[Satir]

Another fun CanJam! A quick summary of my notes:

I tried almost all bluetooth headphones I could find (Mobius, Auido Technica MSR7B and DSR7BT, Almiron, EH3 NC), and found them all lacking in max volume. I'm really surprised it's not a more common complaint. I recently returned Sennheiser MTW for the same issue.

Fiio are going to have some trouble with the EH3 NC if they keep using those horrible earpads. They make a squishing sound, enough to evaporate any feeling of quality.

Really, really liked the chord mojo/poly combination, brought a smile to my face. Very sad that it's wifi focused and doesn't support aptx/ldac (only SBC), what are they thinking? Would have bought on the spot.

I was quite negative on the Fiio Q5 last year, but I can see now that they are filling a niche that no-one is trying to enter. It sounded better this year, probably due to the AM3E amp, whatever they had attached last year wasn't doing the Q5 justice. I'm really tempted to pick this up and an AM5 module. The bluetooth was a little flaky though, it was only working thorugh LDAC with my Samsung S10e, aptx was breaking for some reason.

Fiio BTR5. This was interesting, they bumped up the power compared to the other BTR models. I can see them pricing it at £100+, worth it? Maybe.

Didn't bother too much with IEMs this year, since buying the IMR R1 last year. Did a direct comparison with the Atlas, save your money, the copper filters on the R1 is close enough.

The Solaris sounds great, although surprisigly bulky/awkward. If you can afford it, an easy recommend.

Not sure why Campfire Audio thought we needed a custom version of the Atlas, it was already so small and convenient. The Equinox sounds as expected, so it's fine I guess.

Finally tried the Cascades and can confirm they are better than the Sony MDR-1AM2 (which I also returned recently), to reference a recent thread. Not as much bass as people make out, but still more than most. Less sibilant than the Sony's, which is nice. The price is insane for what you're getting though, £300 would be about right. The way the cables point forward is awkward AF, I don't make headphones, but it's hard to understand what was wrong with straight down.

Shure SE535 and SE846. I moved away from balanced armatures a few years ago, these were a reminder of why. Pure balance armatures just sound lifeless to me, it doesn't matter how many of them there are or what techniques are used.

Shure KSE1200. I had a little trouble with these, they kept distorting, even at a reasonable volume. Didn't blow me away, maybe they were broken.

Astell&Kern Kann Cube. Giant, heavy block of metal with sharp edges. As relevant to me as the $7.5K Conrad-Johnson amp with the burning hot volume knob...

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Glad I went this year, can't wait until next year!

"Fiio are going to have some trouble with the EH3 NC if they keep using those horrible earpads. They make a squishing sound, enough to evaporate any feeling of quality."

Disappointing about earpads.

 

[noplsestar]

I need the Jude impression of the HEDDphone. I need to know if the "4 times faster than all other headphone" is bull or not.

It’s not only 4times faster but also 4 times better in sound quality (of course compared to all other headphones available on this planet)

 

[gLer]

All these fabulous impressions and not a SINGLE mention of the Verite closed back? What sort of show is this??

 

[walakalulu]

All these fabulous impressions and not a SINGLE mention of the Verite closed back? What sort of show is this??

Here’s one. I had high hopes of this and I listened to all the models yesterday. It certainly was the least ‘warm sounding’ of them all and clearly benefits from a meaty amp. Most models sound a little like an updated Meze Classic without the bass issues. Ultimately whilst I can understand many folk loving them I decided that Focal Stellias were more to my taste but as I also use a Stax 009S based-system I guess my view is somewhat coloured.

 

[beemarman]

I need the Jude impression of the HEDDphone. I need to know if the "4 times faster than all other headphone" is bull or not.

Amazing

 

[HungryPanda]

I enjoyed listening to the HEDDphone, there were 3 different prototypes, one was lighter than the other two. I had just listened to the HiFiMan Jade II and Shangri-La Jr. when I went to the HEDD stall and first thing I noticed was the Low end was much fuller. The HEDDphone has a lot of promise but was told it is still being refined and hopefully released in October. The favourite headphones I listened to was Audeze LCD4z and the Raal SR1a

 

[Zachik]

Looking closely at the CanJam photos, I noticed 2 things missing from Noble's table: @Watagump and candy!
People that want the FULL Noble experience - must attend next CanJam in the US

 

[musicday]

 

[Watagump]

Looking closely at the CanJam photos, I noticed 2 things missing from Noble's table: @Watagump and candy!
People that want the FULL Noble experience - must attend next CanJam in the US

Its time to just ditch CanJam London and have them weekly in my area.

 

[KT66]

 

[KT66]

 

[Monsterzero]

Simply stunning!

 

[KT66]

 

[KT66]

 

[zappazappazappa]

I was also surprised by the difference the Synergisitc Research headphone cables made to the MrSpeakers on the Electromod stand. Not applicable to my MrS Voce electrostatics though

Did you try the Synergistic cables with either the Ether 2 or Ether Flow Open's? Would be interested in your impressions vis a vis the MrSpeakers cables. Also, can you remember prices. There are no prices (or any other details for that matter!) for Synergistic Research products on the Electromod site.