I feel the same when I read Audeze comment.
This thread may be one of the fastest response in head-fi history.
One reason is that many people excite to hear an affordable phones from Audeze
Another reason is that Mike keep posting all positive thing about EL-8 since day one. Mike also keep on inform us about EL-8 and make this thread very lively. I'm very appreciate for your contribute
@mikemercer.
For all black version, If Audeze look back in this thread. Many people don't like wood veneer, when they saw picture of EL-8. So it is not only Mike that want an all black, many people including me also want. So I hope that, next time, Audeze should find some proper way to response.
Thanks
@mikroski!!
I greatly appreciate the kind words - and believe me -
TO ANYBODY WHO READS THIS:
I was (just being straight-up) almost afraid of the EL-8s, and having to write yet more glowing things about Audeze!! Especially because
@warrenpchi and I heard the prototype months ago - so I knew there was something wholly new coming - and I was already digging the headphones!
It's something I s/w my cousin Kenny (K works for Stevie Wonder - how we got Stevie to the Audeze booth at CES - and he's older than me - in his fifties, so he's also like a big brother) and I speak about often. I worry about appearing as a shill. And I'm NO SHILL. There are reasons I've managed to build-up a solid and loyal readership over the years: Agree w/ me, hate on me, whichever you choose - but I leave it ALL on the field when I play - Meaning I give this hobby/industry/community everything I have in my reporting -
I love music and great sound, and writing most of all!
So I don't take anybody for granted who's taken the time to read my words
However, we're living in wonderfully strange times my fellow Head-Fiers!!
I mean, when did brand-loyalty in a writer/reviewer become so taboo???
Kenny had a good point recently - Harry Pearson (my first mentor, the Founder of
The Absolute Sound - the man who actually coined the term "high-end audio") always had his top reference, and they didn't change often - I'm talking about Loudspeaker systems - but nonetheless - since I met Harry (until we lost him months ago) he may have had four large speakers systems in Rm 3 (his main listening room - where he had the Genesis 1s, Nola Grand Reference System, and Sceana for example).
He held onto his top reference loudspeaker systems because he believed that once he got to know their sonic character - he could more easily identify and assess the components in for review. Keeping that one variable consistent - he basically gave himself a window into the music - and also gave himself a baseline.
Well, Audeze are my top reference (from my LCD-3 to my X) alongside my trusty HD800s. And they've become and invaluable tool in my personal audio arsenal!!
So now I'm pumped to report that the EL-8 open-backs (in case you missed my first article about them yesterday -
HERE'S A LINK) continue to open-up, and the bass, wow, the bass is where I hear the biggest difference!! There's greater velocity, things seem faster, especially the sub-bass, which is, while not being quite a full as an LCD (which it shouldn't be at this price) I can't think of another set of cans, again, At This Price - with such full-bodied, detailed bass and lower-mids. Having owned both (and now ovet
Well - lemme say this for now - because I think it illustrates what I'm saying better than my words:
The newly arrived for review Burson Conductor Virtuoso and LCD-XC have been keeping me glued to the music for hours at a time.
I decided to try the EL-8s, reminding myself of their cost, design, etc...
I thought I'd be switching back to the XC immediately -
BUT: The sound of the Virtuoso + EL-8 was also satisfying enough that I plugged the EL-8 s in around 8:00PM last night.
It's 4:35AM here - and I haven't switched back yet!
To be clear: I still think the LCD-XC is on another level from the EL-8 - but it was very surprising to make that change, and not be so consumed by the differences in fidelity that I needed to go back ASAP!! I think that says more about the EL-8s performance than my charged prose at the moment:
Audeze did what any company would do and put out a fire before it got out of control. Could you imagine if everyone cancelled their order based on Mike's unofficial comments. I agree that he has done a lot to help hype the el-8, but business is business and Mike isn't an Audeze employee. They didn't do anything out of the ordinary.
I'm glad that Audeze checks these forums and is interacting with Head-Fi members. I don't see a lot of other larger companies doing that.
DAMN.
Well said sir,
Well said!!
