In the world of personal audio, it is not uncommon for a good product, having been in the hands of a master, to reach a completely different level. There are many examples of this, starting with a set of headphones made based on the Fostex T50RP emitters, and ending with the modifications of popular players. But recently in my hands were very unusual headphones, PMx2 from Audio Zenith, the product of a deep modification of Oppo PM-2.
In general, the story began quite interesting. Alexander Zaets, working in the field of digital signal processing, got acquainted with Igor Levitsky - the main developer of the Oppo PM line. After getting acquainted with the Oppo headphones, Alexander suggested a number of uncompromising modifications that allowed to improve the sound, but their mass application would greatly increase the price tag, so the models went without such "twists". However, with the permission of Oppo, Alexander founded Audio Zenith, a company that handles PM-2 manual debugging (PM-1 is also available, but they cost more, and it makes less sense to use them as donors).
During the finalization, the headphones undergo a very deep modification, almost everything changes from them, beginning with the ear cups, which in this model have 5 different sections with different filling, and ending with heat treatment of the radiator membrane. There are a lot of changes there, so I'd better attach a link to the author's video, in which he talks in detail about the essence of the modification. According to Alexander, each stage is carefully monitored with the help of measurements, taking into account the features of not only each pair of headphones, but even the difference between the drivers in one pair of PMx2.
You can buy these headphones , residents of Ukraine can turn to .
Specifications
Since the modification does not affect the electrical characteristics of the Oppo PM-2, the TTXs coincide with the original model.
- Emitter: isodynamic, 85 mm × 69 mm
- Acoustic design: open
- Frequency range: 10 Hz - 50,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 102 dB / mW
- Rated Power: 500mW
- Peak power: up to 2000 mW
- Weight: 385 g without cable
Packing and delivery kit
In general, "Zenith" did not become particularly philosophical and used a set of supplies from the Oppo themselves. Traditional double-layered box (outer carton of brown cardboard, inner - gray), in the box is a denim cover on the snake, in the case - headphones and a pair of wires. Long and thick in cloth insulation with a 6.3 mm plug and a short wire in silicone for use with mobile phones. There are also various guarantee papers.
Design and comfortable wearing
On this point, in general, everything is also quite expected. Except for small nuances like stickers, the headphones look like Oppo PM-2 with velor ear pads, and it's worth saying, it's good, because in terms of design and convenience Oppo tried to make the most. Large oval cups with the help of the surrounding frames of aluminum are attached to the headband, covered with a soft leatherette. Cups freely swing along all axes, which contributes to a comfortable and soft landing. Headband size adjustment is traditional, there is a notch that simplifies setting the same position for both sides.
Ear piercers are one of the main differences that are conspicuous. The PMx2 uses a version of velor, and even to the touch you can see the heterogeneity of their internal filling. Since in PMx2 the depth of the ear cups is slightly increased, this provides a more comfortable fit and trouble-free wearing. The effect of overheating of the auricles is not observed even with prolonged wear.
Headphones, like the top models of Oppo, are made in an open acoustic design, so the sound insulation at them is close to zero, it's headphones for home use.
The cable in this model, like the original, is replaceable, standard TRS plugs are used, so there are no problems with the replacement of wires, and experiments with reckabling can please the owner (or not, it depends on many subjective factors). The main cable from Oppo is slightly heavy, but for stationary use it's not a problem.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury & Precission L5Pro as portable players
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours.
As expected, the sound of this model is very neutral, it has a good resolution and a propensity for analytical filing.
The bass at the headphones is fast and fairly biting, typical for isodynamic models, but without the distortions characteristic of individual products. Naturally, lovers of "kacha" and "power" this model does not fit, its hobby - technicality and naturalness. It is worth considering that this model depends quite strongly on the nature of your source, without adding anything from yourself, so the LF will be exactly as much as the DAC or player produces. The depth of the bass is very good, as is the ability to transmit the texture of the low-frequency range.
The mid frequencies are certainly good. There is not the slightest hint of excessive sharpness, there are no attempts to emphasize emotions artificially or to add something "from oneself." Also, there were no attempts to hide something, move it to a distant plan or to lubricate it to create "integrity." In general, the case when the headphones play strictly "as is", and depending on the habits of the listener this can be both a minus and a plus. Excellent dynamics allows the headphones to build a large imaginary scene, its depth is close to the maximum, and the width - significantly more than average. Very good PMx2 cope with the transfer of character tools, they sound very bodily and do not turn into point sources.
The high frequencies are the area to which you can fuss a little, they are not enough to work out damping, which leads to a small loss of "gloss", expected from top headphones. Except for this, the HF models do not cause questions, they are good in resolution, but they do not cut the rumor even on poor-quality records.
Naturally, here you can not do without comparing this model with other headphones.
Oppo PM-.1 I've listened to older headphones from Oppo for a long time, and unfortunately, I do not have the ability to compare them "in the forehead", but from memory PM-1 differ slightly more relaxed sound, with smoother SM, for this lose in informativeness.
HiFiMan HE-6. Another headset, playing as accurately as possible and neutral, but their sound is more aggressive and harsh, especially on high and high frequencies. The HE-6 offers a slightly tighter bass and more underlined high frequencies, while the PMx2 sounds without this accentuation effort. In addition, the HE-6 is much more demanding for amplification.
Audeze LCD-3. The already-non-flagship "Odyssey" is distinguished by a darker pitch and a specific approach to building an imaginary scene. LCD-3 almost always try to create the illusion of a huge auditorium, sometimes it is in favor of a melody, sometimes not. The Audio Zenith model is closer to neutrality and transfers the volume closer to the conceived.
Sennheiser HD-800. In many respects perfect headphones, capable of surprising resolution and volume of sound, nevertheless have a weak spot, these are low frequencies, which sometimes lack power and bodilyity. It is in this they are circumvented by the heroes of our today's review, losing, however, in the study of HF.
Compatibility
In general, PMx2 is low in magnification. They do not need to pour in power watts to get an acceptable sound. To strengthen them, even shake more or less high-quality smartphones. Nevertheless, they are very shown a quality source with excellent resolution, so you have to take care of the selection. Personally, I liked these headphones with NuPrime DAC-10H, but the new Yulong ADA1 turned out to be lighter than the zenith.
Genre headphones are very versatile, if, of course, you are not a fan of accented filing. Pickiness to the quality of the record, I would have estimated somewhere around 7 points out of 10.
And by tradition, a few tracks in the role of example.
Ephel Duath - Hole IX. Completely breaking the boundaries of the familiar track from one of the most original bands. Slow, filled with ambient sounds, breaking sometimes into aggression, like a chocolate bar with glass wool, or a light summer rain from a hot lime. In general, the music that is able to withdraw from depression, and drive it into, and sometimes at the same time. This music is full of surprises and small nuances, and it's neutral headphones like PMx2 that can be played back as intended.
Esperanza Spalding - Unconditional Love. The rare case when a modern pop singer does not sing as if she is dying from cancer of the last stage, but her music is more complicated than the traditional "oz-oz, shake-yo-buti". In general, Esperanza boldly mixes soul with pop music, spicing it with an excellent cocktail of diverse styles, from rock to modal jazz. Of course, for this kind of creativity, you need neutral headphones that do not fall into the cold analyticity. I think you already guessed why this track was included in this review.
Kjell Öhman - 9:20 Special. Well, I would like to finish this review with something that is traditionally "audiophile", but not quite usual. For example, an excellent record of jazz performed primarily on the organ. In general, the composition for the recording of the album was picked up, to put it mildly, star: Arne Domnérus with a saxophone, Leif Dahlberg on drums, guitar, expected, picked up Rune Gustafsson. Naturally, such a collective could not get a bad record, and it did not work out. In addition to musical qualities, the album is also perfectly recorded, which, in fact, is a rarity for the organ. So when listening to this track in PMx2 you can get a double pleasure at once - and the music is good, and the effect of presence is almost palpable.
conclusions
PMx2 - this is the case when the headphones are accompanied by a vision of their creator for what sound should be, and I like the version from Alexander. Naturally, headphones, collected manually and individually, with a huge investment of labor, could not be cheap, but, to the credit of Audio Zenith, they were able to withstand a very competitive price tag, especially against the backdrop of modern flagships. Well, the convenience and stylish appearance, PMx2 inherited from Oppo, which also goes to their advantage.
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