Letters

To Vade Forrester,

In a time when most reviews say nothing, I appreciate your reviews calling like it is (HiFiMAN Express HM-601, July 2012). Sometimes I think that most reviewers have no integrity. My best to you!

Charlie

To S. Andrea Sundaram,

Thank you for your highly informative and professional review of the PSB M4U 2 headphones.

I am strongly interested in a quality pair of headphones and enjoy the professional reviews in my research of comparing various products. Given the range and expense of over-the-ear headphones, it is vital to be as thoroughly informed as possible before deciding on a particular headphone.

Have you reviewed the AKG K 702 Headphones? I am strongly interested in a comparison of these headphones to the PSB M4U 2. I acknowledge that the PSB M4U 2s are active noise-canceling headphones.

If you are able to, please assist me; I would be deeply grateful.

Regards,
Anthony

I have not reviewed the AKG K 702 headphones, but I am familiar with the sound of the K 701s, which are essentially identical. The active noise cancellation is not the only thing that makes the PSBs different from the AKGs. The K 701 and K 702 are open-back designs. That means that they block no ambient noise and leak significant sound into the environment. For those reasons, they're really most appropriate for listening alone in a quiet room. They also require a high-quality headphone output or a dedicated headphone amplifier to perform at their best. If that fits with the way you are planning to use them, the K 702s are more detailed than the M4U 2s, as well as more transparent and with better high-frequency extension. The M4U 2s have deeper, fuller, punchier bass, especially in Active Mode, and are more forgiving of poor recordings. I hope that helps. . . . S. Andrea Sundaram

Hello Mr. Marshall,

I am looking for a single player for movies and music and your review of the Oppo BDP-93 makes a strong argument for that model. Please allow me to ask a few questions.

Did you find the front-panel controls easy to see and operate? That is one reason I am considering the Cambridge Audio Azur 651BD, which I think uses the same video processor as the BDP-93. Someone at Oppo told me the controls on the 93 front panel are not backlit, and ease of use is important to me.

Were you satisfied with the disc loading time of the 93? Some reviewers have praised how quickly the picture appears after the drawer closes on the 651BD, and I hope the same is true for the Oppo.

Have you found the Oppo BDP-95 to be quiet in operation? My main concern about that model is the use of a fan for cooling (and trying to figure out if the audio performance of the 95 is worth twice the US retail price of the 93).

I may simply take the plunge and buy an Oppo; their customer service is so good I know they would help me resolve any concerns or problems.

Regards,
Mark Lombardi

Please call me Wes. Both of the Oppo players are fantastic options and I can’t imagine either being a disappointment. That being said, the one place I often wish for a change is Oppo’s tiny, flat buttons on a totally dark, black fascia. Its loading time is just fine and it is quite inaudible. The 95’s sound, on the other hand, is an unknown. I’ve never used one nor have I requested a review sample, mainly because I have no need of the analog outs of the Oppo (the 95’s main calling card). Because I like to use the Audyssey system, which requires digital processing, I use a digital connection and see no reason to add a step of digital conversion.

If it were any other company but Oppo, I would never say this, but I think you could ask them the question about the fan noise and they would be honest about it. Finally, always trust behavior more than words! Here’s mine: I own the BDP-93. . . . Wes Marshall

To S. Andrea Sundaram,

I hope you have a few minutes to answer a quick question, or at least guide me in the right direction. I'm in the market for a new set of noise-canceling headphones as my last set were stolen recently -- and with another 13-hour flight coming up, I need to make a decision soon.

I really like the reviews I've read of the PSB M4U 2s as well as a few others (Polk UltraFocus 8000s). I've had a few sets in the past (Sonys and a reasonable set of Pioneers), which have been in the $100 range. All these more expensive headphones are $350-$400. How much better are they likely to be going from $100 to $400? I'm not going to get a chance to try them out unfortunately.

It seems to me (at least I'm hoping) that the difference will be vast and (probably) either the PSB or Polk would amaze. Is that a fair statement?

Thanks,
Pete McFetridge

I have not yet had the opportunity to hear the Polks, but that may happen in the near future. As for the PSBs, you should expect a huge leap in sonic performance from the $100 noise-canceling headphones that you've been using. They will probably also offer better isolation -- although some less expensive models do perform very well at that task. While I can't be sure that the PSB M4U 2s will amaze you, I have no doubt that their performance will impress you. . . . S. Andrea Sundaram

To S. Andrea Sundaram,

I am buying headphones and I read your PSB review. Have you heard the Beats? They have many models -- I am thinking the Studio or Pro. Have you tested these? Are the PSBs better? Any other recommendations?

Thank you,
Ian C.

I have not heard the Beats by Dr. Dre Pro, but I have heard the Studio. Those headphones have an overabundance of midbass energy that muddies up everything below the female vocal range. They are also lacking in the higher frequencies. The PSB M4U 2s are significantly cleaner and clearer while still delivering powerful bass. . . . S. Andrea Sundaram

To Doug Schneider,

I'm thinking of getting something like [the Audioengine D2] but was looking at the NAD DAC 1, which sells for $300. Have you heard the NAD? It would be interesting how they compare and if the Audioengine D2 is worth twice the price.

Iris

I tried NAD's DAC 1 and admired its ease of setup and use, but I wasn't impressed with its features or operation -- at least not from an audiophile point of view. The biggest issue I had with it when I tried it under Windows was that it operated strictly at 48kHz and relied on the Windows sound subsystem to upsample or downsample CD-quality or high-resolution files to that frequency. What's more, I couldn't bypass the Windows sound subsystem as I could with the D2 by using the Kernel Streaming or WASAPI options. To me, these are definitely design flaws and why I can't recommend the DAC 1 for serious enthusiasts, which is where I target my reviews. As a result, even though the D2 is double the price, I consider it the superior device and a far better buy. . . . Doug Schneider

To Wes Marshall,

I am looking for a single player for movies and music, and your review of the Oppo BDP-93 makes a strong argument for that model. Please allow me to ask a few questions.

Did you find the front-panel controls easy to see and operate? That is one reason I am considering the Cambridge Audio 651BD, which I think uses the same video processor as the BDP-93. Someone at Oppo told me the controls on the 93's front panel are not backlit, and ease of use is important to me.

Were you satisfied with the disc-loading time of the 93? Some reviewers have praised how quickly the picture appears after the drawer closes on the 651BD, and I hope the same is true for the Oppo.

Have you found the Oppo BDP-95 to be quiet in operation? My main concern about that model is the use of a fan for cooling (and trying to figure out if the audio performance of the 95 is worth twice the US retail price of the 93). I may simply take the plunge and buy an Oppo; their customer service is so good I know they would help me resolve any concerns or problems.

Regards,
Mark Lombardi

Both of the Oppo players are fantastic options and I can’t imagine either being a disappointment. That being said, the one place I often wish for a change is Oppo’s tiny, flat buttons on a totally dark, black fascia. Its loading time is just fine and it is quite inaudible. The 95’s sound, on the other hand, is an unknown. I’ve never used one nor have I requested a review sample, mainly because I have no need of the analog outs (the 95’s main calling card). Because I like to use the Audyssey system, which requires digital processing, I use a digital connection and see no reason to add a step of digital conversion.

If it were any other company but Oppo, I would never say this, but I think you could ask them the question about the fan noise and they would be honest about it.

Finally, always trust behavior more than words! Here are mine: I own the BDP-93. . . . Wes Marshall

To Doug Schneider,

Have you compared PSB Synchrony Ones with the Paradigm Signature S8s? Could you direct me to the right site if you have or give me your words of wisdom for these speakers? They will be in a 7.1 system with NAD components.

Thanks,
Vipul Kapoor

I get asked this question quite often, likely because these are the top models from two of the best-known speaker brands and I reviewed the Synchrony One for SoundStage! Hi-Fi in 2008. Have I compared both? Yes, indirectly at shows, since I’ve never had the opportunity to have both in my listening room. I have some general observations I can share with you.

I’ve found the Synchrony One to be the more neutral of these two with an absolutely stunning midrange presentation -- crystal clear, highly detailed, and quite immediate. In contrast, the S8 setups I’ve heard have tended to be a touch more relaxed in the mids, but have had greater bass weight. I haven’t seen measurements on the latest S8 model, but I would suspect its bass cutoff point (usually about -10dB) to be lower than that of the One. On the other hand, in all the PSB setups I’ve heard, including in my own room when I had the speakers here, the Synchrony Ones have always sounded extremely visceral and punchy, so, in terms of bass quality, they are certainly comparable. The one area the S8 steps ahead is in the highs -- Paradigm’s beryllium-dome tweeter has always sounded a little sweeter to my ears than the titanium dome the PSB has in it. Insofar as expanding into a 7.1 system, Paradigm and PSB have excellent centers and surrounds that match both of these models. Cosmetically, I like the elegant look of the Synchrony One, although I know some prefer the flashier appearance of the Signature S8.

In the end, though, the decision has to be up to you. These aren’t just two of the best-known speakers around, but two of the best for the prices they sell for, yet they don’t sound the same. Frankly, if I were spending the money today, I wouldn’t know which to buy, and I’ve had plenty of experience with both. So if I were in your shoes, I’d go and listen to them, preferably side by side. . . . Doug Schneider

To Doug Schneider,

I have one issue here, and I would like to get an answer. I am using a Squeezebox Touch as a music streamer and connect it by optical cable to the digital input of my Peachtree Audio Decco2, which is a DAC and integrated amp.

What surprises me is that the Squeezebox Touch onscreen volume control is still active while it is only transferring the digital signal. I e-mailed Logitech support for an answer and they replied that “Usually the volume should not effect the output when using the coaxial or optical digital outputs on the Squeezebox Touch. The best thing to do would be to put the Squeezebox Touch to full volume and then just adjust the volume on the amp from there.”

I still don't understand how the volume control is still active when only outputting a digital signal. I hope you can give me some answers here.

Thanks,
Jim Xing

It’s been a long time since I’ve used a Squeezebox product, so I asked fellow writer Jason Thorpe about it. Jason regularly uses various Squeezebox products and constantly extols their virtues. He confirmed what I suspected -- the Touch has a digital volume control, so it can attenuate the volume when using it as a DAC or, as you’re using it, a digital “bridge” to another DAC.

Volume controls that operate in the digital domain attenuate the volume by truncating bits. Every time you lose a bit, though, you lose resolution. Jason said that you can disable the volume control using a menu option or, as Logitech suggested, putting it to full volume to pass the digital stream unaltered. . . . Doug Schneider

To Doug Schneider,

I bought the Focal Electra line speakers except for the subwoofer. My question is: Would it be better if I bought another brand of subwoofer like the JL Audio Fathom f113 or should I stick with the Focal Electra-line subwoofer? My primary use is for a home-theater application and a little bit in audio. Thank you and hoping to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Maximillan Cue

While I do believe that the main, center, and surround speakers should not only come from the same manufacturer but also from the same line, I don’t believe that to be true for subwoofers, unless having the same appearance is important. If looks matter, you should certainly consider the Focal sub, but definitely look at that JL Audio f113 as well. JL’s subs are considered to be among the very best in the world. . . . Doug Schneider