Avantone Planar Red Review | Studio Monitor Planar

[@halfofaheaven]

There is absolutely no way you didn't have a broken set. Soundstage, imaging and detail are at least equal to the Sundara, arguably beating it. Also, I returned the Sundara because of harshness around 5k. The Planar sound pleasant and well-tuned throughout the entire spectrum, maybe just lacking some sub bass. You should really try another pair.

[@bluemonstrosity259]

He generally makes different comments to other people

[@slt5074]

I feel like I can trust you, and Idk if you atcually have such knowledge. However if you can recommend me an audiophile with the budget of 400usd. Please do. Thank you for your time

[@MikeyBakerMusic]

I just hafta say, after watching your review I couldn't help but wonder if you were talking about a different set of cans entirely. My experience with the P Reds has been nothing short of stellar. Haven't picked up my Beyer Dt 1990 Pros or my Sennheiser 58X's since I got 'em.

[@CockatooDude]

I've heard similar takes from most people who've used these. Makes me wonder if he was using them balanced with the wrong amp, as Avantone said that that can screw with them. EDIT: turns out he likely just didn't plug the cable all the way in.

[@mauricejchan2914]

Given the huge number of comments that dispute your conclusion that the soundstage is very narrow, I find it very difficult to believe the reliability of your conclusion. You either had a defective model, or you did not press the cable properly into the jacks, as suggested by some commentators. I am going to ignore your review and buy one, on the basis of the detailed assessment of No Theme Review, as supported by a lot of your commentators. Thanks for your review anyway.

[@dentboxhero1717]

Is it just me or this guy has already set his mind to make it look like it’s a mediocre headphone when in actuality the Planar is an amazing headphone.

[@S.G54321]

They are beyond amazing. I'd take them over the Audeze LCD-X & LCD-X 2021. They sound that good. And with a bit EQ, damnnn. It seems he didn't connect the cable properly into the socket and caused the headphone to play in mono.

[@ResolveReviews]

Cool intro track. Nice image placement on that trumpet.

[@atyne_mar]

This review is a complete joke. I don't understand why don't you take it down. You clearly used them in mono with cable not plugged in all the way. Or you had a broken set. Soundstage and imaging of these are even surpassing my Sundara. FR is very flat - a little boosted in midrange so it may sound a little thicker/honky but the treble is almost perfectly flat and smooth while still being airy, like on HD600.

[@thewatchmanstudios6257]

So I borrowed a pair from work and had an extended listen. The complete opposite of everything in your review. Fairly clinical , decent soundstage (though not as good as a high end pair of sennheiser..nor was I expecting that) but the same as/or worse then ATHM40X’s?hardly. Perhaps you got a bum pair, I’m not sure. These are easily worth the money. As for “janky” build quality? I’d be disagreeing with that as well. So much so that I bought a pair. I suppose that’s my opinion/experience with them

[@thissguy8106]

From my own experience listening to my own tracks vs 990 proxs the detail is definitely there, using two different dacs and tracks the quality definitely shined through on the avantones i just bought a pair

[@sonicthehedgehog989]

Is it weird that I completely disagree with this review. I mean mine I got the planar black. And it sounds more natural and flat than the arya. As for sound stage I'm just lost here lol. It sounds big to me, take that for what it worth. Very comparable to the arya in my humble opinion, but more neutral.

[@S.G54321]

Oh don't worry I and many others agree. It's a very similar tonality to the Arya but a darker, more neutral treble. Soundstage is big as well on the Planar. There has been a lot of issues with QC though, and many people have unit varients where one Planar might have severely rolled off treble. Others have rolled off low end. Some have a small sounding soundstage and others have some strange peaks. I am lucky I got none of that, and when you do get a truly good laie, the Planar is one insanely good headphone but its a shame due to all the QC issues some people don't get what we get

[@sonicthehedgehog989]

@@S.G54321 wow the guys at avantone need to sort their workout. Its quite a shame that these variations exist. Otherwise the price to performance ratio is just insane with the planar.

[@S.G54321]

@@sonicthehedgehog989 Extremely insane when I first heard them I was mind blown 😮

[@benrice6085]

I got the red and can confirm it's not a color issue haha. The hardest part for me has been the fact I find them comparable to headphones I own for 3 to 4 times the price. Im glad knowing someone out there can't afford a set of 1000 to 2000 dollar headphones can pick up a set of these, and get a glimpse into what something in that price range sounds like. God forbid we let people into the audiophile world that only have 400 bucks.

[@sonicthehedgehog989]

@@benrice6085 glad you confirmed my observations. I personally feel that this headphone is more than a glimpse of what a high end headphone sound like, it's the real deal in my opinion. Recently I repurchased the d8000 pro, and I feel that the planar sound more correct in terms of tonality. Yes the d8000 pro has a bit more detail but in return you have to sacrifice the tonality a bit. Also its brighter. As for the arya the planar is toe to toe with it, never inferior except in the price.

[@alvarg]

Rolls off rolls off rolls off?, You mean a dip? Your review seems so different to everyone elses review online and video, feel like you got a broken pair

[@wesleyleigh4063]

Very serious and arguably crucial question, how long are you bothering to listen to the headphones your reviewing? I expect you don't feel this inclined, but if your to be as competent a critic, and indeed the least one could ask of someone in your position i would posit, I would say for at least 100 hours, perhaps closer to 200-300. I personally don't really know how good a set of cans are typically until about 2 months of listening most days. Alas, I'm not suggesting your conclusions here aren't accurate, these are likely sub par as you say, but don't you feel like you're perhaps not producing an utterly empirical appraisal otherwise?

[@JoeKind1958]

Have to agree with the others who say you got a defective pair.

[@johnsonadekunle7675]

I love this guy. He just says his mind without giving a crap.

[@phetmoz]

Mate, it sounds this way only because you fucked up. You didn't push the cable in properly and as a result, you received 100% crosstalk between drivers and that's why it sounded MONO. You should do the right thing and re-review this or at least take this video down as you are not reviewing its actual capabilities.

[@trellusg]

Naw, don’t agree on soundstage, it’s slightly wider than my HD 650 and HD 600 both. Totally weird you heard it so narrowly. 😂 Also, I heard little grain. Weird turning? Maybe there’s unit variation but the pair I heard was almost boringly neutral, except I’d say it was pleasantly neutral.

[@maxsettings7884]

I recorded this a few weeks ago. Since that time Oratory actually measured these and his measurements line up very closely with what I said about them. www.dropbox.com/sh/654wxtmhlq0dhqa/AAAKT-RIbEKpsl-JW7mOnu_9a?lst=&preview=Avantone+Planar.pdf

[@trellusg]

@@maxsettings7884 that’s great! But I listen with my ears and my brain and not measurement rigs, none of which exactly match exactly my alien ear holes or brain DSP 😌 I don’t hear “weird tuning,” but it’s completely possible having as many headphones as I do, my brain is used to its own AutoEQ in the brain, who knows, but I know what I hear and I directly compared them against some of my headphones, including the HD 650 and HD 600.

[@trellusg]

@@maxsettings7884 weird tuning: these HiFiMAN TWS 600 I just got in today - no surprise they were only $49 directly from HiFiMAN 😂 But I think I may enjoy them for what they are anyway - but good lord, no bass on these 😅

[@Alexandra-Rex]

With the comments here about the sound compared to what this review says, it's weird there are no replies from the reviewer or even a new video about it.

[@trellusg]

Report on Head Fi that Oratory is going to remeasure these after a reported fix which addresses some of the FR issues on some pairs.

[@ubacow7109]

I feel like there's some conflict with No theme reviews's review. Not sure which is more accurate.

[@alvarg]

I'd say go with no theme reviews as its closer to 99% of the online written reviews. this guy got a broken or faulty pair.

[@d.b.c.t1m059]

I own these. The only things I agree with is that there is definetly bass roll off and the ear pads are kinda meh. He completely lost me at soundstage. Their soundstage is pretty wide.

[@alvarg]

@@d.b.c.t1m059 i find the earpads comfy, soundstage and imagining is great on these but they need loads of power im pushing 3w into mine and honestly they'd be happier hitting their max threshold of 5watt. Anything less than 2 watt isnt enough for these to sound right Lack of power = no bass and veiled highs

[@d.b.c.t1m059]

@@alvarg While I do agree that they need a good amp 3 watts is way too much. Avantone themselves recommend an amp that can deliver 250mW into a 32 Ohm headphone. The 5W ist the maximum power handling spec.

[@S.G54321]

@@d.b.c.t1m059 I've been using a SMSL M500 V2 for 5 months. It has a max of 500MW into 30 ohms or something like that. While I felt it drove the Planar amazingly. I did hear a great difference once I upgraded to a SMSL SH-9. Much more power on tap. Maybe its the power or maybe simply better parts in the SH-9. But from my experience. I whole heartedly do hear an improvement with more power and better amps.

[@Vaxoid]

Perhaps you have a defective pair of Planars. But the soundstage here is quite normal, not mono or even not narrow. 90% of all headphones have a weird tuning, I can draw such conclusions simply because they are really weird, but not the Planars. This is no HiFi tunings definitely, but it is also not a headphone for HiFi.

[@97invaderzim]

A much different take then what No Theme Reviews said and thats good. Contrast in reviewers is health in the hobby and greatly benefits the viewer

[@alvarg]

this isn't contrast, this opposes every other comment I've read about them. not just in subjective enjoyment, but also in describing the sound. everyone else has said these have a smooth, neutral tonality with a decently wide soundstage. and not just reviewers but individual people who bought them and tried them, the only thing this review has told me, is he got a faulty pair.

[@CockatooDude]

He was running them in mono, when I got them I had the exact same issue as the reviewer but I realised the cable was not plugged into the earcup all the way, you REALLY have to push it in but it will click. When they're actually running in stereo they sound fantastic.

[@sumeetagarwal6561]

"it actually surprised me with not being egregiously terrible" lmfao

[@trellusg]

Ooo, I’ve been waiting for another serious review of these, thanks! 🙏🏽

[@atyne_mar]

Except, this review isn't serious because there was something wrong with his set.

[@jmgoodmanuk]

Listening to both your reviews, or seems like you and No Theme Reviews recieved very different sounding sets of cans. They must have inconsistency / qc issues.

[@rodpinfold8824]

A tip for this reviewer would be plug them in or wash his ears out and I am definitely not joking !!!!!

[@althewicked]

I have seen and read about 10 reviews about this Planar and your conclusion about this headphone was the complete opposite. I have to check this headphone out for my self anyway but either you are really good with your review or you should do something else. I know it if I got one :)

[@alvarg]

strange ultimatum, either your review is correct or quit?, lol isn't it possible he just got a faulty pair. I mean if it sounded so off I'm surprised he didn't return them and ask for a different pair to confirm they were actually bad.

[@anatol1204]

Very nice honest review..Which headphone you suggest for studio mixing and mastering under 1000?i know the usual suspects and i have dt 880 and srh 990.Is there something vastly better in that range or you go straight to hd 800?I ask because i need very good stereo image and instrument separation..especially when i add orchestra in pop mixes ..

[@kellyforeman13]

I have this headphone and I think it's weirdness is what makes it fun to listen to. I do know that after about 20 hours of break in they got a lot better so I don't agree with you on the sound stage thing but the highs loosend up and the sub bass got better as well

[@nada-mg8wy]

Super confusing review.... Minute 10 until the end expresses how confusing it is..... Would be better not to post it at all.

[@ucmenteith]

Here are my Mini DSP E.A.R.S. measurements - forum.headphones.com/t/whats-in-the-box/1765/2604

[@christianlaurent5807]

I thought that those headphones were designed for studio use ...your review add even more confusion regarding these headphones...very few reviews, very few information ...I'm totally lost...

[@zzezzobike]

Thank you for the conclusion, nothing can beat Sundaras for the price, so easy to enjoy and not think of upgrading soon.

[@rodpinfold280]

I too cannot understand this review with fr or soundstage, yours were probably broken.

[@JTB--]

These work Great.... for attracting Bumble Bees!! Hang them in a tree in your yard and the bees will make a home in those Red Beehive's. FREE Honey for Life!!

[@mylifematter]

Red and Studio? Must be Beats Studio.

[@DP-hw9uq]

Mate… you really need to try another pair. Nothing you said matches with what these cans are… too strange.

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

Even less soundstage than my Stax L500?

[@S.G54321]

Nah. Soundstage is wide and spacious. Wider than an LCD-X and right between a Ananda and Arya. He unfortunately seems to have recieved a unit with bad QC issues. My Avantone Planar relates to nothing in this reviews in terms of sound. It has been beyond stellar for me, right up there with my LCD-X, Clear and Arya. Its like a mix of all 3 headphones

[@nusu5331]

your unit must have been defective

[@InvisibleIink]

Marketing said it was neutral

[@maxsettings7884]

And?

[@InvisibleIink]

@@maxsettings7884 And... it's not...

[@maxsettings7884]

@@InvisibleIink Well "neutral" as a term for headphones isn't generally a great one to use since there are many different ideas of what neutral is. Neutrality is only relative to a target, it is not a universal truth.

[@hireality]

Mr Max Setting, this is flawed review. Based on your “review” method in this video it is clear that you are disqualified as a headphone reviewer👎

[@maxsettings7884]

If you want to criticize someone at least be specific in your criticism.

[@hireality]

@@maxsettings7884 My negative critique not only applies to your evaluation method but also to the majority of other “Audiophile” headphone reviews on KZbin. You are quite right, I owe you a detailed explanation. There are multiple points, and I will try to publish a video about them on my channel in a few weeks. Until then, one of them briefly: the hyped Harman Target curve is complete nonsense and it will become obsolete in the future. Subscribed to your channel 👍

[@maxsettings7884]

@@hireality Who ever said I expected these to follow the Harman curve?

[@hireality]

@@maxsettings7884 not on this one, but in your AirPod max review. You can see a much more accurate evaluation (way more effort put) of this product here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apLRkGmIf51jl7c A general feedback: be innovative and different than that freq. response centric snobbish guy in “the Headphone Show”. Anyone can babble interpretations of reading a measured freq. response. Just unsubscribed. Will come back and subscribe again when I see value and substance in your reviews.

[@Slapo007]

@@hireality Maybe you'll want to re-watch the part of the review that starts at ~05:48 - he said he didn't measure them nor found any measurements of these by anyone else. It would be nice to have a point of reference and know what audio tracks @Max Settings uses to judge e.g. soundstage and imaging and whether he talks about the frequency response based on sine sweeps or something else, though. No Theme Reviews' reviews are good in how systematic they are, but he bases his reviews on what he thinks a couple of his go-to audio tracks should sound like. That includes details that only the people taking part in creating those tracks are likely to know for sure, and I haven't yet found a video of his where he'd explain how he arrived at the conclusion that they should sound the way he says they should. Examples of that are the subwoofer effect in hip-hop tracks, how much of grain and sibilance should be revealed in "Why am I like this", how sharp intakes of breath should sound another song etc. Because of that, I found the reviews where he does direct comparison more valuable.

[@jekken333]

Cheese grater. Lol

[@whiteowl3440]

I... I don't know... This review is... like.. so weird.. and interesting.. I don't know why I expected more on this review.. He started saying this headphone is weird and interesting at the beginning. And in the middle of video he said this headphone is bad and poor.. I don't know what he is trying to say.. weird = interesting = bad? I don't know..what i am trying to say...

[@wongpantai9710]

There always problem with planars, sundara is a junk, then this too