[Guy 13]

Hi all,
today I did not have much to do,
plenty of spare time,
so I've decided to go to Fillion electronic
(One of the biggest hi end electronic store in the province of Quebec.)
to hear the new OPPO headphones.
They had the PM-2 and PM-3 and also the Sennheiser HD-650,
that's the one I own right now (With the Bottlehead - Crack)
I had my own CDs with different type of music and different type of recording
from Chesky to questionnable quality CD.
The CD player was a Nad and so was the amplifier,
however, the amplifier was not a dedicated headphones amplifier,
more like an integrated amplifier.
I first tried the OPPO PM-3 (Closed type)
first impression, even if they are comfortable, they feel small,
they are a little tight around my ears.
The sound quality was good, but after trying the HD-650
I can say that the sound quality is not really better than my HD-650
except the PM-3 are brighter or less veileled and-or less dark.
Then, I tried the PM-2 now with those there was a difference
an improvement overall.
The bass had more details, tighter I would say, mids were clear, especially with complicated music,
and the highs were clear, not fatiguing with good details.
Overall, much more details with better definition - precision.
So my choice would be for the PM-2 now the problem is:
The are 800 $ + and they are 24 Ohms, therefore uncompatible with my Bottlehead Crack
which is optimized for 300 Ohms headphones,
so I would need to buy a OPPO amplifier which is another 1,000$
and according to the salesman is very bright
or a Decware unit which is also around 1,000 USD,
so sadly, I will have to keep my HD-650 and Crack amplifier.
That combo is not bad at all, but again, I have to say: Vieilled and dark.
Well, dreaming cost nothing.

Guy 13
By the way, the OPPO PM-2 are very comfortable,
but I would have prefered some velvet padding instead of simili leather.
 
 

[dB Cooper]

Get an O2 or Schiit Magni which will drive the Oppos just fine and set you back about $100-130 USD. You do NOT need to spend $1K for a headphone amp which will drive planars.

I've heard the Oppos and thought they sounded pretty good and were well made but not especially comfortable.

[Guy 13]

Get an O2 or Schiit Magni which will drive the Oppos just fine and set you back about $100-130 USD. You do NOT need to spend $1K for a headphone amp which will drive planars.

I've heard the Oppos and thought they sounded pretty good and were well made but not especially comfortable.

Hi dB Cooper,
If I ever decide to go with solid state amplification
it will be with American made Schiit,
the only problem with solid state is that I find that type of sound fatiging,
with ss I can never listen to music for a very long time,
that's not the case with tube amplification, I should know,
because I have both right now.
For the comfort, the OPPO PM-2 is just a little less comfortable than my HD-650
but the 10% less comfort is well compensated by the 50% sound quality increase.
Anyway, I am not ready yet to invest on audio stuff,
I have to put my money on my wife's sponsoring.
Wife goes first, audio second, that's what happen when you are married.
Thanks for your recommendations.

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
the salesman at the store got back to me
and told me that for now,
there is no soft ear pads replacement for the PM-2.
According to OPPO, for now, they are only available for the PM-1.
Look like they are either different or non replaceable for the PM-2.
No replacement parts for that more vulnerable part is something that will make
me reconsider my purchase for an OPPO PM-2.
Those ear pads replacement are available for my Sennheiser HD-650...

Guy 13

[dB Cooper]

You might want to also look at the Audeze EL8 and Hifiman 560, both planar magnetics at about the price range you're talking about.

I agree that I would not spend anywhere near that much for headphones with non-user-replaceable earpads. No matter how good, they will eventually flatten out.

Now that you are on Planet Canada, you're looking for something more to your liking than the HD650? You might want to see if a HD600 owner somewhere would be interested in a straight-up trade. Could be a win-win. Especially since the 600 would retain compatibility with your Bottlehead.

[Guy 13]

You might want to also look at the Audeze EL8 and Hifiman 560, both planar magnetics at about the price range you're talking about.

I agree that I would not spend anywhere near that much for headphones with non-user-replaceable earpads. No matter how good, they will eventually flatten out.

Now that you are on Planet Canada, you're looking for something more to your liking than the HD650? You might want to see if a HD600 owner somewhere would be interested in a straight-up trade. Could be a win-win. Especially since the 600 would retain compatibility with your Bottlehead.

Hi (Again) dB Cooper.
With the Canadian $ being at one of his lowest (1USD = 1.40CND)
not a good time to buy something coming from the US of A.
For the OPPO PM-2 with non replaceable earpads I've lost interest for them
even if they sound good, plus the fact that usually the part that wear out
the fastest are the earpads.
As far as a straight-up trade between HD650 to HD600
I would have to find a place where I could make a listening side by side,
very important to hear if there is a noticible sound quality improvement.
I will slowly look for that suggestion of yours.
In addition keeping my Bottlehead Crack is a plus, because I like the sound, it's paid for,
I got a nice look and I like tubes.
Thanks.

Guy 13

[dB Cooper]

It's not so much a difference in quality as in 'voicing'... the 600's by all accounts are not as 'dark'.

I am honored to be the recipient of your #6000 post.

[Guy 13]

It's not so much a difference in quality as in 'voicing'... the 600's by all accounts are not as 'dark'.

I am honored to be the recipient of your #6000 post.

Hi dB Cooper,
the honor is all mine to have someone like you to share my 6000th post !
Thanks.

By the way, voicing to be less dark is good,
but the higher end is also as important even if my soon to be 68 years old ears
are ignoring anything pass 15KHz...

Guy 13

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
on Amazon.ca the Sennheiser HD-600
are now more expensive than the HD-650. 

Guy 13

[Ron D]

Guy - don't forget to visit Canuck Audio mart - there are always used Senns and various other cans for sale if used pairs are of any interest. No exchange rate/cross border shipping/taxes to deal with....

[Guy 13]

Guy - don't forget to visit Canuck Audio mart - there are always used Senns and various other cans for sale if used pairs are of any interest. No exchange rate/cross border shipping/taxes to deal with....

Hi Ron,
thanks for the info, I've completely forgot about that one.
I just had a quick browse and do they have good deals there ! ! ! 
Thanks again, I will browse again when I have more time.

Guy 13

[Armaegis]

I had the PM-2 a few months ago and had several replaceable earpads... The form of the PM-2 is exactly the same as the PM-1 so the pads are interchangeable unless they've made production changes recently (I doubt it).

[Guy 13]

I had the PM-2 a few months ago and had several replaceable earpads... The form of the PM-2 is exactly the same as the PM-1 so the pads are interchangeable unless they've made production changes recently (I doubt it).

Thanks a lot Armaegis for the usefull information,
even if I am not sure if I will go the OPPO PM-2 way.
By the way, with what make - model of amplifier do you drive
your OPPO PM-2 ?

Guy 13

[Armaegis]

I've rotated through so much headphone gear I sometimes can't even remember what I've had. I think at the time I was powering them mainly through a modest little NuPrime uDSD.

The PM-2 are reasonably efficient and do not need a hefty amp behind them (unlike my Hifiman HE-6 which are power guzzling pigs)