emilsoft
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2014
- Posts
- 1,437
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- 1,185
I have the u12t for few months now. I had the Andromedas before, sold them - I used both with Sony ZX2. The u12t is remarkable in many ways, like the Andromeda I think it is incredibly good but in different ways. I tried the u18t, but found it too bright and tiring, the 12 is more balanced in my view - a more reference sound.
Highlights:
* Scales very well - I can easily discern different source characteristics more so than most other headphones. Sounds bombastic out of ZX2, smooth and delicate out of Arcam rHead+Arcam Airdac.
* ZX2 recommended if you want an involving punchy and ballsy sound, top to bottom.
* Non issues with output impedance, work fine out of any source. Unlike Andros.
* Anything else but Comply tips sound a bit bright around 12-14khz specifically - the tia driver is quite extended and bothers me a bit. Comply tips bring it line neutral/balanced signature.
* It has a freaky seriously wide soundstage with precise imaging, all instruments and voices feel like they have their own driver assigned to them and don't break a sweat; they just pop out of nowhere and you can point them out with your finger - there's the guitar to the left, the vocals centre right, hihats above the vocals but to the left a bit.. it's ridiculous actually, maybe because it's an IEM and it just feels like it shouldn't be physically possible to do this.
* Andromedas are more holistic/coherent, bit clearer, but a bit more boring - sort of like a cleaner HD650. Still fantastic though... but they don't grab you by the ballz like the u12t. The Andros are like being in a good studio with great speakers, room treated well, excellent for analysing and enjoying the music, but you won't be fooled completely that you are listening to a live gig. The u12t are like being stuck front row in a private concert, with the musicians surrounding you.
* The u12t sounds quite analogue, for lack of a better word - there's something almost a bit gritty/aggressive but at the same time warmish and not tiring. Just overall a bombastic sound that demands attention, the bass kicks deep and hard when needed, the treble soars when called for, instruments pop far right and left, behind your head - it doesn't tire but I certainly won't be falling asleep with them because my foot is tapping away uncontrollably.
* Last but not least - frequency is relatively balanced with comply (checked with some frequency sweeps); like a much improved HD650 which is super extended on both ends with a bigger soundstage, and better instrument separation. Watch that tia driver though, it needs to be tamed, use comply (the ones with the wax filter tame it even more if required).. this is it's only achilles heel
Highlights:
* Scales very well - I can easily discern different source characteristics more so than most other headphones. Sounds bombastic out of ZX2, smooth and delicate out of Arcam rHead+Arcam Airdac.
* ZX2 recommended if you want an involving punchy and ballsy sound, top to bottom.
* Non issues with output impedance, work fine out of any source. Unlike Andros.
* Anything else but Comply tips sound a bit bright around 12-14khz specifically - the tia driver is quite extended and bothers me a bit. Comply tips bring it line neutral/balanced signature.
* It has a freaky seriously wide soundstage with precise imaging, all instruments and voices feel like they have their own driver assigned to them and don't break a sweat; they just pop out of nowhere and you can point them out with your finger - there's the guitar to the left, the vocals centre right, hihats above the vocals but to the left a bit.. it's ridiculous actually, maybe because it's an IEM and it just feels like it shouldn't be physically possible to do this.
* Andromedas are more holistic/coherent, bit clearer, but a bit more boring - sort of like a cleaner HD650. Still fantastic though... but they don't grab you by the ballz like the u12t. The Andros are like being in a good studio with great speakers, room treated well, excellent for analysing and enjoying the music, but you won't be fooled completely that you are listening to a live gig. The u12t are like being stuck front row in a private concert, with the musicians surrounding you.
* The u12t sounds quite analogue, for lack of a better word - there's something almost a bit gritty/aggressive but at the same time warmish and not tiring. Just overall a bombastic sound that demands attention, the bass kicks deep and hard when needed, the treble soars when called for, instruments pop far right and left, behind your head - it doesn't tire but I certainly won't be falling asleep with them because my foot is tapping away uncontrollably.
* Last but not least - frequency is relatively balanced with comply (checked with some frequency sweeps); like a much improved HD650 which is super extended on both ends with a bigger soundstage, and better instrument separation. Watch that tia driver though, it needs to be tamed, use comply (the ones with the wax filter tame it even more if required).. this is it's only achilles heel
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