Been testing the Expanse with the filter and first off I can say I definitely prefer it with the filter.
The convolver app has a bypass button which makes it really easy to A/B test. What I did was simply close my eyes and click bypass a bunch of times so I didn't know if the filter was on or off anymore, I would then alternate back and forth a few times until I determined one I liked more and then opened my eyes to see if the filter was applied or bypass was on. Every single time I've done this so far I ended on (preferred) filter on.
I feel like the perceived volume is louder with the filter. I'm using the suggested compensation of 5dB but it still sounds a bit louder. Probably due to the filter increasing the range between 150-450Hz up to about 4dB. That area probably has a larger perceived volume increase than the decrease around 3.5k has. I also feel like there was an increase in clarity and openness, almost as if the stage the singer is on got 20% larger or so. That same sound difference you get between being in a small theater vs larger theater, it just sounds more like a large open room and clearer because of that. I wouldn't necessarily say the soundstage has gotten larger (instruments didn't spread out), just the music sounds like it's in a larger room. At least not that I've heard so far but I haven't really been super focused on soundstage differences in the only 30 minutes I tried so far.
greetings i feel when I press the top of the pads inwards i get a better bass, moving it around affects the sound significantly.
wonder how i can maintain more inward clamp from the top portion of the pads
I seriously think that redesigning the headband would make a more consistent user experience, as the clamming force plays a huge role in the bass perception, wish I could get the sound to be as when I apply pressure on the sides of the cups. Its a great a headphone as is, but I really would like to have the sound as it is when I press the cups tighter to my ears
I could understand the portability design factor but the expanse sounds way better with powerful amps as my holo audio bliss, so having a more secure headband with more clamping force would be more ideal in my situation at least
Stock cable is very good so no particular reason to buy a different cable.
I enjoy my Stealth either with Forza Noir Hybrid (budget option) or Lavricables Grand Silver if you want the best.
I found the following cable the best by far of all the different brands I have tried. These included the Dana Cables Lazuli Nirvana and the Cardas Clear Beyond. The Lazuli Nirvana was the best of the two, but still significantly inferior to the below hybrid design. The superiority of the below cable design was in all characteristics including clarity, resolution, holographic 3D imaging, bass solidity. I think the use of palladium plated strands and gold plated strands in a cryogenically treated shielded hybrid design are at least the partial reason for the superb performance. Made in USA. Unconditional return policy.
There is at least one other such hybrid cable being sold on Ebay, that one made in China.
Cryo Gold Silver Copper Palladium cable 6 ft. $550
The maker will produce this design for most headphone/amp terminations.
Description: Braided tinned copper mesh/shield was added to this cable to avoid interference from electromagnetic waves and EMC.
Each core (18AWG + 24AWG) consists of: 315x 7N OCC Cryo Copper type 6 litz strands, 7x 7N OCC pure copper strands,10x Pure Silver Palladium plated strands, plus 4x Pure Silver Gold plated strands.
Agree with above. That’s why I only listed Danacable Hybrid cables. There is also the Lazuli Rhapsody. But given OPs price point and they won’t be able to find a used one yet.
The Expanse is finally in my hands. It took me a while to save up for them . . . . . . .
Time to give DCA another shot; I hope that they have adjusted the issues that I had with the Stealths.
I have played the bass clarinet for a long time; this is the first time that it has sounded correct through a pair of headphones. Not even on the Stealths did it sound right. On the Stealths the bass clarinet was missing too much of its body. Its low-end was subdued and not woody enough. On the Expanse it sounds right. On every other headphone, the bass clarinet is either missing the breath in its voice or the meat on its bones. This is the first time that I have heard it reproduced faithfully.
A note about the the SMSL SP400+M400 stack for others who might be considering it . . . . . it sounds fantastic. The stepped attenuator is flawless. No channel imbalance whatsoever. Even on low gain the SP400 drives the Expanse with speed and authority! That's what 12 watts into 16 ohms/6 watts into 32 ohms gets you-No need to ever turn it on high gain. Effortless- Also, the super slow filter on the dac sounds the best. It is the smoothest and most realistic. The other filters have a bit of harshness to them.
A note about the the SMSL SP400+M400 stack for others who might be considering it . . . . . it sounds fantastic. The stepped attenuator is flawless. No channel imbalance whatsoever. Even on low gain the SP400 drives the Expanse with speed and authority! That's what 12 watts into 16 ohms/6 watts into 32 ohms gets you-No need to ever turn it on high gain. Effortless- Also, the super slow filter on the dac sounds the best. It is the smoothest and most realistic. The other filters have a bit of harshness to them.
That would explain it, it is noticeably smoother than all of the other filters. Unfortunately, I don't think that I will ever financially recover from this . . . . .
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