Audeze CRBN Interview, Review, Measurements

[Audeze]

I am sorry to be the lone voice of dissent on the CRBNs. Maybe it is my amplification that is coloring my perspective. I am using the ifi pro iESL energizer connected to the speaker taps of a Ragnarok2 Maybe this isn't good enough. Given the cost of the CRBNs and the iESL, which I got just for the CRBNs, I am loathe to spend a few thousand more on an estat amplifier when I can't be sure that it will make a material difference. Honestly and truly, I want to like these or I wouldn't have bought them so quickly. Well, I will just wait until more people weigh in on how they sound to them. I am a trained musician as well and I know what I hear, but I will be the first to admit that maybe it's my system. Thanks.

We were just curious. send us your serial number and we can look up the notes from the assembly. Also we will be in NYC for CanJam in February with a couple of different amps.

 

[BTD1]

I will try running the CRBNs through my iFi Pro iCAN Signature, Pro iDSD, iESL stack. I had not thought to do this before, but since the iCAN has XBass and two different tube modes as well as a lot of power, this might produce a better result. These headphones are lovely and very comfortable. I'm not giving up. I really appreciate the helpful comments from several forum members.

 

[rayofsi]

CRBN Production is ramping up. It is a little slower than we planned, but we also dont want to rush things with CRBN. Our goal is to ship before holidays.

Can you comment if Audeze is prioritizing Direct sales over dealer orders? I'm reading 6-7 weeks for direct orders, where as dealer orders 19+ weeks and counting.

 

[Ciggavelli]

One thing the CRBN has over the SR1as, is that the CRBN actually has sub-bass and doesn't cut off like the SR1as. I think the SR1as might have a bit higher resolution, and the soundstage is definitely larger. The CRBN has great imaging and layering, and a somewhat taller soundstage than I'm used too (it is similiar to what I remember when I had the Solitaire Ps).

I'm liking the speed and dynamics of the CRBN, and it appears similar to the SR1as

These are definitely great with very fast metal, like this:

 

[branislav]

Not to digress, but why is metal mentioned here on headfi much more frequently than on Audiogon (where female vocals theme is reoccuring)?

 

[Ciggavelli]

Not to digress, but why is metal mentioned here on headfi much more frequently than on Audiogon (where female vocals theme is reoccuring)?

Yeah, there are a lot of metalheads on Head-fi. Maybe the demographics skew younger on head-fi. Also, there is a large Abyss, Audeze, and ZMF following in the Summit-FI section, which sound great with metal. Some of the stables of the hobby don't play metal well. So maybe that combo accounts for the larger amount of metal heads on head-fi compared to other forums

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I'm partial to Lacuna Coil myself

 

[ThanatosVI]

One thing the CRBN has over the SR1as, is that the CRBN actually has sub-bass and doesn't cut off like the SR1as. I think the SR1as might have a bit higher resolution, and the soundstage is definitely larger. The CRBN has great imaging and layering, and a somewhat taller soundstage than I'm used too (it is similiar to what I remember when I had the Solitaire Ps).

I'm liking the speed and dynamics of the CRBN, and it appears similar to the SR1as

These are definitely great with very fast metal, like this:

How is the Bass compared to Susvara and LCD-4?

 

[Ciggavelli]

How is the Bass compared to Susvara and LCD-4?

There is more bass quantity on the Susvaras and LCD-4s. I think the bass quality is better on the Susvaras and CRBNs (I need to do more comparisons to see which is better). The LCD-4s have great tone though, and mix well with genres I like (it's just got a thicker sound than the other 2 headphones)

 

[amsync]

Hi everyone, so today the CRBN arrived, exactly one week after my X9K arrived, just like magic! It is waaay too early to share any impressions, mostly because I haven't really had time to do a proper (initial) listening but I see a lot of other folks have gotten this batch delivery and more impressions are coming in. I have been doing some photography of the new CRBN to show some unusual close-up angles and also direct comparisons to the X9K. You can just see exactly how large these drivers are compared to the equally very large X9K drivers! Hopefully this is helpful/enjoyable to some of you.

 

[Ciggavelli]

Hi everyone, so today the CRBN arrived, exactly one week after my X9K arrived, just like magic! It is waaay too early to share any impressions, mostly because I haven't really had time to do a proper (initial) listening but I see a lot of other folks have gotten this batch delivery and more impressions are coming in. I have been doing some photography of the new CRBN to show some unusual close-up angles and also direct comparisons to the X9K. You can just see exactly how large these drivers are compared to the equally very large X9K drivers! Hopefully this is helpful/enjoyable to some of you.

What's your setup (dac, amp)?

 

[amsync]

What's your setup (dac, amp)?

Pink Faun Ultra OCXO (either via I2S lossless or USB/HQP) -> Holo Audio May KTE -> BHSE

 

[amsync]

There is more bass quantity on the Susvaras and LCD-4s. I think the bass quality is better on the Susvaras and CRBNs (I need to do more comparisons to see which is better). The LCD-4s have great tone though, and mix well with genres I like (it's just got a thicker sound than the other 2 headphones)

I agree with this with regard to LCD-4. (cannot speak for Susvara) but I want to point out one word that popped into my brain immediately so far in the very short first impression, also as compared against the X9K:

TIMBRE, particularly on the low end. As far as accuracy/quality of bass timbre it is the best I have yet heard from any estat headphone. It did make me remember how hard it was to sell my LCD-4. I reserve the right to change my mind as its early, but I think it is better than the X9K.

Example: Sangam by Charles Lloyd
The drum solos at the beginning and the rapid percussions at the end are just superb in terms of accuracy and depth. I believe I am listening to real drums and can hear the variety of drums. On the X9K the drums are not as realistic in timbre, although it is very close and still very good. The extra bit of body that the CRBN produces here is helping it achieve this better reproduction. It is also effortless. Many estats when trying to increase or improve bass are audibly stretched, not so here.

On the other side, this track of live music sounds much more open on the X9K. What is particularly interesting (and probably significant technically for other reasons?) is how the applause gets rendered through. A weird example I know, but stay with me. At the end of the drum solo there is an enthusiastic response from the audience with wide applause. On the CRBN this is audible but you may not even really notice it much. And it certainly isn't something that stands out. The X9K manages to reproduce this entire spectrum as if its is coming from another headphone. You truly feel sitting among the crowd and you hear the instruments continuing while you hear the applause around you from your seat. Just a demonstration of the difference of soundstage/depth but I thought of this example as I've never heard a headphone do this so succinct and perfectly.

 

[Ciggavelli]

I agree with this with regard to LCD-4. (cannot speak for Susvara) but I want to point out one word that popped into my brain immediately so far in the very short first impression, also as compared against the X9K:

TIMBRE, particularly on the low end. As far as accuracy/quality of bass timbre it is the best I have yet heard from any estat headphone. It did make me remember how hard it was to sell my LCD-4. I reserve the right to change my mind as its early, but I think it is better than the X9K.

Example: Sangam by Charles Lloyd
The drum solos at the beginning and the rapid percussions at the end are just superb in terms of accuracy and depth. I believe I am listening to real drums and can hear the variety of drums. On the X9K the drums are not as realistic in timbre, although it is very close and still very good. The extra bit of body that the CRBN produces here is helping it achieve this better reproduction. It is also effortless. Many estats when trying to increase or improve bass are audibly stretched, not so here.

On the other side, this track of live music sounds much more open on the X9K. What is particularly interesting (and probably significant technically for other reasons?) is how the applause gets rendered through. A weird example I know, but stay with me. At the end of the drum solo there is an enthusiastic response from the audience with wide applause. On the CRBN this is audible but you may not even really notice it much. And it certainly isn't something that stands out. The X9K manages to reproduce this entire spectrum as if its is coming from another headphone. You truly feel sitting among the crowd and you hear the instruments continuing while you hear the applause around you from your seat. Just a demonstration of the difference of soundstage/depth but I thought of this example as I've never heard a headphone do this so succinct and perfectly.

My X9K is supposedly coming mid-Jan, but I’m not going to get my hopes up, considering how long people have been waiting. I’m really excited to try them out!

I was testing the bass on the CRBNs earlier, with some hip-hop albums. Hip-hop is listenable with the CRBNs surprisingly. There is that sub-bass I want and it is separated out enough from the rest of the spectrum. Are they TC level bass? Of course not, but they also aren’t SR1a bass either, where the SR1as are unable to go super low with the sub bass.

I also think with some eq, we could probably increase the bass quantity. Though, I’m not versed enough with EQ to try it out.

 

[Chefguru]

I agree with this with regard to LCD-4. (cannot speak for Susvara) but I want to point out one word that popped into my brain immediately so far in the very short first impression, also as compared against the X9K:

TIMBRE, particularly on the low end. As far as accuracy/quality of bass timbre it is the best I have yet heard from any estat headphone. It did make me remember how hard it was to sell my LCD-4. I reserve the right to change my mind as its early, but I think it is better than the X9K.

Example: Sangam by Charles Lloyd
The drum solos at the beginning and the rapid percussions at the end are just superb in terms of accuracy and depth. I believe I am listening to real drums and can hear the variety of drums. On the X9K the drums are not as realistic in timbre, although it is very close and still very good. The extra bit of body that the CRBN produces here is helping it achieve this better reproduction. It is also effortless. Many estats when trying to increase or improve bass are audibly stretched, not so here.

On the other side, this track of live music sounds much more open on the X9K. What is particularly interesting (and probably significant technically for other reasons?) is how the applause gets rendered through. A weird example I know, but stay with me. At the end of the drum solo there is an enthusiastic response from the audience with wide applause. On the CRBN this is audible but you may not even really notice it much. And it certainly isn't something that stands out. The X9K manages to reproduce this entire spectrum as if its is coming from another headphone. You truly feel sitting among the crowd and you hear the instruments continuing while you hear the applause around you from your seat. Just a demonstration of the difference of soundstage/depth but I thought of this example as I've never heard a headphone do this so succinct and perfectly.

This is the kind of comparison I've been dying to hear.
Can you comment on the "wall of sound" effect some have noted with the CRBN ?