Post by vcautokid on Jun 7, 2015 11:08:24 GMT -5
Hello All, hope your Sunday is what you hope it is. Mine sunny, and warm. Couldn't ask for better. Just wanted to take the time to share a thought or two on the Blue Microphone Headphones I purchased at Axpona Audiocon 2015 in Chicago.
Called the MOFI standing for Mobile Fidelity Headphones, no association with the Record or CD makers of same name. For years my AKG 701, and Sennheiser HD580 were my go too headphones. Does the Blue have the tech, and sound to have me say, and feel the same as these above. Please read on. Posted on my Amazon reviews page, here are my impressions, and thoughts.
Blue Microphones has a winner on its hands, or uh, ears with the Mo-Fi. Using your pretty Lo-fi Smartphone, ( lets be honest, it really is you know.), or just as merely so so tablet, the Mofi will bring life to your music, favorite video better than those devices playing have a right too.
3 modes just for you.
Totally passive, no amplifier mode, next the amplified per its own inside "Audiophile" amplifier. It mostly is too. The +6 bass boost with amplification mode.
First lets have it with no help from its friends inside. Passively, these are my favorite listen. Using my Schiit Audio Magni 2 Uber, the MoFi is a great closed back Headphone, frankly rivaling my AKG 701! Now
that is high praise indeed. Richer, more involving, less Clinical than the 701's, the Blue has my AKG's jealous in the plushness of its presentation.
Bass is full, and well balanced, remember, no DSP anything here. All Analog from start to finish. Not as extended as my 701's, but a body, and richness that I sometimes wish the AKG 701's would do. Quick too, as drums, and bass guitar, and lower register instruments have to offer.
Midrange continues the theme, but is not thick, but lacking a smidgen of detail the 701's will give you. Still allot to hear here with timbres of instruments that live here do have indeed have allot to say. Pick your favorite vocalist, you can't lose, female, male, the Blue has them singing a tune that is very convincing. Lacks the air, and soundstaging as say the 701's could make, but you are intimate with the singer. Reminding you this is with the Schiit Audio Magni 2 Uber Headphone amplifier my impressions thus far.
Treble is smooth, a bit lacking in air or extension, but it is never harsh, or forward in its prose. Cymbals, Hi hats, or Ride Cymbals done well here. The Treble finishes off what is truly an engaging, and balanced listen.
Listening with the internal amplifier with my LG G3 smartphone is a different experience indeed. Noise floor of my G3 are a definite negative distraction, and takes away in the dynamics department due to the poor signal to noise ratio. Smart phones have a long way to go before they get my vote as a favored listening device. The cheap OP Amp noisy with digital interference thrown in for free are no ones friend in a music listen.
However, the MoFi does well for what it has in the amplified mode or +6 mode as it will bring life from the dreck of the Smartphone mobile arena. Bass is well controlled if mired a bit by the noise, Midrange continues to engage with a richness that that Smartphone cannot perform due to its feeble Op Amps. Or I.C. cheap swept off the floor amps. Treble when also not mired by the noise of the Smartphone is as good as I could hope for.
That is smooth, and easy to listen too. I think Blue did a great job on what is a poor excuse for a listening experience, and made it at least tolerable. Now the LG G3 has more headroom, and output power than most of its competition, but still this is not my favored listening device. In a pinch? Okay, yes.
Negatives are the heavy, clamps hard on the head if you hastily put them on. Take the time to dial in the fit with the tension knob in the headband, and the articulating earcups. You'll be glad you did. My AKG's in comparison are so much more comfortable to wear. Way lighter too! The MoFi weighs in at about a pound or so, so keep that in mind if you want to listen for extended periods of time.
So in sum, the Blue Mic Mofi is a great first effort, and win in most categories. Would be devastating if it were bluetooth too, like the Pendulumic headphones which are outstanding and less costly than these. However, when run passively, and with a quality Headphone Amplifier externally, you will be very happily engaged indeed. If isolation is needed, and it would involve a Mobile device, yes the MoFi is recommended with the above caveats of fitment, and weight. I say, make it Blue tooth so you can isolate the noise from the Mobile device for a much more engaging, and more dynamic listen.
As you have read, I really like them. An unexpected pleasure really. Headphones, like speakers are a tricky beast for the love/hate appeal, and I was at first skeptical till I heard these at the show. I like the shows like Can Jam, and the other Hifi ones as you can sample, and hear what you read, and make the connection. Pretty cool arrangement I thought, as mostly you have to take a leap of faith on your audio, or video investment.
A bit more what is inside the MOFI.
What is in the box.
Parts compliment including the 40mm drivers.
Concept was envisioned with the thought of Formula 1 cars, and their suspension. The articulation, and such. A concept drawing of the MOFI.
So as they say, not doing the same old song and dance my friends, you have an unusual set of Cans here, and one that maybe for you, or not. I leave that to your head, and ears to decide, but in the final opinion, and thoughts section here.
Plus sides.
Sound. So balanced, so easy to listen too especially passively, and yes your Ipad, and Android devices will sound allot better from these. Though keep in mind the noisy background these devices create. The Amplifier inside the MOFI is dead quiet itself.
Nice long listening cable to hook up to my Schiit.
Build is very nice. No rough edges anywhere, good construct of the ear pads. Smooth articulation of the pivot arms, and easy adjustment of the Headband tension knob. Awesome to look at I think. Kind of Terminator finds the Art Deco kind of thing almost.
Nice compliment of accessories, and handy bag to keep it all together.
Minus sides.
Big!! Heavy!!, not portable. You just can't throw them on without some adjusting thought for the right fit. But be patient, and adjust that tension knob in the headband, and pivot arms for the ear cups.
Line cable with the controls for mobile use too close to my head. Bugger on that.
For some pricey. $349.99 is a bunch of cash for some. Yeah, I get it. Pendulumics will give you more for less, has blue tooth connectivity, and even runs on AAA batteries in a pinch for power.
So while being a standout in concept, and looks, and a good listen, this may not be for everyone. As always if you can, try before you buy. For me a Winner. Hopefully for you too.
Thanks for reading.
Called the MOFI standing for Mobile Fidelity Headphones, no association with the Record or CD makers of same name. For years my AKG 701, and Sennheiser HD580 were my go too headphones. Does the Blue have the tech, and sound to have me say, and feel the same as these above. Please read on. Posted on my Amazon reviews page, here are my impressions, and thoughts.
Blue Microphones has a winner on its hands, or uh, ears with the Mo-Fi. Using your pretty Lo-fi Smartphone, ( lets be honest, it really is you know.), or just as merely so so tablet, the Mofi will bring life to your music, favorite video better than those devices playing have a right too.
3 modes just for you.
Totally passive, no amplifier mode, next the amplified per its own inside "Audiophile" amplifier. It mostly is too. The +6 bass boost with amplification mode.
First lets have it with no help from its friends inside. Passively, these are my favorite listen. Using my Schiit Audio Magni 2 Uber, the MoFi is a great closed back Headphone, frankly rivaling my AKG 701! Now
that is high praise indeed. Richer, more involving, less Clinical than the 701's, the Blue has my AKG's jealous in the plushness of its presentation.
Bass is full, and well balanced, remember, no DSP anything here. All Analog from start to finish. Not as extended as my 701's, but a body, and richness that I sometimes wish the AKG 701's would do. Quick too, as drums, and bass guitar, and lower register instruments have to offer.
Midrange continues the theme, but is not thick, but lacking a smidgen of detail the 701's will give you. Still allot to hear here with timbres of instruments that live here do have indeed have allot to say. Pick your favorite vocalist, you can't lose, female, male, the Blue has them singing a tune that is very convincing. Lacks the air, and soundstaging as say the 701's could make, but you are intimate with the singer. Reminding you this is with the Schiit Audio Magni 2 Uber Headphone amplifier my impressions thus far.
Treble is smooth, a bit lacking in air or extension, but it is never harsh, or forward in its prose. Cymbals, Hi hats, or Ride Cymbals done well here. The Treble finishes off what is truly an engaging, and balanced listen.
Listening with the internal amplifier with my LG G3 smartphone is a different experience indeed. Noise floor of my G3 are a definite negative distraction, and takes away in the dynamics department due to the poor signal to noise ratio. Smart phones have a long way to go before they get my vote as a favored listening device. The cheap OP Amp noisy with digital interference thrown in for free are no ones friend in a music listen.
However, the MoFi does well for what it has in the amplified mode or +6 mode as it will bring life from the dreck of the Smartphone mobile arena. Bass is well controlled if mired a bit by the noise, Midrange continues to engage with a richness that that Smartphone cannot perform due to its feeble Op Amps. Or I.C. cheap swept off the floor amps. Treble when also not mired by the noise of the Smartphone is as good as I could hope for.
That is smooth, and easy to listen too. I think Blue did a great job on what is a poor excuse for a listening experience, and made it at least tolerable. Now the LG G3 has more headroom, and output power than most of its competition, but still this is not my favored listening device. In a pinch? Okay, yes.
Negatives are the heavy, clamps hard on the head if you hastily put them on. Take the time to dial in the fit with the tension knob in the headband, and the articulating earcups. You'll be glad you did. My AKG's in comparison are so much more comfortable to wear. Way lighter too! The MoFi weighs in at about a pound or so, so keep that in mind if you want to listen for extended periods of time.
So in sum, the Blue Mic Mofi is a great first effort, and win in most categories. Would be devastating if it were bluetooth too, like the Pendulumic headphones which are outstanding and less costly than these. However, when run passively, and with a quality Headphone Amplifier externally, you will be very happily engaged indeed. If isolation is needed, and it would involve a Mobile device, yes the MoFi is recommended with the above caveats of fitment, and weight. I say, make it Blue tooth so you can isolate the noise from the Mobile device for a much more engaging, and more dynamic listen.
As you have read, I really like them. An unexpected pleasure really. Headphones, like speakers are a tricky beast for the love/hate appeal, and I was at first skeptical till I heard these at the show. I like the shows like Can Jam, and the other Hifi ones as you can sample, and hear what you read, and make the connection. Pretty cool arrangement I thought, as mostly you have to take a leap of faith on your audio, or video investment.
A bit more what is inside the MOFI.
What is in the box.
Parts compliment including the 40mm drivers.
Concept was envisioned with the thought of Formula 1 cars, and their suspension. The articulation, and such. A concept drawing of the MOFI.
So as they say, not doing the same old song and dance my friends, you have an unusual set of Cans here, and one that maybe for you, or not. I leave that to your head, and ears to decide, but in the final opinion, and thoughts section here.
Plus sides.
Sound. So balanced, so easy to listen too especially passively, and yes your Ipad, and Android devices will sound allot better from these. Though keep in mind the noisy background these devices create. The Amplifier inside the MOFI is dead quiet itself.
Nice long listening cable to hook up to my Schiit.
Build is very nice. No rough edges anywhere, good construct of the ear pads. Smooth articulation of the pivot arms, and easy adjustment of the Headband tension knob. Awesome to look at I think. Kind of Terminator finds the Art Deco kind of thing almost.
Nice compliment of accessories, and handy bag to keep it all together.
Minus sides.
Big!! Heavy!!, not portable. You just can't throw them on without some adjusting thought for the right fit. But be patient, and adjust that tension knob in the headband, and pivot arms for the ear cups.
Line cable with the controls for mobile use too close to my head. Bugger on that.
For some pricey. $349.99 is a bunch of cash for some. Yeah, I get it. Pendulumics will give you more for less, has blue tooth connectivity, and even runs on AAA batteries in a pinch for power.
So while being a standout in concept, and looks, and a good listen, this may not be for everyone. As always if you can, try before you buy. For me a Winner. Hopefully for you too.
Thanks for reading.
