Final Audio Design Appreciation/Discussion Thread - Page 51

Very pretty!

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Originally Posted by tomscy2000 

Very pretty!

Yes, they really are close up. :)

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Originally Posted by flkin 

Love the case too. Looks like steel?

Not sure...chrome? steel? its very shiny. I was a bit surprised as I thought gold color would come in gold color case. though I prefer this one anyway. 

Just listened to them for an hour. still early to say anything but one thing I can say is that the cables are unfortunately microphonic. I've never had that issue before and its a shame. one reason I chose this over Sony EX1000 was for outdoors use as I get a very nice fit and isolation on FAD's are really good. EX1000 lost in that department....:(

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Originally Posted by MuppetFace 

 

The Heaven S is a bit hot up top. The Heaven VI takes that sort of warm, lively FAD-sound and refines it a bit IMHO. I'd really suggest looking into the Heaven VI if you find the S too tizzy.

Dimitri from Musica Acoustics emailed and said the S won't be in for a few more days yet, which has me rethinking things. Muppet, could you do me a favor and talk about the differences between the VI and something I'm familiar with, like the W4? I understand it will be quite different, but it's that difference that excites me. I want something different. I've read quite a bit, but still buying blind. As far as refinement goes, can the VI compete at the TG!334 level? 

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Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

 

Dimitri from Musica Acoustics emailed and said the S won't be in for a few more days yet, which has me rethinking things. Muppet, could you do me a favor and talk about the differences between the VI and something I'm familiar with, like the W4? I understand it will be quite different, but it's that difference that excites me. I want something different. I've read quite a bit, but still buying blind. As far as refinement goes, can the VI compete at the TG!334 level? 

Sorry, but I've only heard the W4 briefly and don't remember much about it. : (

I think the FI-BA-SS and TG 334 are roughly on the same level, and the Heaven VI is close in some respects to the FI-BA-SS but still not as noteworthy in others.

Still, I think the Heaven VI is shaping up to be FAD's second best BA after the FI-BA-SS which costs almost twice as much.

Thanks MF. Is the VI still mostly mid-centric? I want something to compliment my mid-centric and warm ES5, not replicate it. Is the TG 334 worth saving the dough and skipping the VI?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

Thanks MF. Is the VI still mostly mid-centric? I want something to compliment my mid-centric and warm ES5, not replicate it. Is the TG 334 worth saving the dough and skipping the VI?

In that case, the 334 isn't what you want. It's pretty mid-forward and a little warm, with a robust low end.

But how is that different from VI? I would imagine it's not such a detail machine, but still warm and mid-centric. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundFreaq 

But how is that different from VI? I would imagine it's not such a detail machine, but still warm and mid-centric. 

That would be MF's area of expertise

Heaven IV - > FAD's most balanced sounding BA with a bit of midrange warmth. Varies more track-by-track.

Adagio V -> FAD's most neutral dynamic. Delicate and quiet sound. Crystalline. Almost a bit cold.

Heaven S -> FAD's most wild sounding BA with definite warmth in the mids and a hot, tizzy sounding treble. 

Heaven VI -> Warm and energetic but refined and mature, like a cross between the IV and S. Great sense of space. Texture better than IV and S, but not as good as SS.

FI-BA-SS -> Their most impressive earphone overall IMO, but still has a certain raw quality. Bass is gorgeously textured. Bright up top. Relentless detail extraction. Very focused, coherent sound. Slight warmth.

Piano Forte IX -> Extremely mid-centric. Warm. Liquid. Bass presence is more evident compared to PFX.

Piano Forte X -> Even more mid-centric. Warmest of all. Syrupy. Cavernous presentation.

* * * * * * *

Regarding the TO GO! 334, it's very much a chameleon to my ears and does well with a variety of material. It's very detailed, very transparent. However it doesn't "jump" out at you. It's actually a very subdued, monitor type device (as per its original purpose). The FADs by contrast are going to be more lively sounding, though a bit less refined. Texture on the FADs is exquisite and details will pop more while listening to them.

If you're thinking about spending the money on the TO GO! 334, you might also want to consider looking into the FAD FI-BA-SS. Both good in their respective ways. The Heaven VI is also a delightful earphone, one I'm enjoying quite a bit. Compared to the FI-BA-SS it has a certain maturity, whereas the latter is more raw in presentation but more capable overall.

Excellent! Thank you very much. I think you just talked me in to the VI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuppetFace 

Heaven IV - > FAD's most balanced sounding BA with a bit of midrange warmth. Varies more track-by-track.

 

Adagio V -> FAD's most neutral dynamic. Delicate and quiet sound. Crystalline. Almost a bit cold.

 

Heaven S -> FAD's most wild sounding BA with definite warmth in the mids and a hot, tizzy sounding treble. 

 

Heaven VI -> Warm and energetic but refined and mature, like a cross between the IV and S. Great sense of space. Texture better than IV and S, but not as good as SS.

 

FI-BA-SS -> Their most impressive earphone overall IMO, but still has a certain raw quality. Bass is gorgeously textured. Bright up top. Relentless detail extraction. Very focused, coherent sound. Slight warmth.

 

Piano Forte IX -> Extremely mid-centric. Warm. Liquid. Bass presence is more evident compared to PFX.

 

Piano Forte X -> Even more mid-centric. Warmest of all. Syrupy. Cavernous presentation.

This is quite helpful.

Could you include a description of the Piano Forte VIII as well?  I'm wondering how it differs from the PF IX..

Is the Heaven VI worth more than twice the price of the Heaven IV?  I really like the Heaven IV (I'm actually getting back the same pair I sold a few months ago) and the unique mids plus the really good bass and soundstage but what makes the VI better?

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Originally Posted by Techno Kid 

Is the Heaven VI worth more than twice the price of the Heaven IV?  I really like the Heaven IV (I'm actually getting back the same pair I sold a few months ago) and the unique mids plus the really good bass and soundstage but what makes the VI better?

I think it's more a matter of preference. The VI offers more of a classic "FAD sound" while still maintaining the refinement of the IV. So the mids will have a bit more of that warmth while the extremities are a little bit more colored. According to FAD, this is a result of the copper housing, so that's how they justify the price hike.

Basically it's what you're looking for. The Heaven IV is more linear and "normal" sounding, which wasn't what some folks who liked older FAD stuff wanted.

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Originally Posted by Haidar 

 

This is quite helpful.

Could you include a description of the Piano Forte VIII as well?  I'm wondering how it differs from the PF IX..

 

 

Sorry, but I don't have the PF VIII myself, just the IX and X. However the difference isn't going to be very big.