A little over a year since I released a review on an interesting modification of the Oppo PM-2 is powered by a Audio Zenith under the symbol PMx2. I recommend to read the review, but in short — the headphones was interesting. This year the main developer of the model Zaiets decided to make them even better, and he succeeded.
In short, what was good PMx2 Audio from Zenith? In short — this is the most comfortable and compact headphones with top sound. On the one hand, it’s almost the Oppo PM-2 is a convenient, relatively light and fits in a small flat case. On the other hand is almost headphones with neutral sound and frequency response that is close to linear, which does not require a huge power amplifier (although graciously to her specific). They can be fun to listen to and with a relatively simple and compact sources such Audinst HUD-DX1, but for something like the Yulong DA9 they have enough stock (and even higher).
But as you know, there is no perfection that can not be improved, so Alexander decided to work on what demanding audiophiles wrote in shortcomings of the model, namely, to make the scene even more and reduce harmonics, while retaining the manner of filing of the first fashion. How he managed it, but I will say two pictures with measurements of the harmonics of my pairs of headphones “before” and “after”.
Second mod was even more expensive than the first (handmade, selection of emitters, a plurality of measurements, the risk of marriage in the modification of the radiator), so the price still increased slightly, ready headphones are worth $ 1,900, modification of your pair is worth $ 900, including a new pair of leather ear cushions. But this is the case, I immediately could tell that the price is justified.
Specifications
Since the modification does not affect the electrical characteristics of the Oppo PM-2, the performance characteristics match 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: 500 mW
- Peak power: up to 2000 mW
- Weight: 385 g without cable
Packing and delivery
In terms of box still no surprises there, it’s the same double-layer packaging of the Oppo PM-2 — outer carton of the usual recycled cardboard, the inner one of silver-gray cardboard with texture. Inside is a very comfortable denim case containing the headphones, and two cables — thick “stationary” fabric braid with a 6.3 mm plug and a slim “laptop” to connect to the 3.5 mm socket.
By the way, I thought and ordered in Era-in-ear balanced cable with 4-pin TRRS and use it to connect to Yulong DA9.
Design and comfortable wearing
Appearance and wearing comfort PMx2v2 also inherited from the donor, and is, in fact, is one of the main advantages of headphones. Nothing to hide — the product designers at Oppo did a good job, their PM-series turned out and comfortable, and compact, and very stylish. Despite extensive use of metal, the headphones remain very light (less than 400 grams at present is almost nothing), they’re beautifully made and, if necessary, are formed in a very compact case that allows them to take in any journey.
I think, to discuss in detail the design makes no sense, it is clear from the photos, so just a few comments. Audio Zenith add branded stickers to differentiate their stock from fashion headphones, the new version of the modification of the grille painted in silver color. Not that it was necessary, but, in my opinion, they look better with silver forks mounting cups. In the modification, the pads are changed on the leather from PM-1, but they traditionally are subjected to profound modifications, from the interior of the filler and ending with the fastening ring (Yes, it also affects the sound). Of course, the main work concerning the emitter is invisible, but the measurements and the sound here speak for themselves.
Of course, PMx2v2 model not for the street, they are open, so play out strongly enough, and the noise passed, so overall it’s a headphone for home use, but, unlike other tops, it is possible to carry, so I would attribute this model to the category “portable hospital”.
Sound
To listen following equipment was used.
- Yulong DA9 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP in the role of DAC and amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
- Fidelia in the role of player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS#2 and iBasso DX200 and the role of other portable players
- Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening headphones were heated for 96 hours.
Speaking “in General”, the new version of the mod preserves the main features of the previous revision: quite linear frequency response, excellent resolution, uncolored presentation, but headphones received a “boost” in the volume forming (I think for this we must thank reduced harmonics and excellent attenuation) and, consequently, the naturalness of the sound. In addition, several decibels was raised bass, giving the sound effect a nice physicality.
PMx2v2 the bass goes very deep, but fortunately the headphones were well in control and not allow the “lower bass” to drown them all. This model is critical to gain (not to quantity but to quality), it is very recommended amplifier with a low impedance, allowing to reveal all their strengths: firmness, texture, dynamics. I would then immediately threw all tube models, especially sharpened by vysokomu OTL. The bass here is not superglide, but it is made specially to provide the necessary in some cases physicality and massive, emphasizing the nature of natural instruments. Severely dry NCH, in which everything is sacrificed to speed, to my ears, still sound not very natural. Fortunately, these headphones are a great balance between the extremes, offering a very good mix of “best of both worlds”.
Mid-range is very detailed and without additional staining. On the one hand, allows you to create a nice flow with a great level of microdynamic, but on the other hand raises the bar of requirements to the source and listening material. If at least one component in the path fails, it is immediately and headphones certainly shows. However, PMx2v2 avoid quite so cold and the dry feed if emotions and record — they will be perfectly reproduced. The imaginary scene is best described by the epithet “proper” — it is precisely that size, what should be (well, as far as possible with headphones). Model offers fantastic separation of instruments and the elaboration of plans, do not bow even in front of difficult things like the orchestra and jazz big bands. Upscale recordings headphones perfectly convey the nature of the instruments sound very natural.
The high-frequency range is also quite neat tuningova. There’s no stretching to infinite distance kilohertz, which sometimes like manufacturers isodynamic models, but which so badly with bad sound tracks. Also there is the slightest hint of stiffness or artificiality. If your source will allow, PMx2v2’ll play everything that we love vernacularly range: the subtle sounds of decay — thanks to the quality study of the attacks, it all sounds very harmonious.
So how to compare headphones of this level “memory” — a thankless task, the section of similes in this one will be brief. In General, you can watch the same part of the review of the first version of the mod, everything is written there is still valid.
HiFiMan HE-1000v2. “Already-not-leader” HiFiMan something like “Zenith”, but the difference is quite noticeable. Thousands have slightly higher resolution in the bass and lower midrange part, but they play “legowiska”, they are less massive in the bass, and sometimes midrange is lacking “fat”.
Kennerton Odin. Total ideological antithesis of the heroes of today’s review. Headphones name of Wotan offer a sea of energy and drive, more hlestkost in the bass, more aggression at the junction of the MF and HF bands — that is the key to the success of Odin. I think these headphones do not compete with each other too, they have different niches. Do not forget about the difference in weight, resulting in comfort and transportability.
Compatibility
In General, I have briefly described what is needed from the source to work with these headphones, but just in case, again summarize. Picking up the amplifier to the second version of the mod Zenith Audio, you should look first at the transistor/OPAMP solution, capable of controlling enough nizkoomnyj load. Of the inexpensive models I can recommend Audinst DX-1 (of course, with the replacement op-amps), giving paired with PMx2v2 a good mobile solution, and in the more expensive segment the choice is great and all depends on taste preferences, so any specific model to advise I will not.
Genre headphones is absolutely universal, they are technical and neutral, so capable of playing anything. Sensitivity to the quality of the recording is high, but not prohibitive, somewhere in the 8 out of 10.
Traditionally some tracks for example
Transatlantic — Rose Covered Glasses. What could be the best demonstration of the technicality of headphones than the supergroup, made up of the megastars prog? I don’t know, so there will be Transatlantic. Complex, multi-layered tune that requires headphones and microdynamic and integrity in the flow — quite tough for the heroes of today’s review, and how they manage the drums…
Yello — Jungle Bill. To not get stuck with the whole collection in something pohoarna, I decided to drastically change the genre. This track demonstrates perfectly the positive side of the bass in PMx2v2 — speed and weight are present in full measure, and the beautiful midrange and treble fully convey the diversity of three-dimensional effects of the track. The rare case when electronic music saturation nuances not inferior to “live”.
Nancy Sinatra — You Only Live Twice. Since we emphasized bass, you should include a selection and something to demonstrate VSC. For example, good female vocals, which today will be the track Nancy Sinatra from the movie “James bond”. In addition to the perfect voice, the second PMx2 cool play instrumental accompaniment, rich strings and brass going off in the fashion of the time very high.
Insights
In General, this model, perhaps, will stay with me for a very long time. Of course, in the price range of this model has quite a few strong competitors, but, first, PMx2v2 quite able to compete with them, and, secondly, the main advantage of this model is it’s size and the ability to work with not the most powerful sources (which is not typical for tops). Therefore, do not palter, I can say that this mod is rare and on the brink of uniqueness.
Review 2 version headphone Audio PMx2v2 Zenith as one of the favourites
Pavel Dmitriev