Magnat LZR980 AREADVD Review

Magnat‘s top headphone set, designed by Pininfarina, goes by the name LZR 980 and is
now being tested by us. For around €300, this visual gem is available in black or white.
The focus in the LZR 980 is on Magnat‘s laser technology. The headphone drivers in the LZR range have been developed using high-tech laser measuring systems. The distinctly higher measuring precision makes it possible to influence the behavior of the drivers towards the desired acoustic ideal. The Klippel measuring system operates via a laser beam, which performs its task in a vacuum chamber developed specially for this purpose. In this way, the chassis can be analyzed with extreme precision, with the result that optimizations can be started at exactly the right point.According to the manufacturer, this new measuring and perfecting method results in high pulse fidelity, lively overall reproduction and excellent micro-dynamics.

High quality down to the smallest detail….

Other focal points of the LZR headset include a very high-quality finish and very careful selection of materials, promises Magnat. So let‘s take the LZR 980 and check it out: For €300, it would be difficult at present to find a better finished and more elegant-looking set of headphones. This begins right away with the ear-pad covering material, which is really kind to the skin. The memory foam used guarantees a perfect fit for the wearer. The “Air Tech” ventilation system ensure high long-term wear comfort. The headset sits on the head very comfortably and passively eliminates a good part of any ambient noise.

It is not too heavy and the contact pressure is just right. The adjustment mechanism for optimum fit of the headband is made of metal and is sturdy, though a bit stiff at the beginning. The exterior of the ear cups and headband is covered with slightly rubberized material that is very pleasant to the touch. The LZR 980 is intended for use with Apple iOS devices. Of the two good-quality cables supplied (made of high-purity OFC copper with gold-plated connectors), one is fitted with a cable remote control which works very well and also enable skipping as well as stop/pause, play and volume control. The cables are also equipped with anti-kink protection to prevent the cables from braking – on all transition joints. Annoying cable tangling is also avoided thanks to the special design and specially adapted surface.

The LZR 980 weighs 268 grams, is 202 mm wide, 189 mm high and 86 mm deep. It produces
120 dB at 1 kHz/1 V RMS and displays a distortion factor of less than 0.1% at 1 kHz/106 dB.
The headphones have an impedance of 32 ohms and are designed as a closed over-ear headset. The drivers measure 40 mm (MCT Laser Technology) and are equipped with especially powerful neodymium magnet systems for the best performance. The pleasant mesh fabric in the ear cups is acoustically optimized. The frequency range reproduced covers a spectrum of 34 to 28 kHz. In addition to the two cables already mentioned, a 6.25 mm plug adapter and an adapter intended for use in an airplane are also included in the package. A pouch is also provided for these two adapters in the well-finished, nice-looking transport case – very practical and well thought out.

Sound…
The LZR 980 provides an initial taste of its skills with “Hidden Treasures” by Rex Mundi. The
bass is pleasing through its clear contour and outstanding depth, and the fit of the headset
on the wearer‘s head is excellent. All of this ensures a comprehensive feeling of captivating
sound reproduction – nothing is lacking: The build-up of the track is great, with smaller dynamic
differences emerging extremely well. Only in terms of broad dynamics, as with huge dynamic
differences, could the headset act even minimally more assertively. The level stability offered is
good, but does not set any standards. But that‘s not so bad because listening to excessive volumes via headphones is like poison to the human ear and can cause irreparable damage.

The LZR 980 doesn‘t have to be afraid of any comparison, that is quite clear. It produces a full,
though not exaggerated, bass range and is very good at expressing effects by scaling them
precisely and then reproducing them in a spatially accurate way. The 2014 remix of the Dune
classics “Hardcore Vibes” by Picco vs. DJs From Mars produces similar impressions – the LZR 980 acts in an atmospherically dense way, playing a touch more intensively and profoundly than the Beyerdynamic Custom Studio just tested, which is, at around €200, also €100 cheaper. However, the Magnat LZR is certainly worth the higher purchase price on account of its particularly stylish appearance and fine resolution sound.

So how does the performance of the LZR 980 look if we compare it to a particularly cheap headset? After all, there are the Teufel Massive headphones with amazingly good build quality for just €100. And the Teufel from Berlin gives a particularly powerful and solid performance when playing the trance/techno tracks heard here. Can it really be that a €100 headset does so well here? You have to listen more closely, then you will notice with trance/techno tracks that the LZR 980 is in a different league. It structures the bass much better, achieves better pulse fidelity and offers more details and resolution across the entire frequency range.

The LZR 980 provides an initial taste of its skills with “Hidden Treasures” by Rex Mundi. The
bass is pleasing through its clear contour and outstanding depth, and the fit of the headset
on the wearer‘s head is excellent. All of this ensures a comprehensive feeling of captivating
sound reproduction – nothing is lacking: The build-up of the track is great, with smaller dynamic
differences emerging extremely well. Only in terms of broad dynamics, as with huge dynamic
differences, could the headset act even minimally more assertively. The level stability offered is
good, but does not set any standards. But that‘s not so bad because listening to excessive volumes via headphones is like poison to the human ear and can cause irreparable damage.

The LZR 980 doesn‘t have to be afraid of any comparison, that is quite clear. It produces a full,
though not exaggerated, bass range and is very good at expressing effects by scaling them
precisely and then reproducing them in a spatially accurate way. The 2014 remix of the Dune
classics “Hardcore Vibes” by Picco vs. DJs From Mars produces similar impressions – the LZR 980 acts in an atmospherically dense way, playing a touch more intensively and profoundly than the Beyerdynamic Custom Studio just tested, which is, at around €200, also €100 cheaper.

However, the Magnat LZR is certainly worth the higher purchase price on account of its particularly stylish appearance and fine resolution sound. So how does the performance of the LZR 980 look if we compare it to a particularly cheap headset? After all, there are the Teufel Massive headphones with amazingly good build quality for just €100. And the Teufel from Berlin gives a particularly powerful and solid performance when playing the trance/techno tracks heard here. Can it really be that a €100 headset does so well here? You have to listen more closely, then you will notice with trance/techno tracks that the LZR 980 is in a different league. It structures the bass much better, achieves better pulse fidelity and offers more details and resolution across the entire frequency range.

At the same time, however, the headset is very enjoyable and pushes analytical competition way
down the order: It was some years ago that the AKG Q702 (costing around €500 back then) was
tested by us in the “Quincy Jones” edition. In terms of fine resolution and neutrality, the classy
headset is still far ahead, though its reproduction is somewhat lean and sober. The Magnat LZR
980 achieves better results in this respect, even on emotional tracks like “I Belong To You” by Eros Ramazzotti & Anastacia on account of performing with greater emotion and more expressiveness.

The vocals come across beautifully, with impeccable contour, and the separation of voice and
instruments succeeds in a very beneficial way. Alicia Keys‘ “Fallin” also demonstrates the quality
of the Magnat headphones: the bass is dry, clear and powerful, with the voice still clearly focused. In spatial terms, the LZR 980 plays with such impeccable density that the listener imagines he or she is at the center of the song. “For Your Eyes Only” was the title song of the 007 movie of the same name. Sung by Sheena Easton, the title still delights today. Yet again, the LZR 980 demonstrates its universal qualities here: regardless of the source material, it reproduces everything vividly and clearly.

The excellent voice presentation is a feature that can best be understood with this classic. What pleased us even more with regard to fine resolution was Shirley Bassey‘s „Moonraker“, also from the James bond movie of the same name. In this case, the Magnat headset excels with a free-spirited, never aggressively shrill tremble range that surrounds the listener in a spatially precise manner. The bass is constantly present, but is not over-presented in an ugly fashion. The prelude to Antonio Vivaldi‘s “Four Seasons“ takes place, as currently appropriate, in spring. Before the official start of summer in a few days, the LZR 980 presents us with with transparent, airy strings in the first allegro. A small criticism with regard to detail – the soft passages could still do with a touch more conciseness and expressiveness. For the money invested, however, the LZR 980 offers a rounded performance, it can handle any type of source material and is very well suited to everyday use. This is due to the high degree of wear comfort, which is fully maintained even after a number of hours.

Conclusion…
The Magnat LZR 980 was convincing in test operation. This begins with the very elegant look and high-quality production and material quality. The LZR 980 is not a “me too” product without
appeal; it is pleasing through its stylish individuality and skillful coordination. It reproduces
music in a precise, spatially authentic way with accurate fine dynamics. In terms of broad
dynamics, it does sometimes lack that last bit of vitality. The classy headphones can cope very
well with any type of source material, meaning that is can be used in a flexible way – and thanks
to the sturdy folding mechanism, it is easy to take along with you to enjoy balanced sound
unrestrictedly and practically everywhere.

The Magnat LZR 980 was convincing in test operation. This begins with the very elegant look and high-quality production and material quality. The LZR 980 is not a “me too” product without
appeal; it is pleasing through its stylish individuality and skillful coordination. It reproduces
music in a precise, spatially authentic way with accurate fine dynamics. In terms of broad
dynamics, it does sometimes lack that last bit of vitality. The classy headphones can cope very
well with any type of source material, meaning that is can be used in a flexible way – and thanks
to the sturdy folding mechanism, it is easy to take along with you to enjoy balanced sound
unrestrictedly and practically everywhere.