brooko said:

  Just read last 4-5 pages, and thought I'd drop by with a couple of thoughts ......
 

• X7
  Surprised by a few of the comments.  So it looks like a smartphone ..... ?!  It has good hardware, touch screen for those who've always wanted it, bluetooth and wifi so you can stream, and the UI will be as polished as the android based apps that are included, or that you can use. The comments on Fiios past fw release schedule and past UI implementation shouldn't really apply in this case, because we're talking about android - aren't we?  Also the comments on the buttons is a bit strange.  Because of the actual shape, you should always know which is front and which is back, simply by feel.

 

Click to expand...

x relic x said:

Some have reported the el-8C is more comfortable than the PM-3. I haven't tried the PM-3 but the el-8 distributes the weight quite well and you don't really notice them. Well, compared to the XC you would think everything else is light as a feather!

Click to expand...

brooko said:

  Just read last 4-5 pages, and thought I'd drop by with a couple of thoughts ......
 

• X7
  Surprised by a few of the comments.  So it looks like a smartphone ..... ?!  It has good hardware, touch screen for those who've always wanted it, bluetooth and wifi so you can stream, and the UI will be as polished as the android based apps that are included, or that you can use. The comments on Fiios past fw release schedule and past UI implementation shouldn't really apply in this case, because we're talking about android - aren't we?  Also the comments on the buttons is a bit strange.  Because of the actual shape, you should always know which is front and which is back, simply by feel.
  
  Personally I think it is very sleek, has great hardware, and if it is implemented as well as it currently looks - then it'll be one heck of a DAP that'll take on the big-boys at around 1/3 of their price. Plus it's modular.  I mean really - what's not to like??
   
• Re the Oppo - admittedly I only spent a day with the one I had for a short time, and the one I auditioned had noticeable channel imbalance (had to return it and now have to wait for a tour unit to make it's rounds).  In the brief time I had it, it really did start to grow on me (enough to want to spend decent time with it).  Mid-range was it's strong point - and also the linear bass.  Also very comfortable. For the guys who don't like it:
  
  * how long did you spend with it before making your decision?
  * did you spend solitary time (ie 1-2 days) listening to it and only it so that you could acclimatise your brain to the different sound? I personally find this is often hugely important, as there have been some gear I was very luke-warm with at first, but over time grew to really like the overall sound sig.
  
  I sometimes think we make judgement calls on gear because of quick auditions, or constant comparisons (early) against known signatures - and never give ourselves a chance to actually get to know the signature of the new gear.  I know this might be a big call - but virtually all the reviewers whose opinions I rely on and trust take their time with gear before making calls on it. It's one of the reasons I now have pretty much stopped trying to jam out reviews in short time periods, and also why I don't review multiple new signatures (ie 2-3 pieces of new gear) at the same time. When I've broken either of these personal rules in the past, it almost always comes back to bite me.
  
  I totally respect that we all have different tastes, and I know mine are very different to others on the forum.

 
Food for thought anyway.

Click to expand...

twister6 said:

  OK, PM-3 and HA-2.  Had them since yesterday, need more time for burn in.  EL-8C sound was adjusting for over 100hrs, not sure if it's a nature of planar magnetic drivers.  Out of the box PM-3 felt bass-light and brighter in upper frequencies, 24hours later - I can hear now a healthy doze of sub-bass and a much better bass slam, and also upper mids got a touch duller.  Don't want to say veiled, but maybe a very faint touch.  These definitely have a warm smooth signature, not for those who crave a more detailed analytical sound.  EL-8C is a lot more detailed, more transparent, and airy in comparison.  But PM-3 is VERY addictive.  Build quality, design, materials, and comfort is among the best I have tested.  I have medium size ears (or maybe a bit smaller than average medium), and if I could I would wear them all day long   EL-8C are comfortable to wear as well, but only when you are sitting down   I can wear them for hours and ears stay cool, no uncomfortable clamping force, but walking with them - it's like carrying 500g crown on your head.  They are not as comfortable when it comes to mobile use.  PM-3 is the way to go when you are on the "go".  Also, PM-3 is more efficient and I can drive them better with my phone (Note 4, though nearly at max volume).  But the way things shaping up - they are intended for a different crowd in terms of sound signature.
 
HA-2 is a swiss army knife, it slices, it dices, and can recharge your phone.  That little amp is like a piece of art - amazing workmanship.  As for the sound, I need to do more testing since I only had a few minutes playing with it paired up with PM-3, and it wasn't exactly wow.  But I don't want to jump into an early conclusion yet, and should have a more detailed review in a week or two.  Reviews are piling up

Click to expand...

twister6 said:

   
Paul, it's not the shape of the buttons, it's a mirror image of Volume up/down and Play on one side and Skip next/prev and Power on the other side.  I'm talking about mirror image with exactly same shape and symmetrical location.  At least make some indents in the buttons to id their functionality so you can feel them in your pocket when controlling it.  Take a closer look at the picture again, it's not the shape to id which one is front or back, but rather that mirror image between volume/skip and power/play.  Again, the final judgment will be when holding it in your hand, who knows - maybe it will make sense, but for now I'm not so sure.  Just my 2cent. 

Click to expand...

brooko said:

 

twister6 said:

   
Paul, it's not the shape of the buttons, it's a mirror image of Volume up/down and Play on one side and Skip next/prev and Power on the other side.  I'm talking about mirror image with exactly same shape and symmetrical location.  At least make some indents in the buttons to id their functionality so you can feel them in your pocket when controlling it.  Take a closer look at the picture again, it's not the shape to id which one is front or back, but rather that mirror image between volume/skip and power/play.  Again, the final judgment will be when holding it in your hand, who knows - maybe it will make sense, but for now I'm not so sure.  Just my 2cent. 

Click to expand...

 
No - I don't think you understood me.  It's not about the buttons.  It's about the shape of the device and our cognitive memory.  The X7 is flat on one side (screen) and not flat on the other (you can feel the raised battery).  Once you know that, and your brain has associated that with the button placement - I'd be surprised if you ever mix them up.  It's just simply a learned reaction.

Click to expand...

nmatheis said:

Click to expand...

twister6 said:

Out of the box sound impression?

Click to expand...

brooko said:

LOL - given they are closed, I'd have though bigger bass impact and larger soundstage are mutually exclusive - at least in my experience.  If you want the bigger bass impact, the last thing you'll get is increased sound stage.  They can't do both with a closed headphone ...... 

Click to expand...

nmatheis said:

Listened to Björk's Biophilia right off the bat with these. I've listened to it a lot recently, so I'm familiar with it, there's a lot going on, and it's got good production values.

They actually sounded a bit mid-forward before I acclimated after a song or two. I think that's because I've been listening to Altones, Hyperion, and Delta.

After acclimation, they sound neutral with good extension on either end to my ears.

Low end seems pretty linear and tight with good impact but lighter in quantity than I'm accustomed to. Didn't mind after a few songs, though.

Mids are clean - not sweet. Not getting much (if any) sibilance - yay! It's a good presentation for me. Some will definitely wish for sweeter / warmer mids, but that's not really my style.

Upper end sounds clear but not harsh. One of the songs on Biophila is named Crystaline. It's got sharp, fairly high pitched plucked strings - not really sure what instrument it is. Anyway, with treble-happy HP/IEM, this gets piercing. When they're too relaxed it sounds lifeless. The Duke split the difference nicely, sounding brittle / crisp without veering off into piercing territory.

Soundstage and placement are good. The first song Moon begins with mud to upper range bells tinkling around your head. With some HP/IEM, this is more or less just a side to side movement. With others, it can be very 3D. I wouldn't say they exhibited extreme 3D, but it was nowhere near 2D. I'm honestly not a huge fan of overly 3D anyways - seems like it can make the music sound stretched / diluted when not done right.

I'm quite familiar with Biophilia and was impressed with how they handled it, as it can show off flaws pretty quickly. At a few points, I got some chills. I honestly wasn't expecting that, as I typically prefer a bit more whoomp-whoomp and sparkle - but things were just gelling very nicely

Again, these are first-blush impressions. I'll be listening to it for a bit and try out different tips from the generous supply before sending the VE lineup out to the gang, so I'll have them on-hand for awhile. I'll even have them on hand with the FA H-VII next week

Should be fun!

@RedJohn456: You've had the Duke for awhile. Does anything I've said surprise you? If so, what are we hearing differently?

Click to expand...

nmatheis said:

 

brooko said:

LOL - given they are closed, I'd have though bigger bass impact and larger soundstage are mutually exclusive - at least in my experience.  If you want the bigger bass impact, the last thing you'll get is increased sound stage.  They can't do both with a closed headphone ...... 

Click to expand...

@Brooko: For the price they're asking, I'd like both, please

@twister6: Interesting comment about getting more bass slam after 24 hours. I felt that way with the VE Duke after a few songs. I was actually chatting with @RedJohn456 while listening, and I could start to feel my brain adjust very quickly to them - much faster than I expected!

I guess we all have our preferences when it comes to headphones. Those small cups felt really cramped and hot to me. I much prefer large cups like HE400 or HP200 have. If I'm heading out, I'm taking IEM with me, so I don't need a super small and light pair of HP. I also don't listen for hours on end, so again I'd rather have larger, more breathable cups. To each their own...

Click to expand...

twister6 said:

I try to avoid brain burn in at any cost when judging a sound   That's why I do a brief listening out of the box, put them on burn in station for a few days and just walk away.  I find it more interesting to hear the contrast and transformation after a burn in "break".  Listening to EL-8C from laptop through DragonFly now (using their new JitterBug filter - awesome little "toy") and I literally have eargasm (and you guys know I use this word very rarely).  Yes, they are heavy and a bit bulky, but EL-8C have this perfect balance of warmth and clarity like nothing else I heard.  I can only imagine how good LCD-XC going to sound...  If I can combine design/ergonomics of PM-3 with a sound tuning of EL-8C - it would be a perfect combination.  With EL-8C I adjust to their sound the second I put them on.  With PM-3, it takes a few minutes to get into their smooth laid back relaxing sound.

And since you prefer HP150/HP200 earcups, EL-8C earcups will definitely be your "cup" of tea

Click to expand...

brooko said:

LOL - given they are closed, I'd have though bigger bass impact and larger soundstage are mutually exclusive - at least in my experience.  If you want the bigger bass impact, the last thing you'll get is increased sound stage.  They can't do both with a closed headphone ...... 

Click to expand...