HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

The Oppo PM3s which have served me well seem to have given up the ghost and I will be on the look out for a replacement. In normal circumstances I would have a listen to a number of models in shops, but not during a pandemic. I therefore have to go on reviews, recommendations and a return option, should I not like them. I have looked on line and wireless/bluetooth seems all the rage now. I do not want the associated SQ compromise.

I am looking for suggestions. The brief is:
They cannot be closed as they will be used exclusively outside the house. (Use open Grados at home).
Portability is an important consideration as they will always be going with me when I consider it safe to travel again.
Efficiency is not an issue as the AQ DF Red / USB Audio Player Pro they will be partnered with is not short of power.
Will need to sound good with rock, much of a heavy nature.

Fire away. Thanks.

CN211276 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:54 am The Oppo PM3s which have served me well seem to have given up the ghost

I am looking for suggestions. The brief is:
They cannot be closed as they will be used exclusively outside the house. (Use open Grados at home).
Portability is an important consideration as they will always be going with me when I consider it safe to travel again.
Efficiency is not an issue as the AQ DF Red / USB Audio Player Pro they will be partnered with is not short of power.
Will need to sound good with rock, much of a heavy nature.

Fire away. Thanks.

Two questions if I may.
1. You say Open but the Oppo PM3 is a closed back design I assume this is a deliberate change?
2. Do you have a budget?

For 'give it some bollocks' heavy metal fun, try Beyerdynamic...

Geoff.R.G wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 2:25 pm

CN211276 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:54 am The Oppo PM3s which have served me well seem to have given up the ghost

I am looking for suggestions. The brief is:
They cannot be closed as they will be used exclusively outside the house. (Use open Grados at home).
Portability is an important consideration as they will always be going with me when I consider it safe to travel again.
Efficiency is not an issue as the AQ DF Red / USB Audio Player Pro they will be partnered with is not short of power.
Will need to sound good with rock, much of a heavy nature.

Fire away. Thanks.

Two questions if I may.
1. You say Open but the Oppo PM3 is a closed back design I assume this is a deliberate change?
2. Do you have a budget?

1. My silly mistake. I meant can't be open.
2. £100 - £250, but will stretch should I think it worth it.

CN, I think you will really like the Meze 99 Neo.

Closed-back with a clear and punchy character very similar to the Grado sound.

In your budget as well.

Fretless wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 3:20 pm CN, I think you will really like the Meze 99 Neo.

Closed-back with a clear and punchy character very similar to the Grado sound.

In your budget as well.

Good reports about the SQ on Head-fi, but unfortunatly they do not meet my portability requirements. At a similar price the Beyerdynamic Aventha Wired do and receive similar positive Head-fi SQ reports, with some of the music from Metallica. When I bought the Grados for the main system I also auditioned a pair of Beyerdynamics. It was a close call and the two, to my ears, were well ahead of the others I auditioned. At the moment the Aventhas are top of my list.

My personal out-and-about headphones are the Bowers & Wilkins P7.



Big, full sound, plenty of detail, sound great with a wide variety of musical genres and I mainly listen to Rock with them.
Not sure if they are still made, could be some on Ebay.

... and they are really comfortable to wear and stay put on your head.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bowers-Wilkins ... 0010.m2109

B&W have gone down the wireless route. A shame.

My P7 is wired.

Fretless wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2020 10:59 pm My P7 is wired.

You got them at the right time. I don't think the wireless ones which replaced them compare. It seems the mass market is the sole priority.