[TheOneInYellow]

  Can anyone speculate as to why I've never experienced any such audibly occlusion with my MrSpeaker's Ether C?  They seal just as tightly - maybe even more so....
 
Very interesting challenge for the planar side of the business.

 
Yes.
 
Different design.
 
Remember that it is not the transducer that just does the sound, but the internal design of the headphone around the transducer too (yes, this includes the AKG K 1000 and that weird but cool Sony PFR-V1 that I still want just because reasons).
 
As most know, Dan Clark pioneered 3D printed earcups with huge internal air pressure area designs, starting with his discontinued Prime series before actually making his own from-the-ground-up Ether series. That extra air pressure relieves the drivers, and less need for heavy magnets.
 
I love Audeze designs don't get me wrong, but I think Mr Speaker's is onto something with his take on Planar (and electrostatic) technology

 

[khatch]

Fascinating.....

 

[freitz]

Every time I see complaints I try to recreate for myself and I have zero issues no crinkle.
 
I would talk with audeze customer service if it bothers you.

 

[ddoyle777]

I'm really glad to know that someone has a zero issue crinkle set.  I'm waiting for my third pair to be delivered and I hope I can put this behind me and just listen to music.

 

[oxbld]

   
This has been discussed numerous times, ever since HiFiMan and Audeze restarted the Planar Headphone Age.
 
Every single planar driver exhibits this issue, but the degree to how much this is perceivable is different per headphone and per person.
 
The issue is to do with seal and air pressure between your ears and the planar driver, and is exacerbated with closed back designs predominantly.
 
Essentially, if the seal is too good, especially on both EL-8 CB (2015 or 2016 models) and EL-8 Titanium, and you lightly touch the earcups, or move your head more than moderately, then you will hear this 'crinkling' sound.
 
Even Z Reviews mentions this, and he had the Audeze El-8 open back (very likely the 2016 model).
 
On the EL-8 series, if you don't seal too much (allow some external air to pass between the pads and your head), the crinkling noise should dissipate.
 
However, in rare cases (from the 2016 versions), if the crinkling occurs with extremely minor movement, or with a poor seal you still hear this noise, contact Audeze customer services immediately.
 
 
Here's the video of the Z Reviews review of Audeze EL-8 (I think the 2016 model); watch from around the 6 mins mark and the reviewer will mention the crinkling noise, or as he describes it, "crunch crunch":
 
 

 
This really bothered me at first, then I realized it didn't happen when I wore my glasses.  Problem solved, ha!
 
I've never noticed the crinkling with my LCD-2, but it's possible that I've never listened to them without my glasses on.

 

[freitz]

   
This really bothered me at first, then I realized it didn't happen when I wore my glasses.  Problem solved, ha!
 
I've never noticed the crinkling with my LCD-2, but it's possible that I've never listened to them without my glasses on.

Maybe this is more of a problem with the open backed EL-8's?

 

[natalieann]

I swear, the titanium has become my favorite closed back......Incredible

 

[freitz]

  I swear, the titanium has become my favorite closed back......Incredible

The Titanium should sound the same as the current 2016 EL-8 Closed right?

 

[natalieann]

  The Titanium should sound the same as the current 2016 EL-8 Closed right?

Yes, I would assume so...The materials are a bit different, so there might be a slight difference in sound, but not much

 

[inthere]

I swear, the titanium has become my favorite closed back......Incredible

I keep trying to explain that if you have a non-defective pair of these phones, they're among the best sounding out there..........

 

[freitz]

I keep trying to explain that if you have a non-defective pair of these phones, they're among the best sounding out there..........

Agreed.

 

[obzilla]

  The Titanium should sound the same as the current 2016 EL-8 Closed right?

Had them both, yes, they are exactly the same. Cypher cable being the only difference. When you use the same cabling they are exactly the same.... except of course for the sexy ass finish on my titaniums

 

[freitz]

  Had them both, yes, they are exactly the same. Cypher cable being the only difference. When you use the same cabling they are exactly the same.... except of course for the sexy ass finish on my titaniums

Funny you say that I prefer the tradition finish over the titanium. When I bought 2 months ago I liked the wood grain on the side much better.

 

[obzilla]

  I swear, the titanium has become my favorite closed back......Incredible

 
Ditto. I work in a large open space office building where half the staff thinks it's summer camp. I toss these on and perfect seal, perfect sound.
It only gets better at home with the LCD3s but, unfair comparison.

 

[obzilla]

  Funny you say that I prefer the tradition finish over the titanium. When I bought 2 months ago I liked the wood grain on the side much better.

 
 
Personal preference. I think the wood looks 'fancier' so I don't want that at the office or when commuting. The black and silver, most people probably assume they are some Bose or something.
At home I have the LCD3s and love their look, which is obviously wood so.. horses for courses I guess.