The Punch Audio Martillo: A budget-friendly bass-head's dream? This in-depth review dives into the $279 Martillo headphones, examining their sound signature, build quality, and overall value. We'll explore whether these headphones live up to the hype, considering their impressive feature set and competitive price point. From the unboxing experience to the nuanced details of their hybrid driver configuration, we'll leave no stone unturned in our assessment. Prepare for a comprehensive look at a headphone aiming to disrupt the market.This review covers the Martillo's powerful bass response, its surprisingly clear mids and highs, and its overall tuning compared to other high-end options. We'll analyze the technical aspects of its dual dynamic and dual balanced armature drivers, along with the planar driver for treble – highlighting both its strengths and minor areas for potential improvement. Ultimately, we'll determine if the Martillo truly delivers exceptional audio quality at an affordable price, and if it justifies its claim as a "market shaker."
Pros And Cons
- Brilliant tuning
- 200Hz bass response with power
- Flat mids with slight ear gain peaking at 3kHz
- Clean and clear vocals
- Competitive price ($279 with card)
- Excellent first impression
- Excellent tuning in its price range
- Market shaker
- Planar driver used in treble might not be the best choice for some (reviewer's personal preference)
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Pricing and Initial Impressions
The Punch Audio Martillo is priced at $279, a competitive price point considering its features. The reviewer initially expresses excitement, highlighting the video's special nature and anticipation for sharing it with subscribers.
The packaging is noted as a positive aspect, with a thoughtful design that exceeded expectations. The initial unboxing experience is described as positive, suggesting a high-quality presentation.
Sound Signature and Tuning
The Martillo boasts a frequency response centered around 200Hz, delivering powerful bass. The mids are described as flat and smooth, with a gradual ear gain peaking around 3kHz, resulting in clear and clean vocals.
The tuning is compared to the Kiwi Ears collab, which the reviewer found similar but with slightly more energy in the upper mids leading to better clarity. This makes it a strong contender for bass lovers.
Comparison with Other Sets
The reviewer states that the Martillo is a competitive alternative to their own collabs due to its lower price. They emphasize their honesty in reviewing products, regardless of personal collaborations, prioritizing value for the listener.
The Martillo's tuning is deemed comparable to other high-end sets, suggesting it might even be an improvement for some listeners depending on preferences.
Technical Specifications and Design Choices
The Martillo utilizes a hybrid driver configuration including two dynamic drivers and two balanced armatures, along with a planar driver for the treble. The reviewer expresses preference for branded balanced armatures or ESTs over the planar driver for the treble.
The speaker also notes the common issue with planar drivers in the upper mids (1kHz-4kHz), where they often present emphasis. They believe that the Martillo manages these frequencies well due to the lower upper mids shelf.
Overall Impression and Conclusion
The Punch Audio Martillo receives high praise for its sound quality, especially its bass response, and its competitive pricing. The reviewer highlights the packaging and thoughtful design as additional positive points.
While suggesting some minor driver configuration changes (using a branded driver instead of the planar for the treble), the reviewer ultimately recommends the Martillo, particularly for listeners with bass-heavy music libraries. It's considered a 'market shaker' with excellent tuning and value.
Company Philosophy and Future Collaborations
The reviewer criticizes a previous collaboration gone wrong due to poor communication and lack of control over the production process. This negative experience highlights the importance of trust and transparency in business dealings.
The reviewer emphasizes a preference for collaborating with companies having direct control over the entire process, from manufacturing to distribution, as seen in the successful approach of Critical, a brand they admire.
