This is a pretty cool looking piece of kit and I'm excited to get to try it out. From the measurements, it looks like the PM-3's small dip at 250Hz (as seen in Tyll Hertsen's measurements) is gone. More than the treble, this is what I've always found to make the PM-3 sound boring, even though it's a small anomaly. I'm eager to know how this pans out in listening.
@WillBright might have been hesitant to say it, but I think the PM-3 scales beautifully, more than I've experienced with my other headphones. My DT 1990, for instance, is subtly better through tubes, but I find the PM-3 to be nearly transformed through the same amp. Of course I haven't heard the Panda, but I wouldn't be surprised if it also scales well.
What I'm most intrigued/excited by, though, is the design process. There's so much in the world that's half-assed in design. I'm constantly muttering about bad design screwing up the ability to do something.
For the love of God, why is everything in a car controlled on a screen with multiple menus?! Or
Why in the world is a humidifier that fills with mold and mildew nearly impossible to clean?! It seems like products often come into existence without ever going through a rigorous design process, without anybody ever considering
what's the best way to do this? or
what could go wrong? I realize that the Panda is not a car or a humidifier, but it excites me to hear that actual research went into this. That little joystick looks cool. The fact that the headphones go into the case without having to be completely collapsed is also satisfying. And you know what? Sometimes plastic is a better material than more luxurious ones! (Hopefully those won't be famous last words) I'm sure there will be other things that niggle (there always are, everything is a compromise), but I love that at least
some thought has gone into things.
@WillBright, I'd love to hear more about the design process, if you're willing to share. How are you doing your market research? How much prototyping are you doing? Do you guys use focus groups or let laymen use prototypes? I'm sure that's insider information, but that won't stop me from being curious!