DISCLAIMER: This is part one of my "Rise of the Rebrands" series of reviews. The Brainwavz HM5/ Fischer Audio FA-003/ Yoga CD-880 is up next. Part one is about a Conrad.com rebrand of the Yoga CD-340. Yoga is the OEM manufacturer of, among others, Fischer Audio and Brainwavz headphones. This headphone shows similarities to the Fischer Audio FA-006, where the Yoga CD-880 shows similarities to the Fischer Audio FA-003 and Brainwavz HM5. Thanks to user Jack Nicholson for the (first?) head's up on these.
Yes, the lighting in my office is pretty horrible. Might take some better pics later on.
The Renkforce CD-340 / Yoga CD-340
Specs according to the packaging:
- load (max): 100 mW
- frequency range: 20 - 20.000 Hz
- impedance: 32 ohm
- sound pressure: 102 dB
- weight: 290 g.
- cable length: 3.1 m.
Build:
Although plasticky, these things seem to be built really well. Great materials, comfortable headband, flexible, sturdy yet light without feeling too cheap. Removeable cable, singly entry. The pads are some sort of pleathered-memory foam. They don't quite seal for me and aren't very comfortable to my, admittedly ginormous, ears. The pads aren't totally circumaural and rest on my earlobes, causing pressure that gets uncomfortable after a while. This can be less of a problem if you have small ears and will probably fix itself after the pads are worn in. I'm going to try and source some velours regardless.
Sound:
First, these are closed but sound open. They also leak quite some sound and hardly isolate. They sound balanced, subjectively neutral with a VERY good soundstage for such a budget headphone. Slightly recessed in the mids and moderately lean. Not a front-row presentation. Not for bassheads but certainly not bass-light. Pretty impressive extensions for the price I paid. Decent seperation and they sound overall pleasant and, dare I say, polite, monitor-like and very unfatigueing. If I press down slightly on the pads I get higher bass quantity so I guess the pads are too stiff right now to really show me what they're capable of. Like Head-Fi guru LFF mentioned as well in his FA-006 review, they really remind me of the Brainwavz HM5/Fischer Audio FA-003's smaller brother. They also remind me a bit of my ATH-AD700.
Use:
Gaming for their soundstage and positioning, monitoring for their neutrality, acoustic, classical and popmusic for their overall signature. Bassheads need not apply (basslight). Metalheads/rockers need not apply (recessed mids). EDIT: I am listening to some Explosions in the Sky right now on the CD-340 and, eventhough it contains a lot of guitarwork, it sounds wonderful with a wide soundstage and a really clean and soothing presentation. People that like spacious, neutral and unfatigueing headphones and don't want to spend an arm and a leg will go bananas.
Pro:
- price
- build
- detachable cable
- soundstage
- neutrality
- unfatigueing treble
- positioning
- comfortable headband
Con:
- can be basslight when the pads don't clamp enough
- uncomfortable pads before break-in
- slightly recessed mids
Renkforce CD-340 = Yoga CD-340 = Fischer Audio FA-006?
Regarding the similarities between the Renkforce, Yoga and Fischer Audio FA-006, I can't say if these are the exact same since I don't have a FA-006 laying around. According to a Twitter conversation between a Head-Fi user and FA they do use the same drivers. I personally can say that I am VERY surprised and VERY happy with these great sounding (and looking) cans. They cost me $35 incl. shipping from the Conrad webstore, which is a steal in my opinion. For me, they beat the Superlux HD668b, which is another great budget contender in that price category. The HD668b looks cheap and sounds screechy and sibilant in comparison.
When you compare these photos (and specs) of the Renkforce CD-340 (first), Yoga CD-340 (second) and FA-006 (third) I think it's more than possible they're the exact same headphone.
Yes, the lighting in my office is pretty horrible. Might take some better pics later on.
The Renkforce CD-340 / Yoga CD-340
Specs according to the packaging:
- load (max): 100 mW
- frequency range: 20 - 20.000 Hz
- impedance: 32 ohm
- sound pressure: 102 dB
- weight: 290 g.
- cable length: 3.1 m.
Build:
Although plasticky, these things seem to be built really well. Great materials, comfortable headband, flexible, sturdy yet light without feeling too cheap. Removeable cable, singly entry. The pads are some sort of pleathered-memory foam. They don't quite seal for me and aren't very comfortable to my, admittedly ginormous, ears. The pads aren't totally circumaural and rest on my earlobes, causing pressure that gets uncomfortable after a while. This can be less of a problem if you have small ears and will probably fix itself after the pads are worn in. I'm going to try and source some velours regardless.
Sound:
First, these are closed but sound open. They also leak quite some sound and hardly isolate. They sound balanced, subjectively neutral with a VERY good soundstage for such a budget headphone. Slightly recessed in the mids and moderately lean. Not a front-row presentation. Not for bassheads but certainly not bass-light. Pretty impressive extensions for the price I paid. Decent seperation and they sound overall pleasant and, dare I say, polite, monitor-like and very unfatigueing. If I press down slightly on the pads I get higher bass quantity so I guess the pads are too stiff right now to really show me what they're capable of. Like Head-Fi guru LFF mentioned as well in his FA-006 review, they really remind me of the Brainwavz HM5/Fischer Audio FA-003's smaller brother. They also remind me a bit of my ATH-AD700.
Use:
Gaming for their soundstage and positioning, monitoring for their neutrality, acoustic, classical and popmusic for their overall signature. Bassheads need not apply (basslight). Metalheads/rockers need not apply (recessed mids). EDIT: I am listening to some Explosions in the Sky right now on the CD-340 and, eventhough it contains a lot of guitarwork, it sounds wonderful with a wide soundstage and a really clean and soothing presentation. People that like spacious, neutral and unfatigueing headphones and don't want to spend an arm and a leg will go bananas.
Pro:
- price
- build
- detachable cable
- soundstage
- neutrality
- unfatigueing treble
- positioning
- comfortable headband
Con:
- can be basslight when the pads don't clamp enough
- uncomfortable pads before break-in
- slightly recessed mids
Renkforce CD-340 = Yoga CD-340 = Fischer Audio FA-006?
Regarding the similarities between the Renkforce, Yoga and Fischer Audio FA-006, I can't say if these are the exact same since I don't have a FA-006 laying around. According to a Twitter conversation between a Head-Fi user and FA they do use the same drivers. I personally can say that I am VERY surprised and VERY happy with these great sounding (and looking) cans. They cost me $35 incl. shipping from the Conrad webstore, which is a steal in my opinion. For me, they beat the Superlux HD668b, which is another great budget contender in that price category. The HD668b looks cheap and sounds screechy and sibilant in comparison.
When you compare these photos (and specs) of the Renkforce CD-340 (first), Yoga CD-340 (second) and FA-006 (third) I think it's more than possible they're the exact same headphone.
