Day 2 Impressions from Canjam Shanghai
Shows aren't the best place to judge open-back headphones. Noisy show environment can really skew impressions and you tend to listen louder and sometimes to unfamilar songs. So again please keep in mind that the impressions are meant to be preliminary.
On the second day, I revisited the Susvara Unveiled for a deeper dive. My initial thoughts hold up: the Susvara Unveiled brings a fresh twist on the classic Susvara sound. It retains a well-balanced and smooth profile, but injects more sharpness and immediacy into the mix. Bass is nimbler but slightly leaner, similar to the change from Arya Stealth to Arya Organic. The mids have traded some warmth and body for an increase in clarity and forwardness, while still sounding smooth. In comparison, the OG Susvara has a more 'traditional' tuning with fuller fundamentals and more relaxed upper mids and highs. One thing to mention: the EF1000 DAC seems quite coloured, as the Susvara sounded different at the show compared to mine at home, though factors like unit variation, usage and pad wear might also play a role.
I also spent some time with the Mini Shangri-La. It impressed me with its airy presentation that didn’t veer into excessive sibilance, solid stage presence, and good dynamics for an estat. The launching price of 7500 RMB seems reasonable. I'd probably take it over the Stax L300 Limited.
Empyrean 2: This one’s a standout. It sheds the mellow character of the Empyrean/Elite series for a more balanced bass and mids, yet retains enough punch. Treble clarity is up a notch, potentially sibilant on brighter tracks but a solid improvement over the OG. It lacks the extravagant airiness of the Elite, though, which could be a welcomed change or not depending on your preference. I didn't feel massive difference for stage width, but the sense of depth has seen significant improvements. These all make it a strong contender in the market. Curious to see how it’d fare with Elite pads swapped in, and how the Elites would sound with the Empy2 duo pads.
Focal Hardenys: These are very well tuned with a notable bass boost. Unlike the larger Focals from before, which tend to have a more linear bass response, the Hardenys lean into a more pronounced upper bass punch, adding warmth without muddying the overall sound. The mids are forward and articulate, reminiscent of the HD600/6XX. Soundstage isn’t anything to write home about but it’s not claustrophobic. I tried to see if there's enough air and transparency in the upper treble but was somewhat thwarted by the noise around, forcing me to crank up the volume more than I usually would at home. So, while it didn’t come across as dull, take my impressions with a grain of salt.
Erzetich Charybdis: Quite the peculiar set. Think of a cross between the Abyss 1266 stage and Audeze LCD3 vocals with a polish that’s even more pronounced than typical Audezes. The bass is tight, highs are more controlled than the 1266, resulting in a heavily coloured though potentially enjoyable sound signature. Its stage presentation feels massive yet oddly 'zoomed out'. At 740 grams and with its niche appeal, it might not be for everyone.
I also tested the DUNU planar overear and the T+A stuff but couldn’t get a good feel without my own tracks or familiar songs, so I’m holding off on forming a solid opinion.
Finally, big thanks to Headfi and the organisers for another great show. Had a great chat with Brian who hinted at next year's China Canjam possibly being in Shanghai or Shenzhen, which is exciting for the local scene. It’s a shame Australia hasn’t caught up yet, but we can hope! The venue's proximity to the vibrant streets of Shanghai meant plenty of excellent dining and chilling spots. Nearly overindulged in street food and beer!