dandi
100+ Head-Fier
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- Jan 10, 2002
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The last few weeks I have been spending a lot of time listening to the Equation Audio line of headphones, or as Equation calls their line “EarTools”. I was intrigued by the no nonsense straight forward style and statements on their web site. The Engineer’s and Musician’s experience with Equation microphones and headphones I read seemed genuine and compelling.
I decided to get 3 pair of Equation headphones. I chose the RP-21, RP- 22X and the portable RP -15 MC. These are Equation’s number one, two and three models in their Professional line respectively. All three models are a closed circum-aural style.
For specifics on each model and more information go to: http://equationaudio.com/index.htm
Some of what attracted me to Equation Audio, a relative unknown in the Head-Fi market: #1) affordability #2) what I perceived to be a very honest approach and presentation to their products #3) the RP21 and RP 22X have 50mm transducers, these are big, I was curious #4) detachable cable, available on the portable RP 15 MC as well ( tweakable) #5) 32 ohm impedance which I have always liked
THE HEADPHONES (EarTools)
RP-21
These are well made headphones, comfortable. The detachable cable is robust. The cable is terminated on one end with a right angle mini plug and on the other end, which plugs into the headphone, there is a straight mini plug that snaps securely into the headphone socket. A quarter inch screw-on adapter is supplied for the amp end of the cable if needed.
The ear-cup is made of synthetic leather like material found on many headphones, they are well padded. The sound is detailed, crystal clear and quite neutral. The soundstage is intimate, placing me in the front row center. The depth and width of the soundstage is remarkable. The nuance is incredible. I wrote in my listening notes “you can hear the brass in the horn”. Time and time again I was jolted by the entrance of another player into the soundstage. I would be totally absorbed in listening to a beautiful section of a recording and then another instrument would join in and just surprise me with the clear, clean and crisp added dynamics. The smoothness and seamlessness with which this happens with the RP-21 is just fantastic. The fade in and out of the musician’s microphones is captured, the attack and decay, the timber of the musical wave form and the loudness and pitch is extremely well articulated. The RP-21 fully engaged me in my listening experience; there was no wandering off on other thoughts. During a complex passage each instrument retains its own integrity with a very clean mixing of the multiple sound wave forms. The RP-21 lets me hear everything as clearly and cleanly as it is put down on the recording. The harmonic resonance is beautiful, realistic and true to the recording. The low frequency detail and resolution is intriguing. It took a good 20 to 30 hours of run time on the RP-21’s to really clarify the bass response and each day it becomes more revealing. A remarkable quality in the RP-21 is the sound from an upright bass, or kick drum. There is a resonance, a quality of vibration I had not appreciated in 10 years of listening to headphones. Listening is similar to hearing/experiencing a loudspeaker or live performance.
The headphones disappear into the music very easily. Very often the encumbrance of the RP-21 transcends the listening experience and I am left in a big wide space with just the music and acoustics of the venue, be it the studio or concert hall.
RP-22X
The RP-22X has the same strong build quality. The detachable cable feature is also standard. The RP-22X comes with a coiled style cable. The RP-22X has a unique inner ring of padded synthetic leather material inside the ear cup. So you have the padded ring surrounding the ear then another ring inside this one. In their product information Equation Audio states this design feature allows for extended response, more bass and gain. This proves true to my experience.
The RP-22X has a different sound signature than the RP-21. Again it took a minimum of 20 to 30 hours run time for the sound to begin to blossom. The RP-22X has a more rounded, creamy quality yet the uppers and mids shine through. It’s a sweet listen. There is also this beautiful loudspeaker quality to the sound. The bass is accurate and doesn’t cover or cross over the other frequencies of the recording. Highs and mids are clean and clear. I think the listen is a bit further back. For me it’s as if the music is filtered through distance/space before it reaches my ear mellowing and warming the sound somewhat, still a very intimate and clear sound.
I admit to it taking me a little while to appreciate the RP-22X’s. I couldn’t get a feel for the bass. I really had to think about what it was I was hearing. I concluded that Equation Audio has designed a headphone that is able to present a full spectrum of sound without compromising any one area for another. The bass frequency is really accurate and sounds true and placed on equal footing with the other instruments. There is no veil over one frequency to compensate for another. These are very synergistic headphones.
RP-15MC
Portable model
This is a great little headphone, a giant killer perhaps? The RP-15 MC folds into a nice compact size and shape. They have the same rock solid build quality of the 21’s and 22X’s and also sport the detachable cable. The straight cable on the RP-15’s is smaller in diameter (still robust) than the full-sized versions and is terminated on each end with a straight mini plug. The RP-15 MC is billed as the “baby pro” and does a great job, performing much like the RP-21. As with the other Equation headphones the transducer in this portable headphone is big at 38mm. The sound signature is much like the RP-21 offering balanced accurate sound presentation and startling dynamics. I have been revisiting my music collection, both on my computer and CD, with the RP 15’s. It does well with many genres and provides a nice big sound. The bass is amazingly full, deep and rich for a relatively small portable headphone.
CONCLUSION
I really like these headphones. If Equation built their current line with the professional Audio Engineer and Musician in mind, in the process, I believe, they hit upon a very good all around musical headphone design. I go for the feeling I get from music. I was not sure how a closed headphone designed for professional and technical application might sound. These headphones have all the right stuff for my listening ear and my tapping toes! The presentation on each model is dynamic and engaging, warm and musical with a loudspeaker like sound quality which I have not heard, quite like this, on other headphones.
Equation Audio has some magic going on with their headphones to be sure. Their design efforts have really created something unique. Equation Audio’s presentation at their web site has proven honest and accurate in every way. Of course the audio presentation is created by more than just one element. The source, amp, speaker/headphone and cable all contribute. What I want to emphasize is that Equation headphones take the information they are given and create the end product, music, extremely well.
The last few weeks of listening have been exciting for me. I can think of only one other time I was as absorbed in listening to and thoroughly enjoying the music. This being when I got my first pair of great headphones 10 years ago.
RE: Prices for Equation products.
Equation Audio has a fresh and commendable approach to marketing their product. It's independent, it is grass roots, it is old school and it is great value to performance pricing. Please help keep independence alive by allowing your local Equation Audio dealer to deal directly with each customer. DON'T POST PRICES ON THIS THREAD (check out the posts by Sybrsound )
I decided to get 3 pair of Equation headphones. I chose the RP-21, RP- 22X and the portable RP -15 MC. These are Equation’s number one, two and three models in their Professional line respectively. All three models are a closed circum-aural style.
For specifics on each model and more information go to: http://equationaudio.com/index.htm
Some of what attracted me to Equation Audio, a relative unknown in the Head-Fi market: #1) affordability #2) what I perceived to be a very honest approach and presentation to their products #3) the RP21 and RP 22X have 50mm transducers, these are big, I was curious #4) detachable cable, available on the portable RP 15 MC as well ( tweakable) #5) 32 ohm impedance which I have always liked
THE HEADPHONES (EarTools)
RP-21
These are well made headphones, comfortable. The detachable cable is robust. The cable is terminated on one end with a right angle mini plug and on the other end, which plugs into the headphone, there is a straight mini plug that snaps securely into the headphone socket. A quarter inch screw-on adapter is supplied for the amp end of the cable if needed.
The ear-cup is made of synthetic leather like material found on many headphones, they are well padded. The sound is detailed, crystal clear and quite neutral. The soundstage is intimate, placing me in the front row center. The depth and width of the soundstage is remarkable. The nuance is incredible. I wrote in my listening notes “you can hear the brass in the horn”. Time and time again I was jolted by the entrance of another player into the soundstage. I would be totally absorbed in listening to a beautiful section of a recording and then another instrument would join in and just surprise me with the clear, clean and crisp added dynamics. The smoothness and seamlessness with which this happens with the RP-21 is just fantastic. The fade in and out of the musician’s microphones is captured, the attack and decay, the timber of the musical wave form and the loudness and pitch is extremely well articulated. The RP-21 fully engaged me in my listening experience; there was no wandering off on other thoughts. During a complex passage each instrument retains its own integrity with a very clean mixing of the multiple sound wave forms. The RP-21 lets me hear everything as clearly and cleanly as it is put down on the recording. The harmonic resonance is beautiful, realistic and true to the recording. The low frequency detail and resolution is intriguing. It took a good 20 to 30 hours of run time on the RP-21’s to really clarify the bass response and each day it becomes more revealing. A remarkable quality in the RP-21 is the sound from an upright bass, or kick drum. There is a resonance, a quality of vibration I had not appreciated in 10 years of listening to headphones. Listening is similar to hearing/experiencing a loudspeaker or live performance.
The headphones disappear into the music very easily. Very often the encumbrance of the RP-21 transcends the listening experience and I am left in a big wide space with just the music and acoustics of the venue, be it the studio or concert hall.
RP-22X
The RP-22X has the same strong build quality. The detachable cable feature is also standard. The RP-22X comes with a coiled style cable. The RP-22X has a unique inner ring of padded synthetic leather material inside the ear cup. So you have the padded ring surrounding the ear then another ring inside this one. In their product information Equation Audio states this design feature allows for extended response, more bass and gain. This proves true to my experience.
The RP-22X has a different sound signature than the RP-21. Again it took a minimum of 20 to 30 hours run time for the sound to begin to blossom. The RP-22X has a more rounded, creamy quality yet the uppers and mids shine through. It’s a sweet listen. There is also this beautiful loudspeaker quality to the sound. The bass is accurate and doesn’t cover or cross over the other frequencies of the recording. Highs and mids are clean and clear. I think the listen is a bit further back. For me it’s as if the music is filtered through distance/space before it reaches my ear mellowing and warming the sound somewhat, still a very intimate and clear sound.
I admit to it taking me a little while to appreciate the RP-22X’s. I couldn’t get a feel for the bass. I really had to think about what it was I was hearing. I concluded that Equation Audio has designed a headphone that is able to present a full spectrum of sound without compromising any one area for another. The bass frequency is really accurate and sounds true and placed on equal footing with the other instruments. There is no veil over one frequency to compensate for another. These are very synergistic headphones.
RP-15MC
Portable model
This is a great little headphone, a giant killer perhaps? The RP-15 MC folds into a nice compact size and shape. They have the same rock solid build quality of the 21’s and 22X’s and also sport the detachable cable. The straight cable on the RP-15’s is smaller in diameter (still robust) than the full-sized versions and is terminated on each end with a straight mini plug. The RP-15 MC is billed as the “baby pro” and does a great job, performing much like the RP-21. As with the other Equation headphones the transducer in this portable headphone is big at 38mm. The sound signature is much like the RP-21 offering balanced accurate sound presentation and startling dynamics. I have been revisiting my music collection, both on my computer and CD, with the RP 15’s. It does well with many genres and provides a nice big sound. The bass is amazingly full, deep and rich for a relatively small portable headphone.
CONCLUSION
I really like these headphones. If Equation built their current line with the professional Audio Engineer and Musician in mind, in the process, I believe, they hit upon a very good all around musical headphone design. I go for the feeling I get from music. I was not sure how a closed headphone designed for professional and technical application might sound. These headphones have all the right stuff for my listening ear and my tapping toes! The presentation on each model is dynamic and engaging, warm and musical with a loudspeaker like sound quality which I have not heard, quite like this, on other headphones.
Equation Audio has some magic going on with their headphones to be sure. Their design efforts have really created something unique. Equation Audio’s presentation at their web site has proven honest and accurate in every way. Of course the audio presentation is created by more than just one element. The source, amp, speaker/headphone and cable all contribute. What I want to emphasize is that Equation headphones take the information they are given and create the end product, music, extremely well.
The last few weeks of listening have been exciting for me. I can think of only one other time I was as absorbed in listening to and thoroughly enjoying the music. This being when I got my first pair of great headphones 10 years ago.
RE: Prices for Equation products.
Equation Audio has a fresh and commendable approach to marketing their product. It's independent, it is grass roots, it is old school and it is great value to performance pricing. Please help keep independence alive by allowing your local Equation Audio dealer to deal directly with each customer. DON'T POST PRICES ON THIS THREAD (check out the posts by Sybrsound )
