Beyerdynamic Xelento!

[ryanmatic]

(I have both the first generation and the second generation wireless sets, bought from Beyer, to be clear. I also only have driver flex in the left IEM of the second generation set, which irritates me but alas.)

 

[israikc]

I think out of all the things one could say “define” the Xelento, both 1st and 2nd gen, driver flex has to be the definitive answer.

 

[RIGATIO]

I think out of all the things one could say “define” the Xelento, both 1st and 2nd gen, driver flex has to be the definitive answer.

Thats true. The Tesla driver has a very thin membrane and more powerful magnets than a more traditional DD drivers. This causes driver flex but on the other hand this type of driver is able to reproduce a faster and more detailed sound when compared to a DD driver taken out of a shelf. Its like marrying DD driver timbre with a speed of planar.
Im not a fun of Beyer tuning but their hardware is amazing and very capable. They really need to hire someone who will take the lead in tuning their headphones/iems.
Maybe the guy from Canada who tuned Monarch 2 or someone from Moondrop.

 

[RIGATIO]

Im comparing the Xelento OG with the Doscinco right now.
Xelento with Senn ie40 Pro tips sound smooth and laid back. They lack mid energy, i need to crank up the volume significantly to get a proper energy with vocals and some instruments. They still peak at 5 and 8k out of sudden but way less than with any other tips. I feel like there are holes in the overall frequency, like the music doesnt really flow and isnt filled properly in upper mids/trebles.
The Doscinco have a more impactful and deeper bass response but less flooded lower mids at the same time. The most significant difference is in the upper mids/trebles tho. The Doscinco are full, even, without any peaks but with a proper vocal/guitar energy. They are more energetic but somehow more balanced and less fatiguing.
Everything sounds more lively but smoother at the same time.

 

[scarfacegt]

I thought the version 1 was better than the 2 gen. It was something about it. The sound was really engaging and fun. The 2 gen was good. But nothing special about it. My only grip, is that both 1 gen and 2 gen, was/ is, too expensive. But i guess thats the same for all high end iems. Price/ value is poor. I have now ordered the meze alba. Im a little bit tired of paying too much.

 

[ryanmatic]

Yeah, the Xelento is pricey, but some of that is justified (IMO) by the build quality and craft. Campfire Audio comes close to this, but for me the ergonomics/size/build of the Xelento really does put it in a tier of its own. The 2nd generation when it comes to style, specifically.

 

[Running Nightmare]

I use the Beyerdynamic Xelento Remote 2nd generation with an Ibasso DX260. The resolution is brutally precise and the sound is flawless and absolutely musical. Never tiring at any time.

A wonderful example of German engineering and craftsmanship.

 

[rasmushorn]

The Xelento 2nd generation simply disappear in my ears. Best wearing comfort of ANY IEM I have tried to date. And they sound good too! They deserve more hype and attention.

 

[enveedee]

I still have X OG (10000% original as i bought them directly from Beyerdynamic) and have had the 2nd gen 2 times and 2 times they went back.
I would say that the 2nd is more refined and even smoother but its just too smoothed out and lacks energy and proper bite. It also have too much mid bass bloat and its hard sometimes to clearly hear vocalists and instruments as everything swims in this syrupy sound.
The OG version is more incisive and clear, can be even slightly too analytical for some. But i rather take this version and change tips to these: https://www.thomann.de/de/sennheiser_ie_40_pro_l.htm
They calm down these slight 5k and 8k treble peaks and everything sounds definitely more correct and smooth. You cant extract more energy from the 2nd version, no matter what you do.
So overall i think that the 1st version is more correct sounding and more versatile.
As an alternative i also recommend trying Ziigaat Doscinco. They are like a blend of two Xelento versions. They are smoother and more neutral sounding than the OG but more lively than the 2nd. These are bass heads dream, with an amazing deep, punchy but very clean and detailed bass and the rest is perfectly neutral- no strange peaks, very correct pinna gain but absolutely ZERO shoutiness. They dont even show peak at 8k which is very common in iems.

Hi mate, got some alternative eartips recommendations for Xelento OG?

I can't find said eartips in my area.
Need to reduce the peak a bit for some song.

 

[bassheadnewbie]

Hi mate, got some alternative eartips recommendations for Xelento OG?

I can't find said eartips in my area.
Need to reduce the peak a bit for some song.

I've already told you

Just buy UM Mest MK2, then use the eartips

 

[PureViewer4t1]

I had the first gen., sold it and then bought the 2nd gen. last year to try and replicate the 1st gen.'s magic... but it wasn't there. And it's super hard to get a 1st gen. one now, since fakes are everywhere.

You can use AutoEq to replicate the 1st gen's sound on the 2nd gen. Not an exact replication but a very close one.

 

[CandyClaws]

RIP my Xelento(OG), left earbud distorts at higher volumes(this is very apparent on piano pieces). What would be a good replacement iem with similar or better sound quality?

 

[RIGATIO]

RIP my Xelento, left earbud distorts at higher volumes(this is very apparent on piano pieces). What would be a good replacement iem with similar or better sound quality?

You have the OG or 2nd?
Honestly, I haven't found a direct replacement to the Xelento because they have a specific, organic, tube-like sound, with a very spacious presentation.
There is Softears Twilight which sound extremely wide and natural but they don't have this atmospheric, deep bass. Both the ie600 and ie900 are great but sound completely different and bit more analytical.
When it comes to hybrids, there is Ziigaat Doscinco, which have similar profile but aren't as smooth and coherent in the midrange.
Imho if you're a fan of the Xelento, the only way is to get a used ones but be very careful as they are one of the most counterfeited iems on the market.

 

[Chessblitzer2017]

What cable were you using with the Xelento? The stock veils it. A high quality silver cable upgrade will do wonders for the Xelentos sound. Plussounds silver+gold x with eletech baroque eartips is hard too match price wise and comfort wise.

 

[CandyClaws]

What cable were you using with the Xelento? The stock veils it. A high quality silver cable upgrade will do wonders for the Xelentos sound. Plussounds silver+gold x with eletech baroque eartips is hard too match price wise and comfort wise.

They are going in the bin so it doesn’t matter anymore.