Brief Show Impressions
I mostly listen to non-vocal EDM as well as some OSTs/VGM, classical, and rock/pop. Prefer a warmish (but not too warm) relatively well-balanced sound signature, comfort, good bass, not too bright. Exclusively use closed backs these days to lower noise floor and block out noise of home appliances, traffic, neighbors, etc. Current chain is ADI-2 -> GS-X mini -> Stellia. Haven't heard the headphones below before, unless I specify that I have.
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Abyss 1266 (Phi TC?)
Heard this at the Wells Audio booth. Unit had a broken headband but was jerry-rigged to sit on head. Really awesome sound, I see why people love these. Has the control and extension of planar driver bass combined with the slam and impact of dynamic driver bass. Excellent detail and dynamics. Well-balanced sound signature overall and would work great with any genre. Their problem is comfort which is very poor.
CRBN
Only spent 5 minutes with these with a very limited track selection [soapbox rant: exhibitors need to prepare an extensive collection of local files before Canjams because the wifi fails every time]. Less bright and more balanced sound signature than SR-009 + Blue Hawaii with maybe slightly better bass, but didn't have as much of the magic as that combo. Maybe it was the amp/DAC? Would like to spend more time with them. Comfortable.
Ferrum OOR + LCD-XC
Don't have much a frame of reference since I haven't heard either, but this combo was really good. Very well-controlled, authoritative sound. This amp is legit. LCD-XC is one of the more balanced sounding closed-backs with great bass and punches above its price, but still too uncomfortable due to weight. If Audeze could use some of the weight-reducing tech from the LCD-5 in their more affordable headphones, they'd have some real winners.
HD 800S
Can't believe I've never listened to these. The soundstage is as amazing as everyone says, definitely the largest I've heard. Great separation, imaging, detail. Wasn't too bright on what I believe was an ampandsound amp. Comfortable. Weakness is poor bass impact/slam.
LCD-5
Only had 5 minutes with an extremely limited track selection so hard to give a good evaluation. But wow. Finally, a comfortable Audeze headphone. Bass is as good or better (more controlled) than an LCD-4z (which I owned for some time). Wonderful mids. Brighter than other LCD headphones, but I didn't hear any sibilance. Very engaging, dynamic. Like a Utopia with better bass and less brightness. Should be great with all genres. If I were in the market for an open-back, this would probably be at the top of my list.
R10P?
Listened to the version with the HEXXXX/Susvara headband at the Hifiman booth plugged into an amp. Reminded me of an MDR-Z1R only better with a big soundstage, deep enveloping bass, airy top end with fewer bright peaks. Colored and euphonic. Quite nice but sound signature is not balanced enough to be a daily driver. Would be nice as a second or third headphone if you have that kind of budget.
SR-007/SR-009 + Blue Hawaii
I've heard this combo before and it has the flagship electrostatic magic I remember. A must-hear if one gets the opportunity. I've preferred the SR-007 in the past, but I prefer the SR-009 now.
SR1a/SR2a?
SR1a have one of the most unique sound presentations. One of the closest simulacrums to a live performance short of actual speakers. Definitely worth experiencing. Comfort was OK, but it feels weird to wear and you can't move your head around much. Not much bass extension.
The SR2a (not sure if this is the actual name), a circumaural headphone with a ribbon driver to be released soon, was too bright and sibilant and needs retuning. Doesn't have as much of the live performance feel of the SR1a while retaining its poor bass extension.
Stealth
Was most excited to hear these as they seemed to have the potential to replace my Stellia. Listened to them by far the longest of any cans at the show. I can see why they're somewhat polarizing.
Pros: very balanced sound signature with no peaks or sibilance; amazing soundstage and imaging for a closed-back; good bass extension; great detail retrieval; super comfortable; great noise isolation; non-fatiguing
Cons: bass impact/slam is poor and for the genres I mostly listen to this is a dealbreaker; macrodynamics: so non-fatiguing and inoffensive that it can be perceived as unexciting
If this headphone had Audeze bass and Focal dynamics, it would be perfect. Alas, no headphone is perfect and trade-offs must be made. The Stellia is still the closed-back for me.
Susvara + GS-X mk2
I've heard this before and was glad to hear it again. Like the SR-009 + Blue Hawaii, it's a flagship setup that is a must-hear.
~~~
Could only attend one day for a few hours or I would've listened to much more. Had a great time and I want to say thank you to Head-Fi and all the exhibitors for making it happen. Until the next one!
I mostly listen to non-vocal EDM as well as some OSTs/VGM, classical, and rock/pop. Prefer a warmish (but not too warm) relatively well-balanced sound signature, comfort, good bass, not too bright. Exclusively use closed backs these days to lower noise floor and block out noise of home appliances, traffic, neighbors, etc. Current chain is ADI-2 -> GS-X mini -> Stellia. Haven't heard the headphones below before, unless I specify that I have.
~~~
Abyss 1266 (Phi TC?)
Heard this at the Wells Audio booth. Unit had a broken headband but was jerry-rigged to sit on head. Really awesome sound, I see why people love these. Has the control and extension of planar driver bass combined with the slam and impact of dynamic driver bass. Excellent detail and dynamics. Well-balanced sound signature overall and would work great with any genre. Their problem is comfort which is very poor.
CRBN
Only spent 5 minutes with these with a very limited track selection [soapbox rant: exhibitors need to prepare an extensive collection of local files before Canjams because the wifi fails every time]. Less bright and more balanced sound signature than SR-009 + Blue Hawaii with maybe slightly better bass, but didn't have as much of the magic as that combo. Maybe it was the amp/DAC? Would like to spend more time with them. Comfortable.
Ferrum OOR + LCD-XC
Don't have much a frame of reference since I haven't heard either, but this combo was really good. Very well-controlled, authoritative sound. This amp is legit. LCD-XC is one of the more balanced sounding closed-backs with great bass and punches above its price, but still too uncomfortable due to weight. If Audeze could use some of the weight-reducing tech from the LCD-5 in their more affordable headphones, they'd have some real winners.
HD 800S
Can't believe I've never listened to these. The soundstage is as amazing as everyone says, definitely the largest I've heard. Great separation, imaging, detail. Wasn't too bright on what I believe was an ampandsound amp. Comfortable. Weakness is poor bass impact/slam.
LCD-5
Only had 5 minutes with an extremely limited track selection so hard to give a good evaluation. But wow. Finally, a comfortable Audeze headphone. Bass is as good or better (more controlled) than an LCD-4z (which I owned for some time). Wonderful mids. Brighter than other LCD headphones, but I didn't hear any sibilance. Very engaging, dynamic. Like a Utopia with better bass and less brightness. Should be great with all genres. If I were in the market for an open-back, this would probably be at the top of my list.
R10P?
Listened to the version with the HEXXXX/Susvara headband at the Hifiman booth plugged into an amp. Reminded me of an MDR-Z1R only better with a big soundstage, deep enveloping bass, airy top end with fewer bright peaks. Colored and euphonic. Quite nice but sound signature is not balanced enough to be a daily driver. Would be nice as a second or third headphone if you have that kind of budget.
SR-007/SR-009 + Blue Hawaii
I've heard this combo before and it has the flagship electrostatic magic I remember. A must-hear if one gets the opportunity. I've preferred the SR-007 in the past, but I prefer the SR-009 now.
SR1a/SR2a?
SR1a have one of the most unique sound presentations. One of the closest simulacrums to a live performance short of actual speakers. Definitely worth experiencing. Comfort was OK, but it feels weird to wear and you can't move your head around much. Not much bass extension.
The SR2a (not sure if this is the actual name), a circumaural headphone with a ribbon driver to be released soon, was too bright and sibilant and needs retuning. Doesn't have as much of the live performance feel of the SR1a while retaining its poor bass extension.
Stealth
Was most excited to hear these as they seemed to have the potential to replace my Stellia. Listened to them by far the longest of any cans at the show. I can see why they're somewhat polarizing.
Pros: very balanced sound signature with no peaks or sibilance; amazing soundstage and imaging for a closed-back; good bass extension; great detail retrieval; super comfortable; great noise isolation; non-fatiguing
Cons: bass impact/slam is poor and for the genres I mostly listen to this is a dealbreaker; macrodynamics: so non-fatiguing and inoffensive that it can be perceived as unexciting
If this headphone had Audeze bass and Focal dynamics, it would be perfect. Alas, no headphone is perfect and trade-offs must be made. The Stellia is still the closed-back for me.
Susvara + GS-X mk2
I've heard this before and was glad to hear it again. Like the SR-009 + Blue Hawaii, it's a flagship setup that is a must-hear.
~~~
Could only attend one day for a few hours or I would've listened to much more. Had a great time and I want to say thank you to Head-Fi and all the exhibitors for making it happen. Until the next one!
