MSRP: £1,099.00
We’re certainly big fans of their Blu-ray players and we have high hopes, indeed, for Oppo’s newly announced PM-1 headphones.
The PM-1 is built using Planar Magnetic technology which is notoriously tricky to master but Oppo is confident that its many years of R&D by a team of audio and acoustics engineers, chemical & material scientists and audiophiles will pay dividends.
The planar magnetic drive units feature a 7-layer diaphragm and FEM-optimised (Finite Element Modelling) high energy Neodymium magnet system. The diaphragm has a spiralling pattern of flat conductors etched on both sides, and the double-sided design allows twice as many conductors to be placed within the magnetic field, which leads to higher sensitivity, better damping and more even drive force.
The planar magnetic drive units feature a 7-layer diaphragm and FEM-optimised (Finite Element Modelling) high energy Neodymium magnet system. The diaphragm has a spiralling pattern of flat conductors etched on both sides, and the double-sided design allows twice as many conductors to be placed within the magnetic field, which leads to higher sensitivity, better damping and more even drive force.
The £699 PM-2 will use the same driver tech but cheaper build materials.
The magnetic field and conductor patterns are optimised for maximum driving force and consistency over the radiating area and its over-the-ear, open back design is designed to provide the best in sound quality as well as comfort.
Two detachable cables are included;1 x 3m OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper cable wrapped in black fabric and terminated with a 6.35mm (1/4”) jack plug for home use and a shorter cable terminated with a 3.5mm jack plug for use on the go. When not in use, the PM-1’s can be stored in their wooden box or, if away from home, the supplied denim carrying case.
Oppo says the high sensitivity and low weight (395g) will allow the headphones to be used freely with mobile devices without requiring additional amplification but they have a trick up their sleeves their too.
The next phase of OPPO’s headphone range will see the launch of the PM-2 – a more affordable version of the premium PM-1. Launching later in 2014 with a suggested retail price of £699.00, the PM-2 will feature the same drive units as the PM-1 yet reduce costs by replacing the hand-finished metal and leather parts with replacements more suitable for quantity production. OPPO will also soon release a dedicated headphone amplifier - the HA-1.
OPPO’s PM-1 planar magnetic headphones have a UK MSRP of £1099.00. For further information, visit www.oppo-bluray.co.uk
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