PSB M4U1 vs. NAD VISO HP50
Mar 8, 2014 at 1:22 PM Post #2 of 17
ballard3 said:
  Has  anyone had the chance to compare these hp's ? I can't find any detailed report (excluding Stereos test). 
 
Click to expand...


I only had a chance to listen to the HP's briefly in a store.  I have the PSB M4u-2's (almost the same as the 1's sonically)  and the HP's sounded  very similar.  The mids were maybe slightly recessed compared to the PSB's, however, it is hard to tell as I did not compare them one after the other.
 
Mar 11, 2014 at 12:54 PM Post #6 of 17
Jude has a write up on both these headphones in his gift guide on head-fi.  I copied and posted the review of the NAD headphone as he compares it to the PSB in this review.  He agrees with me that they sound similar:
 
 
 
"Written by Jude Mansilla
 
After his success with his own PSB headphones, Paul Barton turned his attention to a headphone for NAD Electronics. The resulting headphone--the NAD VISO HP50--is, in my opinion, his best headphone yet. To my ears, there's a familial sonic resemblance to the PSB M4U 1, both of which use Barton's "RoomFeel" technology, which is intended to provide the rich and natural experience of listening to a set of high-end loudspeakers in a room.
 
Like its PSB siblings (I call them siblings since they have the same father in Barton), the NAD VISO HP50 sounds outstanding, with impactful bass that is very taut and well controlled. The overall balance of the VISO HP50 is, to my ears, just slightly on the warmer side, but still very resolving. Again, listening to it reminds me at times of its PSB sibs, but with greater refinement and a smoother presentation. Like the Sony MDR-1R and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM--two of my other favorite portable over-ears--the VISO HP50 is mellow enough to make for fatigue-free long-term listening, yet detailed enough to get the audiophile in me deep into the music.
 
Additionally, in designing the NAD VISO HP50, Barton addressed two of my biggest quibbles about its largish PSB siblings, with the HP50 being more compact, and able to fold flat for greater portability. However, the NAD, like its PSB relatives, is still rather large and awkward on the head (especially when viewed from the front).
 
Without a doubt, though, the NAD VISO HP50 is one of the easiest to recommend headphones at its price, and can very capably serve as both a portable over-ear or one's main headphone at the desk."
 
Mar 27, 2014 at 11:37 AM Post #8 of 17
Having owned both now; (I only kept the NADs) I can definitely recommend the NAD HP50s. They are very very similar in sound signature; however the NADs are much lighter and more comfortable to wear. My biggest qualm with the NADs was the slightly low amount of bottom end. I paired them with a FiiO Mont Blanc and they are perfect. Truly; these are the best headphones I have heard under $500. I wear these about four hours per day five days a week. You won't find a better closed oem in this price bracket. If you have the money for an amp, and want to stay under $500; I couldn't recommend the HP50s any more.
 
Jun 2, 2014 at 10:53 PM Post #10 of 17
I have had both.  They are very similarly voiced (obviously, as they're children of the same father).  The midrange on both is very, very similar; usually I could not distinguish them.  At first, the NAD seemed to have a slightly more transparent top end, which Tyll reported.  But the bottom end of the NAD wasn't quite as extended as that of the PSB, which made me think the NAD sounded thinner.  I found that the PSB were more comfortable, perhaps because the shape, size, and angle of the ear pads bothered me less than the NAD's.  And because of the way they fit, the PSB gave me a more extended bass range and the overall presentation seemed more cohesive and enjoyable.  
 
Over time, I found the fit of the headphones to affect the sound more than I had thought initially.  Measurements are just one factor.  Unless you can measure a set of headphones ON YOUR HEAD and relate that to what you're hearing with different models that you wear or are measured on something that replicates your own head, take all measurements with a grain of salt.  Kind of like "your mileage may vary."   I just could not get comfortable with the NAD; on my head, they fit more loosely than the PSB (but neither is a vise!) and that definitely affected the bottom end of their range.  Some slight added pressure on the earpieces, just a bit of pushing with my hands, would change the perceived response and heighten the bass, but I would not be able to tolerate that kind of pressure if it came from the headphones alone.  Neither of these headphones is designed to let the user modify the pressure and fit in any significant way without risking damage, which is too bad.  They're definitely not adjustable for pressure and angle like some other headphones, and the NAD is very limited because of the square shape of the headband and the one-way spring loading on the earpieces.
 
It wasn't until I got my Oppo PM-1 that I was able to make a clear decision between the NAD and PSB as my set of closed cans.  The Oppo is one of those headphones that people report as letting them listen to music for extended periods of time - as compared to listening to headphones.  This happened more when I was wearing the PSB than the NAD.  And the Oppo's gorgeous bottom end made me realize even more than before that I need to have a significant but clear bass response in any set of headphones, perhaps because that's what I expect when listing to speakers (I guess that's what Paul Barton terms "room feel").  So in sum, the balance and overall presentation of the Oppo just draws me in (and their bass response, like many planers, is phenomenal), that focus on the music happened more when I was wearing the PSB than when I was wearing the NAD.  So I sold the NAD.
 
Neither of these is going to win any prizes as to the way they look when you're wearing them; I think most people would look at you as wearing something odd if you were out of doors, because of their shape and/or size.  But as far as closed headphones go, you really can't go wrong with either one.  Pick the one that fits you the best.  Yes, the NAD is more portable than the PSB.  But I have the V-MODA XS if I want to wear something away from my desk or a comfortable chair at home.
 
Paul Barton's future headphone designs will be well worth listening to, especially if he can get a more ergonomic and visually pleasing context in which to deliver the same kind of sound.
 
Jun 2, 2014 at 11:18 PM Post #11 of 17
if you can have a try at psb m4u 2 have at it. the amp mode sounds pretty good. beats viso hp50 in my opinion.
 
idk if psb m4u 1 hv amp mode or not though. does it...?
 
Jun 3, 2014 at 12:06 AM Post #13 of 17
The M4U-2 has a built-in battery-powered amp and noise reduction, but can also be used in passive mode with none of the electronics engaged.  The M4U-1 has the same drivers, but has no electronics - there is absolutely no amp mode in the M4U-1.  It is passive only.  Here are the links to the PSB website:  
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/headphones/M4U-2-Headphones  
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/headphones/M4U-1-Headphones
 
Jun 3, 2014 at 12:25 AM Post #14 of 17
the amp mode in psb m4u 2 is what's makes it worth buying, even tho its around $100? more expensive.
 
never try the oppo pm-1 though, but reading JML post, it intrigues me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top