Is that EQ for Pro 82 v1 or v2?
Never had a different one but judging by the 1.6 m cable it should be V2.
Is that EQ for Pro 82 v1 or v2?
I think yes.is this the official store? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32808454492.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.620a5902zSEHKl
Finally, a full review of Takstar GM200!
I will be comparing to its predecessor Pro 82s and it's OEM counterpart - MH751.
They come in a thin box, without the famous Pro 80/82 box:
GM200 is a gamer-oriented headphone, so it adapts a bit more aggressive styling:
A look at the cables:
GM200 comes with 2 cables + a 2m splitter cable, MH751 come with just 1 cable and a short splitter.
GM200 accepts Pro 82 stock cables and replacement cables from Ali (including micced) - MH751 only works with its stock cable, and there are no replacement cables to find.
Also, MH751 cable "locks in" , making it not easily removable in case of an accident - if it will be pulled hard, both cable and the socket may get damaged.
Microphone on GM200 sounds the same as MH751, except for darker background.
Comfort:
Luckily, GM200 uses the same exact pads as Pro 82 - comfort is 10/10.
Strangely, MH751 comes with pads that look the same, but don't feel the same - they are not as fluffy as Pro 82/GM200
Isolation/Leakage:
Since the cups and the pads are the same as on Pro 82 - this is just as little leakage, and excellent isolation - not enough for bus/train, but perfect for a noisy office.
I think that MH751 provides similar results, despite inferior pads.
Sound Quality:
Bass is the region that makes all the difference from Pro 82 v2. Look at the FR below:
Down to 400Hz, GM200 and Pro 82 v2 are practically identical, but below that mark GM200 start following Fostex TH900 MK2 all the way down to 80Hz, where they do part ways.
However, even at 22Hz, you can see that GM200 has 6.2 more dBs of sub-bass over Pro 82, and TH900 has only 2.6dBs more than GM200
This is another proof that Pro 82's sound was modeled after TH900 MK2.
First, Takstar puts out Pro 82 v1 - a more audiophile version of TH900 MK2, with much flatter response - no bass boost and no mids crashing after 1kHz.
Then, they put out Pro 82 v2 - with even flatter response, thanks to getting rid of the treble peak too (just look at that 7-8kHz peak of TH900 MK2 above!).
Now, they create a perfect "audiophile basshead" headphone - the bass (including sub-bass) is almost at the TH900 MK2 level, but the mids are still flat, and the treble peaks are still gone - so no V-shaped signature!
Whoever is the engineer that tuned these 3 headphones - he deserves a medal!
Of course, quantity is nice, but what about the quality of the bass? After all, MH751 measures very closely to GM200 - are they both "audiophile basshead" headphones?
The answer is "no":
As you can see, MH751 is missing the bass ports. Don't forget, even TH900MK2 is just "semi-closed" - fully closed headphones can produce a lot of bass, but the quality will suffer.
Bass ports allow GM200 to improve the quality of the bass compared to MH751, without sacrificing isolation.
.
Bass hits equally hard on GM200 and MH751, but on GM200 it has a better definition
Bass is tighter on Pro 82, but "meatier" on GM200 - just like it is on TH900 MK2.
Mids and treble sound very similar on GM200 and Pro 82 - but the tonal balance of GM200 is warmer, shifting the timbre just a bit off - not by much though, it's still better than many much more expensive headphones.
The electrostat-like transparency of Pro 82 is slightly reduced on GM200 as well.
I would say that GM200 sounds closest to Sony Z1R - they both sound like a warmer version of Pro 82 with meatier bass.
GM200 would probably have the edge on bass control and timbre, while Z1R would definitely have wider soundstage - I don't have Z1R to A/B with me, have to rely on my notes and memory.
Amp/DAC advice:
Due to the shift in tonal balance, Pro 82's "synergy combos" don't have the same effect on GM200.
GM200 sounds better from more transparent DACs - Oppo HA-2 + O2 sounds better than SMSL Idea + O2.
SMSL IQ + O2 sounds even better, especially in bass definition.
SMSL IQ alone loses on bass quality compared to SMSL IQ + O2, the O2 adds better control.
Using Little Bear P10 with SMSL IQ can add a little "oomph" in the bass and some euphony in the mids - a welcome combination for many, but too much for me.
Where to buy:
GM200 is available at the same store that introduced us to Pro 82: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33012705103.html
Due to the ongoing Aliexpress sale, now is the perfect time to buy one!
Not only the price has been reduced to 61.5$ (in the app) from 70$, but:
1) You can apply the free "5$ off 50$" Aliexpress coupon to bring the price down to 56.5$
2) If you'll place the order without paying, and write "Head-fi" in the order message after placing the order - the seller will adjust the price another 5$ down!
This discount will work even after the sale, but better use it now, while the price is lower and coupons are available!
Both SMSL IQ and P10 are on sale now too - IQ is down to 103$ from 140, and P10 is down to 58$ from 78$:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847472836.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32882901310.html
Don't forget, the 99$ O2 is here: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/167/objective2-headphone-amplifier-b-stock/
Finally, a full review of Takstar GM200!
I will be comparing to its predecessor Pro 82s and it's OEM counterpart - MH751.
They come in a thin box, without the famous Pro 80/82 box:
GM200 is a gamer-oriented headphone, so it adapts a bit more aggressive styling:
A look at the cables:
GM200 comes with 2 cables + a 2m splitter cable, MH751 come with just 1 cable and a short splitter.
GM200 accepts Pro 82 stock cables and replacement cables from Ali (including micced) - MH751 only works with its stock cable, and there are no replacement cables to find.
Also, MH751 cable "locks in" , making it not easily removable in case of an accident - if it will be pulled hard, both cable and the socket may get damaged.
Microphone on GM200 sounds the same as MH751, except for darker background.
Comfort:
Luckily, GM200 uses the same exact pads as Pro 82 - comfort is 10/10.
Strangely, MH751 comes with pads that look the same, but don't feel the same - they are not as fluffy as Pro 82/GM200
Isolation/Leakage:
Since the cups and the pads are the same as on Pro 82 - this is just as little leakage, and excellent isolation - not enough for bus/train, but perfect for a noisy office.
I think that MH751 provides similar results, despite inferior pads.
Sound Quality:
Bass is the region that makes all the difference from Pro 82 v2. Look at the FR below:
Down to 400Hz, GM200 and Pro 82 v2 are practically identical, but below that mark GM200 start following Fostex TH900 MK2 all the way down to 80Hz, where they do part ways.
However, even at 22Hz, you can see that GM200 has 6.2 more dBs of sub-bass over Pro 82, and TH900 has only 2.6dBs more than GM200
This is another proof that Pro 82's sound was modeled after TH900 MK2.
First, Takstar puts out Pro 82 v1 - a more audiophile version of TH900 MK2, with much flatter response - no bass boost and no mids crashing after 1kHz.
Then, they put out Pro 82 v2 - with even flatter response, thanks to getting rid of the treble peak too (just look at that 7-8kHz peak of TH900 MK2 above!).
Now, they create a perfect "audiophile basshead" headphone - the bass (including sub-bass) is almost at the TH900 MK2 level, but the mids are still flat, and the treble peaks are still gone - so no V-shaped signature!
Whoever is the engineer that tuned these 3 headphones - he deserves a medal!
Of course, quantity is nice, but what about the quality of the bass? After all, MH751 measures very closely to GM200 - are they both "audiophile basshead" headphones?
The answer is "no":
As you can see, MH751 is missing the bass ports. Don't forget, even TH900MK2 is just "semi-closed" - fully closed headphones can produce a lot of bass, but the quality will suffer.
Bass ports allow GM200 to improve the quality of the bass compared to MH751, without sacrificing isolation.
.
Bass hits equally hard on GM200 and MH751, but on GM200 it has a better definition
Bass is tighter on Pro 82, but "meatier" on GM200 - just like it is on TH900 MK2.
Mids and treble sound very similar on GM200 and Pro 82 - but the tonal balance of GM200 is warmer, shifting the timbre just a bit off - not by much though, it's still better than many much more expensive headphones.
The electrostat-like transparency of Pro 82 is slightly reduced on GM200 as well.
I would say that GM200 sounds closest to Sony Z1R - they both sound like a warmer version of Pro 82 with meatier bass.
GM200 would probably have the edge on bass control and timbre, while Z1R would definitely have wider soundstage - I don't have Z1R to A/B with me, have to rely on my notes and memory.
Amp/DAC advice:
Due to the shift in tonal balance, Pro 82's "synergy combos" don't have the same effect on GM200.
GM200 sounds better from more transparent DACs - Oppo HA-2 + O2 sounds better than SMSL Idea + O2.
SMSL IQ + O2 sounds even better, especially in bass definition.
SMSL IQ alone loses on bass quality compared to SMSL IQ + O2, the O2 adds better control.
Using Little Bear P10 with SMSL IQ can add a little "oomph" in the bass and some euphony in the mids - a welcome combination for many, but too much for me.
Where to buy:
GM200 is available at the same store that introduced us to Pro 82: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33012705103.html
Due to the ongoing Aliexpress sale, now is the perfect time to buy one!
Not only the price has been reduced to 61.5$ (in the app) from 70$, but:
1) You can apply the free "5$ off 50$" Aliexpress coupon to bring the price down to 56.5$
2) If you'll place the order without paying, and write "Head-fi" in the order message after placing the order - the seller will adjust the price another 5$ down!
This discount will work even after the sale, but better use it now, while the price is lower and coupons are available!
Both SMSL IQ and P10 are on sale now too - IQ is down to 103$ from 140, and P10 is down to 58$ from 78$:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847472836.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32882901310.html
Don't forget, the 99$ O2 is here: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/167/objective2-headphone-amplifier-b-stock/
Finally, a full review of Takstar GM200!
I will be comparing to its predecessor Pro 82s and it's OEM counterpart - MH751.
They come in a thin box, without the famous Pro 80/82 box:
GM200 is a gamer-oriented headphone, so it adapts a bit more aggressive styling:
A look at the cables:
GM200 comes with 2 cables + a 2m splitter cable, MH751 come with just 1 cable and a short splitter.
GM200 accepts Pro 82 stock cables and replacement cables from Ali (including micced) - MH751 only works with its stock cable, and there are no replacement cables to find.
Also, MH751 cable "locks in" , making it not easily removable in case of an accident - if it will be pulled hard, both cable and the socket may get damaged.
Microphone on GM200 sounds the same as MH751, except for darker background.
Comfort:
Luckily, GM200 uses the same exact pads as Pro 82 - comfort is 10/10.
Strangely, MH751 comes with pads that look the same, but don't feel the same - they are not as fluffy as Pro 82/GM200
Isolation/Leakage:
Since the cups and the pads are the same as on Pro 82 - this is just as little leakage, and excellent isolation - not enough for bus/train, but perfect for a noisy office.
I think that MH751 provides similar results, despite inferior pads.
Sound Quality:
Bass is the region that makes all the difference from Pro 82 v2. Look at the FR below:
Down to 400Hz, GM200 and Pro 82 v2 are practically identical, but below that mark GM200 start following Fostex TH900 MK2 all the way down to 80Hz, where they do part ways.
However, even at 22Hz, you can see that GM200 has 6.2 more dBs of sub-bass over Pro 82, and TH900 has only 2.6dBs more than GM200
This is another proof that Pro 82's sound was modeled after TH900 MK2.
First, Takstar puts out Pro 82 v1 - a more audiophile version of TH900 MK2, with much flatter response - no bass boost and no mids crashing after 1kHz.
Then, they put out Pro 82 v2 - with even flatter response, thanks to getting rid of the treble peak too (just look at that 7-8kHz peak of TH900 MK2 above!).
Now, they create a perfect "audiophile basshead" headphone - the bass (including sub-bass) is almost at the TH900 MK2 level, but the mids are still flat, and the treble peaks are still gone - so no V-shaped signature!
Whoever is the engineer that tuned these 3 headphones - he deserves a medal!
Of course, quantity is nice, but what about the quality of the bass? After all, MH751 measures very closely to GM200 - are they both "audiophile basshead" headphones?
The answer is "no":
As you can see, MH751 is missing the bass ports. Don't forget, even TH900MK2 is just "semi-closed" - fully closed headphones can produce a lot of bass, but the quality will suffer.
Bass ports allow GM200 to improve the quality of the bass compared to MH751, without sacrificing isolation.
.
Bass hits equally hard on GM200 and MH751, but on GM200 it has a better definition
Bass is tighter on Pro 82, but "meatier" on GM200 - just like it is on TH900 MK2.
Mids and treble sound very similar on GM200 and Pro 82 - but the tonal balance of GM200 is warmer, shifting the timbre just a bit off - not by much though, it's still better than many much more expensive headphones.
The electrostat-like transparency of Pro 82 is slightly reduced on GM200 as well.
I would say that GM200 sounds closest to Sony Z1R - they both sound like a warmer version of Pro 82 with meatier bass.
GM200 would probably have the edge on bass control and timbre, while Z1R would definitely have wider soundstage - I don't have Z1R to A/B with me, have to rely on my notes and memory.
Amp/DAC advice:
Due to the shift in tonal balance, Pro 82's "synergy combos" don't have the same effect on GM200.
GM200 sounds better from more transparent DACs - Oppo HA-2 + O2 sounds better than SMSL Idea + O2.
SMSL IQ + O2 sounds even better, especially in bass definition.
SMSL IQ alone loses on bass quality compared to SMSL IQ + O2, the O2 adds better control.
Using Little Bear P10 with SMSL IQ can add a little "oomph" in the bass and some euphony in the mids - a welcome combination for many, but too much for me.
Where to buy:
GM200 is available at the same store that introduced us to Pro 82: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33012705103.html
Due to the ongoing Aliexpress sale, now is the perfect time to buy one!
Not only the price has been reduced to 61.5$ (in the app) from 70$, but:
1) You can apply the free "5$ off 50$" Aliexpress coupon to bring the price down to 56.5$
2) If you'll place the order without paying, and write "Head-fi" in the order message after placing the order - the seller will adjust the price another 5$ down!
This discount will work even after the sale, but better use it now, while the price is lower and coupons are available!
Both SMSL IQ and P10 are on sale now too - IQ is down to 103$ from 140, and P10 is down to 58$ from 78$:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847472836.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32882901310.html
Don't forget, the 99$ O2 is here: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/167/objective2-headphone-amplifier-b-stock/
Hi Benf, i've been using Pro 82 with SMSL Idea for some time and i would like to buy a new piece of gear as i will use my Idea for travel/work. So i need a stationary device now. Which one would you recommend for Pro 82 and even the Takstar HF 580 (i'm still waiting it to arrive)?
Using the $10 coupon with coins i can get those prices:
Sabaj Da3 at $79
SMSL IQ at $93.5
NX4 DSD at $121
Topping Dx3 Pro at $170
No, Pro 82's bass boost affects frequencies up to 1kHZ, creating a big dip around 300-500 Hz, and a large peak between 100-200Hz - sub-bass isn't great, lower mids are sacrificed.Can the GM200 sound be achieved by adjusting the bass ports on either PRO82 models - v1 or v2?
Great review, thanks for sharing!
This is a rookie question so please bear with me... can you use the microphone while driving the GM200 with a DAC/Amp on a PC or in a console?
No, Pro 82's bass boost affects frequencies up to 1kHZ, creating a big dip around 300-500 Hz, and a large peak between 100-200Hz - sub-bass isn't great, lower mids are sacrificed.
GM200 is a marvel of sound engineering - it's basshead-oriented just like TH900 MK2, with added isolation and without the V-shaped signature.
Not to mention 25-30 times cheaper...
Of course, there is no competition in the looks department:
@BenF, how far is the sound of GM200 from Pro 82 + Oppo HA-2 w/ bass boost enabled?No, Pro 82's bass boost affects frequencies up to 1kHZ, creating a big dip around 300-500 Hz, and a large peak between 100-200Hz - sub-bass isn't great, lower mids are sacrificed.
The main problem with HA-2's bass boost, is that it warms lower mids a bit, starting at 1kHz.@BenF, how far is the sound of GM200 from Pro 82 + Oppo HA-2 w/ bass boost enabled?
I’ve got the HA-2 and would like to have a better idea about it.
Thanks!
Hi Benf, i've been using Pro 82 with SMSL Idea for some time and i would like to buy a new piece of gear as i will use my Idea for travel/work. So i need a stationary device now. Which one would you recommend for Pro 82 and even the Takstar HF 580 (i'm still waiting it to arrive)?
Using the $10 coupon with coins i can get those prices:
Sabaj Da3 at $79
SMSL IQ at $93.5
NX4 DSD at $121
Topping Dx3 Pro at $170
Why not use Idea for both desktop and work/travel? I sure do!
In fact, I'm about to purchase another Idea - they are no longer being manufactured, and once the current limited stock is sold out - they are gone for good!
If you have some money to burn and already have the idea, the best device you can buy is of course the 99$ O2: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/167/objective2-headphone-amplifier-b-stock/
Idea + O2 are unbeatable with Pro 82. Bass control improves significantly, and the timbre becomes perfect.
If you insist on buying another Amp/DAC - I don't have the DX3 Pro, but choosing between the other three, I would definitely go with SMSL IQ, even if NX4 DSD was at the same price.