Music Direct__Catalog_Web 2016 | Page 72

Just a decade old, Oppo upended the digital world with stupendously great universal players that received major awards from nearly every high-end press outlet in existence. Now, the company is causing similar reactions in the personal-audio sector. Afforded the same top-grade build quality and technological investment as its disc players, Oppo’s headphones and headphone amplifiers are establishing new in-class benchmarks. A OPPO PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones “This is the new benchmark for premium headphones.” Oppo is doing for planarmagnetic headphones what it already accomplished with universal players. Combining years of research and advanced technologies, PM-1 utilizes a unique seven-layer diaphragm and doublesided spiraling coils, ultimately resulting in greater efficiency and the elimination of intermodulation distortion. Musically natural, dynamic, and balanced, PM-1s are also lightweight, rugged, and able to be driven even by mobile devices. The bar is raised. –Jeff Dorgay, TONEAudio B C • Trickle-down technology from AudioQuest’s cutting-edge cables Hi-Fi News Product of the Year PM-3 PM-2 D Hi-Fi News Product of the Year $599 OPPO Oppo PM-3 and PM-2 The Absolute Sound Product of the Year B NightHawk establishes a reference-setting intersection of performance, quality, innovation, sustainability, and affordability. Every piece of this semi-open headphone is custom-designed and specifically built for NightHawk. Featuring “Liquid Wood” ear cups, a 3D-printed biomimetic grille, and biocellulose pistonic drivers, NightHawk provides stratospheric levels of emotional impact and musical accuracy. Beyond the comfort afforded by an ergonomic suspension system. Beyond the original design. Beyond the sustainable materials. NightHawk is a game-changer. Hear a pair for yourself and find out why. • Ear cups inspired by loudspeaker cabinets Planar Magnetic Headphones C AUDIOQUEST NIghtHawk Headphones $1,099 The world’s lightest closed-back planar-magnetic headphone, PM-3 combines audiophile sound and portable convenience in a savvy design that travels with you anywhere. Equipped with noise isolation and a carry case, PM-3 folds flat and supplies natural, lively performance. You’ll enjoy music free from outside noise, while PM-3’s advanced planar-magnetic driver and seven-layer diaphragm stem from Oppo’s flagship PM-1 ‘phones. The non-fatiguing PM-2 touts all the same features and dynamic sound in a premium, lightweight, open-back model. A THE NEW CUTTING-EDGE OF HEADPHONE TECHNOLOGY: AUDIOQUEST NIGHTHAWK HEADPHONES $399 black, white $699 • Ultra-lightweight design for premium comfort and extended listening sessions ERGONOMICS DRIVER TECHNOLOGY ACOUSTICS Influenced by shock-mounted microphones, NightHawk’s patent-pending suspension system utilizes symmetrically located elastomer bands that permit its uniquely contoured ear cups to freely move—and fit practically any head size and shape. In conjunction with angled drivers, these ergonomic elements enhance sound quality and ensure fatigue-free comfort. Bolstered by support beams like those found in loudspeaker cabinets, NightHawk’s “Liquid Wood” ear cups have outstanding structural integrity that minimizes damaging vibrations— and produces more resolved, detailed sound. Elastomeric coating, special adhesives, and advanced software-optimized baffles further contribute to the superb acoustic character. NightHawk’s sophisticated 50mm dynamic drivers closely resemble the drivers in cutting-edge loudspeakers. Their biocellulose diaphragms, voice-coil formers, and compliant rubber surrounds achieve exceptionally low distortion and high excursion—all the while acting exactly like a piston via fluid, precise motion that achieves incredible time coherency. OPPO HA-1 Headphone Amplifier/DAC D A discrete Class-A balanced headphone amplifier with an asynchronous USB DAC that supports up to 384kHz and DSD256, tailor-made Apple and Bluetooth connectivity, and a remote-control app for a smidge over $1k? HA-1 leaves us agog. It’s also equipped with a toroidal power supply and doubles as a digital audio dock. Huzzah! Sennheiser HD 800 Audeze LCD-2/LCD-3/ LCD-XC HiFiMAN HE440i/ HE560/HE6 Oppo/HiFiMAN HE1000/ Sennheiser HD 700 $1,199 black, silver ALPHA DESIGN LABS iHP-35 Cable (1.3m) OPPO Headphone Stand $79 OPPO Balanced Headphone Cable $129 HEADPHONE CABLE UPGRADES $99 CARDAS AUDIO Clear Audeze Headphone Cable (1.5m) $600 $229 CARDAS AUDIO Clear HiFiMAN Headphone Cable (1.5m) $600 ALPHA DESIGN LABS iHP-35M Cable (1.3m) $119 CARDAS AUDIO Clear HD 650 Headphone Cable (1.5m) $600 ALPHA DESIGN LABS iH P-35ML Cable (1.3m) $179 CARDAS AUDIO Clear HD 800 Headphone Cable (1.5m) $600 ALPHA DESIGN LABS iHP-35S Sennheiser Cable (1.3m) $169 NORDOST Heimdall Norse 2 Headphone Cable $799 ALPHA DESIGN LABS iHP-35H Senn. HD 800 Cable (1.3m) ALPHA DESIGN LABS iHP-35X Cable (1.3m) $99 * Available in many configurations MORE THAN 10,000 PRODUCTS AT MUSICDIRECT.COM HEADPHONES 69