You cannot destroy these headphones

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

However with a view 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 carried out any video work, you’ve got nearly actually used a pair of Sony MDRs. They’re iconic. You’ll be able to spot the blue or crimson stripe and coiled cable from throughout a set. While you go to movie faculty, you might be mainly issued a pair of MDRs like a service rifle, and never with out good purpose.

At first, they’re low cost. They often go for about 80 bucks when you look out for gross sales. Their close to ubiquity on movie units means you could snag these telephones at a large low cost, making them one of many higher offers for those who want a headphone to do work on. Subsequent, they’re closed-back headphones, completely remoted, which let you select imperfections within the combine. There’s a purpose you see guys monitoring audio on movie units and video shoots carrying these. Third, they’re pretty “flat,” and with out getting too technical and pedantic, they don’t attempt to costume up what you’re listening to to sound pleasing. They’re not bass-heavy Beats. These are for getting work carried out. Lastly, they’re fairly properly constructed for the associated fee. 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 aren’t good.

For one factor, they’ve a method too lengthy, non-removable phone cable that may be good in a studio setting however is comical in case you are attempting to take heed 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 model of cable. I discover that it snags on too many issues too simply, and each time it acquired 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 dangerous pads. I nearly at all times improve the pads on my headphones to both Dekoni or Brainwavz pads, however you’ll nearly actually have to interchange these pads prior to you assume, notably in case you are 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 greatest, advantageous and, at worst, too harsh for me. These had 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 individuals speak. It’s unfair to ask extra of the MDRs for the worth, 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 supplied 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. While you get into the upper echelons of audiophile perversion, most of your headphone choices outdoors of IEMs are open or semi-open. I researched among the most revered studio headphones. Many individuals I do know swear by the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Execs, and whereas they’re certainly a studio staple, sturdy, and have among the most snug inventory pads of any headphone in its vary, they aren’t what I might name flat, and I couldn’t get used to how they sounded. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x additionally checked off lots of my wants, however I didn’t just like the sound, and they didn’t really feel particular or notably sturdy. A good friend of mine swears by the Sennheiser HD 300 Execs, and I might imagine him, however sadly, I by no means acquired to check them. Sony additionally has one other obscure however well-respected non-folding massive brother to the MDR-7506s known as the MDR-CD900ST that has a flat cable, in addition to a fair higher-end mannequin known as the Sony MDR-M1ST that has a removable cable, however the former was not accessible outdoors of Japan till pretty not too long ago and the latter you continue to need to import.

Ultimately, my reply got here within the type of a 76-page thread on the Head-fi boards from 2009 to 2019 by a consumer 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 appeared industrial. Stable. Environment friendly. In a phrase, they appeared German. “Man, I’m all about funtion (sic) over type, however these need to be the ugliest telephones I’ve seen,” mentioned consumer Bones2010. To me, they appeared stunning.

Lots of the opinions had been glowing, with the phrases “indestructible” ceaselessly 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 had been ceaselessly utilized in listening stations at music retailers. Individuals appeared to like their balanced, detailed sound and the truth that they had been very delicate and thus didn’t want a strong headphone amp to take heed to them. In threads and elsewhere, opinions in contrast them favorably to the Sennheiser HD25-1s, however higher and with a barely darker tone. Tight. Managed. One consumer talked about they had been higher in each respect to their MDRs, which is strictly what I needed on the worth level.

Because the thread progressed over a number of years, individuals 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. Ultimately, German Maestro launched a model with a detachable cable and a further inventory pair of pads known as The GMP 8.35 Cellular 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 difficult. Other than a drop.com launch, no one within the States stocked them, so I needed to get them organized instantly from the producer and pay in euros. I patiently waited, and after they arrived, they had been precisely what I wanted them to be.

I used to be instantly struck at how sturdy they had been. The plastic was thick, nevertheless it didn’t weigh the telephones down. All the things made in the present day feels low cost and flimsy. They felt like they had been from a distinct period, unstuck in time when merchandise had been measured in a long time, not years. These had been the headphone equivalents of English-made Doc Martens. I might throw this stuff towards a brick wall, run a motorcycle over them, yank them from the enamel of a canine, and they’d in all probability be advantageous.

They sounded the way in which they appeared: “managed,” as one discussion board consumer 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 might gladly mortgage my pair to crinacle or the parents at Audio Science Assessment for extra intensive testing). They had 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 not too long ago I’ve needed to attempt different choices out. They don’t seem to be the most effective headphones I’ve ever heard, however inside the parameters of what I want them to do, they’re peerless.

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

However even individuals who couldn’t get down with the sound agreed that they had been sturdy, environment friendly, and had unbelievable isolation. The Maestros are perfect studio headphones made by a small and obscure firm that appears to really care in regards to the product they produce. Are they definitely 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 massive and ethereal, with cozy Dekoni pads I substituted out. These are my easy-listening headphones. They’re massive and fragile, they’ve by no means left my desk, and I’ve nonetheless needed to order a alternative 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 decide 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 individuals rotating in, discovering, loving, and generally actually hating these cans. I maintain them and know that there’s a excellent probability that they’ll nonetheless work for many years, presumably even after I’m useless and buried, and the way actually uncommon it’s to purchase a bit of drugs made to survive you.