Alrright, received the Zeus today! First impressions are positive, if a little mixed. The sound profile is definitely on the warm, smooth side. Everything sounds a little muted, dark, very easy to listen to and enjoy. It is a big, fairly dynamic sound overall; I can see why the comparison to a music hall. While the soundstage is not gigantic, the dark tilt and good warmth definitely make the HP sound grandious. I think calling them veiled would not be fair, but the dark tilt certainly mutes details a little and they are not quite as good in micro details (depending on how much bass a sound has), though macro details are very good. They definitely sound musical and have an engaging sound. Bass is very good in terms of being enveloping and punchy, though sub-bass is a little rolled off. Mids are very smooth and due to the upper bass blanket effect, very smooth, but the texture is certainly good, if a little blunted. Treble extension seems reasonably good, certainly smooth, though not very airy. Sibilance is managed very well with these, vocals can sound a little honky due to the emphasis, but this depends on the range a lot and is not bad. Imaging is average. Comfort is fairly good. The headband could use a little more padding, but so far no hotspots; pads are very nice but the overall clamp is a little high and the headband does not seem receptive to bending. Overall, I'd say these are a very easy listen headphones. I am not sure I'll be keeping them; they are not exactly to my preferences, but they are very pleasant and toe tapping to listen to! The Zeus does feel like a semi open headphone, with the sound qualities associated with that and more isolation than a typical open back headphone.
Now compared to the R70X, they are definitely not as neutral, with the darker, warmer tild. Leading edge / attack of instruments is blunted, there is a less air and micro details are a tie at best, though I'd probably give the nod to the R70x. Macro details is exually good. They both smear the instruments together somewhat, but the Zeus can do it a bit more I think the bass overall, subjectively is better on the Zeus as it sounds bigger and more consistently enveloping in a sense; it is also a more dynamic sounding headphone in the bass IMO, though overall dynamics are somewhat a tie due to the blunting of the edges. Bass guitars have more presence on the Zeus. Sub-bass is more extended on the 70X. The Zeus sounds bigger, but it does not image as well. Sounmdstage sounds more roomy but I'd say it is not much bigger overall. Vocals definitely sound more weighty on the Zeus, but they are more extended and breathy on the R70x. Sibilance is not an issue at all due to the dark tuning, but it is fine on the R70x too. Different vocal texture flavor, it is hard to pick which is better. Treble is clearer and airier on the R70X and more rolled off on the Zeus. Overall timbre is definitely warmer and the sound is weightier on the Zeus, while the R70X is moer neutral and airy, with a nimbler touch. Genre wise, I'd say they are both equally versatile. The 70x is more accurate, agile and breathy, while the Zeus is just a really easy listen with a darker, enjoyable tilt towards the bass. Comfort wise, the headband feels more comfy on the R70X but the pads are definitely better on the Zeus. Short term comfort would be a win for the 70X but long term probably goes to the Zeus because no pressure spots on the ears. Build quality so far on the Zeus feels solid, but my Japan made R70X also felt fine.
Now compared to the R70X, they are definitely not as neutral, with the darker, warmer tild. Leading edge / attack of instruments is blunted, there is a less air and micro details are a tie at best, though I'd probably give the nod to the R70x. Macro details is exually good. They both smear the instruments together somewhat, but the Zeus can do it a bit more I think the bass overall, subjectively is better on the Zeus as it sounds bigger and more consistently enveloping in a sense; it is also a more dynamic sounding headphone in the bass IMO, though overall dynamics are somewhat a tie due to the blunting of the edges. Bass guitars have more presence on the Zeus. Sub-bass is more extended on the 70X. The Zeus sounds bigger, but it does not image as well. Sounmdstage sounds more roomy but I'd say it is not much bigger overall. Vocals definitely sound more weighty on the Zeus, but they are more extended and breathy on the R70x. Sibilance is not an issue at all due to the dark tuning, but it is fine on the R70x too. Different vocal texture flavor, it is hard to pick which is better. Treble is clearer and airier on the R70X and more rolled off on the Zeus. Overall timbre is definitely warmer and the sound is weightier on the Zeus, while the R70X is moer neutral and airy, with a nimbler touch. Genre wise, I'd say they are both equally versatile. The 70x is more accurate, agile and breathy, while the Zeus is just a really easy listen with a darker, enjoyable tilt towards the bass. Comfort wise, the headband feels more comfy on the R70X but the pads are definitely better on the Zeus. Short term comfort would be a win for the 70X but long term probably goes to the Zeus because no pressure spots on the ears. Build quality so far on the Zeus feels solid, but my Japan made R70X also felt fine.
Last edited:
