May I please ask to clarify the comparison between Trinity Delta and R2A. The discussion was around EDM, but my main genres are jazz, soul, funk, disco and maybe some classical. With the iBasso DX50 source, will I benefit in SQ with R2A?
Well,as i have the three elements (Ibasso, Trinity and Flare) you mention i'll share some impressions (never forgetting that they reflect just a subjective point of view, to be objective i should be an object and, although i try it every night, even my girlfriend refuses to consider me that way).
Two statements before beginning. First: the ibasso will drive the Flare without problem (also Deltas). I think that the deltas do a slightly better pairing as they are warmer and the dx50 for me is a bit cold, analytic or neutral, whatever you call it. Ibasso + Flare maybe is a sum of two analytical robots, but don't worry, the combination is very "musical" also, and the power problem is solved: the ibasso drives them with solvency. Second: as
@Jigsaw feet has said, the decision for me lies on the use you'll do. And to make it easy and fast, if you plan to hear for many hours daily, to use them at work, bed, library... go with the R2a. If you use them more in public spaces or if you look for a more energetic sound go with the Deltas.
Now, you asked about some specific styles of music so i'm doing a little test while i write. I'll talk about music through both. My general impression is that each one has it's own type of sound where they shine more, so maybe the kind of sound you like on the music should determine also your decision...
I'll focus on one song to explain the differences and then review more briefly some others. One i know and love deeply: Charlie Mingus
"Better git it in your soul". So, using the headphones line out, high gain, no eq, increasing the volume about 8 points while testing the r2a's to approximately equal the volume, delta´s with the gunmetal filter, this is what i hear:
With the Delta´s saxes sound thinner, piano has less presence, general sound is brighter and gives the impression of being more detailed, but harsher when the winds blow the higher notes (and that's important for you). They are in general more aggressive and with more "pulsation" (with that term i mean that i feel more the rhythm, not just each instrument role but the general rhythm they create). Second line details, all the screams and yells, bass drum, etc, have more presence also with the deltas. The bass of the holy cow Mingus sounds slightly inflated on the delta's and more organic and truer on the r2a's. Cymbals are well resolved in both cases, maybe better positioned but less sibilance-controlled on the R2a (and that's also important for you, different peaks on the higher notes but both have their screaming frequencies, although in general my tinnitus finds more respectful the R2a). The fact that makes the difference for me here is about the soundstage and instrument separation. With the deltas i feel bigger separation from left to right and less deepness and height. That more horizontal separation creates in some way the perception of two different channels with two different musics, so, comparing withe the flares, it sounds less cohesive, like more difficult to believe for my ears. With the r2a i feel more in a real room with really well positioned instruments and with the deltas more in a studio, like hearing a more artificial space brought by a mixing board. I'd love the flares to have the delta's airier sound and to be a little more brighter without losing their better controlled and fuller frequencies. Maybe it's paradoxical, but the R2a sound more "real" and the deltas more lively. Conclusion: i don't know, both have flaws and strong points and directly comparing both i tend to prefer the delta´s, but as i've said in previous posts, i finally look more for the Flare. I suppose that i prefer their smooth and fuller sound for all the LP while the more fatiguing sound of the delta´s excites me more when listening for an only song.
Changing songs change perceptions. With the incredible, wonderful and unsurpassable
"Fleurette africaine" from Ellington, Mingus and Roach i miss again a little bit of air with the Flare that i actually find on the Deltas. Deltas handle better also the abundance of sounds in
Olé Coltrane but miss some deepness of soundstage that the flares have.
Keith Jarret at Köln sounds much better on the R2a to my ears principally because of the fuller and more detailed sound of the piano (pianos sound incredible on the R2a´s), but i like more
Malagueña from Pete La Roca on the Delta´s for their more energetic sound ... Definitely i think that i'd love to find a good combination of both, the fuller and more cohesive sound of the Flare's but a little less dark and distant to gain life.
Going with the soul and the funk and the disco i see the Delta's as winners by little margin, but depending on your tastes, on the kind of sound you like on the productions of the music you like. They give a funnier and, why not, funkier experience. With this
Al Green's classic the organ on the background, the guitar... all the elements have more presence on them, while the flares make them disappear a little bit more. Bass again is less real and sounds overemphasized with the trinity's, but thanks to that the song retains much more groove. Winds have a better feeling on the r2as, but vocals sound a little bit too distant and even slightly muffled in comparison and general sound is a little bit more boring. However,in general the Flares, because of a more analytical sound reveal more the bad productions but, at the same time, thanks to their smoother and more natural sound, forgive better their sound and make to my ears more listenable songs like these ones from
Lee Moses or
Ferry Djimmy. So the more obscure, raw and dirtier the sound, better with the Flare (which is a surprise for me, before beginning this test i'd have said the opposite). With cleaner productions from the seventies and eighties, more danceable songs, Delta´s will have that humpy punchy thing. Anyway, again, that's not a rule. Surprisingly
Betty Davis, normally produced with a strong "in your face" sound, while hits harder with the Delta, sounds better on the Flare because of the fuller sound they provide (even though the cymbals reach some sibilance on them). Flares do it better also with Mr Brown's
The Payback, but the
holy bible of soul from Marvin Gaye sounds more hollow and distant on them...Ah, and for the disco and the classical questions, Donna Summer will sound funnier on the Deltas and Shostakovich clearly better on the R2a's. Well, i think that the idea is already exposed, it's time to stop. Talking strictly about the sound and the way it matches with your music, if your cup of tea is more on the old productions go with the R2a and if you're more on the George Clinton way try the Delta's. Delta's will make you dance more and Flares will delight you more (if you hear them as i do).
Hope that this helps (i know i didn't point clearly a winner but, as my arguments imply, i think that's a relative question). Don't forget all the other statements made on previous posts about the different prices, fit, build quality, comfort...
@Midgetguy has both too, and i suppose that some other notable members of this forum, maybe they can guide you with more clearness. Anyway, don't forget that both have enough charms to seduce you. Good luck!
Just a few more folks to join the drop to unlock the lowest tiered pricing.