SoundMAGIC HP100/HP150 Review and Impressions Thread

[DecentLevi]

No problem folks! The Senn. HD-380 Pro is an ABSOLUTE upgrade to SoundMagic Hp-100/150's. Basically everything that's good about the (modded, much improved version of it), plus bass that reaches deeper with more authority, vastly improved imaging / layering and details, and greatly larger soundstage. To me it one-ups the Senn. HD-650 in a few ways with perhaps the best voicing I've ever heard in a closed-back, sub-$2,000 anyway... that is to say yes it does vocals with great finesse and realism, being very tonally balanced. Search online and you'll find only positive reviews. The only reason I don't have mine YET is because I'm currently in a remote area. But geez, they're only about 1/2 the price of the initial SoundMagics, so why not.

PS- the cups are huge so they will fit around any ears

 

[DecentLevi]

have any other SoundMagic owners gotten to try the Sennheiser HD-380 Pro yet?

 

[harry501501]

Had my HP100s for ages and was about to sell them (I'm doing a clearance of my old gear to buy a set of STAX headphones). Thing is I had changed my setup on my laptop to introduce the little Topping NX2 AMP, coming out of a Cambridge Audio DACMAGIC XS2... so out of curiosity gave the HP100s a wee listen... WOW. The HP100 were always a great headphone but with this new setup they have definitely improved. Everything just became sharper, clearer, bass still reached those low notes but with more authority and less bloat and the highs which occasional could be sibilant had settled down and became very crisp. Most notably the soundstage improved. I've been A/B ing and the difference is obvious. Very exciting sound so they'll not be sold now. Even tho the 100 are easy to drive I recommend you having a go with different AMPs.

 

[harry501501]

have any other SoundMagic owners gotten to try the Sennheiser HD-380 Pro yet?

From reading the 380s sound a bit flat and analytical. Aren't they more designed for studio use? It's a set i have looked at on many occasions though. Nearly bought them once but opted for the Shure SRH840s at the last minute.

 

[DecentLevi]

From reading the 380s sound a bit flat and analytical. Aren't they more designed for studio use? It's a set i have looked at on many occasions though. Nearly bought them once but opted for the Shure SRH840s at the last minute.

I would call them very engaging and enjoyable, and yes definitely flat and analytical in a good way.

Here is the FR graph for the Senn. HD 380 Pro as measured by Reference Audio Analyzer. These measure almost the same as the HD-280, but have the upper hand in several areas like soundstage, speed and a realistic quality.

For comparison, here's a FR graph of the HP-100's, measured independently (don't trust the graph coming from SoundMagic). The blue line was stock and red was after a mod, mentioned here.

 

[harry501501]

Be interesting to see the 380 and Shure SRH840 graph as they sound pretty similar going by your description of the Senns. I still find the HP100 the best headphone around properly AMPed. probably my favourite set

Off topic, but just had a wee look at your profile, you've either got or listened to some fine headphones. Had to look again when i read Koss ESP electrostatic... wow, I thought they only did cheaper budget sets, albeit really good budget sets.