Okay, so a few quick recent impressions about my Atticus (in African Padauk). I've been on a Tull jag most of today, middle career material (Heavy Horses, Crest of a Knave, Broadsword and the Beast). Audio chain is FiiO X5 III > Citypulse Rush series DAC/AMP > Atticus (stock unbalanced cable). No EQ employed.
Normally, I prefer an open (or semi-open) set of cans with this DAC, but it's hot today and my a/c is loud.
Somewhat wider than average sound stage with excellent instrument placement (imaging?). Ian's vocals are crisp and clean, and dead center in my head with the remainder of the sound coming from outside, but still pretty close, if that makes sense. A touch of sibilance, mostly in the left channel, but I think that's the recording, not the cans. Bass is fast and tight, but not overpowering. Mids very accurate, but I am finding the highs to be a bit abrasive (again, I believe this is the nature of the recordings, all are Steven Wilson re-masters). This can easily be tamed by adjusting the EQ.
Comfort-wise, these were made for my head! Cans are not at all fatiguing. My preferences lean toward heavy cans with firm clamp. These are right in my comfort zone. No hot spots and they remain where I placed them despite my moving my head to the music a bit (not head-banging, just some hippy dancin'!)
I'm on my third hour of listening and I could keep going if I didn't have to leave for a concert in a few mins.
Happy weekend, y'all!!!!
