The carbon version works great if you have a big head. If in doubt get the metal version as you obviously can’t adjust the tension on the carbon version. For me the carbon version was the ultimate solution for this pair. Very happy with my other two pair just putting the new leather strap on.

Turbulent Lab. Keep in mind not a perfect fit so a little mod required cutting to size. It also depends a little on the version of the headband you have from John. In retrospect may have been easier to just get the Audeze headband. The leather strap it comes with is nice and soft. I got the...

The leather strap is sized for Audeze. Takes a little cutting to make it fit.

John was kind enough to send me a pair of his new pads for the XTC2’s to try out. I have been using the fuzzy pads, which I love. The new ones are quite a bit thicker moving the driver further off your ear and with more volume inside the pad. The effect is not subtle in my case. It in essence...

We are very fortunate to be able to participate in this journey.

Agreed!

The safe bet is the 2.5 - it will not disappoint and you can retune it as your system or taste changes. I’m His other closed back will have the same sound signature as the 2.5 given that the drivers are the same just at a little more intimate level so if $ is a concern that would be a great...

I have the 2.5 and the GH50 JM MKII. The GH is such a special beast in many ways. You really need to listen to it to see if you like it or not. It’s usually you love it or hate it. With the 2.5 it also depends on how you tune it. John can probably boost the bass to GH levels for example. One...

Was lucky to get my XTC2’s in Zebra - gorgeous. My favorite so far. Eating the beeswax would have driven the non-toxic point home for sure! 😁

The 2.5 does have naturally more bass impact being closed. I have both the XTC2 open and XTC2.5 closed. With my XTC2 open tuning of Defined Bass with elevated Detail the bass impact is equivalent to the closed 2.5 tuned linear down to 10hz. At that tuning the open is still plenty warm/organic...

Well put!

I see you use the Phonitor. I have had the X and XE. With their linear nature a little bump in the bass may not hurt.

Enhanced bass detailed on the warm side. However depending on your amp with the closed back you may just want to go linear like I did with my Burson GT. I have both. The GH50’s bass response sometimes can be a little too much overshadowing especially the lower mid range due to the horn loaded...

It does require a little patience! 🤷‍♂️

Since you are getting sibilance on every ultra expensive HP, including the almighty $6K Susvara, has it ever occurred to you that the problem may be with your system and not the HP’s?

Piercing highs or hot mids are not going to happen with the XTC’s no matter which one you get. The differences are more in the size of the soundscape and if you can use an open back in your environment. For a closed back the 2.5 is probably as close as you are going to get to that open back big...

You are not going to get that with either. More a matter if you prefer closed vs open. The drivers are the same so sound wise similar.

My wife has not complained like she does with the open back - she has still not quite understood that I am not blowing my ears out with the open. From a listeners perspective I would say ok but not great. The AC fan when running at home still has a little of that white noise effect at lower...

Second that!

The 2.5 is pretty amazing!

I checked with Burson to confirm that no burn in is required on the V7 op-amps so just start enjoying!

Had not listened to that one for a while and I can see where things can go awry. I tried it with both the 64 Ohm tuned with enhanced bass/detailed slightly on the warm side and the 32 Ohm ultra resolution. Neither had any hint of sibilance. The 64 Ohm is smooth as can be without any hint of...

Well said. I am using an Auralic Aries G1, a modified Bel Canto DAC 3.7 and a 2023 Burson 3X GT with V7 Vivid op-amps and upgraded power supply connected with Wywires Diamond and Platinum cables. There is no hint sibilance or other unwelcome distortions on my 32 Ohm XTC2’s. Having strived for...