I posted my impressions on Reddit but thought I may as well copy them here too. Please keep in mind this is my first ever review so I’m learning how to describe audio.
Below I will compare the Atticus to two of my favorite “mid-fi” cans. All these comparisons were made with a Bimby/Lyr 2. Perhaps this can help others who are also looking to upgrade.
HD650 – Biggest differences between these two headphones are the Atticus’ improved bass and soundstage. The Atticus has tighter bass with more slam and punch to it. The HD 650 has a lack of weight to the sub-bass in comparison. When going back and forth between headphones, songs with heavy bass (Billie Jean and A Day in the Life) there’s a lack of body to the songs with the HD 650. The Atticus bass is amazing in that it has a certain heft and physical presence to it, yet it never interferes with the rest of the music. The voices on both headphones are among the best I’ve heard but I’d have to give a slight nod to the Atticus. I would say the HD650 sounds more natural due to its open nature. The Atticus however has an advantage in that the increased soundstage creates more separation in the mids. In songs with a lot going on (Concrete Jungle and Da Art of Storytellin Pt.1) voices with the Atticus are at center stage and clearly defined. The HD650 sounds claustrophobic in comparison and instruments begin to blend together. Treble on both headphones is just the way I like it – smooth and laid back. If there’s one thing I detest in headphones, it’s treble peaks. I might have to give a slight edge to the Atticus in detail retrieval, but it’s nothing significant. Comfort on both is excellent, although I would give the edge to the HD 650 due to it’s smaller form and weight. I can comfortably walk around the house with the 650 or lie down in bed. Overall I would say the HD650 punches way above it’s price point, especially at the Massdrop price of $200. I would also recommend the Atticus for anyone who’s heavily invested in this hobby and looking for an upgrade.
Thx00 Purpleheart – Keep in mind that these aren’t stock. I couldn’t stand the stock pads so I switched to ZMF Ori’s and added an attenuation ring. I usually have felt circles beneath the pads to tame the treble, but I removed them for this comparison. There’s a much greater emphasis on sub-bass with Purplehearts and an overall greater bass presence compared to the Atticus. This can be either good or bad depending on your preferences. The bass rumble can be pleasing but it will also detract from the rest of the music and obscure details. The Atticus is quick, precise, and punchy. I will say though that the Atticus responds very well to EQ with the Schiit Loki. I can raise the sub-bass to Purpleheart levels without detracting too much from the midrange. Speaking of the mid-range, this is where the Atticus really separates itself from the PH. Vocals are more upfront and clearly defined. Atticus has a bigger soundstage as well. The PH are similar to the HD650 in that they seem to run out of space on songs with multiple instruments. I much prefer the laid back treble of the Atticus vs the energetic PH. The PH reminds me of the m50x (which I did not like) in that it pushes every detail towards your ears. This, combined with some treble peaks, can be quickly fatiguing. The Atticus on the other hand is probably more detailed but you can choose if you’d like focus on the microdynamics. The details aren’t in your face, but rather have their clearly defined space and invite you to pay attention to different parts of songs. For those looking for a direct Thx00 upgrade, I don’t know if the Atticus is it. The Atticus is a clearly superior headphone imo, but it’s a different sound signature. I’m interested in listening to the th900, as that appears to share a lot of the thx00’s characteristics.
Overall I’m very happy with my Atticus purchase(s) and over the coming months I’ll be thinning down the heard and selling headphones I don’t listen to much. I also have an incoming Auteur, so I’ll make sure to post comparisons when I receive it. Thanks for reading and happy holidays.