Bri-Fi
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2014
- Posts
- 32
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- 21
These PM-3 phones sound so good! It makes me wonder what the PM-1 or PM-2 sound like and why I don't own one of those.
For the last four days, I’ve been acquainting myself with the PM3. Usually, it doesn’t take me so long to adapt to a new sound-signature, but the PM3 doesn’t sound like any of my other headphones, so I’m struggling with its uniqueness a little.
More precisely put: the PM3 imparts a surprisingly wet and honey-hued sound. Many folks may be tempted to call these headphones “warm,” but I’m tempted to go one step further and say: The PM3 epitomizes warmth. By contrast, the Focal Spirit Professional sounds lean and bereft of any conspicuous coloring, which I think may make them the more “neutral” headphones. But that’s not to say that the FSP is in any way superior: it’s not.
The PM3’s bass, for example, has much more depth and presence than the FSP’s. Don’t get me wrong: the FSP can deliver an admirable punch, but onlywhen an armed and thuggish recording forces it into action. The PM3, on the other hand, never plays the game of “peek-a-boo” with its bass. Instead, it delivers a mature and steady bass response, while never sounding “flabby” or “wooly” or in the least bit “loose.”
And perhaps this is why I find the PM3’s sound-signature so alluring and yet so challenging to describe: a prominent low-end will typically penalize a given sound-signature in one darn way or another—usually by mucking up the midrange or repressing the presence of vocals. But the PM3 adroitly avoids all such pitfalls; indeed, its midrange sounds exquisitely linear to my ears, despite its sonorous, and sometimes, subterraneous bass response.
Regarding the treble: well, there’s not much to say, other than (for better or worse), I’ve never heard a more polite, but still present, top-end.
Once I’ve had more time to adjust to this sumptuous new sound, I should be able to formulate a more coherent post, but in the meantime, I simply plan to soak myself in the PM3’s warm waters.
Many folks may be tempted to call these headphones “warm,” but I’m tempted to go one step further and say: The PM3 epitomizes warmth. By contrast, the Focal Spirit Professional sounds lean and bereft of any conspicuous coloring, which I think may make them the more “neutral” headphones.
Glad to hear it's working out! I know there was quite a bit of deliberation!
Yep, and as usual, I stretched out the deliberation phase of my purchase for completely unnecessary concerns; btw, it turns out that the PM3’s sound-stage, though small, suites me just fine. I admit, the PM3 doesn’t project an open stage with holographic depth or anything like that, but the PM3, thankfully, still images well, and I can clearly differentiate instruments in bigger bands during even busy songs.
So yep, I’m happy with these cans. And as a bonus, I can finally don a pair of headphones in public that won’t embarrass me! That’s priceless.
Just ordered the Blue Dragon cable from Moon Audio, anyone try it yet?
If you are US or Canada there is the loaner program in the Sponsor Announcements thread.