Dobrescu George
Reviewer: AudiophileHeaven
Look forward to your reporting of results, could be very interesting. Of course, your simply asking people if they heard a difference between 2 tracks after listening to them is probably a simplification of your methodology, hopefully? Regarding 3, have you take any frequency response measurements on the 2? Could be a problem with one, I had a sample X5, and it sounded pretty darn near identical to the Clip+, but there could be a problem with one of yours (or one of mine) that led to differences in results between your testing and mine. And maybe you've got better ears.
Methodology and other details cannot be made public until I finish the project, which will last at least 2 more years until it comes to it's results.
About 3, it is interesting that some people had not noticed the differences.
For me it was audible, like a difference in signature overall, not just minor differences. BTW, I am using X5II not first gen x5 at the moment, the sound changed in second version, for the good. It responds better to treble, better transients, and better dynamics. Maybe the very efficient amp stage made the difference. Then again, all my music sources have their sound, if I were to say, X5II is the best, while others are all off. Not by much, but it is audible to the average person, without using expensive headphones or anything. Every single device had a signature of it's own. Or maybe I am too picky, and use music that just over-accentuates these differences.