Beyerdynamic Xelento!

[SteveKiwi]

I would guess that the IE900 is airier, has a larger soundstage and better positioning of instruments in the room. Can you confirm this? What I'm looking for is namely a clear separation, so to speak, between (sharp or detailed) voices and instruments and somehow dry (so, not warm?) voices. Which of the two would be more to my taste?

I should have said this in my earlier reply, as a lot of people have said the Xelento actually sounds like a full sized headphone rather than a set of iem's.

That aside the separation and soundstage of both is similar, and excellent, using your definitions I would say the ie900 is the drier, less warm of the two.

I'd really suggest you try both because all I'm telling you is a personal opinion, and the one thing I've learned being on this site is that no two people seem to hear things exactly the same.

My opinion is that both are outstandingly good for single dynamic driver iem's, they "compete" with multi-driver iem"s at the highest level.

 

[Scubadevils]

I should have said this in my earlier reply, as a lot of people have said the Xelento actually sounds like a full sized headphone rather than a set of iem's.

That aside the separation and soundstage of both is similar, and excellent, using your definitions I would say the ie900 is the drier, less warm of the two.

I'd really suggest you try both because all I'm telling you is a personal opinion, and the one thing I've learned being on this site is that no two people seem to hear things exactly the same.

My opinion is that both are outstandingly good for single dynamic driver iem's, they "compete" with multi-driver iem"s at the highest level.

I love IE900, and IE600 to a lesser extent so I'm really looking forward to hearing how Xelento 2 compares. My top choice single DD is Turii Ti, and it will be hard to knock that off the throne but will be very different tuning.

 

[newworld666]

I love IE900, and IE600 to a lesser extent so I'm really looking forward to hearing how Xelento 2 compares. My top choice single DD is Turii Ti, and it will be hard to knock that off the throne but will be very different tuning.

It will be interesting to read what are your feelings with the Xelento 2 compared to the your other single DD IEMs...
I still use the the Xelento V1, but when I see the little changes of the frequency response curve, I am not sure to have a mind to go for the V2 which seems maybe to lose some spicy high frequencies.
But on my side, I always enjoyed the amazing comfort in the ears (even for sleeping) and the impressive sound stage of the Xelento which is, even with some BT dongles like Go Blu or BTR7, significantly larger and precise than any other of my IEM (including IE900, IE600, EXT).
I even suspect Beyerdynamic to play a bit with the phases between L & R drivers to enlarge the stage ? though I don't know if it is technically possible and if the result is for sure to enlarge the width of the stage .

 

[RIGATIO]

It will be interesting to read what are your feelings with the Xelento 2 compared to the your other single DD IEMs...
I still use the the Xelento V1, but when I see the little changes of the frequency response curve, I am not sure to have a mind to go for the V2 which seems maybe to lose some spicy high frequencies.
But on my side, I always enjoyed the amazing comfort in the ears (even for sleeping) and the impressive sound stage of the Xelento which is, even with some BT dongles like Go Blu or BTR7, significantly larger and precise than any other of my IEM (including IE900, IE600, EXT).
I even suspect Beyerdynamic to play a bit with the phases between L & R drivers to enlarge the stage ? though I don't know if it is technically possible and if the result is for sure to enlarge the width of the stage .

If you want larger and more true to life soundstage, try Monarch 2. Xelentos have a really great stage indeed but i have an impression that while beeing huge, its still in my head or some parts of the music play in my head. The Monarchs 2 have bigger and grander sound overall and they really make an impression of playing outside of a head all the time. Its also due to the very natural vocals and instruments. I would say that Xelentos play like full sized headphones when the Monarchs 2 give me a speaker or concert like experience.
I also find the Hook X to have wider stage than the Xelentos. But i agree, the staging on the Xelentos is very impressive.

 

[C_Lindbergh]

If you want larger and more true to life soundstage, try Monarch 2. Xelentos have a really great stage indeed but i have an impression that while beeing huge, its still in my head or some parts of the music play in my head. The Monarchs 2 have bigger and grander sound overall and they really make an impression of playing outside of a head all the time. Its also due to the very natural vocals and instruments. I would say that Xelentos play like full sized headphones when the Monarchs 2 give me a speaker or concert like experience.
I also find the Hook X to have wider stage than the Xelentos. But i agree, the staging on the Xelentos is very impressive.

Two completely different IEMs tho, the point with the Xelentos is that you get that sound quality in a tiny and comfortable IEM. Obviously larger IEMs will have more acustics/room to play around with and create a superior sound.

For me the comfort aspect of IEMs like Xelentos/Pentas etc is part of the sound quality in a way, makes me forget I'm wearing anything in my ears and thus I can immerse myself more.

 

[RIGATIO]

Two completely different IEMs tho, the point with the Xelentos is that you get that sound quality in a tiny and comfortable IEM. Obviously larger IEMs will have more acustics/room to play around with and create a superior sound.

For me the comfort aspect of IEMs like Xelentos/Pentas etc is part of the sound quality in a way, makes me forget I'm wearing anything in my ears and thus I can immerse myself more.

Agree 100%, nothing beats the Xelentos when it comes to the comfort. But the price bracket is the same, so its hard to avoid comparisons.

 

[Scubadevils]

I'm drawn to single DDs for the most part, even having owned some of what are considered the best multi-driver sets, I still prefer the comfort and coherency of single DDs - plus I think the similarity to 2-channel setups which I've listened to and loved for the best part of four decades now!

I can't wait to try Xelento 2 - not many impressions or reviews out there yet, but from what I've read, I do think I will enjoy and will add more variety to the collection. Hopefully they ship soon - anyone ordered directly from Beyerdynamic before?

 

[johnston21]

Pulled my Xeleno's (with +Sound 4.4) out of the drawer tonight (haven't been travelling much) and gave them a run on the 507 & the DD dongle. Awesome, a step-up from the B&W pi7's I've been spoiled with.

 

[RIGATIO]

Pulled my Xeleno's (with +Sound 4.4) out of the drawer tonight (haven't been travelling much) and gave them a run on the 507 & the DD dongle. Awesome, a step-up from the B&W pi7's I've been spoiled with.

No wireless iems are able to compete with wired iem of this rank. Im not surprised And the b&w are unable of creating a well tuned headphones/iems. They suck in this field, they should focus on speakers.

 

[RIGATIO]

I just compared my OG Xelentos to the Monarchs 2 in an extensive comparison listening to the same song for over an hour. The Xelentos fall short in very regard. They sound great until the Monarchs enter the game. The Monarchs are on a completely different level- smoother, more detailed and realistic vocals, waaaay better positioning of instruments (the Xelentos play only left-right, the Monarchs have depth and the instruments appear in front of me as well as left-right), the Monarchs 2 are way more detailed in mids, there is way more information delivered. I would say the Xelentos are on a 500 bucks now, when the Monarchs are on a 1-3k bucks tier.

 

[mainguy]

No wireless iems are able to compete with wired iem of this rank. Im not surprised And the b&w are unable of creating a well tuned headphones/iems. They suck in this field, they should focus on speakers.

wireless iems are all crushed by 130 dollar s12s let alone flagships lol

 

[SteveKiwi]

I just compared my OG Xelentos to the Monarchs 2 in an extensive comparison listening to the same song for over an hour. The Xelentos fall short in very regard. They sound great until the Monarchs enter the game. The Monarchs are on a completely different level- smoother, more detailed and realistic vocals, waaaay better positioning of instruments (the Xelentos play only left-right, the Monarchs have depth and the instruments appear in front of me as well as left-right), the Monarchs 2 are way more detailed in mids, there is way more information delivered. I would say the Xelentos are on a 500 bucks now, when the Monarchs are on a 1-3k bucks tier.

It would be interesting to hear your opinion on the gen 2 Xelento.

I've not heard the monarchs but I do agree with your comments about the original Xelento.

 

[phiemon]

I should have said this in my earlier reply, as a lot of people have said the Xelento actually sounds like a full sized headphone rather than a set of iem's.

That aside the separation and soundstage of both is similar, and excellent, using your definitions I would say the ie900 is the drier, less warm of the two.

I'd really suggest you try both because all I'm telling you is a personal opinion, and the one thing I've learned being on this site is that no two people seem to hear things exactly the same.

My opinion is that both are outstandingly good for single dynamic driver iem's, they "compete" with multi-driver iem"s at the highest level.

So, I have both the Xelento 2 and the IE900 here for testing. I don't know, I'm trying to convince myself that I like the IE900 more, I just want to like it more, but the truth is that only the Xelento 2 really "wowed" me. However, with the Xelento 2 I use the Symbio W Peel because the stock tips have a little too much bass for me.... maybe... I don't know, I'll have to test it again; anyway, the Symbio are more comfortable at the moment. Generally speaking, I like better the imaging (definitely more holographic compared to the IE900) and somehow the presentation seems more coherent to me overall. With the IE900 I always feel like something is missing; maybe it's the vocals (so recessed mid tones?). With the Xelento 2, I would say there is a lot of presence, energy, the sound is simply overwhelming, and it's a good thing since it's really fun to listen to. I will take my time before making a decision. Also, I'm still waiting for receive the A8000 to compare.

 

[phiemon]

Edit: Nothing, sorry for spamming.

 

[cfc7]

Any comparison between Xelento 2 and Meze Advar?