Originally Posted by Winno [COLOR=22229C]/img/forum/go_quote.gif
[/COLOR]
Ok, I've just got back from my local Apple store where I spent about 1/2hr listening to the Momentums, B&W P7, and the B&O Beoplay H6.
A quick first impression review.
I listened to three tracks;
Ian Anderson - In the Pay of Spain (Divinities - Twelve Dances with God album - a mix of acoustic and electrical instruments)
Basia Trzetrzelewska - Yearning (Sweetest Illusion album - voice with a jazzy touch)
Joe Ford - Majestic (hard hitting industrial dub-step)
The B&Ws were up first (simply because they were closest to me after walking in)
A secure fit but not overly firm, fitted right around my ears, nice finish and a classy looking can.
Sound - detailed right across the spectrum, forthright but not overly in-your-face, flat spectral balance, no sibilance up top.
Powers well directly from iPhone 5 but the volume sat near the top 3/4 because of ambient shop noise and despite good isolation.
Quite livable.
The Momentums.
Fit was more comfortable as the pads are softer and oval shaped. The B&W's rectangular pads were still good but not as nice here. The Momentum has a slightly smaller profile around your head.
Possibly slightly easier to drive straight from my phone than the P7.
Sound - the words 'delicacy' and 'airiness' come to mind.
A less in-your-face sound compared to the B&W. Kinda like sitting further away from the performers where you could get a better sence of the whole venue acoustic. Was probably ever so slightly softer overall and could be said to lack some of the finer details down low that the B&W had but I found it a more musical, sweeter, and enjoyable sound. I could forget everything and be carried away into the music more with these.
The B&Os.
I listened to these just because they were there. I didn't go into the store with listening to them in mind.
I've never considered B&O a hi-fi product previously. I've viewed them as an exercise in form over function in the past and thought their products a bit over rated.
These were a surprise.
They're well made with leather covered pads, nice alloy finishes with quality annodising and machined structural bits.
Sound wise - very close to the Momentums but with some subtle leanings toward the B&W.
A nice phone certainly.
My pick?
Overall, the Momentums.
This listen confirmed why I liked them so much when I heard them for a couple of minutes a few months ago.
If these were no longer available, I'd easily pick the B&Os.
All three had compact plugs that easily fitted through my Cleave/Draco bumper (5mm deep with a 7mm dia. recess).
I'd like to give more insight into all of these but time was not permitting.
Maybe this helps someone in their decision.