Soundmagic HP151 Premium Full Size Closed-Back Folding Headphones

So here goes my in depth review…I hope I don’t make you fall asleep!
On a lark I decided what the heck, I will purchase the HP-151 as the cost is not much. When they arrived the first thing I noticed is that the headphone build quality is actually very good, there is metal on the binding posts, the top and ear pads are nicely padded and feel like quality. Not sure why the other reviewer said the build quality is not up to his standard? Maybe the previous model, the HP-150? The HP-151 can go toe to toe with the HD-600. Now the HD-600 look nicer, but build quality is similar.

Now to the sound:
Shocked the H*** out of me. I immediately got down and made sure the levels were equal on all headphones and started comparing.

HP-151 vs Sennheiser HD-600
– The HP-151 has both frequency extremes much better covered. The top and bottom end on the HP-151 is neautral and clear. The Senns….sorry Senn, they just don’t cut it. Yes, it surprised the heck out of me. This is no easy thing to say. I like the HD-600’s. However the 151’s simply up the game. Imaging is only slightly less than the Senns. Yes, even though it is a close backed headphone it has very good imaging. Much deeper and more accurate bass, high end is more “sparkly” but in a good way. The only thing the Senn’s did slightly better was “maybe” the mids.

HP-151 vs VK-1
– Lets face it folks, the VK-1 just oozes sexiness. They definitely look more expensive and they are. Sound quality is not better than the HP-151 though, just different. The VK-1 is not an “accurate” headphone but rather a fun headphone. When comparing the two I began to realize just how even the HP-151 headphone is across the frequency spectrum.
I’m going to give this one a draw, both good headphones. Now remember, I paid $ 129.00 for the HP-151. When I purchased the VK-1 I paid over $ 600.00

HP-151 vs LCD-2.2
– Yeah okay, this is silly. The LCD is a $ 1,500.00 dollar Planar magnetic headphone. Winner of course is the LCD-2.
Now this is where it gets weird….and remember this is IMHO. The HP-151 sounded like a really poor cousin to the LCD-2’s.
They are not Planar, they are very different and very inexpensive. Call me crazy but they do sound a little “similar” to the LCD-2, more closed in and not as good in the mids. But imaging is pretty damn good on the 151’s.
The high end on the HP-151 is also definitely more pronounced, and the deep bottom end on the 151 is also very good.
Of course the LCD-2 trounces the 151 on vocals, and on Bass and in a direct comparison in every other way. And so it should!

So now what?
If there is one negative about these cans it’s this: Don’t purchase them, plug them into your android or iPhone and think they are going to sound like I described. They won’t, they are okay, but nowhere near as good as driven by my Ipro. If your going to use them with your phone, spend a little and get a portable amplifier.
But if you have a home headphone amplifier that has got some juice, these cans come alive.
Color me crazy but I think this company will be going places if they continue to pump out headphones like the HP151.
As far as I am concerned there the deal of the century. Now headphones are personal so what works for me may not work for you.
But for the money, what have you got to lose?

Equipment used:

Source: Foobar 2000 set up as bit perfect. Output to Topping D30 DAC (Upgraded opamps) for 24 bit 96k and DSD files
Amplifier used:
iCan Ipro – Set as flat, no Tube in the signal path and 3D headphone enhancement set to off. (I want to critically listen to the cans, not the way the Ipro can change the sound.) The Ipro is a reference level headphone amplifier and set this way does not introduce anything into the audio chain.

Cans:
Sennheiser HD-600
Aedle VK-1
Audeze LCD-2.2
Sound Magic HP151

All Songs are FLAC files.
Here are some songs I used to evaluate the cans:

Camera – Chromatics
If a headphone has issues with bottom end you should hear it. If the headphone is too bright, this will become immediately apparent.
One minute into the song, look for the drums to kick in. It should be deep and reverberating. The high notes immediately after should not be sharp or grating.
There is a fair amount of layering and texture to the mixing in this song. Listen carefully to the singer. You should be able to pick out the individual instruments as well as her voice.
3:20 – The guitar, does it slide in on both sides of your ears, do you hear the click noise through it?

Lose it – Kane Brown
Kane has a very unique voice. You should be able to pick out his voice through the harmonies and backup vocals. Does his voice come through or is it muffled? His voice should sound natural, with a lilt to it. It should not be overpowered by the harmonies.

08 Magazine (Club Mix Instrumental) – Chromatics
Listen to the background bass, it’s constant but should not overpower anything else.
.57 seconds into song, listen to drums kick in with synthesizer. This should be snappy and immediate.
2.08 seconds into song there is a complex layering of synthesizer with drums and top hat. You should be able to pick out individual instruments and visualize where they are.

so i will say that for techno or really any kind of electronic these are AMAZING….however, the doom eternal soundtrack just..idk i cant explain it but its not great. i was disheartened to discover that my..admittedly kinda decent bluetooth earbuds sounded way better with the doom ost. but again, back to electronic music. oh my god. i hear sounds in songs that ive never heard before on any other pair of headphones. so, maybe find something else if metal is what youre mostly going to listen to, but if its electronic. these are definitely worth it, especially on sale.

Soundmagic is arguably most popular for their E10 way back in the day, but slowly subsided once the hype for them died away. Unfortunately, that means not many people know about the existence of the HP151 which is indeed a shame given it’s possibly one of the best value you can get for headphones, even without a sale price.

Build Quality (9/10): The overall feel of the HP151 and “look” might feel a bit flimsy with how much the cups move around, but don’t mistake them, they’re actually really well built. The cable is also quite thick and high quality, though it is ridiculously long so it might be a bit annoying if you’re looking to carry this out and about. Similarly, the case is also very well made and secures these headphones quite well but it’s seriously no different from a lunch box and is absolutely massive haha.

Sound Quality (10/10): As already mentioned by other reviewers, the sound here is actually quite pleasant. Comparing this to the NAD HP50, I would say this is arguably just as good. The sound signature is very similar with both of them being a more warm, balanced sound. I would say the bass is even more well tuned on the HP151 and is slightly less boomy and has a more sparkly treble compared to the HP50. Mids are extremely rich and overall soundstage, while not as good as HP50, is still very wide for a closed back headphone.