seanwee
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2015
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Before I start, the cable on the PR2 is crap. I highly recommend getting the KZ 784 core as an upgrade cable. Bass is tighter and more punchy. Mids gain a bit more resolution. It sounded grainy with the stock cable.
I will be using the 784 core cable along with the Pentaconn Coreir tip on both the PR2 and the PR1 Pro for this comparison. (PR1 Pro's stock cable was good enough to not bother me)
Preliminary impressions on the PR2 vs PR1 Pro.
Technicalities:
Excellent! You do sacrifice a tiny bit of absolute detail retrieval but it's 95% there. But on the other hand you get a much less fatiguing listen.
(This is keeping in mind I'm used to hearing all the detail in the 10khz+ region so you might not even miss it if you haven't dabbled past $100.)
PR1 Pro => PR2
Soundstage:
Wide on both. Clarity helps with a good sense of depth.
PR1 Pro = PR2
Tuning
Bass: PR1 Pro>PR2
PR1 Pro has better bass balance imo. PR2 adds a bit more rumble but at the cost of absolute control. But at the same time the PR2 feels leaner in the midbass. You can definitely hear it in drums and guitars. Its presented with less grunt and power than the PR1 Pro.
PR1 Pro > PR2
Mids: PR1 Pro > Pr2
Can be a bit nasally on the PR2, it's a bit more forward than the PR1 Pro. Upper mids around the 4k region reminds me of the CCA CRA, it can get a little intense but luckily it doesn't sound artificial like on the CRA.
Perhaps a nozzle mod is in order.
PR1 Pro > PR2
Highs:
The biggest yet least noticeable change (which is a good thing). Think PR1 Pro with a 10khz treble scoop and you're there. Less fatiguing and tolerable on particularly on J-pop which I cautioned against when considering the PR1 Pro.
PR2 > PR1 Pro
Overall I'd say the PR2 has successfully "tamed" the treble of the PR1 Pro but now the 4khz peak rears it's head. Fatigue wise I feel like they are comparable, just depends on what region you are more sensitive towards.
One step forward one step back.
Hopefully they can finally nail it in the PR2 Pro
Regarding driveability I the PR2 is more power hungry no doubt but not by much? I'd say you're safe if you could power the original PR1 fine/have room for one extra step of volume on your type-c dac if you were coming from the PR1 Pro.
I will be using the 784 core cable along with the Pentaconn Coreir tip on both the PR2 and the PR1 Pro for this comparison. (PR1 Pro's stock cable was good enough to not bother me)
Preliminary impressions on the PR2 vs PR1 Pro.
Technicalities:
Excellent! You do sacrifice a tiny bit of absolute detail retrieval but it's 95% there. But on the other hand you get a much less fatiguing listen.
(This is keeping in mind I'm used to hearing all the detail in the 10khz+ region so you might not even miss it if you haven't dabbled past $100.)
PR1 Pro => PR2
Soundstage:
Wide on both. Clarity helps with a good sense of depth.
PR1 Pro = PR2
Tuning
Bass: PR1 Pro>PR2
PR1 Pro has better bass balance imo. PR2 adds a bit more rumble but at the cost of absolute control. But at the same time the PR2 feels leaner in the midbass. You can definitely hear it in drums and guitars. Its presented with less grunt and power than the PR1 Pro.
PR1 Pro > PR2
Mids: PR1 Pro > Pr2
Can be a bit nasally on the PR2, it's a bit more forward than the PR1 Pro. Upper mids around the 4k region reminds me of the CCA CRA, it can get a little intense but luckily it doesn't sound artificial like on the CRA.
Perhaps a nozzle mod is in order.
PR1 Pro > PR2
Highs:
The biggest yet least noticeable change (which is a good thing). Think PR1 Pro with a 10khz treble scoop and you're there. Less fatiguing and tolerable on particularly on J-pop which I cautioned against when considering the PR1 Pro.
PR2 > PR1 Pro
Overall I'd say the PR2 has successfully "tamed" the treble of the PR1 Pro but now the 4khz peak rears it's head. Fatigue wise I feel like they are comparable, just depends on what region you are more sensitive towards.
One step forward one step back.
Hopefully they can finally nail it in the PR2 Pro
Regarding driveability I the PR2 is more power hungry no doubt but not by much? I'd say you're safe if you could power the original PR1 fine/have room for one extra step of volume on your type-c dac if you were coming from the PR1 Pro.