So after a long afternoon of checking the Canada Post website for an update (they were noted as "Out for Delivery" since 7am this morning, but without a delivery attempt), I left work a little early only to confirm, no delivery.
So I had to go to the bank down the street and coincidentally right next to the post office and there was the Canada Post van. So I thought I'd ask the carrier if he had a shipment for me. He said he was done for the day, but would look in the back. Low and behold, he had a box for me. It was the T1s!
Only 4 days later than their guaranteed delivery date and if not for this coincidental run-in, it would have been 5 days later...if not longer.
So long story short, I'm currently at home with them. My initial thoughts are:
1.) They are about as comfortable as my pair of DT880s (2005 ed...now sold), which is a good thing as I thought they were the most comfortable cans I've ever owned. The clamping force is slightly higher though, but it doesn't really bother me. Overall very comfortable!
2.) Construction: very solid. In form they remind my of the DT880s from a distance, but when you get in close, you can tell that these are very special cans indeed. They feel incredibly solid with an incredible stock cable (including a Neutrik jack). Now, I do think that cables make a difference, but it would be hard to beat this one. I can barely tell the difference between my Kimber Hero RCA cables and other ultra high end ones. But, to my ears, there is a big difference between my cables and say what you get at the local Best Buy.
3.) The aluminum storage case is incredible. I was really impressed with the HD800 and D7000 storage boxes, but to me, they are nothing like this.
Now how they sound...
Please note that I've only had them on my head for a very limited time.
They sound incredible! Deep, deep bass extension (although I think I still prefer the more impactful D7000 presentation of bass). From listening to the HD800s this past weekend, I found their bass a little lacking, but not lacking on the T1s. From what I remember, the quantity is quite a bit better than the HD800s and quality wise...I would say identical...too close for my ears to tell the difference as they both reach way deep down and are very well controlled.
The mids don't seem as recessed as the D7000s, they are nice and forward and with a tinge of a silky lush sound. Which I love, as I found the DT880s a little thin in this department and ultimately the reason I sold them.
The highs are really nice and not rolled off in any way (hello SE530s), nor are they peaky like the Grado presentation. Overall very nice.
I agree with many other people's impressions that they are very musical sounding and not as analytical as I found the HD800s and K701s. So for me that is a good thing. But the sound stage of the HD800s and micro detail retrieval seems to be the tops on the Senns (though not by much from what I can hear when comparing the T1s).
Compared to the Denon AH-D7000s, the T1s are far more neutral with deeper bass (though the Denon's are more impactful like my home theater setup). The mids are clearer on the T1s and more forward. The highs are both spectacular. When you get to this level ($1000+), from what I've heard, it's not which can is better, but which can is better for me.
So far on my 3 listening sessions with the HD800s, I thought I might find them too clinical to find sufficient head time, but the T1s are sounding more my style. Who knows, I still might add the HD800s to my collection down the road as I was still very impressed, but later in the year...
I will have to listen to these puppies a little longer to burn them/me in, but so far with my Cambridge DacMagic --> MAD Ear+HD Tube amp, I think that they will be with me for a long, long time!
