[Scubadevils]

Thanks, I am sure you are right but alas this is somewhat outside my league financially. It would be great and very helpful if you could give us your view on IE900 vs Xelento 2 for classical.

No problem, I’ll have a listen over the next few days.

Btw, FW10000 is actually cheaper than the IE900, about $1,300 or so from Amazon… but it’s not as easy to recommend.

 

[batracom]

No problem, I’ll have a listen over the next few days.

Btw, FW10000 is actually cheaper than the IE900, about $1,300 or so from Amazon… but it’s not as easy to recommend.

Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be available in the UK, so customs charges come on top and make it quite expensive…
A refurb IE900 from Sennheiser direct is 1100 pounds, while the Xelento remote 2 is 900 pounds from Amazon UK or the UK distributor…so Xelento 2 is actually very good value all said and done. Looking forward to seeing your IE900 vs Xelento 2 comparison for classical!

 

[royiko]

I’ve mostly listened to modern classical music up to recently, but the JVC / Victor FW10K has me now exploring a lot more classical music, it’s a more specialist DD but absolutely stunning with classical, jazz, acoustic etc - the best I’ve heard.

I’ll have to listen to both IE900 and Xelento 2 again with classical to hear which I prefer, but given you mentioned classical, I had to flag the FW10K!

For those genres, do you feel it's better than Turii Ti?

 

[PureViewer4t1]

It's just compensating a "hole" in the frequency response of the Xelento that both of Crinacle and Oratory1990 measured from Hong Kong or Austria ... it's not increased to a higher level than other frequencies (still less after EQ).
It's worth to give a try with Poweramp EQ (android 10+) and, for sure, your ears won't be bleeding at all. It's basically just bringing, to some high mids, some more details (cymbals will be airier, less muffled and almost nothing else really noticeable)

Already did it with Neutron and I couldn't stand it with metal or rock. Either it's mastering or I'm too sensitive to 4-5 kHz range or both.
It will be useful for classical music though.

 

[iFi audio]

Unfortunately, I had 2 iFi Go Blu which died after a few months or a year, probably by using a wrong "power supply" .. it's not well protected.

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that.

1) iFi Go Blu's sound quality with Xelento have some permanent background hiss in balanced cable mode, but it is really very good and convincing with unbalanced cable. It's a very compact BT receiver with a good range at 990Kbps, and the best playing time length (12 hours or more in single ended mode). I like the 2 dsp features for low volume level (xbass and xspace). So it could have been my preferred dongle, without the issues.

2) BTR7 is a too bulky BT dongle (with a good 990kBps range), with a very low playing time length.. sound quality is very good and totally hiss free with any IEM, it's abit more powerful quite able to drive properly some Headphones. I don't like to use this dongle as it is too bulky with a too short playing time.

3) Shanling UP4 2022 is in between, hiss free with Xelento in balanced mode, but the sound is a bit less convincing than the iFi Go Blu. Playing time is also a bit shorter than the iFi Go Blu (between 1 to 2 hours less). Actually I am using this one every night until the iFi Go Blu will come back from service.. if it is serviced under warranty.

Thanks, that's a very useful feedback. GO blu is quite powerful for a device its size, so with sensitive IEMs one can hear some mild hiss. Thanks for giving it a try and I hope that you'll have it soon in your hands

 

[newworld666]

Thanks, that's a very useful feedback. GO blu is quite powerful for a device its size, so with sensitive IEMs one can hear some mild hiss. Thanks for giving it a try and I hope that you'll have it soon in your hands

It seems iFi services didn't find any issue with my last iFi Go Blu I have sent them end of December..
So I am waiting that they send me it back and I will try with some other power supplies..

 

[iFi audio]

It seems iFi services didn't find any issue with my last iFi Go Blu I have sent them end of December..
So I am waiting that they send me it back and I will try with some other power supplies..

Sure, understood. As per our manual, any charger rated up to 1A/6.3V is good. You can use a regular USB out of your laptop/PC to see whether that works (it should!) and then move from there, thanks!

 

[freelancr]

Listening recommendation for the Xelento 2. That tabla sound is conveyed so immersive. Wow.

 

[chortya]

I have paired Xelento 2 woth BTR7, slight improvement of SQ over the official neckband and massive battery life improvement, very impressive bluetooth sound! Now I am looking for the official 4.4mm cable that is part of the wired Xelento2 package... Beyerdynamic support is not helpful, they denied an option to purchase that cable separately.

 

[batracom]

To

No problem, I’ll have a listen over the next few days.

Btw, FW10000 is actually cheaper than the IE900, about $1,300 or so from Amazon… but it’s not as easy to recommend.

Have you been able to make this comparison at all? Am very much looking forward to your impressions on Xelento 2 vs IE900 for classical. Thanks!

 

[Scubadevils]

To

Have you been able to make this comparison at all? Am very much looking forward to your impressions on Xelento 2 vs IE900 for classical. Thanks!

Sorry not yet, I’ve been up to my eyes in work lately and any listening has been very much background - I’ll have an opportunity on Sunday and will set a reminder.

 

[batracom]

Sorry not yet, I’ve been up to my eyes in work lately and any listening has been very much background - I’ll have an opportunity on Sunday and will set a reminder.

No worries, and thanks! Looking forward to reading your analysis

 

[vladzakhar]

Hello guys, does anybody know if there is another small iems like Xelento sound and comfort wise but with 2pin connection?

 

[HiFlight]

Hello guys, does anybody know if there is another small iems like Xelento sound and comfort wise but with 2pin connection?

Seek Real Audio Airship is close.

 

[Scubadevils]

No worries, and thanks! Looking forward to reading your analysis

I’ve just had a listen and flipped back and forth a few times - Xelento 2 sounds more full bodied and forward in my test track in terms of piano and strings, whereas IE900 is more airy and spacious and has more precise notes. Xelento 2 somewhat more intimate, IE900 spans a larger field and more resolving. They both sound excellent, and I guess it will come down to a preference in the style of tuning.

My test track, let me know if any other you’d like me to try.

https://tidal.com/track/251352965