Headphones

[MrGongGong]

I think that $300.00, or pounds, is probably the break point for full range headphones that won't audibly distort at frequency extremes and don't unduly bump mid range and mid bass to produce effects. For that price you can get the Oppo PM3, the good HI Fi Man budget offerings, and the B&W Combo Bluetooth/wired phones. At your price range, your best bet might be ear buds, which can sound very good imo without costing a Queens Ransom

I would disagree about that
If you only look at "HiFi" ones then probably but lots of that stuff (IMV) has a bit of an "I saw you coming" look about it
For that money you could get a very decent pair of AKG's or Bayer Dynamic's

AKG K-702's or Bayer DT250's
for example

(one open, one closed)

[Beef Oven!]

I'm in the market for some closed-backs to augment my go-to ear/head gear (AKG 702 open back, RHA T-20 in ear & Sennheiser IE 8, in ear, Bose Noise cancelling).

How do Oppo PM3 stack up (no pun)? I hear a lot about them. Meant to be top-notch. Would I be better off with B&W, Sennheiser, Bayer? Bayer are a blindspot for me.

[richardfinegold]

I'm in the market for some closed-backs to augment my go-to ear/head gear (AKG 702 open back, RHA T-20 in ear & Sennheiser IE 8, in ear, Bose Noise cancelling).

How do Oppo PM3 stack up (no pun)? I hear a lot about them. Meant to be top-notch. Would I be better off with B&W, Sennheiser, Bayer? Bayer are a blindspot for me.

I can't say that I've heard the phones that MGG recommends, so you should try them. When I've auditioned phones, the $300 seemed to be where all of the compromises that go into cheaper phones became readily apparent to the listener.
The OPPO PM-3 is my prefered phone. It has an extended dynamic range and sounds very natural, without any bass or other boost. Other phones that boost certain areas may sound more flashy or immediate when first tried, but over time most people come to prefer neutrality. The B7W aren't quite as a good, but they are fantastic as BT phones.

[Beef Oven!]

I can't say that I've heard the phones that MGG recommends, so you should try them. When I've auditioned phones, the $300 seemed to be where all of the compromises that go into cheaper phones became readily apparent to the listener.
The OPPO PM-3 is my prefered phone. It has an extended dynamic range and sounds very natural, without any bass or other boost. Other phones that boost certain areas may sound more flashy or immediate when first tried, but over time most people come to prefer neutrality. The B7W aren't quite as a good, but they are fantastic as BT phones.

I have AKG 702s but have no experience of Bayer.

Can anyone say a bit more about the Oppos?

[richardfinegold]

I have AKG 702s but have no experience of Bayer.

Can anyone say a bit more about the Oppos?

I didn't realize what headphones were capable of until I heard the Oppo's. Very detailed, airy and open. I don't like wearing headphones in general, but they are the most comfortable that I have ever worn

[Beef Oven!]

I didn't realize what headphones were capable of until I heard the Oppo's. Very detailed, airy and open. I don't like wearing headphones in general, but they are the most comfortable that I have ever worn

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll try and demo a pair.

[Braunschlag]

I've been through far too many headphones over the past few years but I'll pass on my comments for what it's worth.
Sennheiser HD650 - I'm afraid I was really disappointed with them. Maybe open back don't suit me but I was expecting a real quantum leap in quality and, for me, it just wasn't there. They are big and I always felt they were loose fitting and, for the price, not that well made.
Oppo PM3 - I'd agree with all the Oppo fans, they really were a belting set of cans. Comfortable, maybe slightly bulky, not difficult to drive and a real quality product which was very well made.
My current ones are the Beoplay H6 2nd Gen. I'd put them on a par with the Oppos, some even rate them superior. Best made phones I've ever had. Light, good fit, comfortable and even stylish. I've no intention of changing them and if there's one thing I've learnt that the law of diminishing returns really does apply to some of the more expensive models.
Or maybe - I'm just a cheapskate:)

[richardfinegold]

I've been through far too many headphones over the past few years but I'll pass on my comments for what it's worth.
Sennheiser HD650 - I'm afraid I was really disappointed with them. Maybe open back don't suit me but I was expecting a real quantum leap in quality and, for me, it just wasn't there. They are big and I always felt they were loose fitting and, for the price, not that well made.
Oppo PM3 - I'd agree with all the Oppo fans, they really were a belting set of cans. Comfortable, maybe slightly bulky, not difficult to drive and a real quality product which was very well made.
My current ones are the Beoplay H6 2nd Gen. I'd put them on a par with the Oppos, some even rate them superior. Best made phones I've ever had. Light, good fit, comfortable and even stylish. I've no intention of changing them and if there's one thing I've learnt that the law of diminishing returns really does apply to some of the more expensive models.
Or maybe - I'm just a cheapskate:)

I actually don't do that much headphone listening if I can help I. It's mainly for travel or if I don't wish to disturb others in the house, such as at night when I can't sleep, which is most nights. I don't really care for something over or in my ears for more than an hour at a time.
It does bother me to have a fancy stereo and not be able to use it at those times, so I like the fact that the Oppo is a "high end" piece of equipment that doesn't leave me feeling compromised. To address your remark of diminishing returns, I just don't see how much more sound can be wrung out of headphones than what they deliver, even though phones costing 10 times as much now flood the market