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Massdrop x E-MU Purpleheart Headphone Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by Hands, Dec 16, 2016.

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  1. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I understand your skepticism and figured wood cups were more for looks and some resonant properties more than anything. It wasn't until hearing the CAL, Walnut, and PH that I understood the cup materials were actually tuning the overall response just a bit. Yes, the overall signature is very similar, but there are enough differences between my measurements of the Walnut and PH, as well as Tyll's results, to very much suggest there are slight, but appreciable, differences depending on the cup material.

    See my Walnut vs PH measurements. See Tyll's. Similar differences. They are relatively slight, yet just enough to matter subjectively.

    I imagine not everyone will have the hearing acuity and training to be able to hear the differences.

    I would also like to point out that where and how you place the Dynamat and damping material in/on these headphones is critical. In the right spots, you can see very noticeable gains in terms of bass distortion (see my mod measurements). Other internal damping has subtle effects on smoothing out some "wiggles" in the response or slightly cleaning up decay, but you'll see greater results from front damping tweaks.

    I think for casual users, or those with less trained ears, it wouldn't matter too much which of these you pick. If you want to save the most money, go for the CAL. If you aren't pinching pennies, go for whichever you think looks the best. If you are picky and critical with hearing, you may find these subtle sonic differences among the models to matter, and I personally prefer the PH both for looks AND sonic traits. For those that already have a CAL or Walnut, I personally see little reason to buy this.

    Even then, I think it's pretty hard, and sad, to bitch and moan about someone offering a very nice headphone with a different cup choice at a still excellent price of $75. You really think this is a battle you need to have given all the legitimately silly things that happen in this industry?
     
    Hands, Dec 20, 2016
    #21
  2. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    Disregard this mess-im at an airport, on my phone. :mad:
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2016
    powermatic, Dec 20, 2016
    #22
  3. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    I currently use an Audio Technica MSR7 at work, straight out of my phone. Any reason to get this instead since the drop is active? [For reference my favorite headphone is the HD650(m).]
     
    a44100Hz, Dec 20, 2016
    #23
  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Well, subjectively, I did not care for the MSR7. Way too bright and etched for me. The Purpleheart is much more similar to the HD650M. However, the PH is also a bit more on-ear, if that matters.
     
    Hands, Dec 20, 2016
    #24
  5. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    Depends on if it leaks out. In a library would people hear what I'm listening to? Can't have that.
     
    a44100Hz, Dec 20, 2016
    #25
  6. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I mean, it's not as leaky as the TH-X00 or variants, if that helps. Depends on how loud you listen. Since I recommend mods on them anyway, you can add additional damping material inside the cups, which should reduce leakage even further.
     
    Hands, Dec 20, 2016
    #26
  7. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    Patiently waiting for her cups to turn brown.
    [​IMG]
    :)
     
    Dino, Dec 23, 2016
    #27
  8. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    Busted out a laugh! Thanks man!
     
    powermatic, Dec 23, 2016
    #28
  9. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Go easy man. That's my friend Alice. She's reading her custom manual for new HF members.
     
    DigMe, Dec 23, 2016
    #29
  10. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    I missed the drop and does anyone know if there is a chance I can still purchase it by contacting Emu direct? I guess that Creative ship it direct from Singapore if I understood correctly.. This is the 2nd one that I missed after HD6xx from Massdrop... :(
     
    Decomo, Jan 21, 2017
    #30
  11. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    I highly doubt it, @Decomo but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.
     
    Dino, Jan 21, 2017
    #31
  12. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Yep. I doubt it, too. :) I just sent an email to Creative and do not give my hope up. Hopefully, it drops again and will snatch right away..
     
    Decomo, Jan 21, 2017
    #32
  13. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    You can request it here and they will email you when/if it drops again.
     
    Dino, Jan 21, 2017
    #33
  14. GanGreinke

    GanGreinke Friend

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    You can email [email protected] and ask Chan if you could place an order. I emailed Chan in October and was told that I could directly order the EMU Teak from them.
     
    GanGreinke, Jan 21, 2017
    #34
  15. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Hi Decomo. Sorry, this one can only be ordered from us. Like Dino said, the best way to be sure you don't miss it again is to request it and you'll get an email notice that it is up again. (Thanks, Dino!)
     
    CEE TEE, Jan 22, 2017
    #35
  16. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Is this thing *droping* again ?
     
    dark_energy, Jan 31, 2017
    #36
  17. loplop

    loplop Acquaintance

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    Most stuff on massdrop seems to come around again. But this is so far away from shipping still that I'd expect that to happen late spring/early summer. I'm sure you will have another opportunity to get them.

    I bought in the initial drop. I'm curious to try these against the Thinksound ON2's I'm using now (as well as a pair of P5s2 I use less frequently).
     
    loplop, Jan 31, 2017
    #37
  18. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    April 15th is not far away!
     
    Dino, Apr 8, 2017
    #38
  19. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Mine have been stuck at DHL status PROCESSING COMPLETED AT ORIGIN for almost 4 days. Anyone else getting this?

    Update: It took a few days, but they finally started moving.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2017
    gixxerwimp, May 2, 2017
    #39
  20. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    I just got mine in yesterday and I'm sufficiently impressed. For the price of admission I think these are much more palatable than a lot of the other entry level contenders that get recommend for double the price (ehem... M50X). They don't seem as resolving as any of my TH-X00's but the FR seems a bit more coherent to my ear and pleasantly warm. My OnePlus 3T can get them up to adequate volume so I think they'll serve their purpose as a full sized knockaround work headphone, but I wish they isolated better.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2017
    Dr. Higgs, May 2, 2017
    #40
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