Sound
But it is sound where MyST headphones really strut their stuff. OrtoPhones doesn’t follow to a T the same flattish, neutralish IzoPhones-30 stock sound. Its mids are more open, more 3D. If you’re a fan of 30’s starker sound, it may take a while to get used to. OrtoPhone’s upper midrange is nothing like Grado’s PS1000 clashy upper midrange, which, at points, can sound ramen thin. It’s both warmer and slightly wetter than the IzoPhones-30, making it subjectively less well-suited to pre-uplifting trance, but more than addictive for anything with a voice.
I reckon it’s a slight wet reverb that does the trick – that and slightly more sound pressure where Sue McLaren’s haunting voice rocks Paul van Dyk’s Lights. It’s a midrange with more z-space 3D detail, with slightly more shoulder against highs and lows – all of which adds up to a more emotional sound than that of both the IzoPhones-30 and IzoPhones-60.
I have neither the equipment, nor the background to say which tests better. But I can say this: when I’ve got jazz, trance uplifting, trance progressive, and certain EDM and dubstep artists (Anodyne Industries being a unique pick), I vastly prefer OrtoPhones’s open midrange, more detailed bass, and subjectively smoother inter-frequency transitions. IzoPhones-30’s flat-field impact and wide, 3D staging are hallmarks of the series (30s excluded), but with the exception of contrasty impact, OrtoPhones out does the 30 across the board.
Still, my opinion is that speed and classic trance are better served by the flatter, drier 30. Modern emotional and uplifting – OrtoPhones have it nailed. I reckon it is because of OrtoPhones’s lush mid range and smoother bass-to-midrange transition zone. That and less top-to-bottom contrast but more organically 3D flesh. That and its ultra-smooth transition into the mids. If I were to earphone both MyST headphones, I’d call the OrtoPhones a Noble Audio K10 custom and the IzoPhones-30 an Ultrasone IQ with perfect tips. The analogy isn’t perfect. IQ isn’t quite as dry as the 30, and the K10 is a smidgeon less contrasty than the OrtoPhones. I love both earphones. But when I’m on a classic trance kick, it’s usually IQ all the way. When I’ve got other stuff to enjoy, it’s K10 all the way.
IzoPhones-30’s highs are more ringy, more energetic, and perhaps more confusing. AKG treble heads may prefer the IzoPhones-30. Fans of the drier field, will go for the 30s. And fans of the detail-oriented, perfect transition but still comfy will go for OrtoPhones. Probably.
My wife is also a fan of Paul van Dyk. After a few minutes of listening to both headphones, she enthusiastically pointed at OrtoPhones when I asked her which she preferred. Now, Paul van Dyk’s latest is full of uplifting tunes, to which the OrtoPhones are particularly well suited. Still, she has a good ear, and I agree.
I should also note that OrtoPhones is less sensitive than IzoPhones-30. When attached to Grace’s brilliant m9XX, I set it to between 75 and 85, while IzoPhones-30 settles in at about ten step below. By the way, I really recommend the Grace m9XX, which, when plugged into both 5V and USB, has way more than enough power to bleed your ears. Even when sucking just the USB, it kicks strong enough current at the OrtoPhones’s 18Ω to power stable stably at a setting of 95. And thanks to a couple of interesting filters, I can’t recommend the m9XX/OrtoPhone combo enough.
End words
I started out listening in a sombre tone. At stock, I’m more of a contrast flat-field freak. OrtoPhones’s ultra-detailed 3D midrange kept freaking me out. Maybe I thought it was too 3D. (Does such a thing exist?) But given the weeks, the months, the endless hours of hip hop, trance, and didgeridoo’s, I’m convinced: OrtoPhones’s is overall a more well-developed headphone. That my wife agrees only seals the insurance.
Sure, there are times, and genres where I prefer the IzoPhones-30, but I really think MyST nailed the OrtoPhones. If you can get along with the tank-like elegance of the series, the fit, the weight, and its price (which isn’t insubstantial), I think you may really like OrtoPhones. I sure as hell do.
Well done.
Barun C
Thanks Nathan for another very enjoyable read. Hope these Orthos get more attention at head-fi forums.
ohm image
I hope so.
GrizzlybEast
I am certainly following these reviews… i just wish there were comparisons to some more popular headphones. Not many people will really understand how they compare to HEX, Ether, ZMF Omnis, Audezes, Oppos… yada yada. You really need a popular headphone besides the super technical HD800 to allow people to cross over. A bridge headphone between the known and unknown.
Can you provide any point of reference of the mentioned or any Orthodynamic headphone?
dalethorn
Seems like a good idea, if this headphone hasn’t already been returned.
ohm image
Well, I have to disagree. If in order to make a proper review, I have to own an Audeze, ZMF, etc., and so on, I need to invest 10.000$ at least in headphones. No way.
I already mentioned IzoPhones VS Oppo. I’m not going to purchase a HD800. I’m not going to purchase an Audeze headphone. I’m especially not going to purchase a Hifiman.
GrizzlybEast
No offense but that was a thoughtless response. That’s not what I was suggesting. Rather, if you have heard any other popular Ortho it would give a useful point of reference. That is what will help a reader establish a bearing of your perpective. If you haven’t then so be it. That doesn’t take away from the legitimacy of your review.
I never said said that comparisons would make it a proper review. There is nothing that qualifies a review as being proper.
Of note: I guarantee some of the orthos out there would be more comfortable than that thing. If you ever want to borrow one for a comparison hit me up and I’ll gladly lend you one or point you to someone that will. I love seeing new hps one up what we are currently being offered in hopes of someone making a better price to performance option.
dalethorn
I’ve had a few orthos now, and the only one I liked was MrSpeakers Mad Dog, which is really just a mod. The LCD2 was very flat/neutral in most respects, but also flat in the sense of lack of sparkle. I’d like to see someone translate some of these reviews for dynamics-only users, so I can understand better how they sound.
GrizzlybEast
The Dharma is a good reference as well. I liked it but it’s bass response was horrible. Everything else was well… Dynamic.
dalethorn
I’d guess then that orthos are much more difficult to make and/or tune. For a long time Audeze and HiFiMan were the only major players, and now we have a few more.
ohm image
I’m sorry you found it a thoughtless response. Making comparisons based on memory is faulty. While I have done that, I shouldn’t. It’s not fair to readers or to manufacturers. Which means that to eliminate as many variables as possible (while still working a subjective angle, i.e., reviewing without test equipment), I would need to have those other headphones on hand to compare.
I simply can’t compare headphones that I don’t have, or whose profiles I didn’t record via test equipment. The good news is that I am saving up to invest in a headphone test rig which will allow me to save data that can be used as reference in the future.
But I was honest: I will not buy a HiFiman, I will not buy a HD800, I will not buy an Audeze, and I simply can’t put solid review weight behind vague impressions of gear I once used.
I can remember that both the [LCD-3 and] LCD-2 for instance, were warmer sounding than the IzoPhones and OrtoPhones, but saying anything more than that would be dishonest.
Anyway, thank you for your reply. I’m sorry if I came off aggressive. It wasn’t my intent. I simply don’t feel comfortable deeply referencing headphones I once heard or once owned, or borrowed for a few weeks in any more than very vague terms.
[Edit]
GrizzlybEast
Thanks for keeping it real. I understand not comparing from memory. I wish I could hear a pair. Been lookin at em but was too scared when I did have funds. Thanks for responding. I guess my main curiosity is the bass extension of the ortophones vs the other models since there is no graph for this model. The other models show poor bass extension on the graphs. Anywho I’m talking too much as always. Thanks for the review.
Roman Zaytsev
I think audeze more warm and have no same fast attack as in Orto (not Ortho in this case :))
MyST more fast and detailed but not so bassy.