The Periodic Audio headphones review — a rigorous scientific approach

Bringing in the oversaturated market of personal audio brand new, it is vital to stand out from the competition (obviously in addition to quality of sound). In the company's Periodic Audio perfectly realized this and decided to approach the process of creating their headphones with the highest scientific positions.

«Periodicals» impress with their external image: lab coats and flasks-beakers at exhibitions, minimalistic website with lots of scientific information (what are the performance characteristics of the earphone indicating the melting point of the material of the diaphragm and the corresponding young's modulus). But on the external side of the issue matter, this stressed-utilitarian approach the company moved to its models. Three debut models are called «Magnesium», «Titan» «Beryllium», simply because their aperture emitters made from these metals (except for Mg, there is not pure magnesium and alloy containing 98% of metal).

Housing made of polycarbonate, as this material is, according to developers, is durable and light weight. Generally, on the company's website describes each detail part of the design of the headphones, and parts of these are many, and every one of them the developers thought. The price tags put a very simple , easy to remember.

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specifications

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• Beam: dynamic
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• Impedance: 32Ω
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• frequency Range: 20 Hz – 30 kHz (Mg); 16 Hz – 30 kHz (Ti); 12 Hz – 45 kHz (Be)
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• Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW (Mg); 96 dB/mW (Ti); 100dB/mW (Be)
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• Total harmonic distortion: <1%
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• Cable: 1,2 m
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• Plug: 3.5 mm

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Packing and delivery

The Box is as simple as everything else is white cardboard with minimal printing. No jackets, seal in plastic, or there chests, leather. In the box are the earphones themselves and a tin jar with a screw cap. Of accessories the kit includes the adapter (6.3 mm to dual 3.5 mm) and a screwdriver three pairs of foams, three pairs of odnoplanovye silicone and three pairs of duplancich. That is exactly what we need to use the headphones as intended.

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Design and usability

Appearance of headphones as simple as possible. Housing made of polycarbonate made in the form of cylinders, the outer side of metal, with logo Periodic Audio. The color on this cover and determines the model, because all three resemble each other like twins. Very unusual in Periodic Audio decided to marked left and right channel, their main difference is the color of the protective grid of the sound channel, the right earbud it dark red. However, I can't call this method of labeling is particularly convenient.

Due to reasonable hull shape, headphones without problems sit in any ears, allowing normal wearing comfort. Soundproofing is typical for this form factor, if you use dvuhventsovye nozzle or «foam», it will be above average.

Wire the headphone interchangeable, they look the most simple, apparently, the developers decided to follow here the principle «reasonable minimalism». Inside, however, all good — quality copper Litz wire reinforced polyethylene with ultrahigh molecular weight (Dyneema) in TPE-insulation. Of course, for older models I would like something more «stylish», but the important thing is not the appearance but the essence. Headphones are covered by a 5-year guarantee from the manufacturer, so if you suddenly have problems with the cable will solve them. The cable is soft, not strongly entangled, in the cold hardens a little, set the microphone effect is very moderate.

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Sound

To listen To the following equipment was used.

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• and the role of the DAC and amplifier
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• Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
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• the role player
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• , and the other in the role of portable players
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• Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)

Before listening headphones were heated for 72 hours.

Magnesium

Light model with a focus on the upper half of the MIDs and lower treble. Bass is served dry, it is very dosed, so as not to distract the attention, but the bass is pretty speedy. Headphones nothing to add, so will suit those who like monitoring the flow and listen to a quality recording (flaws tracks «magnesium» very noticeable accents). An imaginary scene more average in depth and width, headphones tend to carry tools beyond their «placed» engineers of record. RF is good for attack, decay slightly oiled, good detail for its price. In General, the model for those who prefer to monitor the flow and looking for it in the budget segment.

If you selected analogues from other manufacturers, Mg a bit like the Fiio EX1-II and a little less Neo Meze 11 (with less bass).

Titanium

The opposite of the previous model, headphones with a pronounced V-shaped frequency response. By the way, despite the name, have nothing to do with the range of Dunu Titan (well, maybe except for 5 models). The bass is accented, it has good speed, but due to the number of the saturated bass music is able to drown out a CQ, if the source is not well control «hem», however, is different to be here still can't. Despite this, the middle of enough detailed and painted, the resolution allows you to hear everything that is inherent in the recording. Imaginary scene a little less than average, traditionally accented model headphones offer a more intimate flow. HF also have a slight accent, to compensate for the bass, and pretty good at that. Resolution treble good, but those who do not like «top», you can stay unhappy. However, purely for my taste, the treble here is not crossing the line beyond which they become «too many».

Similar models you may recall Dunu Titan 5 and the FX series JVC.

Beryllium

One of the lightest and most durable materials known to man, allowed to make the membrane simultaneously lightweight and durable, so headphones offer a balanced sound with a slight bias to the warmth, playing with the flow, which is called «music». Bass slightly accented, but very sparingly, this is a good example quality dynamic bass: massive, elastic texture, but not dry and not differ too much hlestkost. Thanks to the good textures, the bass is not buzzing and not smeared. Medium frequencies are transmitted emotionally, without a care in microdialysate and sharpness, a slight smoothness to the mid-range gives a very solid and engaging flow. The high-frequency range is also generally good, although fans of stiffness in this area headphones don't fit, «Beryllium» plays treble detail and is straightforward. Can be a bit of reproach too abrupt decay, but this problem is very small.

If we talk about the analogy — then can not remember a Campfire Audio Vega, in some ways Be similar to them, but they have less emphasis on bass and midrange is not so located at different depths.

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Compatibility

Generally, Periodic Audio developed headphones «with a view» to use even with smartphones. Hence, good sensitivity, and «optimal» the impedance of 32Ω, so even most «planetaleto» sound the company's lineup will be decent. Although it is obvious that a top-end source like a player the average level, they will be completely to the court. If I would to choose the players to enhance the «main features» headphone, I would probably have made such a pair. To «Magnesium» neutral, slightly lightish Cayin N5. To «Titan» a little dark and continuous Fiio X5-3. For «Beryllium» — a detailed and technical iBasso DX200, and the most revealing sound of headphones. Naturally, these couples are not a panacea, and dozens of other possible combinations, which with great probability will appeal to you.

Headphones are different quite different flow, so the genre preferences of each will determine for himself, based on their tastes. The recording quality of all three models is quite critical, but not extraordinary.

traditionally, several tracks as example

Camel — It’s a boy Life. Classic art-rock, forever inscribed in the history of the genre. Complex, fragile, like a snowflake, the music is full of interesting transitions and filled with instruments and effects. Such things neutral Mg performs best.

Amber Rubarth — Tundra. Through the efforts of David chesky is this folk singer became a regular at various audiophile collections and releases. The composition of the Tundra is a perfect example of how to sound lively and natural bass. In combination with the emphasis given to this part of the range Ti, it turns out spectacular and stylish.

Barb Jungr — Hard Rain. Take a Dylan song, for recycling the famous singer with a beautiful emotional voice, high quality recording. The output is amazing the intricacies of the track, pleasing both in form and content. It remains to add the headphone seems to Be able to emphasize all the nuances of the track, and enjoy the spectacular and powerful serve.

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Insights

An Unusual, pseudo-scientific and emphasized a minimalistic approach Periodic Audio gave interesting results. Them headphones, of course, not surprising flamboyant design or sophisticated accessories in the package, but for fans of the main (well, sound) there is something to listen to.

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