programming4us
programming4us
MULTIMEDIA

Headphones Test - Sound And Fury (Part 2)

- Free product key for windows 10
- Free Product Key for Microsoft office 365
- Malwarebytes Premium 3.7.1 Serial Keys (LifeTime) 2019

Audiophile headphones above $200

When we sent out our sourcing mails to various manufacturers and distributors we didn’t specify a lower or higher limit. Expectedly, we got some really awesome gear. In this first price based category we got some very interesting entrants. From the top of the line Sennheiser HD 700 to some interesting cans from the stables of Logic3 with their Ferrari branding and noise cancelling features. There were also some unexpected and almost serendipitous packages that found their way to our doorsteps. The first was the Martin Logan Mikros-90, which is perhaps the first headphone from a brand famous for electrostatic speakers. The second came as a result of a rather well timed press event arranged by Blaupunkt. After the entire testing was done we got hold of two rather interesting headphones from the German audio manufacturer. After a night of overnight testing we managed to squeeze them both into this test. If you’ve got the magazine late this time you know who to thank. Of course we kid, but on that note here’s a quick and dry run down of this category:

Logic3 Ferrari T350

Logic3 Ferrari T350

Logic3 Ferrari T350

This was initially the only active noise cancelling piece in the entire test until it was joined by the Blaupunkt CN-112 Comfort. The ANC works well enough to cut out ambient hum but strangely adds its own buzz; though barely noticeable, can get very annoying if you’re not used to it. As with some of the ANC headphones nowadays they don’t work without the ANC on. Often you forget to switch off the ANC and in this case the headphone. We ran through two sets of AAA Duracell batteries during the course of this test. Apart from actual play time, a lot of it was just simply because the headphones were left “on”. With a nominal impedance rated at 32 ohms and being highly sensitive, their easy to drive and loud as hell. Unlike the HD700, which manages to create a perfect false mono right in front of you, the sound on the T350 spatially appears to be originating from where the transducers are placed – right next to your ears. The mid-range is not quite as open as the HD 700 and the overpowering bass obscures other details. But before you think we’re bashing these cans understand this – they’re extremely detailed, and just the fact that we can compare them to the HD 700 is testament to their aural finesse. Anyone looking for great audio along with a bit of brand fuelled panache should seriously consider them.

Sennheiser HD 700

Sennheiser HD 700

Sennheiser HD 700

By now you must surely be curious about these cans considering the very high pedestal we’ve already raised them to. Well your curiosity is justified and the HD 700 will not disappoint. From the moment you hold them in your hand you know right away you’re going to be privy to something great. The ear cups are open and the grille mesh on the outside is specifically designed to direct control the flow of air and reduce harmonic distortion. Of course they provide virtually no isolation but the sound quality is superlative. The overall sound is almost sparkly and so open; you get a brilliant wide soundstage. Vocal performance does not take a beating even when the instrument density is high. They are neutral and that for most people means bass shy. Which is why they work for most genres of music except perhaps hip-hop and dub step? But well if you’re the prospective owner of an HD 700 you’re probably someone who steers clear of those genres anyway. Calm down all you gangstas, we kid, we kid. As for the performance the headphones deliver brilliant dynamic range – you’ll hear everything from the quietest clink of an idiophone instrument, to the loudest scream of a wailing guitar. We heard a rendition of Moonlight Sonata by E.S. Posthumous on these and the experience was ethereal. This might seem exaggerated but there’s no other word for it. They’re so good one of the reviewers swore to have experienced synesthesia. Obviously, the HD 700 wins our Best Performer award.

Blaupunkt Style

Blaupunkt Style

Blaupunkt Style

With a funky design and tons of features up its sleeves, this headphone is definitely a conversation piece. It goes head to head with the Ferrari R200 in terms of form factor and cupping design – both are supra aural. The moment you put it on you are hit by the sharp sound signature. The vocals sound recessed almost like they’re echoing from a large hall. While the Blaupunkt renders highs better, the R200 is more refined. Plus this one is a little too bass heavy for our taste but we’re pretty sure it’s going to be a hit with bass junkies. Though the headphone is not free of flaws. We can’t exactly pin point which frequencies this headphone messes with, but the vocals sound a bit strange. While the headphone scored very well on our guitar test track (While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Santana feat. India Arie) the vocals went for a toss, sounding flat. Certainly India Arie isn’t nasal? So despite the score, it takes away from the overall experience. Sonically, it sounds very similar to the Martin Logan, but the Micros 90 is more balanced towards the neutral side. Its design, performance, features (like daisy chaining other headphones, colorful bundled changeable ear pads) and overall score make it our Best Buy for this category.

The others

The only wireless headphone to feature in this Audiophile category was the Sennheiser RS 220

The only wireless headphone to feature in this Audiophile category was the Sennheiser RS 220

Next up, we have the beautiful sound piece from Martin Logan, the Micros 90. Covered in black leather and with nice chrome accents this one is certainly a looker. And in the case of these over-the-ear cans we can’t even say beauty is skin deep. The sound is balanced, bright and the bass is tight and accurate. But placing it perfectly over the ear for a good seal is very important in getting the best sound from this device. Another major complaint is the clamping pressure. The tight seal that we spoke of necessitates extreme clamping pressure. If Skullcandy hadn’t taken the Skullcrusher brand name, Martin Logan could’ve easily taken it. Aurally the Ferrari R200 and the Micros 90 are in the same league. What the R200 lacks slightly in detail it makes up with a well-rounded sound signature that is decidedly bass heavy. Other than that both cans have on wire three-button controls and cables that aren’t really up to the mark. The only wireless headphone to feature in this Audiophile category was the Sennheiser RS 220. The headphone performed so badly that we’re in a quandary whether it was a damaged unit that was shipped to us. The entire midrange was muddled and the bass was distorting badly. Sadly the show must go on and it shows in the results. Perhaps we’ll call for another unit to double check.

Other  
 
Top 10
Free Mobile And Desktop Apps For Accessing Restricted Websites
MASERATI QUATTROPORTE; DIESEL : Lure of Italian limos
TOYOTA CAMRY 2; 2.5 : Camry now more comely
KIA SORENTO 2.2CRDi : Fuel-sipping slugger
How To Setup, Password Protect & Encrypt Wireless Internet Connection
Emulate And Run iPad Apps On Windows, Mac OS X & Linux With iPadian
Backup & Restore Game Progress From Any Game With SaveGameProgress
Generate A Facebook Timeline Cover Using A Free App
New App for Women ‘Remix’ Offers Fashion Advice & Style Tips
SG50 Ferrari F12berlinetta : Prancing Horse for Lion City's 50th
- Messages forwarded by Outlook rule go nowhere
- Create and Deploy Windows 7 Image
- How do I check to see if my exchange 2003 is an open relay? (not using a open relay tester tool online, but on the console)
- Creating and using an unencrypted cookie in ASP.NET
- Directories
- Poor Performance on Sharepoint 2010 Server
- SBS 2008 ~ The e-mail alias already exists...
- Public to Private IP - DNS Changes
- Send Email from Winform application
- How to create a .mdb file from ms sql server database.......
programming4us programming4us
programming4us
 
 
programming4us