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Showing 1 of 36 conversations about:
Acoustic Research AR-H1 Planar Magnetic Headphones
RC28
14
Nov 28, 2018
I have had AR HD-1 for about two weeks now and had a chance for them to be burned in. I have various other cans, but (All Considered very well made or regarded) this comment is only going to deal with two Cans the AR vs the OPPO Pm-3 or open vs closed. OPPO since purchase have been my mainstays when I’m not using studio Speakers. I have worked in a professional capacity years ago at the Old Warner Bros Studio. Took a old Harrison Analog mixing board out and reworked the whole studio (Tuning baffles, wiring, all new power amp rack, etc..) and replaced it with the new digital SSK board. What I am trying to say is yes my ears are pretty aware of acoustics and harmonic vibrations and true life sound. Now about the cans the resistance is within 1 ohm of each other AR (33) OPPO (32). I’m just going to give my opinion on both both utilizing the planar principles. The planar magnet arrays differ but they both excel in faithful reproduction of what was put on the original master tapes. Both are neutral and do not color the music like heavy bass style headphones do. Both have feq. ratings above and below the 20-20000. It is my opinion no fancy tests just my years of experience the AR’s produce the music in a slightly more exacting. Bad recordings will sound just what they are bad. (Mark Almond, Song: One Way Sunday used for comparison). OPPO are comfortable ( fine for all day wear) but the AR have less clamping force so they slightly edge out OPPO in the comfort range. If you pay more for headphones you are doing just that paying more for status. My Klipsch X20i were $550 and sound good for what they are, but don’t compare sound wise to them. I see planar based cans are updated electrostatic cans that do not require feq generators. RC
Artismo
461
Nov 28, 2018
RC28I also own the Oppo PM-3 and agree that with the AR, both are neutral. To my ears, it sounds like vocals are more present in the Oppo vs the AR. I auditioned the AR for three days straight, trying different cans (DT1990, Oppo PM-1, AQ Nighthawk/NightOwl both Carbon, Fostex TH-900), and I changed three amps Marantz, Teac UDH-505, Triode tube- I tried hard to get a feel for their characters and combinations. My point is, I kept getting a very in-head sound for vocals, like with Sennheiser, whereas other headphones sounded more spacious, putting vocals and instruments in front of the head. I even had an issue with panning on the AR where the sound would pass from ear, to in-head, to opposite ear, where as the other headphones had the sound pass from further outside my ear, to center in front of my head, to further outside opposite ear.
In your experience, is this meaningful? I felt like front to back depth was lacking, even spaciousness of the AR unless I used a tube amp.
Did you get a similar sense of space?
I also agree that the neutrality is there, they did remind me of my PM-3 also, but I like my PM-3 better as per my ears/taste.
What also killed it for me was the lack of body in vocals for the AR, which if I only used when mixing and mastering, might make my tracks more vocal heavy in the finished product.
I suppose I could use the Audioquests, Fostex, or any Sennheiser HD6 series for music enjoyment, and then keep the HR and my PM-3 for critical listening.
Can you see yourself relaxing to the AR? And where/when/how would you use them?
Icefalkon
227
Dec 25, 2018
RC28Perhaps try a different planar? AUDEZE perhaps or Staxx?
Artismo
461
Dec 30, 2018
IcefalkonBought a Sine for my commute and bidding on and LCD-2 Classic now~
RC28
14
Dec 31, 2018
ArtismoHappy New Year to you. I have some time in now with the AR-HD 1 and they are really really good at the price point. Another old speaker name taken over by Vox/Audiovox. The AR’s better clarity and more airy sound great. Larger Planar took longer to burn 76mm vs 40mm. Downside, wish they used better metal (SS) and love web system vs band, but one side sticks. That’s how to keep $ down. RC
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