Sensaphonics help please.

I'm interested in the responses. I'd love to hear to hear more clear-cut opinions on whether the Sensaphonics is closer to the Grado or Sennheiser sound, for example.

In my experience, the Sensaphonics are much more exciting than the HD-580 + Oehlbach cable (don't know about the 650s + SD), and have a soundstage that is about the same size. Though they don't have the same "openness", of course.

I'd say the Sensaphonics are definitely warmer and have more body than the Sony CD-3000s, but are not as dark/warm as the HD-580s. The soundstage is not nearly as huge as the CD-3000s "hyped" soundstage, and can actually sound weird if you have just been listening to the CD-3000s. The weirdness goes away after a few minutes though, as your brain compensates for it or something like that.

They're also much more comfortable than either, once you get the molds right. They don't clamp like the Sennheisers and they don't give you the "hot ears" feeling that the CD-3000s can give you on a warm day.

While I'm not sure if the 2X-S require amping itself, it *is* pretty well established that the iPod's line out (through the default dock or the Sik Din or Pocketdock adapters) is better sounding than the headphone out. I don't know about the iPod mini, though. Also, I'd buy a SuperMacro, which is cheaper and smaller than the SR-71, and has been said to offer comparable sound.

I only have an HD650/Zu Mobius, Grado SR-225, and Shure E3C to compare with the sensaphonics 2X-s. I am also new to audio so take this with a grain of salt.
1) The 2X-S is nowhere near the SR-225 sound. The SR-225 is definitely brighter and have less soundstage. The 2X-S is warmer than the SR-225...
2)...but not as warm as the HD650 with stock cable. If you brighten the HD650 with an aftermarket cable, that is how the 2X-S sounds to me. The 2X-S sounds close to the HD650/Zu -- how close is hard for me to tell because of inexperience with other headphones.
3) 2X-S compared to Shure E3C -- no comparison, 2X-s is WAY better sounding. Shure E3C has high frequency roll-off and non-existant bass by comparison.
4) SR-71 in general -- I use this with my iPod mini and Meridian G08. The SR-71 has a better soundstage, detail, and focus compared to my Rega Ear. Can't go wrong with the SR-71 in terms of build quality and sound. I have not heard the supermacro so can't comment on it, but I am sure it is also an excellent amp given the strong following on this site.
5) SR-71 with 2X-s -- you get even more detail and soundstage compared to unamped. How much more is debatable. From a practical standpoint, I would rather go ampless when on the go (on the bus, working out, etc.). As a transportable (on the plane, hotel room, different rooms in the house), it is worth it. Here's my (320K AAC)iPod mini=>pocketdock=>Earcandy mini-mini=>SR-71=>2X-S transportable:

Ha.. sorry, I've completely neglected answering PM's.. I just got World of Warcraft recently.. and that's... uh.. you can guess what's happened since.


I can't say anything at all about the R-10, having never heard it myself. Compared to ATH-W2002, which I've auditioned several times, that I've never found anything that's truly remarkable about W2002's capability even compared to CD3000... given that I think the microdynamic and bass extension is much better with the 2X-S than a stock CD3000, you can guess about how I would compare them to W2002. Although I know there are characteristics of W2002 that one may find endearing, they seem to be more genre-specific than I would've liked in a headphone.

I've heard HD650's w/ Silver Dragons shortly, and greatly preferred Zu Mobius over it, so my comparison is more with the Zu combination instead. The bass extension on the 2X-S will be much better than HD650's, and the general dynamic of the sound is better and more suited for fast-paced music. Of course HD650 still has a dark, organic airiness with certain music, but overall I would take 2X-S over HD650 just about any day. HD650 remains a headphone that's very good for slower music, but lacks the dynamic speed it needs to get pop/rock genre for me.

Can't say much about HP-2, but I've tested RS-1 and HP-1 before. 2X-S is not quite as "fast" as Grado's still, but Grados are definitely the fastest sounding headphone around. 2X-S sounds more natural and more realistic, with a rich amount of detail that maybe only HP-1 can compare to in that combination. Although I have to say HP-1 & Gilmore V2 (or V2-SE) absolutely rocks, it still sings the old Grado song of "no soundstage needed". Although HP-1 portrays a better soundstage than all other Grados that I've heard, simply because of the accuracy of sound reproduction itself; it is still lacking compared to any headphone in that price range, 2X-S included. 2X-S has probably by far the best soundstage out of any in-ear, and the soundstage is significantly better than any Grados.

Eggos won't even compare, so no need to talk about that, throw Grado in the trash compacter and grind away. Can't say much about EW-9, but I doubt it'll compare either.


For me it's simply a matter of heft rather than performance. The performance improvement with SR-71 is distinct and definitely appreciable. It would've been completely worth the money for me from the sound perspective, even with iPod as the source. I just don't want to carry another thing around with me at all times.

BTW, SR-71 sounds remarkably close to HR-2, it makes a serious run for taking over a "home system" amp.

My newbie ears don't think so.

Without an amp (i.e., from the iPod mini headphone jack), the Sensas will hose the HD650/Zu -- no question. The HD650/Zu sounds veiled in comparison. With the SR-71 thrown into the mix and off the iPod mini line out, the HD650/Zu comes alive. I say the 2X-s is at least 90% the sound of the HD650/Zu when amped from the iPod mini line out.

The key thing to remember is that portable usually means ampless. In that case, nothing approaches the sensas except, maybe, the UE10pro (can't tell, I haven't heard it).

wow patb, thats some incredible setup u got there (in the picture).
Makes me curious, i just spent similar money to what sensaphonics cost on my recently acquired hp1s. I dont know if i could deal with buying those though, i mean there is no ever turning back, they are yours forever : / (Or your clones if u like ? )

There's still a difference between having an amp and without, but is the experience with Sensas alone with the iPod good enough? It most definitely comes as close to having a full home system in your pocket as it's going to be. There are plenty of people who are happy with the Sensa & no amp, a lot of people who used to swear by amps that are no longer carrying them.


Personally, I was never a fan of the HD650 (or HD580/600 for that matter) because of its "veil" and its general slowness of sound. Of course HD650 is a lot better than HD580/600, but it just still doesn't sound dynamic enough. On that level alone, Sensas are already more enjoyable, regardless of which system it's coming out of. Keep in mind that these IEMs were designed for portable use first, musician's wireless beltpacks isn't the greatest thing on earth. So they're designed to sound good out of even barely adequate sources.

There are still reasons that Sennheiser fans will like their HD650's more even after they've purchased Sensas. However, just because how well Sensa does across all genre of music, as opposed to Sennheiser's sound signature which definitely has certain weaknesses to them (or just doesn't do them as well as other headphones in that arena); Sensas are much better overall headphones across all different genres.

I wouldn't be surprised that for some people (yours truly included), that Sensas starts to become the primary home headphone of choice rather than any other full-size.

Sensas and such

I have the iHP but darn close to iPOD. Sensa's will not replace my R10s as home choice, nor if I was limited to CD3Ks or HD650s but they are worthy of a high-end home phone, in part because of great isolation, allows you to immerse yourself in audio despite what else is going on. Great for lying down, which others are definitely not suited.

90% I deal with the extra heft and use the SR-71 it is a noticeable difference. Geez you go this far man why not go whole hog?

DAP most lossless. Only thing that could possibly improve is a Picollo DAC via optical out, but the battery pack on Pic` is a MONSTER.

All ya have to do is get two of those cell phone belt holders one for DAP and other for SR71 and good to go. If you stuff in a bag then all the better SR71 is small.

Unless you have a mini DAP then kind of hefty already. I am looking for a smaller DAP for ultra portability in which case will sacrifice the quality for convenience, but still knowing best I can do under circumstances.

Enjoy regardless.

I used to be one of those people that preferred the sensas ampless with the ipod because my portable amp was a PPA w/battery board/diamond buffer and it's the weight and size a brick.

I decided to try using it again just for sound comparison and it was such a big improvement that I just purchased a SR-71. I love this amp. It sounds almost as good as my PPA but it's about the same size as the ipod and just a little heavier (4 times smaller than the PPA). It deepens the bass, improves the soundstage, brings out the vocals, greatly improves instrument seperation, and has no hiss what so ever. It even powers my hd650/zu pretty damn good.

I plan to still keep my PPA for home use because the SR-71 is just not that convenient (battery powered, mini jacks) and it nice to have the home amp already setup and ready to go.

I also still prefer my hd650/zu to the sensas. They have just a little more starkle in the highs and the airy texture is just a pleasure to listen to. Most of my music is slow to mid tempo so I don't require a super fast headphone.

Although I slightly prefer the hd650/zu to the sensas, I have no complaints about them. They are great for all types of music especially rock.

Edit: I know people love their highend interconnect cables, but I find them inconvenient for portable use because of how big and inflexible they are. The best cable I found for portable use is the Plastics One (now just listed as Headroom) mini to mini. This is the same cable company the sensas, ultimate ears, etys, and shures use for their cables.

Here's the link: http://headphone.com/layout.php?topi...tID=0050370001

Actually, if you'd just searched, there's been lots and lots of comparions of the Sensas to full-sized headphones. I'll second much of what has been said here about the 600's in comparison to the Sensas. Basically, the Sensas have made that 650 upgrade more of a priority.

The nice thing about the Sensas is that they grow as you move up the audio chain, but also are enjoyable from portable sources as well. It's not a night and day growth, but it is growth.

I prefer to use the Sensas amped from the ipod. There's just more depth and definition, enough for it to matter... at least to me.

Of course, it's important to keep in mind that a lot of the things said about how one phone compares with another phone are often matters of personal preference and opinion. Sometimes these things get stated as if they are matters of fact. There are several comments on this thread regarding the sound of certain Sennheiser products, or the comparison of IEM's with over-the-ear phones in general, that I disagree with completely, as far as what I have experienced in my personal listening experience. Thus, it bears emphasis again that your mileage may vary.

The ear candy might sound better but I don't see the point having a interconnect cable being better than the actually headphone cable. The Plastic One cable is the same cable as the sensa cable. Look at the tip.

I bought Zu interconnect for my hd650 since I was also using the Zu Mobius headphone cable. In that setup, it didn't make sense to bottleneck it.

I also went with the SR-71 over the supermacro because I felt Ray's amps were of a higher quality than Xin. I don't have to worry about new mods coming out every week or it's resale value going down. Just buy the amp and be done with it.

Edit: About the fit, if the molds seem off when they're drying in your ears, the actual headphones will fits that way too. Just make sure that they feel tight and snug, then you'll be sure to have a good fit. You can always have them make a second set of molds if you are unsure. Better to get the molds right the first time then have to return you headphones.