B&W P7 or OPPO PM-3 or something else ?

[Eggaboy]

Hey guys I want to buy a new pair of headphones because I am starting to get bored of my AKG K451s
Tough this time I would like to buy a high quality headphone to really submerge into the music.
 
The headphones should be closed because I am going to use them on public transportation.
 
I listen to all types of music but the genres I listen to the most often are the following: Tecno (mainly Daft Punk, if that even is tecno), Pop, EDM, D'n'B, Rock, Raggae, Ragga-Tek, Hip-Hop, Glitch Hop, some harmonic sounds, some classical, R&B, Rap.. to be honest I don't care which genre, as long I like the song. 
 
Budget: open for anything
 
To run the headphones I would use my FiiO X1 (note: I dont want to carry a portable AMP with me).
 
Portability is not really an issue, but I would like a nice carrying case to store them safely inside my backpack.
 
Two headphones caught my attention: the B&W P7 and the Oppo PM-3, because they are both closed headphones, they have a really high SQ(as far as I read), they aren't toooo expensive and both have superb build quality(as far as I read).
But sadly I can't decide between the 2 because I don't know which sound signature fits my use better... Warm (B&W P7) or Neutral (Oppo PM-3).
 
PS: Which ones are more comfortable to wear ?
 
I would really, really ,really appreciate it if someone could give me some good advice

Regards Eggaboy 

 

 

[k4rstar]

B&W P7 would be better for the genres listed and also driven better out of your X1. 

 

[Eggaboy]

Thanks for the lightning fast response k4rstar, but sadly you answered faster than I was able to edit my post.
I added quite a few things, so it would be nice if you could give it another read

 

[ChickenWaffles]

I haven't heard the P7, but I did demo the pm-3's (for a week) with my X1, and I never thought they needed more power. I believe they sat between 35-45 on the pot for me, and I listen at moderate to medium levels. The pm-3's are a quite neutral sounding headphone, and they have excellent isolation. The comfort is pretty good, the pads are soft but can get warm. I'd say the best part of the pm-3 for me was the excellent vocals and planar bass (bass responds well to eq).

 

[k4rstar]

Sure, the PM-3 comes with a great denim carrying case and folds flat to be stored in it, only negative is that the cable must be removed for it to fit. The P7 folds into itself and comes with a leather pouch instead of a zippered case I believe.
 
I have not owned the P7 but I have researched it extensively when I was making my own purchase decision for portable closed-backs. The PM-3 is mid-centric to my ears and while it will sound fine out of a lower end DAP or smartphone I experienced a noticeable improvement in low-end extension and tightness with an amplifier. Being planar-magnetic, this makes sense, where as the P7 has a dynamic transducer and will probably have a better low-end out of the box with portable devices.
 
Comfort is subjective, all I will say is that I found the earpads on the PM-3 are on the small side. I have average sized male ears and they barely fit me, I can see those with slightly larger than average ears having serious comfort issues. Can't speak on the P7's comfort, you should double-check reviews here regarding that.

 

[Eggaboy]

Wow thanks for the detailed and once again fast answer
Could you maybe explain the sound difference in a simpler manner(if that is even possible)? Because I am not really active in the audio-scene and am having trouble to understand some of the information provided by you^^

Otherwise I will have to read some articles and expand my knowledge

 

[k4rstar]

Well you should start here: http://www.head-fi.org/a/describing-sound-a-glossary
 
This defines the most common words used to describe sound
 
Next, use the search at the top right of the site to find the review page for each product
P7: http://www.head-fi.org/products/bowers-wilkins-p7/reviews
PM3: http://www.head-fi.org/products/oppo-pm-3/reviews
 
If you read a few reviews of each using the glossary to guide you, you should be able to get a good idea of the main differences between the two. I want to refrain from personally commenting on the sound differences because like I said, I haven't owned the P7.
 
Good luck.

 

[cel4145]

NAD HP50s would be worth a listen, too.

 

[brent75]

Full disclosure: I HAVE auditioned the PM-3s (nearly a month) but I have NOT auditioned the P7s (so can't comment on those).
 
Judging by several of the genres you listed, having bass quantity as well as quality is important. Obviously you can ignore and not read further if that's inaccurate. Anyway, what I learned firsthand (and part of the reason I moved on from the PM-3) was that your environment can have a major effect on the bass...especially if you're not amping.
 
When I listened at home/on the couch/anywhere quieter, I found the bass quantity and quality to be great. It was even better through the HA-2. However, when I went outside and took the dogs for a walk (which is where I'm going to get vast majority of my usage)...I found that the QUANTITY seemed to fall off a cliff. It was crazy how much of a difference there could be, even though it didn't really "seem" that the outdoors was that much louder (just a normal residential neighborhood). On top of that, I was able to understand the critiques of it being a "boring" headphone that didn't really excite.
 
And the one time I flew on a plane with them the effect was x100 --- there was simply no bass whatsoever, unless I cranked my device to ear-damaging levels.
 
So while I liked the PM-3s in a lot of regards, I decided to send them back and move on to options that are more colored/exciting/musical, to see if that provides what I'm looking for. I'm trying both different cans (first an extreme option like V-Moda Crossfade M-100 and then the Audeze Sine)...as well as different amping options (first the new Dragonfly Red, and then maybe the Mojo) --- in the hopes that I can find that magical combo.
 
Just my two cents, anyway. Good luck!

 

[Eggaboy]

@cel4145 The NAD HP50s seem really intresting regarding the sound quality but I don't like their design ;S
I think I will pick up the B&W P7 because it looks like their "fun"  sound signature fits me better than the neutral sound of the Oppo PM3s  
Or has anybody another suggestions for a nice closed headphone? 

 

[cel4145]

My local Apple Store used to carry the P7s. If you have one nearby you might call and see if they have them to demo.

 

[romainsecco]

I went to try the PM-3 today!
And to be sincere I was a bit disappointed...
 
I found that the PM-3 was lacking something until...

1. I paired it with a HA-2.
2. I removed my glasses.
3. I customized the EQ.

 
Meh...
 
 
The source was my Fiio X1 with FLAC 16/44 and 24/192.
 
I'm used to pretty decent headphones (Grado SR225i + Sony MDR-7506 + HiFiMan RE400) but even if the Oppo is probably the better of all of them I'm not sure it justified the 500$ CAD. I found that the isolation could be better (the Momentum Over 2 is doing a better job), it clearly needs an amp to really sounds well (it's a 390$ CAD more to have the HA-2, eeehh), then there is the sealed problem for people with glasses (low frequencies are impacted) and overall I was not totally convinced by the high frequencies (I would love to have more sparkles).
 
That being said, the meds are incredible and after having spent an hour comparing them with a H6, a Spirit, a Momentum Over 2, my ten years old MDR-7506 I still think the PM-3 is better (but not that much compared to the Momentum Over 2).
 
What do you think I should try next? P7? HP-50? M-100?

 

[romainsecco]

  Full disclosure: I HAVE auditioned the PM-3s (nearly a month) but I have NOT auditioned the P7s (so can't comment on those).
 
Judging by several of the genres you listed, having bass quantity as well as quality is important. Obviously you can ignore and not read further if that's inaccurate. Anyway, what I learned firsthand (and part of the reason I moved on from the PM-3) was that your environment can have a major effect on the bass...especially if you're not amping.
 
When I listened at home/on the couch/anywhere quieter, I found the bass quantity and quality to be great. It was even better through the HA-2. However, when I went outside and took the dogs for a walk (which is where I'm going to get vast majority of my usage)...I found that the QUANTITY seemed to fall off a cliff. It was crazy how much of a difference there could be, even though it didn't really "seem" that the outdoors was that much louder (just a normal residential neighborhood). On top of that, I was able to understand the critiques of it being a "boring" headphone that didn't really excite.
 
And the one time I flew on a plane with them the effect was x100 --- there was simply no bass whatsoever, unless I cranked my device to ear-damaging levels.
 
So while I liked the PM-3s in a lot of regards, I decided to send them back and move on to options that are more colored/exciting/musical, to see if that provides what I'm looking for. I'm trying both different cans (first an extreme option like V-Moda Crossfade M-100 and then the Audeze Sine)...as well as different amping options (first the new Dragonfly Red, and then maybe the Mojo) --- in the hopes that I can find that magical combo.
 
Just my two cents, anyway. Good luck!

Exactly, I tried the PM-3 in a noisy environment and the bass were just ok (I was excepting much more).
What did you choose at the end?
 
I'm very interested to hear your opinion about the M-100!

 

[Transmaniacon]

You could try the Sony MDR-1A, they are a bit veiled to me but you might like that sound signature, it's similar to the Momentums.  The NAD HP50 sound good but they don't fit me that well so I couldn't get a good seal.
 
I am currently using the B&O H6 and loving them.  I would give the P7 a shot, you may also want to look into the newer Denon MM400.  I don't think you will like the M100, they had a lot of bass but it was boomy and messy compared to the Momentum 2 over ear in my opinion.

 

[brent75]

  Exactly, I tried the PM-3 in a noisy environment and the bass were just ok (I was excepting much more).
What did you choose at the end?
 
I'm very interested to hear your opinion about the M-100!

I didn't love the M-100 that much -- the midrange was too muffled for me.
 
I moved onto Sine with Cipher cable and it was game over. Those are incredible...my keepers for sure.