[dunkyboy]

I think those are two polar opposite headphones, the APs and Atticus. So much so I wouldn't even bother to compare them to each other.

The Atticus, while I had it, did magical things on my OTL amp. My Crack and Eikon make sweet sweet musical love together. I highly suggest you do try it.

It's the Eikons, not Atticus. But yes, I'm very tempted by a Crack - just worried about hassle if I decide not to keep it, as I'm guessing they're hard to sell (being hand-built)?

 

[ProfFalkin]

It's the Eikons, not Atticus. But yes, I'm very tempted by a Crack - just worried about hassle if I decide not to keep it, as I'm guessing they're hard to sell (being hand-built)?

No, I see quite a few cracks go through the FS forums here, and most seem to sell fairly quickly. I see them go for about $400 with nothing fancy done to them, and upwards of $600 if heavily modified. At $400 for one, you're spending a shade less than the Crack+SB kit will run you directly from BH.

Honestly, I'd suggest getting a $20 multimeter, an iron, some solder and putting it together yourself -vs- buying used. There is something very rewarding in building your own.

 

[Maxx134]

For those desiring a cheap all tube Solution to power Your headphones with up to 1watt look here :

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/any-opinions-reviews-on-gemtune-appj-pa1502a.780178/

 

[zach915m]

My Eikons just arrived (Camphor cups)!

Now, sonic first impressions (after literally an hour of listening)...

Burn those baby's in! I don't know everyone's experience with burn in on the Eikon's but it changes significantly after about 50 hours of burn in and then gets gradually better until about 200 hrs and then your set. Part of this is the thick rubber surround on the driver, the DENSE biocellulose driver that we made thick to move a lot of air, and the fact that there is mechanical damping in the cups that just needs to be exercised.

I suggest pink noise, dubstep and John Denver all at the same time.

 

[zach915m]

2 cents' worth: Eikons are taken to another level when used with 4pin-xlr. Burn in does help, but not as much as going balanced for this pair of cans.

We tried it in store with the Questyle CMA-600i, CMA 400i, MASS-KOBO 404A, MASS-KOBO 394II, AURIS HEADONIA. Not sure if any is available to you, but generally, they took the Eikons to another level. Hope you'll get to try it.

+1

Also if you're in Asia, Kristy just got a bunch of new Eikon/Atticus in her shop "Zeppelin and Co.." Looking at her store I'm jealous we don't have audio Cafe's like this in Chicago, or the USA for that matter. Coffee + Headphones, two of my favorite things! (if there is one like this here let me know!)

http://www.straitstimes.com/tech/audio-cafe-in-sim-lim-square-draws-audiophiles-coffee-lovers

 

[UntilThen]

+1

Also if you're in Asia, Kristy just got a bunch of new Eikon/Atticus in her shop "Zeppelin and Co.." Looking at her store I'm jealous we don't have audio Cafe's like this in Chicago, or the USA for that matter. Coffee + Headphones, two of my favorite things! (if there is one like this here let me know!)

http://www.straitstimes.com/tech/audio-cafe-in-sim-lim-square-draws-audiophiles-coffee-lovers

I need to go 'home' for a visit now.

 

[ProfFalkin]

I suggest pink noise, dubstep and John Denver all at the same time.

No. Oh hell no. I'm sorry... I just can't taint my Eikon with John Denver. Not gonna happen.

Any alternatives? Haha

 

[Maxx134]

I can attest to Greater driver nuance and delicacy in the Eikon after 2 weeks for me.
Also comparisons to the Primes closer presentation would explain the differences noted.

 

[UntilThen]

I suggest pink noise, dubstep and John Denver all at the same time.

Right on... take me home country road.

 

[captkirk]

@zach915m or any other informed owner...

Any burn-in suggestions for the Atticus?

 

[Monsterzero]

@zach915m or any other informed owner...

Any burn-in suggestions for the Atticus?

+1

 

[zach915m]

I can attest to Greater driver nuance and delicacy in the Eikon after 2 weeks for me.
Also comparisons to the Primes closer presentation would explain the differences noted.

Guy Clark! My personal fav.

@zach915m or any other informed owner...

Any burn-in suggestions for the Atticus?

Atticus burns in faster due to the thinner driver membrane in my experience. Still, pink noise for 50 hrs is what I do on my personal sets. And yeah....that other stuff....

 

[dunkyboy]

Burn those baby's in! I don't know everyone's experience with burn in on the Eikon's but it changes significantly after about 50 hours of burn in and then gets gradually better until about 200 hrs and then your set. Part of this is the thick rubber surround on the driver, the DENSE biocellulose driver that we made thick to move a lot of air, and the fact that there is mechanical damping in the cups that just needs to be exercised.

I suggest pink noise, dubstep and John Denver all at the same time.

Haha thanks for the tip! I'll definitely leave them on blasting overnight for the foreseeable. And will def update after living with them for some time.

Dunc

 

[ProfFalkin]

Haha thanks for the tip! I'll definitely leave them on blasting overnight for the foreseeable. And will def update after living with them for some time.

Dunc

Not too loud. Normal listening volume + a little extra, or so I've been told.

 

[Nick-s-f]

My Eikons just arrived (Camphor cups)! I'll be comparing to my beloved MrSpeakers Alpha Primes over the next two weeks - the winner stays.

Build quality is wonderful - feels like old school hand-crafted luxury quality, all wood and metal and leather. Like if summit-fi headphones were around in 1917. Super-comfy; you don't feel the weight, at least initially. The pads are lovely, though wonder if they might feel warm after a while (might not want to wear them on a hot, sweaty day). Got the OFC cable, which seems to be very good quality, though I can't tell for sure which plug is right and which is left??

Now, sonic first impressions (after literally an hour of listening)... I only have my Chord Mojo today, so will test with that via my MacBook Pro. The Mojo sounds *phenomenal* with the Primes, but doesn't gel with everything - it did *not* sound good with the MrSpeakers Aeons when I tried them in a local store - so I'll reserve judgment until I've tried them with other amps. (I'll be in the office tomorrow, with my Schiit Lyr.) So this really is just very early impressions...

Pros:

BIG, chunky, meaty sound! Dynamic, full-fat, tons of power.

Bass is deep, clean, textured, and powerful. Mids are sweet and rich. Treble is very much present, but sweet and natural - not at all grainy or peaky. Overall the frequency response is very balanced and natural, and smoothly integrated.

It's not warm or soft, and has quite a neutral tonal balance, but it's... creamy? Velvety? There's definitely a luscious, seductive smoothness across the frequency range. I think this is the ZMF wood cups and by-ear tuning - I remember it from the ZMF Blackwood Purple Hearts I bought at the same time as my Alpha Primes (and returned), though this is *far* more refined, sweeter, more detailed.

Great pace & rhythm. Nimble and fast. Fun and bouncy.

Soundstage is very open and wide for a closed `phone. (But it's still clearly a closed `phone.)

Cons:

That creamy/velvetiness seems to smooth over detail. My Alpha Primes have subjectively a lot more detail/plankton, and sound a more transparent & clear. The Primes are also more neutral, without any added warmth. Compared to the Primes, the Eikons sound like they're somewhat muddled or coarse. Tones are also sweeter, more colorful, and more accurate on the Primes.

My first impression is that these are beautiful, seductive, delightful, balanced, headphones... but not as good as my Primes. But, I feel there is a hard philosophical dilemma here - euphonic seduction with meat on the bones vs straight-up accuracy with clarity/transparency. But the Primes are far and away the best closed cans I've heard (or even best cans period), so the Eikons have a tough fight on their hands.

But of course all of this comes with three gigantic caveats: 1) I need to try them with other amps, 2) they probably need to burn in, and 3) I need to spend a lot more time with them. I feel like if I got used to the Eikons sound, the Primes might sound anemic and dry... so we'll see how I go after two weeks.

Dunc

P.S. - I'm tempted to get an OTL tube amp to try with them... A Schiit Valhalla would be the obvious choice (15-day return policy, woot), or maybe a second-hand Bottlehead Crack or chi-fi... Will see how the Lyr goes first though.

Your Eikon / AP comparison reminds me of my Ori / AP and how they compare.