Oppo Pm 1 Review | 93 Data compared

The Oppo Digital PM-1 review on Stereophile highlights the headphone's unique driver engineering, featuring a circular magnetic structure with a dual-sided, seven-layer diaphragm that boosts sensitivity to 102dB. Pros include high efficiency and effective acoustic damping that controls midrange and high-frequency reflections. Conversely, the design presents cons, specifically limiting sound isolation and making the headphones unsuitable for loud, noisy environments. Additionally, the heavy damping creates a warm, relaxed sound signature that lacks high-end airiness and absolute transparency.

The Oppo PM-1 planar magnetic headphones are a luxurious and highly successful debut into the audiophile market, combining premium build quality with a massive, spacious, and airy soundstage. Their unique seven-layer diaphragm is printed with conductors on both sides to maximise drive force, resulting in an extraordinary level of detail and a remarkably balanced, full-bodied performance. The presentation is exceptionally smooth and welcoming, featuring sweet treble, convincing instrumentation, and a properly deep, tight, and agile low end. On the physical side, the headphones boast exemplary build quality, featuring a robust aluminium body, a heavily stress-tested headband, natural latex cushioning, and interchangeable ear pads wrapped in super-soft lambskin leather or velour. Despite their high price tag, the headphones offer exceptional value for dedicated audiophiles, though they do come with a few trade-offs. On the positive side, their main pros include a highly refined presentation, rich musical detail, excellent bass, and a gorgeous, comfortable design that prevents ears from getting too hot or tired. However, their ultra-smooth and polite presentation means they lack the excitement, boldness, and punch found in rival models....

The Oppo PM-1 is a highly efficient planar magnetic headphone rated at 102dB/32Ω sensitivity, allowing it to be easily driven by mobile devices without requiring brute amplifier power. It is characterized by an organic, "peaches 'n' cream" sonic profile that delivers a civilized, smooth, and cohesive presentation without any harsh treble sizzle. The reviewer praises its exceptional material finish, low weight, and luxurious build quality, noting that it sits comfortably like a "stylish Italian loafer" compared to bulkier planar competitors. Additionally, its clever mini-plug cable terminations and powerful, extended bass response make it a highly enjoyable and non-fatiguing listen for long sessions. However, this civilized smoothness comes with notable compromises in ultimate resolution and presentation. The PM-1 lacks the expansive soundstage scale, lateral openness, and extreme top-end magnification power found in dynamic flagships like the Sennheiser HD800. Its cohesive sound tends to enfold tracks rather than cleanly separate them, reducing distinctiveness between different recordings. Physically, the narrow, oval ear pads provide relatively little breathing room, making the user's ears prone to sweating during prolonged use. Finally, because the headphones never...

The AVForums review praises the Oppo PM-1 planar magnetic headphonesGo for their exceptional build quality, comfort, and fast, detailed sound reproduction enabled by unique driver technology. Considered a stunning entry into high-end audio, the open-back design delivers high-fidelity performance with premium materials. However, the review notes minor limitations, including a slight lack of deep bass impact and reduced sensitivity that requires adequate amplification. Additionally, the luxurious but "blingy" packaging is considered a minor drawback, though the headphones remain a top contender for serious listeners.

Geoffrey Morrison's review in Forbes highlights the Oppo PM-1Go planar magnetic headphones for their outstanding, natural sound, featuring a large soundstage, balanced bass, and smooth, non-fatiguing treble. They are described as highly sensitive, allowing them to work well with portable devices, yet they scale up significantly with a dedicated amplifier. Despite their performance, the reviewer notes a high price point of $1,099, making them a significant investment. Additionally, while easy to drive, the headphones require a quality amplifier to achieve their best sound, and their smooth, realistic audio profile may not satisfy listeners accustomed to the artificial, sharp treble found in lesser headphones.

The Oppo PM-1 is a high-end, open-back headphone featuring proprietary, seven-layer planar magnetic drivers that deliver a world-class audio experience. Priced at $1,099, the headphone boasts luxury craftsmanship, including thick chromed metal parts, a leather-covered headband, and premium packaging consisting of a felt-lined wood storage box and a denim carrying case. It provides a rich, warm, and full midrange that mimics the sound of a tube amplifier, alongside low bass depth that enhances cinematic suspense. It is also notably lightweight for a planar magnetic model, weighing 13.9 ounces, which contributes to a more comfortable fit than heavier competitors. Despite its premium status, the review highlights several drawbacks, such as a lengthy 50-hour break-in period during which the initial sound can feel overly laid-back and mellow. Furthermore, its out-of-the-head imaging effects are outperformed by rivals like the AKG K812, and its treble response is less bright and airy compared to the Audeze LCD-2. On the functional side, neither of the included audio cables features a built-in microphone or inline phone controls. Finally, the steep $1,099 price tag positions it strictly as...

The OPPO PM-1 is a luxury $1,099 open-back planar magnetic headphone that stands out for its exceptional build quality, elegant unboxing presentation, and high efficiency. Unlike many traditional planar headphones, it features a rugged yet handsomely understated all-metal frame paired with plush leather padding, rendering it highly comfortable for long listening sessions despite its weight. Its standout features include a comprehensive accessory package—featuring a polished wooden storage box, denim carrying case, lambskin and velour earpads, and both a 3-meter OCC and 1-meter portable cable. Sonically, the PM-1 delivers a balanced, smooth, and natural audio profile with excellent note thickness across the range, strong mid-bass punch, and remarkably low amplification requirements that allow it to be easily driven by portable music players. However, the review highlights several sonic and physical compromises that hold the headphone back from ultimate audiophile perfection. Its sound signature leans slightly dark, biased toward the midrange with an upper-mid and treble dip that robs the music of ultimate crispness, treble extension, and fine definition compared to flatter reference gear. This mild treble rolled-off character directly compromises its...

In his review for Enjoy the Music.com, Tom Lyle highly praises the Oppo PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones as a magnificent, top-tier audio product. Priced at $1,099, the headphones feature unique double-sided planar magnetic drivers that maximize efficiency, deliver linear vibrations, and maintain a flat, purely resistive impedance. A major pro highlighted in the review is the PM-1's exceptional, non-fatiguing comfort level, which is light enough to rival legendary comfortable models like the Sennheiser HD-600. Sonically, the headphones excel at producing a "larger" and highly realistic soundfield with a 3-D palpability that untangles complex instrumentation and vocal layers without sounding overly analytical. Furthermore, due to their high sensitivity (102 dB), they can easily be driven directly by mobile devices without a mandatory external headphone amplifier, although pairing them with a high-quality amp like the Oppo HA-1 unlocks their full performance potential. Enjoy the Music.comDespite the glowing recommendation, Lyle points out a few notable cons regarding the PM-1's frequency performance. The headphones exhibit an audible attenuation at both frequency extremes, manifesting as a slight rounding off of the highest treble and the...

The Oppo PM-1 is a highly efficient, open-backed planar magnetic headphone utilizing a proprietary oblong driver system with symmetric push-pull Neodymium magnets and a seven-layer membrane membrane. It distinguishes itself from competing flagship headphones through its uncommonly high sensitivity of 102dB/mW, allowing it to be driven easily by a wide variety of amplifiers, and even smartphones or tablets, without sonic compression. The headphone features an exceptional build quality with polished aluminum frames, premium perforated leather ear pads, and a luxurious lacquered wood presentation case. Sonically, its primary strengths lie in its world-class bass and midrange performance, delivering deep, powerful low-frequency extension and dynamic expressiveness alongside a fluid, supple, and highly articulate midrange that excels at reproducing the nuanced textures of female vocals. However, the PM-1 exhibits a few notable drawbacks that may polarize listeners depending on their personal sound preferences. Its upper midrange features a subtle dip, which is accompanied by a noticeable roll-off in the treble response. These deviations from strict neutrality result in a presentation that is more reticent and relaxed than its competition, causing the headphone to...

The Oppo PM-1 ($1,099) marks a highly successful debut into the premium headphone market, offering an exceptional blend of luxury, attention to detail, and top-tier planar magnetic technology. Packaged elegantly in a high-polish wood box, it includes practical amenities like a denim carrying case, alternative ear pads, and high-quality woven-sheath cables. A major standout feature is its physical comfort; weighing just 395 grams, it is significantly lighter than its direct planar competitors, which—combined with a secure 5N clamping force—prevents it from slipping during use. Furthermore, it features a highly efficient 32-Ohm nominal impedance, allowing it to be easily driven by standard headphone amplifiers or even a mobile device on the go. Sonically, the PM-1 delivers a transparent, holographic soundstage with precise instrument placement and great vocal clarity. Its key pros include an accurate, punchy low-end impact that avoids bloat, an incredibly comfortable lightweight design, premium build quality, and excellent value for its price tier. On the cons side, the frequency response features a slight variation compared to reference models like the Audeze LCD-3; the PM-1 emphasizes the lower-mid frequencies of...

The StereoNET review of the Oppo HA-1Go and PM-1Go highlights an exceptional, high-performance pairing that delivers elite audiophile-grade sound quality, characterized by a clean signature, smooth midrange, and detailed, controlled bass following a necessary 80 to 100-hour break-in period. The PM-1 headphones offer an airy soundstage with excellent micro-dynamics, while the HA-1 amplifier is praised as a feature-dense, perfectly engineered unit for its price point. Key cons include the HA-1's inability to play files directly from connected USB drives and the PM-1's requirement for a lengthy, extensive break-in period to achieve optimal performance. Prior to this burn-in, the bass may lack fullness and the treble may sound restricted, representing the primary limitation of the system.

The OPPO PM-1 planar magnetic over-the-ear headphones deliver spectacular, highly detailed sound quality characterized by an exceptionally neutral tonality and virtually nonexistent distortion at any volume level. A standout pro is their unique high-efficiency design, featuring a dual-sided printed voice coil on a 7.14 square inch oval diaphragm that allows them to produce rich audio—including deep, effortless bass—while requiring significantly less power to drive than competing models. Furthermore, they offer superior comfort, weighing under one pound and utilizing perforated lambskin ear cups that facilitate cool air circulation during extended listening sessions. The premium presentation is further elevated by a luxury dark maroon cherry veneer storage box, a denim carrying pouch, and multiple included cables. The primary con of the OPPO PM-1 is its steep MSRP of $1,099 USD, making it a substantial investment reserved strictly for serious audiophiles rather than casual listeners. Additionally, to maximize the full potential of their balanced circuitry and increase the volume output, users must purchase an optional 3-metre balanced headphone cable for an extra $149, as it does not come standard in the box. Despite...

The Oppo Digital PM-1 planar magnetic headphonesGo, described in a The Absolute Sound first-listen review, feature high sensitivity (102dB at 1mW) and a purely resistive load, making them easily driven by portable devices without an amplifier. Sonically, they offer a warmer, organic, and non-fatiguing sound, characterized by a smooth, detailed midrange, deeply extended bass, and exceptional build quality for long-term comfort. While boasting impressive comfort and efficiency, the PM-1's tuning results in slightly rolled-off and subtly recessed high frequencies, reducing the ultimate treble sparkle and transparency found in more analytical, bright, or open-backed competitors. Consequently, these headphones prioritize a rich, forgiving sound over maximum high-frequency airiness, creating a relaxed, dark-of-center listening experience.

The OPPO PM-1 planar magnetic headphones are highly regarded for their luxurious, robust build and exceptional comfort, featuring premium lambskin leather and a relatively lightweight design. Sonically, they offer a warm, clear sound with prominent mids and deep bass, while distinguishing themselves through high sensitivity that allows them to be driven easily by portable devices. However, cons include a slightly dark sound signature with limited treble sparkle and an intimate, less expansive soundstage compared to competitors. While comfortable, they are still heavier than dynamic alternatives, and the high price point makes them a significant investment, especially with the similar-sounding, less expensive PM-2 available.

The Audioholics review praises the Oppo PM-1 planar magnetic headphones for delivering an exceptionally clean, smooth, and detailed listening experience with high-quality, comfortable, and durable construction. Pros include a neutral sound signature with a slight midbass boost, avoiding artificial treble peaks, alongside a robust build that justifies its premium positioning. Conversely, the open-back design results in sound leakage unsuitable for public use, and the high-frequency response exhibits a gradual roll-off that may lack the "sparkle" preferred by some listeners. While this creates a relaxed, fatigue-free sound, it may feel too dark for those seeking maximum airiness.