Oppo Digital's First Headphones
Oppo has already announced a second pair of
planar-magnetic headphones, the PM-2 ($699), and a headphone amp dedicated to use with
both models, the HA-1 (price to be determined). Both will be available later in the year. |
nown for its feature-rich,
high-value digital players, Oppo Digital has branched out into personal listening with its
first pair of headphones. The PM-1 ($1099) was designed with help from Oppo's beta-testing
group to combine high sensitivity and extremely low distortion. It uses a special
planar-magnetic driver with a seven-layer diaphragm and an FEM-optimized high-energy
neodymium-magnet system. The diaphragm's spiraling pattern of flat conductors etched on
both sides and the double-sided design allow twice as many conductors to be placed within
the magnetic field, which, according to Oppo, "leads to higher sensitivity, better
damping, and even drive force." The PM-1 is a circumaural (over-the-ear), open-back
design, and its high sensitivity and low weight make it suitable for use with portable
devices without additional amplification.