descloud
100+ Head-Fier
Overrated: Oppo PM-3s
A lot of content and reviews rave about the sound signature being excellent for this headphone. I was a bit disappointed to say the least. While majority would say they are neutral and balanced, I don't completely agree with these claims. There is a thickness / muffled quality in the mids that just makes voices sound unnatural and there is a peak in the highs that make certain instruments in the upper 7k region emphasized compared to the rest. This is present only on certain songs though to my ears. The bass is alright decent impact and extension.
The Audeze Sine, which was the competing closed black portable planar at the time, is I would describe as much better balanced throughout the lows, mids and highs with a more accurate tonality in voices and instruments. When using the standard 3.5mm cable, it is more mid focused where there is a weird cut-off sound to the lowest bass frequencies. The highs can get piercing on higher volumes. With the cipher cable, the bass got the necessary increase and the highs are tamed better, making them more even sounding throughout the whole frequency spectrum, to my ears.
Underrated: Shure SRH750DJ
These are among the first headphones went I first started this hobby (don't have them anymore, but can vaguely remember their sound signature). Not a lot of reviews for these on this site. I think they are among the best closed back cans for $150 or less. They sound balanced overall. The bass may be a bit thin or dry sounding, but hits hard and has good extension. The mids are well represented - definitely an ace for Shure audio gear. The highs are also well represented, although I don't recall if they extend really far. Among the drawbacks of it are:
1) build quality is subpar compared to the monitoring one (SRH-840) - plastic always creak when moving around and changing headband size
2) earpads are shallow - can be uncomfortable after a lengthy period of time
3) soundstage is tall, but pretty narrow - like only an arm's length wall of sound based on recollection
A lot of content and reviews rave about the sound signature being excellent for this headphone. I was a bit disappointed to say the least. While majority would say they are neutral and balanced, I don't completely agree with these claims. There is a thickness / muffled quality in the mids that just makes voices sound unnatural and there is a peak in the highs that make certain instruments in the upper 7k region emphasized compared to the rest. This is present only on certain songs though to my ears. The bass is alright decent impact and extension.
The Audeze Sine, which was the competing closed black portable planar at the time, is I would describe as much better balanced throughout the lows, mids and highs with a more accurate tonality in voices and instruments. When using the standard 3.5mm cable, it is more mid focused where there is a weird cut-off sound to the lowest bass frequencies. The highs can get piercing on higher volumes. With the cipher cable, the bass got the necessary increase and the highs are tamed better, making them more even sounding throughout the whole frequency spectrum, to my ears.
Underrated: Shure SRH750DJ
These are among the first headphones went I first started this hobby (don't have them anymore, but can vaguely remember their sound signature). Not a lot of reviews for these on this site. I think they are among the best closed back cans for $150 or less. They sound balanced overall. The bass may be a bit thin or dry sounding, but hits hard and has good extension. The mids are well represented - definitely an ace for Shure audio gear. The highs are also well represented, although I don't recall if they extend really far. Among the drawbacks of it are:
1) build quality is subpar compared to the monitoring one (SRH-840) - plastic always creak when moving around and changing headband size
2) earpads are shallow - can be uncomfortable after a lengthy period of time
3) soundstage is tall, but pretty narrow - like only an arm's length wall of sound based on recollection