Sunday 22 March 2015, Auckland New Zealand --- On Friday, the Met service here in Hobbit land announced that we were going to have another great, sunny, summer weekend. So, as any sane Head-fier would, I decided to do what most made sense on this glorious weekend.
I locked myself in my room and listened to music. Specifically, with these beauties. My aim? To get a personal measure of what the PM3 is really all about.
Please note that the following is not a formal review by any stretch of the word. This is more my personal observations about the looks, the sonics, and the usage scenarios that I have subjected these headphones to. Much of what will follow is with the the intention of understanding what the Oppo PM-3 brings to the table. I will be mentioning other headphones here and there which are not pictured above, but have also been used to evaluate the PM3.
Hopefully, some of you can form a general idea of what it will be like to own the PM3, and how it would fit into your (audio) lifestyle.
Gear Used:
Oppo PM3; Fostex TH900; LCD 2.2, Alpha Dogs, ATH M50, Shure SE215, RHA MA750; Centrance HiFi-M8; Oppo HA2; Burson Soloist; NAD M51
PM3 and Fostex TH900
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. This is not a fair comparison, nor does it make much sense as it is Planar to Dynamic. The price difference is also very wide. The only things they share in common is that they are both closed, and both look good. However, l decided to have a go anyway.
The leather on both is synthetic. They are both luxurious to the touch and luxurious to wear. The leather on the PM3s look slightly more attractive though, and look more leather-like than do the TH900. The TH900s look classier, and more like a lux product mainly due to the cups, but the PM3 is no slouch. I would describe the PM3 as a gentleman’s headphone. It is stylish, but not garish. Fetching, but not striking. The design is tasteful and will not look out of place even if you are wearing a business suit.
The biggest difference is that the Fostex has better soundstage. It is cavernous compared to the PM3s. The bass is far more exciting, and kicks harder, though that is not revelatory in any way. I consider the bass on the TH900 to be the best in class for all the dynamics I have listened to. However, the PM3’s sound is more natural, more organic. It is more balanced hence I enjoy the midrange better on the PM3’s. The TH900 has quite an obvious V-shaped presentation that it is the more exciting listen, but sometimes fatiguing. I love it, but I won’t listen to it for more than a couple of hours. I have used the PM3s for 4.5 hours at the longest stretch.
Noise isolation and leakage is also better on the PM3. Less comes out, less comes in, which means that it is the better phone for the office. On the go, it’s the PM3 as well. I would never use the TH900 while walking, for fear of them falling off and damaging the beautiful cups. They are quite easy to knock off your head as the clamp is light. I’m getting a panic attack just thinking about it right now.
The TH900 is the overall better headphones for enjoyment at home. Better resolution, more excitement, more detail. However, the PM3 is the more versatile headphone, owing to its noise isolation and portability. It is beautiful in its own right, and is not left behind in audio quality, as the TH900 is nowhere near three times the better headphone as the price would suggest.
PM3 and LCD 2.2
This is an easy one. For this one, I will state my conclusion right off the bat. The LCD 2.2 is the better headphone in every way except portability and isolation.
I apologize to those who were hoping the PM3 is a closed LCD 2. It is not. The soundstage, bass, midrange, detail retrieval, and the looks (personal and subjective) all go to the venerable LCDs. They are more natural, and overall the better listen.
They are clearly a step or two above the PM3…when comparing side by side at home.
I took the LCDs and the PM3 to work the other day (and paired both to the M8). My office is relatively quiet, though it is a big open space there is just a bit of a murmur at any given time. Even then, the LCDs just didn’t work. They are so open that any sudden decibel spike in the area takes away from the overall experience. The immersion is broken quite often, when you are not in isolation, and that is pretty annoying. The LCDs let through Annalisa’s annoying cackling laughter from the corner and I tell ya it is worse that a cat scratching a chalk board! (**shudder**)
Earlier I mentioned that the PM3 is not a closed LCD 2. It may not be, but you could say it is a junior LCD2 - that was made closed. Basically take all that the LCD is, compress the soundstage a bit, dial all the other bits a bit, and make it a closed headphone. It is not as simple as that but the description works in my head. The PM3 out-LCDs the LCDs when on the go or in a public space. LCDs are not ideal while walking down the street, no matter how many celebrities do it.
PM3 and Alpha Dog
I purchased the Alpha Dog with the intent of using them at work. They’ve served me well in that role for about ten months now. I wanted the Planar Magnetic sound at work because my first two experiences with Planars was so powerful – the LCD 2.2 and then after while the HE500. They did not disappoint.
That is why I also spent a bit more for the PM3 than I wanted. A planar that is closed back, portable, costs less than an Alpha Dog and doesn’t make me feel awkward while walking? Shut up and take my money! The prospect was too good that I took the plunge even without very many write ups on them. They were good looking enough that I surmised I might attract non audiophile buyers and recoup my cash by selling them online - should they disappoint. They didn’t.
So here were my two choices for “Work” headphones. What is the verdict? Let’s talk about some details first.
The Alpha Dogs are not ugly ducklings. To me they evoke a certain retro charm – whilst in your hands.
On your head, well, awkward is a kind word. Oh yeah, yeah, we only care about the sound, blah, blah, blah. Remember that I got them for the office, not the house. It would matter not one bit if my main use for the dogs is in my listening room. At work, you will often get the quizzical look that says, “really?” If I were single, the Dogs would have ensured I got exactly nowhere with any of the hotties at work. On the street, let’s not go there. People can be mean. Seriously. If you ever went through highschool, you’ll know what I meant. And besides, it makes it more difficult to be an advocate of good sound, when your headphones look uhm, strange.
Case in point, a colleague of mine passes by the front of my desk every single day en route to the coffee machine. No interest in the Alpha Dogs whatsoever. First day with the PM3s? “Hey! Cool headphones! Can I have a listen?” After ten minutes, I offered him the Alphas, and he goes “Sure.” Obviously I have the world’s most judgmental officemates, and this only happens to me, and nowhere else.
Sorry, I’ve rambled on. Back to the important stuff.
The AD and the PM3 isolate equally well. The ADs feel more sumptuous on the head owing to the thicker, more lux pads. The angled pads lift up the drivers and that gives the illusion of better soundstage. I say illusion because even though the Alpha Dogs evoke a spacious stage, they are a bit flawed. The PM3, HE500, and LCD 2.2 wrap you in a 360-degree sphere of sound. While the size of this sphere is not TH900 and T1 level, within it, you get the solid, sumptuous planar magnetic sound sig. The ADs seem to me to have this gap in the front and back of about 10-degree wedge. So you have two bubbles of sound on your left and on your right, but nothing in between. I would say this is in about 20% of the recordings that I listen to. Not a big amount, but significant enough.
The PM3’s bass is hands down better than the AD, whilst the AD has better treble extension. Mids are about the same to my ears. The PM3s are also quicker and more visceral. You feel the snap of the snare drums more, and the bass is more impactful. The PM3 also sounds more natural and organic. Of all four Planars I have on hand, the AD sounds the least realistic i.e. sounding like the “real thing”. Sounds really good, but conveys the least degree of the “sense of being there”.
This leaves me in a bit of a quandary. I can tell that the ADs have now lost their main role, and will surely lose headtime to the PM3s – to a serious degree. There are still some tracks where I think the ADs perform well above the PM3’s but is that enough justification to keep them? I don’t know. This coming week, will test further and use my most favorite amp for the ADs, the Pan Am. I did not have this amp charged as I’ve left the charger at work. If I still feel the same way after extensive listening, I may have to let the ADs go.
All sonic characteristics considered, the PM3s are at least equal of the ADs. They are more aligned to my tastes than the AD though, and that might be the clincher. Plus they look far sexier and are the more versatile pair.
On The Go and Final Thoughts
I never expected the PM3 to be so excellent when on the go. I had high hopes as a transportable phone, and one that can be used in public areas like a café and such, but while walking down a relatively busy road? Never expected anything much.
The headphones that I mainly use when walking around are my IEMs (Shure SE215le and RHA M750) and the V Moda M80. These are really, really good. And while nowhere near desktop setup good, they were good enough. I could live with that. Enter the PM3. I can no longer say as much. With the PM3, the HiFi M8 or the HA2, I perceive that I am getting as close to my home setup as I can possibly go while hitting the pavement.
It is uncanny how the PM3s soundstage seems to float around you while you are walking. Perfect instrument placements, natural timbre, a sense of defined space – all while you are moving in space yourself. It was exhilarating and slightly panic-inducing the first time I did it. I had to stop every so often simply to focus my entire attention to enjoying the music. I had to make sure I was not in the middle of the road, and that’s where the panic comes in. None of my other (portable) sets come close. Good sound, good soundstage, enjoyable presentation, yes - but not to the PM3’s level.
Any negatives? Yes. As I said before, the soundstage is not as good as the ADs. The ear cups feel a little too small even for my smallish ears. Maybe the AD’s cups have spoiled me too much. The lack of soundstage makes the PM3s sound congested on some tracks. It does well with male and female vocals, jazz in intimate settings, acoustic, pop, a bit of slow rock. This is not a set for classical, orchestral or epic Hollywood type music.
I also can’t shake the feeling that Oppo could have done better, could have squeezed more performance out of it. Maybe it is because I’ve been comparing it to the wrong headphones. Maybe if I compare it to other closed backs in the same price range I won’t feel this way. Hmmm…maybe. For the price, I think they are fair, but Oppo could have given a bit more. That 1.2 M cable for us here in NZ would have done nicely. Or replaceable pads with bigger pad options.
Overall, I am very happy with the PM3. It holds its own with the big boys, and even displaces some mainstays from their role. Great sound, great versatility. Winner all around.
I locked myself in my room and listened to music. Specifically, with these beauties. My aim? To get a personal measure of what the PM3 is really all about.
Please note that the following is not a formal review by any stretch of the word. This is more my personal observations about the looks, the sonics, and the usage scenarios that I have subjected these headphones to. Much of what will follow is with the the intention of understanding what the Oppo PM-3 brings to the table. I will be mentioning other headphones here and there which are not pictured above, but have also been used to evaluate the PM3.
Hopefully, some of you can form a general idea of what it will be like to own the PM3, and how it would fit into your (audio) lifestyle.
Gear Used:
Oppo PM3; Fostex TH900; LCD 2.2, Alpha Dogs, ATH M50, Shure SE215, RHA MA750; Centrance HiFi-M8; Oppo HA2; Burson Soloist; NAD M51
PM3 and Fostex TH900
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. This is not a fair comparison, nor does it make much sense as it is Planar to Dynamic. The price difference is also very wide. The only things they share in common is that they are both closed, and both look good. However, l decided to have a go anyway.
The leather on both is synthetic. They are both luxurious to the touch and luxurious to wear. The leather on the PM3s look slightly more attractive though, and look more leather-like than do the TH900. The TH900s look classier, and more like a lux product mainly due to the cups, but the PM3 is no slouch. I would describe the PM3 as a gentleman’s headphone. It is stylish, but not garish. Fetching, but not striking. The design is tasteful and will not look out of place even if you are wearing a business suit.
The biggest difference is that the Fostex has better soundstage. It is cavernous compared to the PM3s. The bass is far more exciting, and kicks harder, though that is not revelatory in any way. I consider the bass on the TH900 to be the best in class for all the dynamics I have listened to. However, the PM3’s sound is more natural, more organic. It is more balanced hence I enjoy the midrange better on the PM3’s. The TH900 has quite an obvious V-shaped presentation that it is the more exciting listen, but sometimes fatiguing. I love it, but I won’t listen to it for more than a couple of hours. I have used the PM3s for 4.5 hours at the longest stretch.
Noise isolation and leakage is also better on the PM3. Less comes out, less comes in, which means that it is the better phone for the office. On the go, it’s the PM3 as well. I would never use the TH900 while walking, for fear of them falling off and damaging the beautiful cups. They are quite easy to knock off your head as the clamp is light. I’m getting a panic attack just thinking about it right now.
The TH900 is the overall better headphones for enjoyment at home. Better resolution, more excitement, more detail. However, the PM3 is the more versatile headphone, owing to its noise isolation and portability. It is beautiful in its own right, and is not left behind in audio quality, as the TH900 is nowhere near three times the better headphone as the price would suggest.
PM3 and LCD 2.2
This is an easy one. For this one, I will state my conclusion right off the bat. The LCD 2.2 is the better headphone in every way except portability and isolation.
I apologize to those who were hoping the PM3 is a closed LCD 2. It is not. The soundstage, bass, midrange, detail retrieval, and the looks (personal and subjective) all go to the venerable LCDs. They are more natural, and overall the better listen.
They are clearly a step or two above the PM3…when comparing side by side at home.
I took the LCDs and the PM3 to work the other day (and paired both to the M8). My office is relatively quiet, though it is a big open space there is just a bit of a murmur at any given time. Even then, the LCDs just didn’t work. They are so open that any sudden decibel spike in the area takes away from the overall experience. The immersion is broken quite often, when you are not in isolation, and that is pretty annoying. The LCDs let through Annalisa’s annoying cackling laughter from the corner and I tell ya it is worse that a cat scratching a chalk board! (**shudder**)
Earlier I mentioned that the PM3 is not a closed LCD 2. It may not be, but you could say it is a junior LCD2 - that was made closed. Basically take all that the LCD is, compress the soundstage a bit, dial all the other bits a bit, and make it a closed headphone. It is not as simple as that but the description works in my head. The PM3 out-LCDs the LCDs when on the go or in a public space. LCDs are not ideal while walking down the street, no matter how many celebrities do it.
PM3 and Alpha Dog
I purchased the Alpha Dog with the intent of using them at work. They’ve served me well in that role for about ten months now. I wanted the Planar Magnetic sound at work because my first two experiences with Planars was so powerful – the LCD 2.2 and then after while the HE500. They did not disappoint.
That is why I also spent a bit more for the PM3 than I wanted. A planar that is closed back, portable, costs less than an Alpha Dog and doesn’t make me feel awkward while walking? Shut up and take my money! The prospect was too good that I took the plunge even without very many write ups on them. They were good looking enough that I surmised I might attract non audiophile buyers and recoup my cash by selling them online - should they disappoint. They didn’t.
So here were my two choices for “Work” headphones. What is the verdict? Let’s talk about some details first.
The Alpha Dogs are not ugly ducklings. To me they evoke a certain retro charm – whilst in your hands.
On your head, well, awkward is a kind word. Oh yeah, yeah, we only care about the sound, blah, blah, blah. Remember that I got them for the office, not the house. It would matter not one bit if my main use for the dogs is in my listening room. At work, you will often get the quizzical look that says, “really?” If I were single, the Dogs would have ensured I got exactly nowhere with any of the hotties at work. On the street, let’s not go there. People can be mean. Seriously. If you ever went through highschool, you’ll know what I meant. And besides, it makes it more difficult to be an advocate of good sound, when your headphones look uhm, strange.
Case in point, a colleague of mine passes by the front of my desk every single day en route to the coffee machine. No interest in the Alpha Dogs whatsoever. First day with the PM3s? “Hey! Cool headphones! Can I have a listen?” After ten minutes, I offered him the Alphas, and he goes “Sure.” Obviously I have the world’s most judgmental officemates, and this only happens to me, and nowhere else.
Sorry, I’ve rambled on. Back to the important stuff.
The AD and the PM3 isolate equally well. The ADs feel more sumptuous on the head owing to the thicker, more lux pads. The angled pads lift up the drivers and that gives the illusion of better soundstage. I say illusion because even though the Alpha Dogs evoke a spacious stage, they are a bit flawed. The PM3, HE500, and LCD 2.2 wrap you in a 360-degree sphere of sound. While the size of this sphere is not TH900 and T1 level, within it, you get the solid, sumptuous planar magnetic sound sig. The ADs seem to me to have this gap in the front and back of about 10-degree wedge. So you have two bubbles of sound on your left and on your right, but nothing in between. I would say this is in about 20% of the recordings that I listen to. Not a big amount, but significant enough.
The PM3’s bass is hands down better than the AD, whilst the AD has better treble extension. Mids are about the same to my ears. The PM3s are also quicker and more visceral. You feel the snap of the snare drums more, and the bass is more impactful. The PM3 also sounds more natural and organic. Of all four Planars I have on hand, the AD sounds the least realistic i.e. sounding like the “real thing”. Sounds really good, but conveys the least degree of the “sense of being there”.
This leaves me in a bit of a quandary. I can tell that the ADs have now lost their main role, and will surely lose headtime to the PM3s – to a serious degree. There are still some tracks where I think the ADs perform well above the PM3’s but is that enough justification to keep them? I don’t know. This coming week, will test further and use my most favorite amp for the ADs, the Pan Am. I did not have this amp charged as I’ve left the charger at work. If I still feel the same way after extensive listening, I may have to let the ADs go.
All sonic characteristics considered, the PM3s are at least equal of the ADs. They are more aligned to my tastes than the AD though, and that might be the clincher. Plus they look far sexier and are the more versatile pair.
On The Go and Final Thoughts
I never expected the PM3 to be so excellent when on the go. I had high hopes as a transportable phone, and one that can be used in public areas like a café and such, but while walking down a relatively busy road? Never expected anything much.
The headphones that I mainly use when walking around are my IEMs (Shure SE215le and RHA M750) and the V Moda M80. These are really, really good. And while nowhere near desktop setup good, they were good enough. I could live with that. Enter the PM3. I can no longer say as much. With the PM3, the HiFi M8 or the HA2, I perceive that I am getting as close to my home setup as I can possibly go while hitting the pavement.
It is uncanny how the PM3s soundstage seems to float around you while you are walking. Perfect instrument placements, natural timbre, a sense of defined space – all while you are moving in space yourself. It was exhilarating and slightly panic-inducing the first time I did it. I had to stop every so often simply to focus my entire attention to enjoying the music. I had to make sure I was not in the middle of the road, and that’s where the panic comes in. None of my other (portable) sets come close. Good sound, good soundstage, enjoyable presentation, yes - but not to the PM3’s level.
Any negatives? Yes. As I said before, the soundstage is not as good as the ADs. The ear cups feel a little too small even for my smallish ears. Maybe the AD’s cups have spoiled me too much. The lack of soundstage makes the PM3s sound congested on some tracks. It does well with male and female vocals, jazz in intimate settings, acoustic, pop, a bit of slow rock. This is not a set for classical, orchestral or epic Hollywood type music.
I also can’t shake the feeling that Oppo could have done better, could have squeezed more performance out of it. Maybe it is because I’ve been comparing it to the wrong headphones. Maybe if I compare it to other closed backs in the same price range I won’t feel this way. Hmmm…maybe. For the price, I think they are fair, but Oppo could have given a bit more. That 1.2 M cable for us here in NZ would have done nicely. Or replaceable pads with bigger pad options.
Overall, I am very happy with the PM3. It holds its own with the big boys, and even displaces some mainstays from their role. Great sound, great versatility. Winner all around.
Very happy with this development. 
