[toby23]

I have owned a set of Oppo PM-3 headphones for a few years and pair them with an Oppo HA-2 DAC for listening to Spotify Premium and gaming on my PC.

I am sensitive to clamping, for example, the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro's make me dizzy because of the clamping and recently, I have begun to have problems with the clamping of the PM-3's as well.

While I really enjoy the sound of the PM-3's, the 'leather' on the earcups and headband has peeled off and Oppo want £150 to replace just the headband. Instead of repairing the headband, I would like to get a different set of headphones to replace the PM-3's.

Q. Which headphones can you recommend from personal experience that are comfortable for large heads and that sound similar to the PM-3's and are below £400?

Thank you..

 

[bcaulf17]

Open or closed back?

 

[Mortsnets]

The AQ Nighthawk Carbons are extremely comfortable. I've heard that the Nighowl (closed) are also very comfortable. I can't say they sound a lot like the PM3s - I like them better.

 

[toby23]

Open or closed back?

I don't mind and can use both. I find the PM-3 rather hot and sweaty after an hour or so.. So maybe open would be better. Comfort and neutral sound/ warm sound are foremost.

 

[PopZeus]

I found the Audeze Mobius to be a more naturally tuned version of the PM-3. If you don't want a headset, going with one of Audeze's other headphones might work out for you, if they're all tuned similarly...

 

[bcaulf17]

I found the Audeze Mobius to be a more naturally tuned version of the PM-3. If you don't want a headset, going with one of Audeze's other headphones might work out for you, if they're all tuned similarly...

Yes, the Audeze Sine might work too but that might not be very comfortable.

I think you would like the HD600 or HD650/6XX. Similar mid-focused signature.

 

[toby23]

I think you would like the HD600 or HD650/6XX. Similar mid-focused signature.

I'm interested why you wouldn't recommend the HD660? (currently £385 on Amazon). I haven't been able to try the HD series but did have them on my shortlist as I enjoy watching movies with my Sennheiser RS165's.

 

[bcaulf17]

I'm interested why you wouldn't recommend the HD660? (currently £385 on Amazon). I haven't been able to try the HD series but did have them on my shortlist as I enjoy watching movies with my Sennheiser RS165's.

Sorry, the HD660 I’ve read is very good as well, I just don’t know as much about it as the other two. All three are recommended, they’re all great headphones. But for the HD6XX at $200 on Massdrop, that’s one of the greatest values.

 

[toby23]

Thanks for your advice. Based on your help and my research, I have ordered the HD600 to test out this weekend..

 

[bcaulf17]

Thanks for your advice. Based on your help and my research, I have ordered the HD600 to test out this weekend..

Glad I could help

The 600 and 650 are very similar, the 650 just slightly warmer. The midrange is fantastic.

 

[PopZeus]

Yes, the Audeze Sine might work too but that might not be very comfortable.

I think you would like the HD600 or HD650/6XX. Similar mid-focused signature.

Yeah, I’d definitely look at the HD6XX, HD58X, or the HD660. The clamping pressure is pretty strong when the headphones are brand new, but it’s easy to alleviate the pressure at the top of the headband where the cushion has a break by pressing the curve out.

 

[toby23]

I ordered an HD660S as well as I have heard that it's more suited to gaming as well as music, compared to the HD600. I can only keep one, so time will tell..

 

[bcaulf17]

Yeah, I’d definitely look at the HD6XX, HD58X, or the HD660. The clamping pressure is pretty strong when the headphones are brand new, but it’s easy to alleviate the pressure at the top of the headband where the cushion has a break by pressing the curve out.

Yes. That’s what I did too. Took a long time for the clamp to loosen up for me. But now that they have they’ve very comfortable.

 

[toby23]

So... After an evening with the HD600 and HD660S's... My ears have chosen the HD600's.

I enjoy a natural and neutral sound with clarity and instrument definition and the HD600's deliver on all these fronts.
The HD660S, by comparison, was muffled and dampened, almost like being played from under a blanket compared to the HD600.

I have only tested with tracks that I know very well and from a variety of genres, pop, classic, folk, rock and trip hop using Spotify Premium, Tidal Premium and Qobuz HiFi.
I compared both headphones with the Oppo PM-3 and was surprised to hear more detail and clearer definition and separation with the HD600.

I cannot believe how good the HD600's sound (to my ears and with my set up) but I am very glad that I have found them.

I think the best surprise is that I often forget that I have headphones on and think that I have left the speakers on as the sound is so convincing and clear.

Thanks again for your advice.

 

[bcaulf17]

Glad you like them! Are you running them with the Oppo amp?