You cannot destroy these headphones

I hate shopping for one thing low cost. There’s nothing worse than that sinking sensation while you open one thing up and understand it’s not lengthy for this world. I’m additionally exhausting on my gear, which led me to purchase these bulletproof headphones from an obscure firm referred to as German Maestro. 

However so as to discuss these headphones, I want to speak a couple of completely different pair of headphones first: the Sony MDR-7506 (and its discontinued brother, the Sony MDR-V6).

I edit plenty of movies and do voiceover work. And when you’ve got performed any video work, you’ve got nearly definitely used a pair of Sony MDRs. They’re iconic. You possibly can spot the blue or pink stripe and coiled cable from throughout a set. Whenever you go to movie college, you might be principally issued a pair of MDRs like a service rifle, and never with out good cause.

At first, they’re low cost. They normally go for about 80 bucks in the event you look out for gross sales. Their close to ubiquity on movie units means you can snag these telephones at an enormous low cost, making them one of many higher offers for those that want a headphone to do work on. Subsequent, they’re closed-back headphones, completely remoted, which let you pick imperfections within the combine. There’s a cause you see guys monitoring audio on movie units and video shoots sporting these. Third, they’re pretty “flat,” and with out getting too technical and pedantic, they don’t attempt to gown up what you’re listening to to sound pleasing. They’re not bass-heavy Beats. These are for getting work performed. Lastly, they’re fairly properly constructed for the price. They fold up and are sturdy, which is why you’ll be able to throw them in a Porta Brace bag with out worrying about them getting tousled. 

For what they do, the MDRs are okay. However they don’t seem to be excellent. 

For one factor, they’ve a manner too lengthy, non-removable phone cable that may be good in a studio setting however is comical if you’re making an attempt to hearken to music in your cellphone. I hate this cable with each fiber of my being. In precept, I strongly really feel that every one headphone cables ought to be detachable, as cables can endure tons of abuse. However what actually drives me up the wall is I hate the coiled fashion of cable. I discover that it snags on too many issues too simply, and each time it bought a kink in it, it drove me up the wall. 

The second factor is that the froth pads on the MDRs simply straight up suck. It’s not merely a query of consolation; they’re simply actually unhealthy pads. I nearly at all times improve the pads on my headphones to both Dekoni or Brainwavz pads, however you’ll nearly definitely have to exchange these pads before you assume, notably if you’re utilizing them in an unforgiving manufacturing context.

Lastly, I simply don’t love the way in which they sound. How headphones sound will get into very subjective territory, however the MDRs are, at finest, advantageous and, at worst, too harsh for me. These have been work headphones, however there was one thing in regards to the treble that made my pores and skin crawl whereas I used to be listening to folks speak. It’s unfair to ask extra of the MDRs for the value, however on the finish of the day, I simply needed one thing barely nicer: a professional model of the MDRs with nicer foam, higher and detachable cording choices, and a much less fatiguing sound. On the time (November 2020), this was not provided in America.

This led me down an extended and winding path, looking for a pair of headphones that ticked off all the identical markers: flat, indestructible, closed-back, higher cable. Whenever you get into the upper echelons of audiophile perversion, most of your headphone choices exterior of IEMs are open or semi-open. I researched a few of the most revered studio headphones. Many individuals I do know swear by the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Professionals, and whereas they’re certainly a studio staple, sturdy, and have a few of the most comfy inventory pads of any headphone in its vary, they don’t seem to be what I’d name flat, and I couldn’t get used to how they sounded. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x additionally checked off a lot of my wants, however I didn’t just like the sound, and they didn’t really feel particular or notably sturdy. A buddy of mine swears by the Sennheiser HD 300 Professionals, and I’d imagine him, however sadly, I by no means bought to check them. Sony additionally has one other obscure however well-respected non-folding huge brother to the MDR-7506s referred to as the MDR-CD900ST that has a flat cable, in addition to a good higher-end mannequin referred to as the Sony MDR-M1ST that has a removable cable, however the former was not obtainable exterior of Japan till pretty lately and the latter you continue to must import.

Finally, my reply got here within the type of a 76-page thread on the Head-fi boards from 2009 to 2019 by a person named Acix titled “The German Maestro GMP 8.35 D Monitor within the studio… severe about audio, INDEED!!” I had by no means heard of the German Maestro (previously MB Quart), however from the soar, I used to be intrigued. The headphones regarded industrial. Strong. Environment friendly. In a phrase, they regarded German. “Man, I’m all about funtion (sic) over type, however these must be the ugliest telephones I’ve seen,” mentioned person Bones2010. To me, they regarded stunning. 

Lots of the evaluations have been glowing, with the phrases “indestructible” often being talked about. Somebody dropped the picture of a pair of black leather-based boots stepping on them. One other thread talked about that they have been often utilized in listening stations at music outlets. Individuals appeared to like their balanced, detailed sound and the truth that they have been very delicate and thus didn’t want a strong headphone amp to hearken to them. In threads and elsewhere, evaluations in contrast them favorably to the Sennheiser HD25-1s, however higher and with a barely darker tone. Tight. Managed. One person talked about they have been higher in each respect to their MDRs, which is precisely what I needed on the worth level. 

Because the thread progressed over a number of years, folks began getting artistic. Some didn’t just like the inventory pads and changed them with lush ones from the aforementioned DT770s in addition to Brainwavez HM5s. Others drilled holes in them and did modifications to the inventory cable. Finally, German Maestro launched a model with a detachable cable and an extra inventory pair of pads referred to as The GMP 8.35 Cell particularly due to requests from prospects with autism. It’s refreshing to listen to an organization take suggestions like that.

The telephones appeared to tick off each single checkmark, however shopping for them turned out to be barely tough. Except for a drop.com launch, no one within the States stocked them, so I needed to organize them immediately from the producer and pay in euros. I patiently waited, and after they arrived, they have been precisely what I wanted them to be. 

I used to be instantly struck at how sturdy they have been. The plastic was thick, nevertheless it didn’t weigh the telephones down. Every little thing made in the present day feels low cost and flimsy. They felt like they have been from a special period, unstuck in time when merchandise have been measured in many years, not years. These have been the headphone equivalents of English-made Doc Martens. I might throw this stuff in opposition to a brick wall, run a motorbike over them, yank them from the tooth of a canine, and they might most likely be advantageous.

They sounded the way in which they regarded: “managed,” as one discussion board person put it. I don’t wish to get too deep within the weeds of audiophile testing as a result of that actually isn’t the purpose of this weblog (though I’d gladly mortgage my pair to crinacle or the oldsters at Audio Science Evaluation for extra intensive testing). They have been clear and flat, with tons of element however not terribly showy. The bass was there, however not overbearing like I had discovered Beyerdynamics to be. If one thing was unsuitable with my combine, I might hear it instantly, like listening to a pair of Yamaha NS10s. I ended up preferring the velour pads, which modified the sound simply barely, however lately I’ve needed to strive different choices out. They aren’t the perfect headphones I’ve ever heard, however inside the parameters of what I want them to do, they’re peerless.

In fact, they weren’t everybody’s cup of tea. Some folks I’ve proven them to have discovered them somewhat uncomfortable. Others didn’t just like the sound. Once I confirmed them to Alex Parkin over on the video crew (an authorized MDR person with a well-worn pair who additionally despises the coiled cable), I might sense his apprehension. “I’d undoubtedly must get used to those,” he mentioned.

However even individuals who couldn’t get down with the sound agreed that they have been sturdy, environment friendly, and had incredible isolation. The Maestros are perfect studio headphones made by a small and obscure firm that appears to actually care in regards to the product they produce. Are they well worth the hassle to import? I personally don’t have any regrets.

On the nook of my desk, I’ve two headphones hanging from a hook: a pair of Hifimans and my Maestros. 

The Hifimans are huge and ethereal, with cozy Dekoni pads I substituted out. These are my easy-listening headphones. They’re huge and fragile, they’ve by no means left my desk, and I’ve nonetheless needed to order a substitute headband from the producer. 

My Maestros sit subsequent to them. They’re my “work headphones,” smart and durable, meant for sturdiness and focus like a Herman Miller chair. Each time I choose them up, I really feel a way of pleasure. I take into consideration that thread discussion board that went on for a decade, with new folks rotating in, discovering, loving, and typically actually hating these cans. I maintain them and know that there’s a excellent probability that they are going to nonetheless work for many years, presumably even after I’m useless and buried, and the way really uncommon it’s to purchase a bit of drugs made to survive you.