jllaudio
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 6, 2014
- Posts
- 14
- Likes
- 11
I was referring to the older veiled sounding version of HD-650. That one reminds me most of PM-1. I only had HD600 (which is more or less like a current HD650 silver driver but with more upper mids) to compare PM-1 to. HD600 (and by relation, HD650 silver) is more resolving (revolving <> detail) than PM-1. One simply needs to hear the aforementioned Eagles XRCD track. Some information such as string decay, ambient cues, disappear on the PM-1. This is from my uber rig. From a Objective2 or cheap Chinese amp, it probably all sounds the same.
Yes agreed, that PM-1 is like a planar version of HD650 older version.
Also, agreed that PM-1 is roughly equivalent to HE-500, sort of blows against each other in specific aspects, but jerg pad modded HE-500 is better than PM-1. Should point out that HE-500 is or was $599. However points on superior comfort, weight, and build of PM-1 are valid since HE-500 comfort is absolutely horrible unless odd things are done to it which risk shattering the HE-500 headband into ten pieces. As I've already said, my view of PM-1 would be different if it were not priced at $1,100, nice box not withstanding since I don't plan on looking at the box or caressing it's beautiful wood on a daily basis.
Sonically PM-1 lost to HE-560, Enigma, LCD2r2 (high grade sample). Lost a little bit on modest setups, but quite a bit on my uber rig. I know many think tube amp is probably a negative (it's all dependent on implementation and quality of transformers - OTL is bad idea for these), and all DACs sound pretty much the same, but this is wrong, especially when such tube amp (4-45) makes tighter bass (try any track from recent Daft Punk CD) compared to Krell amp with HE-6. Go figure.
Would like to try PM-1 from higher power SS like my Mojo or Crest CA-2 power amp to see if I can obtain better results. That I haven't tried yet. The SS I've tried so far has been modest power.
The more comparisons I read the more I'm glad I've purchased the PM-1. I like the fact I can go for multi-hour listening in comfort versus an hour or less in pain. The lyr, the OPPO 105 and even my Pioneer Elite 94Txh are more than enough power for me for many multi-hour listening.