NAD Viso HP50 : Another superb headphone from Paul Barton?

[Hachiko270296]

I agree with the above. I also describe the HP50 as a nightmare, because when you compare it to other headphones you wonder where your money has gone!

I would go as far to say they are, taking everything into account; the best closed headphone ever made. Sound silly eh? Well look at the response, they go right down to the depths in bass. They sound natural, smooth and never harsh nor too liquid.

They are just right. Ok so they don't have the micro detail of the TH900! But the TH900 has a unatural sound..it also has a mid dip so it's also not a very neutral headphone. The Nad has the detail you need, it doesn't dry the sound exaggerating the treble.

This phone is cheap, technically efficent and natural! Perfect.

Sure people are going to want to try justify their expensive headphones cough cough TH600 + TH900 and below! But you will be forced to accept it I had to! I hated the fact this little headphone was even competing with my HE-500 in areas and winnig. The vocals are nads strongest point and if these could be open and retain the response( Not possible unless planar) then a lot of headphones would be in trouble lol

 

[Koibito]

  What other closed cans would you, folks, say come close to NAD Viso HP50 in sound signature, clarity, overall sound quality, but with a tad more bass?  Oh, and more aesthetically appealing.  HP50's headband makes me look like a walking kettle.  Seriously.  

 
Thanks for all the informative comments, folks.  I agree with most posts -- HP50 is great.  Since I got mine, I dusted-off and listened to CDs I have not touched since 2005 and re-discovered all favs.
 
What's your take on M-100 to complement my HP50 for genres asking for more bass (i.e., hip-hop, electronic, bass-heavy rock, etc.)?   I set my budget ceiling to $300.  I don't expect it to be close to HP50 in terms of sq, but would I sacrifice too much clarity, mids and soundstage for the added bass?  (And looks*)
 
(*Side note:  Whoever designed HP50's headband should be chased out of the country!... except if it was Barton himself too.  ^_^  Way to ruin an awesomest pair o' cans.)

 

[diamondears]

Thanks for all the informative comments, folks.  I agree with most posts -- HP50 is great.  Since I got mine, I dusted-off and listened to CDs I have not touched since 2005 and re-discovered all favs.

What's your take on M-100 to complement my HP50 for genres asking for more bass (i.e., hip-hop, electronic, bass-heavy rock, etc.)?   I set my budget ceiling to $300.  I don't expect it to be close to HP50 in terms of sq, but would I sacrifice too much clarity, mids and soundstage for the added bass?  (And looks*)

(*Side note:  Whoever designed HP50's headband should be chased out of the country!... except if it was Barton himself too.  ^_^  Way to ruin an awesomest pair o' cans.)

Lol...+1 exactly on the headband...its a real pain on the top of the head.

My honest advise is get an amp with bass-boost because the HP50 WILL definitely scale-up and respond. So you get more bass without sacrificing other aspects of the SQ when you get another HP.

And another suggestion... try a cheap OCC HP cable and hear what happens.

 

[eargasam]

Here's a question I am looking for something with the similar
sound signature as my hp50s but with a little more oomph in the bass department. Should I be looking at the Sony mar 1a or the vmoda m100s. Trying to stay in that 300 price range

 

[shabta]

  Here's a question I am looking for something with the similar
sound signature as my hp50s but with a little more oomph in the bass department. Should I be looking at the Sony mar 1a or the vmoda m100s. Trying to stay in that 300 price range

why don't you try a little EQ instead?

 

[chailee80]

Here's a question I am looking for something with the similar
sound signature as my hp50s but with a little more oomph in the bass department. Should I be looking at the Sony mar 1a or the vmoda m100s. Trying to stay in that 300 price range

Depending on how much more bass you want the mdr-1a could fit, personally I though the bass was a bit overdone and the top end was a bit too dark. You could try the custom one pro which lets you manually adjust bass levels, I thought they sounded quite good for the price.

 

[chailee80]

Just noticed an australian headphone dealer is selling the NAD HP30, there doesnt seem to be much info around on it. Has anyone here demoed them by any chance?

 

[diamondears]

Just noticed an australian headphone dealer is selling the NAD HP30, there doesnt seem to be much info around on it. Has anyone here demoed them by any chance?

You mean HP20? Wait for the PSB M4U 4, a hybrid IEM. $300 SRP though.

 

[tinyman392]

You mean HP20? Wait for the PSB M4U 4, a hybrid IEM. $300 SRP though.

He means 30.  It's an on-ear design by NAD.  

 

[chailee80]

You mean HP20? Wait for the PSB M4U 4, a hybrid IEM. $300 SRP though.

No it's the hp30, an on ear version of the hp50 by the looks of it. I'm very tempted to just buy a pair out of curiosity. Hopefully they retain the sonic characteristics of the hp50 while improving comfort. It's hard to tell with the limited pictures available but the headband looks like it's been redesigned and should hopefully fit better.

 

[diamondears]

No it's the hp30, an on ear version of the hp50 by the looks of it. I'm very tempted to just buy a pair out of curiosity. Hopefully they retain the sonic characteristics of the hp50 while improving comfort. It's hard to tell with the limited pictures available but the headband looks like it's been redesigned and should hopefully fit better.

You sure it ain't a copy? NAD website doesn't show/mention it.

 

[chailee80]

You sure it ain't a copy? NAD website doesn't show/mention it.

On an reputable aussie headphone website http://www.addictedtoaudio.com.au/product/nad-viso-hp30-on-ear-headphones-black
 
Also http://www.whathifi.com/news/nad-announces-viso-hp30-ear-headphones

 

[Jeff Y]

You sure it ain't a copy? NAD website doesn't show/mention it.

It's not it's legit. I've seen the ad for it many times by NAD. Also, there were rumors perviously.
It's been out for about a month I think.

 

[kenshinesca]

These headphones look like the Bowers & Wilkins P7's just with a bit more modern design style but the headband looks kinda funky, not sure I would wear the Viso outside.

 

[Jeff Y]

  These headphones look like the Bowers & Wilkins P7's just with a bit more modern design style but the headband looks kinda funky, not sure I would wear the Viso outside.

I would say don't. They really do look funky so it's really an indoor phone... unless you're brave.