NAD Viso HP50 : Another superb headphone from Paul Barton?

[YamaVega]

If great sound and isolation matter to you despite the looks, then crown yourself the nads. I use them while going to and from work, I didn't get banished from society while wearing it. But I am very careful while doing so, not to scratch the glossy earcups and soft headband. Don't wanna test its durability

 

[Captain Howdy]

Speaking of sound isolation, I noticed something odd. Since it's been so damned hot here in San Diego lately, I have a table fan beside me while I'm listening to music. I noticed that when I turn my head directly toward the fan, the noise becomes much louder. I'll attach a diagram to illustrate what I mean.
 
 
 
In short, the sound isolation is best when it's not on the same axis as your ears. It seems there is much less isolating material in the center of the cup.

 

[Jeff Y]

  Speaking of sound isolation, I noticed something odd. Since it's been so damned hot here in San Diego lately, I have a table fan beside me while I'm listening to music. I noticed that when I turn my head directly toward the fan, the noise becomes much louder. I'll attach a diagram to illustrate what I mean.
 
 
 
In short, the sound isolation is best when it's not on the same axis as your ears. 

There's a tiny gap to the back of the cups in my case so this happens to me as well.

 

[tinyman392]

Speaking of sound isolation, I noticed something odd. Since it's been so damned hot here in San Diego lately, I have a table fan beside me while I'm listening to music. I noticed that when I turn my head directly toward the fan, the noise becomes much louder. I'll attach a diagram to illustrate what I mean.

 


In short, the sound isolation is best when it's not on the same axis as your ears. 

Surface area could play a huge role. At an angle, the air will hit less of the headphone. Directly against it, it'll have more surface area to transfer over.

 

[frix]

I haven't used my hp50 for a while (hot weather, holidays etc.)and was actually thinking of selling them.
Just plugged them in and what can I say. I was pleasently surprised again by the great sound they produce. Everything seems well balanced and effortless. It's actually my only headphone I'm not using any kind of EQing.
 
Still hoping for a new NAD headphone with better ergonomics and same sound

 

[MrMateoHead]

Hey all -
 
I've been seriously tempted to pull the trigger on (probably a warehouse deal) NAD HP50 because I love the idea of having a neutral headphone to split the difference between my punchy / forward Senn HD595s and my excellent but somewhat neutral, somewhat dark/AND bright HE-400s. I've been dying to try some phones with the "harmon curve" and these seem like a smarter choice than Focals, if only because I assume they will fit better and they are cheaper.
 
What is the consensus here about the fit and finish, durability over the long-haul, and their sound quality? I'll have a good amp handy and probably will use them indoors typically. I listen to virtually anything so typically favor a balanced presentation. But the HE-400s treated me with excellent speed and amazing resolution, and sublime bass.
 
Sell me these things, or protect my wallet! I've just got a little itch that I'd like to scratch.

 

[bgentry]

Fit and finish is good, though there are some mods that you almost have to do to them to make them usable day to day.

First, the putty or blue tack mod. If you don't use something to fill out the gap between the internal joint and the exterior shell, these headphones click and pop and "thunk" like crazy. It was making me insane before I modded them. It's not hard, but it's not super easy either. Took me about 45 minutes to do.

Second, the grip, plus the ear pads are pretty tight and shallow. Enough so that after about 1 hour of wearing my ears hurt. Specifically my left ear in one spot. It's because my ear touches the inside of the headphone and it presses on my ear. I've put a piece of shock cord under the ear pads, which spaces them out about 3/16" (5 mm). This has helped a LOT with comfort. I can leave them on for several hours before they start to hurt. My latest version of this mod was to hot glue the shock cord to the plastic part of the ear pieces (under the ear pads). Before I did that the cord kept slipping out of place.

With these two mods, the headphones are much much more pleasant to wear. But no where near ideal. My old Senn HD280pros are much more comfortable. The SoundMagic HP150s I had were a WORLD more comfortable. I haven't worn any other headphones for hours at a time in recent memory so I can't make more comparisons. The NAD's aren't real bad. Just not real good in terms of comfort.

I'd give them a rating something like:

Comfort (before mods): 5
Comfort (after mods): 7
Sound Quality: 9.5
Value: 9
Overall (before mods): 6 (mainly because of the horrible thunking noises)
Overall (after mods): 8.5

This is all just one man's opinion.

Brian.

 

[Captain Howdy]

  There's a tiny gap to the back of the cups in my case so this happens to me as well.

 
Do you mean between the pad and your head? I checked to be sure that wasn't my problem.
 

Surface area could play a huge role. At an angle, the air will hit less of the headphone. Directly against it, it'll have more surface area to transfer over.

 
It's not the air, it's the noise generated by the fan. Though I haven't tried it, I expect the effect would be the same with any source of noise.

 

[Captain Howdy]

  Hey all -
 
I've been seriously tempted to pull the trigger on (probably a warehouse deal) NAD HP50 because I love the idea of having a neutral headphone to split the difference between my punchy / forward Senn HD595s and my excellent but somewhat neutral, somewhat dark/AND bright HE-400s. I've been dying to try some phones with the "harmon curve" and these seem like a smarter choice than Focals, if only because I assume they will fit better and they are cheaper.
 
What is the consensus here about the fit and finish, durability over the long-haul, and their sound quality? I'll have a good amp handy and probably will use them indoors typically. I listen to virtually anything so typically favor a balanced presentation. But the HE-400s treated me with excellent speed and amazing resolution, and sublime bass.
 
Sell me these things, or protect my wallet! I've just got a little itch that I'd like to scratch.

 
Compared to the HD 600, fit and finish are inferior. I can just put on the HD 600 and forget about them. Compared to the ATH-M50, fit and finish are, again, inferior--although one thing I prefer about the HP50 is that I'm not constantly shifting it around on my ears in search of the best sound, like I was with the M50. I find the HP50 pretty comfortable, although one of my ears is slightly too big for the cup. 
 
There was this thread on Reddit a little while ago about the sound going out on one side. One person wrote "It is design flaw and well-documented issue (posted many times in this reddit and other places.) Inevitably ALL HP50's one channel will broke, and there is little you can do about it unfortunately." First I've ever heard of it, so I don't know how much credence to give him.

 

[diamondears]

If the NAD/PSB starts figuring out how to design an ergonomic HP...this hobby could get really boring...

 

[Jeff Y]

   
Do you mean between the pad and your head? I checked to be sure that wasn't my problem.
 

Yes, there's a small gap between the pads and the rear part of my head. YMMV because of the differing head shapes though.
All I can really say about NAD's design is that they need to really learn how to design a headband. And how to make the internal cables not disconnect even if a big-headed person wears them.
Otherwise, seal is pretty good.

 

[MrMateoHead]

So is there a relative consensus that the fit/finish of the NAD or PSB versions of this headphone are relatively poorly constructed, but excellent sounding? My internet research has me leaning toward the PSBs, mainly because they may be a better fit.
 
I do have to say that to day my Sennheisers have been the only phones I've ever owned that are not only light, but comfy and super rugged. They were also about $250, so it'd be nice to see these other companies take a cue.

 

[sheldaze]

  So is there a relative consensus that the fit/finish of the NAD or PSB versions of this headphone are relatively poorly constructed, but excellent sounding? My internet research has me leaning toward the PSBs, mainly because they may be a better fit.
 
I do have to say that to day my Sennheisers have been the only phones I've ever owned that are not only light, but comfy and super rugged. They were also about $250, so it'd be nice to see these other companies take a cue.

Definitely! All the focus for this headphone was on the sound. How you look whilst wearing it, or how it fits over your ears, on the top of your head, etc. is secondary. That being said, when it fits, it sounds fantastic - especially for the price

 
And per your comment on amp requirements, this headphone can be easily driven by any amplifier, including things like an iPhone. Will it sound better when connected to better electronics - sure. But it does not require power to be driven. In fact, it has been known to be too smooth with high-end electronics, according to what I've read here.

 

[MrMateoHead]

 
Definitely! All the focus for this headphone was on the sound. How you look whilst wearing it, or how it fits over your ears, on the top of your head, etc. is secondary. That being said, when it fits, it sounds fantastic - especially for the price

 
And per your comment on amp requirements, this headphone can be easily driven by any amplifier, including things like an iPhone. Will it sound better when connected to better electronics - sure. But it does not require power to be driven. In fact, it has been known to be too smooth with high-end electronics, according to what I've read here.

Great info - Thanks a lot. I would probably be using my O2 because that's what I got it for lol. But it wouldn't be the first time I didn't REALLY need an amp.
 
Next question - would anyone here dare buy one used to save $60 bucks or so (about $190 - a steal at that price probably). I'd love to think I'm getting a good product and wary of spending up to $400 again - which felt a little too much like a let-down (though the Oppo PM-3s were starting me down).

 

[diamondears]

Make sure the NAD fits you (not too much pressure on top of your head, its painful); if not, get the PSB.

They're both great on the O2.