So I know most people here are into IEMs however my ears just can't take them. That said, here's my stable of sought-after classic cans... Both Pioneer Master and Monitor and Final Audio Sonorous X (all sadly discontinued)... along with an unbranded 4.4mm balanced silver cable that came with the Final Audio headphones that can now use with the N8ii. Which leads me to a question I'm now wondering...
Even though the Pioneer SEM5 and the Sonorous X both have 3.5 mm connectors (the full -size Master in the middle strangely uses MMCX for some odd reason)...one is a mono and and one is a stereo cable plug. Yet the balanced silver 3.5mm stereo cable works for both... It just makes the already slightly bright Pioneers that much brighter. The only item mine didn't come with is the balanced cable they packaged with it (stock cable is no slouch)...and now that I need it it's nearly impossible to find.
So does anyone know what is the design difference between a stereo connector (2 stripe) and a mono connector (1 stripe) and why would one be used over the other? With the Pioneer being stereo and the X being mono, would a mono connector work for both cans or only a stereo connector work for both?
I have to say, even using the unbalanced stock cable that came with the Pioneer SE Monitor 5 (far left in pic)...they have to be added to the list of great synergy cans with the N8ii. Just superb sound from the pair. Most notably, the multitracked DSD remaster of Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" is just breathtaking.