You forgot the last one "Some think they can hear a big difference but have never done a level-matched blind test to see if they actually can, living forever in their subjective bias". I think you're colored too much by subjective bias and the amount of $$$ spent. Most are much better off...

Thanks for this. It seems they might use loctite on the screws from seeing your pics and you essentially had to torque and break the screws to get them out. I can't seem to get enough grip with my screwdriver to do this without fear of stripping the screw. Do you remember the screwdriver you...

Has anyone removed the screws holding the headband? I'd like to replace the headband strap and the screws seem to be locktite in place, very difficult to remove without fear of stripping them.

Yes, this is true. Timing is incredibly important in localizing and thus presenting soundstage accurately. There is no magic to the timing that requires boutique methods or expensive gear and a good textbook implementation of even redbook audio has practically infinite timing resolution within...

Even if the testing isn't done perfect enough to be in a peer reviewed science publication, it's quite a lot less biased than non level matched sighted tests that most do. In any case, you can either believe that somehow blinding listening to level-matched gear is somehow erasing these obvious...

The Auris Nirvana has high output impedance and will definitely cause a different sound signature on dynamic drivers with non linear impedance response than the near 0 output impedance of the topping A90. Additionally the tube amp may introduce audible distortion. So in this case there can...

Since you work in the digital field I highly recommend watching this whole video: At the 20:30m mark he addresses timing directly, and why timing is simply not an issue. He has a very good demonstration, using all analog gear at that section that demonstrates the fallacy that timing needs...

Too long to list, I went deep in the rabbit hole for a few years before coming back out. Mostly everything boutique and high end sold - except the Susvara's. The Susvara's are worth it and transducer designs keep improving. I have a local dealer with lots of high end gear and buy mostly used...

I started this journey with no bias, in fact with essentially no budget limit I would gladly pay for whatever is needed for increased SQ out of my Susvara. If anything I wished to actually hear those improvements in a true blind comparison so I can justify all those upgrades. That's also why...

Bad news, I don't think you'll hear a step up in SQ since that stack is already very transparent and the A90 has plenty of power. But also good news, you can also skip all the audio-nervosa associated with DAC/Amp pairings that people on this forum go on forever with once you prove this to...

Sure ok, you can either believe this which has never been proven in any real blind testing so is just purely faith based on the amount of $ you spent. Or you can believe differences come down to real science, EE, DSP and physics which has been proven in blind testing. Just don't make others...

Unless the $500 amp measures extremely poor (which modern amps of this price range don't) and of the same output impedance then you can't either. This has already been put to rest by real peer-reviewed studies. The difference in opinion is some of us have actually done double-blind listening...

Completely false and an audiophile myth. Once you actually understand basic electrical engineering, digital signal processing theory, and physics you'll finally understand how wrong a blanket statement like this is. Don't believe it, try a level matched blind test between a well measured $200...

Do a carefully level matched blind test between all of them. I'll be surprised if you actually find a difference. They're all more than good enough.

Please..the images are incredibly annoying.

Great post! Can you list which Apex module you specifically used for each IEM evaluation? I find it changes the tuning, especially in the bass quite a bit.

Christer, you're about as ignorant on rap/hip-hop and other musical genres you thumb your nose to as someone who told you they don't understand anyone who likes Jazz because they tried Kenny-G on the radio. I find real music lovers dig deeper and eventually figure out why someone would love a...

Wow, thanks for sharing.

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Quote: I've really found the DT880 and HE-500 to sound the opposite of what you're saying (although we both seem to agree the DT880 has too harsh treble).. I liked the HE-500 much better than the LCD2 even (which sounded more closed and had too laid-back treble)...but different ears...

I had the DT-880 and now the HE-500 and for me it was no contest, the HE-500 is much much better for music.. the DT-880 just had too much treble bite and the HE-500 is more neutral as well as detailed.

Quote:   I'm a huge EDM fan and love the detailed base the HE-400 provide. It's the most clear and non distorted bass in it's class for headphones under $900.  Maybe you're looking for these. These actually rattle your...

Quote: I think you're not used to very low distortion clean clear bass. You can try a much more powerful amp and it should get louder without clipping like you find with the e17, but clubs have very boomy bass with a lot of distortion and not a lot of texture..mostly just a ton of power...

Quote:   Great impressions! I think you've described the HE-400 well especially in comparison to the HE-500..