[MuppetFace]

Oh, also:
 
I've used Jaben in the past too, and that worked out well though their prices seem a bit high at times. AccessoryJack has much lower prices, but their website inventories aren't reliable so make sure you e-mail first asking if it's in stock before you pay.
 
Edit: double post.

 

[czqdtc]

I got my X-CC !
I loved the sound signature right out of the box !
I mostly listen to pop songs with lots of vocals and good Anime acoustics like the Leaf pure acoustic album (highly recommend)
Jesus they sound so good with piano although I know piano forte has nothing to do with piano and it's Italian words for strong and weak sound.
I am listening to "天門 - 秒速5センチメートルオリジナルサウンドトラック (2007)" right now, Jesus eargasm.
update:
It also works for some Bryan Adams songs, I'm literally in "heaven" now

This thing is full of emotion, some Angela Aki song made me "cry".
Here are some photos:
 

 

[SoundFreaq]

Wow beautiful earphones, and what impressions! You make me want to hear them. 

 

[MuppetFace]

Glad you're enjoying them so much. The 1602SC / Piano Forte X is my favorite of the 160X series I've heard. I was listening to the new Tegan & Sara single with them this morning.
 
I still want to find a pair of their rose gold predecessors, the 1601SC. Unfortunately they're by far the rarest / hardest to come by of the now discontinued 1601s. Keep hoping I come across a used pair in nice condition. Fingers crossed...

 

[ianmedium]

OOOO...Shiny I love the look of those and I am so very thankful for base metal allergies... least my wallet is!!!!!!

Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of Piano Fortes!

 

[cooperpwc]

czqdtc, I am jealous.  
 
Enjoy!  

 

[flkin]

Quote:

OOOO...Shiny

I love the look of those and I am so very thankful for base metal allergies... least my wallet is!!!!!!

Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of Piano Fortes!

 
Wouldn't the X-gold, being a low allergic metal work for you? 

 
The new price is super tempting...! I had a chance to preview a new X-gold some months back and the improvement from the IX was immediately noticeable. Been think on a switch for a while now.

 

[SoundFreaq]

I am just blown away completely by the FI-BA-SS. Between it and the PF, I want for nothing.

In comparison to my Sig Pro, unbelievably, the SS is better in almost every regard. Even soundstage. The SS is just so clean, clear, transparent and Evocative. I just shake my head sometimes. I wish I could afford a second pair as insurance. But eager to see what FAD has up its sleeve.

The SS has the most accurate timbre and naturalness of anything I own. The fact that all this is accomplished by such a tiny single armature is nothing short of astonishing. The bass is so textured and enveloping. Those FAD mids are lush and revealing at the same time, and that is the cleanest, most perfect high end I have ever heard without being harsh. I could go on!

 

[zilch0md]

Quote:

I could go on!

 
Please don't!  
 
I'll be getting out the credit card if you continue!   Hahahaha!    

   
 
The fact they will soon be categorized as "Unobtanium" makes this all the harder to resist.  The agony!   

 

[ianmedium]

Wouldn't the X-gold, being a low allergic metal work for you? 

Yeah, but if the gold plating comes off, even in tiny amounts like my Heaven S's then the metal below is exposed. And believe me it is very easy for that to happen and I am extra careful with my things! No, the IX will do me fine!

 

[czqdtc]

Quote:

Yeah, but if the gold plating comes off, even in tiny amounts like my Heaven S's then the metal below is exposed. And believe me it is very easy for that to happen and I am extra careful with my things! No, the IX will do me fine!

I am very curious how did you test your hearing range? I want to have a try as well!

 

[ianmedium]

I am very curious how did you test your hearing range? I want to have a try as well!

Did one of those ring tone things then a work safe mobile hearing test center was in my neighbourhood so I got it checked properly for free! Must say I was really surprised I could hear that well being 49!

 

[MuppetFace]

Out of curiosity, are any of you new FAD converts looking forward to their new full-sized headphones, the Pandora? The target release date is April / May. Projected price is $800-1500 depending on the model.
 
I'm also really curious as to what you guys would think of the Muramasa VIII (assuming you weren't writhing in pain from the clamping force and weight). I'd love to be able to finally "compare notes" with someone.

 

[ianmedium]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the full sized ones, I would love to think of a full sized headphone delivering PF style musical delivery.

I am one of the few who fell in love with the murmansa. I would love to know what the sound like, I though it a real shame they pulled the plug. I love statement pieces like that!

 

[SoundFreaq]

Ok, guys. Tell me what you think. I was perusing the world wide interwebs to see if anyone had ludicriously compared the Stax 009 to the FI-BA-SS. Honestly, of anything I have heard, the SS reminds me more of an 009 than anything else. Upon searching around, I found this comment.  Edit: Not linking properly. Comment #58: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2353949/all )
 
".... Sound wise? splendid and nontraditional, you get a total new experience, and yet they are very specific on their "compatible" music genre.
Basically they can't handle rock, RnB or fast, bass music.
Vocal is their strong point."
 
At first, I thought to myself, well that's just not true. That's a blanket statement about a whole brand, and it's just some guy's opinion. Then I got to thinking about what he said. Tell me if what I am about to say is true, or if I just don't like the genres of R&B, and hard rock, so it's self evident for me. 
 
1. I don't think people buy super hi-end audio systems to listen to Hip-hop, Trance, R&B and Metal. If you're into those genres, I wouldn't recommend you pick up a Stax 009. With Metal, you're not worried about the drum stick sound as it strikes the cymbal, and the way it resonates in the recording environment. You're not worried about the Upright bass timbre in Jazz, and hearing the sound resonate in the wood before exiting through the f-holes. In Metal, the bass is run through a distortion pedal, then an amp, THEN miked. Metal is about the power of the music as a whole, and you don't get caught in the nuances of the music. 
 
2. Genres like Trance and Hip-hop are not well produced. Though it's getting better, I, as a fan of trance music, have gotten further away from it as I get into higher end audio, because it's usually produced horribly. Independent producers are different, but I'm talking DJ mixes. Even DJ's with Money, like Armin Van Buuren, produce mixes that are usually bright and not well done. Not to mention, it's a compilation of many producer's music, all mastered in a different way, then mastered all over again to be consistent within the mix. I get way more satisfaction out of trance by not listening to it on a quality system. For trance, I often go "mid-fi" to get the most satisfaction. 
 
3. The very best headphones in the world, are they terrific all-rounders? Or are they pretty good at most things, and excellent at a few things. Like 009. It will do anything. But acoustic, Jazz, Classical, instrumental, and vocal sound best. If you're a dubstep freak, you just don't dive into an 009.