a bit more.

One thing about most Bluetooth headphones is that they don't seem to extend in bass and treble as much as wired. Whether that's the drivers or one of the restrictions of Bluetooth I'm not sure. If you connect the M05 via the wire, it sharpens up its act again.

For a first act (at least for the brand name, Ausdom), they have done well IMO. They have produced headphones for other companies. Even better in that they are taking feedback very seriously instead of ploughing in with a product and using that feedback for development. Few companies have done that and that's a sign of a good product in the future.

I still think that it's quite a daring thing to put out Bluetooth headphones on a Hifi forum as well!! We all have wired headphone sound learned and expect the same from wireless, which takes some doing.

 
Thanks Ian - I'm mid-way through writing it up now, so appreciate your thoughts on them as a much longer term user. I was conversing with Nick earlier and he also tried cutting some of the mid-bass with some very good results.
 
I'll try and post some graphs tomorrow (just turned midnight here - and I have work tomorrow).  The CSD's should illustrate where some of the issues lie.  Interesting though is that even cutting the bass has lowered a lot of the ringing.
 
I also actually have the QC25 (amazing for my global travel) - so will be really keen to see what Ausdom can do with ANC.  Given their expertise with wireless surveillance, it should be quite spectacular.

 

[B9Scrambler]

   
Thanks Ian - I'm mid-way through writing it up now, so appreciate your thoughts on them as a much longer term user. I was conversing with Nick earlier and he also tried cutting some of the mid-bass with some very good results.
 
I'll try and post some graphs tomorrow (just turned midnight here - and I have work tomorrow).  The CSD's should illustrate where some of the issues lie.  Interesting though is that even cutting the bass has lowered a lot of the ringing.
 
I also actually have the QC25 (amazing for my global travel) - so will be really keen to see what Ausdom can do with ANC.  Given their expertise with wireless surveillance, it should be quite spectacular.

 
I wonder if the ringing has anything to do with the front plate the driver nestles in. I took the opportunity to partially disassemble a pair, and that part is actually composed of two different pieces, one being a ring that houses 23 vent holes. While they're closed back, they're semi-open in the front. The current isolation level was part of the design it seems. I wonder if they would sound any different were those one piece. 
 
I'm curious to see what the modder crowd could do with these. There isn't a ton of room in the cups due to all the electronics, but with some creativity I am sure there is some potential there.  

 

[iancraig10]

Thanks Ian - I'm mid-way through writing it up now, so appreciate your thoughts on them as a much longer term user. I was conversing with Nick earlier and he also tried cutting some of the mid-bass with some very good results.

I'll try and post some graphs tomorrow (just turned midnight here - and I have work tomorrow).  The CSD's should illustrate where some of the issues lie.  Interesting though is that even cutting the bass has lowered a lot of the ringing.

I also actually have the QC25 (amazing for my global travel) - so will be really keen to see what Ausdom can do with ANC.  Given their expertise with wireless surveillance, it should be quite spectacular.

Being a musician, touring gear is important to me as well since I have often spent long periods away from home.

Thing is, if you find a 'fix' for the mid bass Ausdom might well want to know what it was. My feeling was that the mid bass slightly clouds the mids so in my feedback a while ago now, I did say that I felt the mid bass needed reduction and treble extending. As a bonus, I also said that if the bass could be extended lower, it could be a killer, but I'm not certain how Bluetooth would do this.

Fact is, if the mid bass was lowered or more controlled, I might not find the treble recessed as a result. To my ears, there is the basis of an excellent Bluetooth headphone there and any controls put onto the drivers now might impact on the unreleased ANC7 which I also have here. I've fed back similar on them but if they hit the jackpot with the sound, it will be a great buy IMO.

Problem with Bluetooth is that we need technical people who don't turn up their noses at Bluetooth because of the compromises necessary that Hifi people often find hard to accept. I'd like to see Bluetooth as a more serious consideration and the only way it can happen is if the manufacturers can get sufficient technical feedback from headphone 'experts'.

It looks as though you've measured what I was hearing, but the ringing is a surprise to me. I felt that the top was held back, not actually ringing. Is it showing as a dip up there? Sometimes, ringing can give a null. So, if the mid bass was cut, the ringing would also be under control? Well that's an easy fix. It doesn't sound as if it's going particularly low to me either.

Until now, I've felt a bit lonely with the Ausdom, but my feeling is that there is basically a very nice headphone there and I know for sure that Ausdom want to know everything in order to get it right with the ANC7.

Really look forward to seeing the graphs. Many thanks.

 

[iancraig10]

I wonder if the ringing has anything to do with the front plate the driver nestles in. I took the opportunity to partially disassemble a pair, and that part is actually composed of two different pieces, one being a ring that houses 23 vent holes. While they're closed back, they're semi-open in the front. The current isolation level was part of the design it seems. I wonder if they would sound any different were those one piece. 

I'm curious to see what the modder crowd could do with these. There isn't a ton of room in the cups due to all the electronics, but with some creativity I am sure there is some potential there.  

It could be. Also the fact that you've spotted that there isn't a lot of room inside will also affect the sound. Perhaps a little padding behind the drivers might subdue the mid bass? I'm wondering about having a session with the m05 myself now, since Im mostly using the ANC7 instead.

I definitely think the M04s could be more controlled in the bass. It's advertised as a strong bass headphone thigh, and it certainly is. That might benefit from extra damping as well. I bet there are reflections all over the place inside those cups, much like the Bose QC25 with NC switched off. It sounds quite cheap with the circuit switched out, but obviously tuned with NC circuit switched in. The M04 still has some really nice elements to its sound though as well. The mids are pretty good. Considering its cost, it's ok.

If that mid bass were reduced, perhaps clarity at the other end would also be improved.

 

[Takeanidea]

I also feel that it is a game changer at that price level.

I agree Ian , especially for headfiers looking for pure convenience and a decent sound

I'd like the mid bass lowered slightly and slightly more extended treble.

The mid bass is quite strong when sat in the quiet , when you're running it's not noticeable and where there is busy traffic and heavy feet

With a little minor tweaking, I think that the M05 would be excellent. I wondered about pad depth being changed as well to help with the feeling of hollowness

I would change the size of the cups and make them bigger , put more damping on the driver and have thicker pads

I compared the M05 against others that I have and some do actually have a slightly stronger top (which would balance the mid bass if it were raised) but they are also more expensive than the M05. 

I think the Pendulumic Stance S1+ , at 4x the price has a better driver , a bigger driver and thicker pads. The mid and treble on the Stance is nicer and the bass is more accurate and it isolates better

 

[iancraig10]

I never really thought about mobile outside, Takeanidea. I agree that a slightly raised mid bass does help in that situation.

With the more expensive Bluetooth headphones, I have wondered how say the Momentum BT headphone sounds. It costs quite a bit though for something with Bluetooth and might be a gamble.

I've never heard a Pendulumic I'll take a look.

EDIT. I see what you mean. They look like a serious Bluetooth headphone and reviews are really good too. Range is excellent at 16 meters. How do they do that? Some reviewers say that bass goes low and it is indeed extended at the top, so it is possible with Bluetooth headphones and perhaps not as much of a compromise as I feel it is.

 

[peter123]

I never really thought about mobile outside, Takeanidea. I agree that a slightly raised mid bass does help in that situation.

With the more expensive Bluetooth headphones, I have wondered how say the Momentum BT headphone sounds. It costs quite a bit though for something with Bluetooth and might be a gamble.

I've never heard a Pendulumic I'll take a look.

EDIT. I see what you mean. They look like a serious Bluetooth headphone and reviews are really good too. Range is excellent at 16 meters. How do they do that? Some reviewers say that bass goes low and it is indeed extended at the top, so it is possible with Bluetooth headphones and perhaps not as much of a compromise as I feel it is.

It's my impression as well that Bluetooth can indeed cover the whole frequency range if implemented correctly. I own a Elecom LBT-PAR500 (it's a Bluetooth reciever/DAC/amplifier) and I honestly doesn't feel that it's rolled off in either direction. As a matter of fact I find it to keep up very well even with several $100-200 DAC/amp combos.

 

[iancraig10]

Yes, maybe I just need to go up a notch to be able to get that.

I'll be really honest. I have a basic mistrust of claims made by expensive headphone makers since over the past 45 years of listening, I've mostly found claims greatly overstated and had disappointments galore. For my work, I've always stayed with the things that I know. Dt150 in studio performance work. BBC and their Dt770s. At home, I stick to things like hd600/650, K712, th900, dt990 and 770.

With Bluetooth, something stops me going too expensive. I wasn't that impressed with the AKG Bluetooth I guess and that kind of put me off. Just assumed that there is a limitation on what can actually be achieved.

Plus the fact that Bluetooth equipment isn't talked about that much in places like Headfi.

 

[nmatheis]

iancraig10: I took Brooko's mid-bass EQ cut but maxed it out at -3dB instead of -5 to -6dB. In addition, I EQ'ed up from 1k to 4k in an upside-down smiley with a max of +2dB. To my ears, the mid-bass EQ cleared up the sound a lot, making these sound less muffled. Brooko was spot on with that. The mid boost made them sound less hollow. Much more balanced now for my taste.

Thanks again for the EQ tip, Paul. I've been doing most of my listening in noisier environments (namely my 2 & 4yo being total maniacs!) or to audiobooks where the M05's bass boost isn't as noticeable. When I listened with / without EQ last night it was like a night & day transformation. Great job!

 

[iancraig10]

Great. So a mid bass boost cut helps them. I'm sure that Ausdom would be interested to hear that and also by how much.

That's how I felt at the start when I first heard them, but wasn't aware of any ringing. If the cut in the mid bass lessens that, even better as well.

Funnily enough, on the proto ANC7 that I have, I found the sound comparatively thin with NC turned on, but once my head adjusted to it, I felt that clarity was in fact a lot better but then felt a fraction more bass would have benefitted it!! With NC off, it was close to M05 but I think that it may be adjusted following feedback.

Maybe similar for the M05. I like the overall warm sound of it but have always felt that a cut in the mid bass would benefit its clarity. In fact, to my ears, it seems quite smooth through the mids until what I felt was an early roll away at the top.

With some headphones though, adjusting one end can actually help the other end as well.

Well at least it's consistent with what I've been saying about them to Ausdom which is nice. There's a good headphone under there isn't there? Whether a DIY option or adjustments at the factory.

I really enjoy seeing different perspectives on the same headphone. One thing I missed I think we're the left hand controls. The ANC7 with them on the right is easier.

 

[B9Scrambler]

You guys are digging up some great stuff. I certainly hear the midbass boost but not the ringing Brooko mentioned.

Will have to mess around with them tonight and see if I can pitch in in any way.

 

[iancraig10]

No, I didn't hear the ringing either. Thing is, the more the merrier, which is why I've been waiting for the five reviews to see what you other guys bring out. Ausdom want to know as well.

I'm particularly interested in what Brooko gets in the measurements. At least then we know what we're hearing more closely and even suggest fixes for any anomalies. Reminds me of Fiio's development of the DAP's.

 

[Brooko]

Ringing was reduced a lot by simply cutting the mid-bass.  Allows a much cleaner signal, and I think solves Ian's desire for more treble extension - cutting the bass stops the current masking that is going on.
 
I'll spend some more time on this tonight when I get home.

 

[iancraig10]

Will your setup identify the frequency centre of the mid bass boost Brooko? That would be useful to know and the width. I do think it just smears the sound a bit and it could be a really simple fix as well.