As planned, last night I sucessfully convinced my misses that I desperately need new portable headphones (even though I have 4 others in perfect condition, one of which is still brand new packed in its box) I got to buy the long wanted Senn PX-100-II to pair with my beloved A15.
So, I hurried home excited and my happiness grew larger when I found my Igadgitz white silicone case in the mailbox. I was not expecting it to arrive for another week or so. I ordered it on 19 February. It took only 8 days for it to reach from UK to Malaysia!!! I am officially impressed.
I dressed my A-15 in the new case and it actually fits and looks quite nice. It covers the whole player except for half an inch below the option and back button. I thought it would look cheap but it doesnt, the white case matches the silver color of the walkman and it looks rather nice. It gives me a better grip when holding and using the player as it is not slippery anymore. I did not put the screen saver on yet as I am terrible at that and will ask someone to stick it up for me.
My misses wanted some hanky penky but I made clear to her that it needs to wait as I have to play with my PX first (hehehehe).
I am new to this hi-fi hoby and have not written any reviews yet but I promised yesterday I will report on the synergy between A15 and Senn PX 100-II so here it goes.
I unboxed my PX 100-II and plugged it into my newly dressed walkman. I had the EQ set to flat at all frequencies. As such the sound was good but I found it a tad overly bassy and little too thick. Then, I set the clear bass value to zero and boosted the 16K band to +2 and there was the sound I was expecting and hoping for. The lean output of A15 coupled with dark meaty sound of PX100-II. Yumm!!!
Even at zero value on the EQ settings the bass extends quite deep and hits sufficiently hard for me (I am not extreme basshead but love my bass). Yes, it could do with a little more tightness and speed but still very enjoyable as is. Had my head banging up and down with my wife looking at me with contempt not believing I chose to play with PX instead with her (hehehe).
The mids seem to be just slighty recessed but I prefer them like that as I do not like shouty and 'in your face' vocals. The bass does not bleed excessively into the mids so vocals can still be heard properly and sound natural and crisp. I like.
The highs were laid back a tad too much (prior to me boosting them up slightly) but after the boost they extended high enough 4 me and had a little sparkle (again, I do not like the shrill fatiquing highs that I heard on some other protables) and retrieve plenty of details. I guest detail retrieval is also helped a lot by walkman's SQ. Whatever the case, I hear things in some songs I didnt notice before and I am impressed that a small portable can retrieve details like that.
I was also amazed that this thing had a soundstage actually. Its not huge or anything bit it is there and is enjoyable, espacially with classical music. Usually open back portables do not have any soundstage to speak of. Again it may be helped by the sounstage created by the walkman but it was nice to hear/feel the music in front/around me and not in my head like I do when I have IEMS stuffed in my ears. Quite refreshing I'd say.
The synergy between the two is good for any type of music and PX100-II is a great all rounder. However, due to the hard hitting/quality bass I guess its best for bass heavy music such as electronic/house/techno/dubstep and alike.
Overall, the sound coming out of PX100-II paired with my A-15 is pleasant, laid back, airy and never agressive or tiring. Really fun and engaging sound I was looking for. I can close my eyes and feel like I am listening to a lot more expensive, (aroundear) headphones. These are really awesome and sound way over their price range. Now I get it why these get recommended a lot as a gateway to hi-fi world.
I am happy with my purchase and with A-15/PX 100-II combo and could see myself not wanting to upgrade to more expensive gear anytime soon, but we all know that's not how it is gonna go. Upgrade cannot be avoided can it, espacially not when you are a member of this forum. Let's just hope my wife is not reading this.
Cheers
Jamal
