[samandhi]

I recieved the Rose Maria II today (a day early). WOW! these are perty! I haven't had a chance to listen to them yet (been very busy at that stupid work thing to support my habit ) so here are some pics. BTW! I hate US customs sometimes, they open the packages, rip boxes up, then put everything back together half-a**, or not in the right spot.

Spoiler: Rose Maria II

 

[agonynine]

I recieved the Rose Maria II today (a day early). WOW! these are perty! I haven't had a chance to listen to them yet (been very busy at that stupid work thing to support my habit ) so here are some pics. BTW! I hate US customs sometimes, they open the packages, rip boxes up, then put everything back together half-a**, or not in the right spot.

Spoiler: Rose Maria II

Lovely, did you plump for the 14.8mm drivers or the 16mm? These have been in my Ali cart for months and I might be close to pulling the trigger. Would be great to hear your impressions.

 

[samandhi]

Lovely, did you plump for the 14.8mm drivers or the 16mm? These have been in my Ali cart for months and I might be close to pulling the trigger. Would be great to hear your impressions.

I decided to get the 16mm since the smabat I have are closer to that size, and they fit really well. Plus they seem to be top heavy so I might need all the support to keep them in my ears that I can get... I will share my impressions after I get a chance to listen to them for more than 5 minutes... LOL

 

[jeejack]

I always have problem with final decision xd. **** it, will take 4 pairs of MX760.
Just tell me which cable is more durable, if they are at same level, which is lighter?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33017721516.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000908606284.html

This are cheap and very good cable:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNypQ0n
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL1nFrD
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMXMYlZ
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msuOMRN
If I were you I would take two pairs of MX760 drivers, one red dot and one 32 ohm N50

 

[rkw]

did you plump for the 14.8mm drivers or the 16mm?

Just to clarify, 14.8mm and 16mm of Rose Maria II refer to the shell size, not the drivers. Both sizes use the same drivers.

 

[samandhi]

Just to clarify, 14.8mm and 16mm of Rose Maria II refer to the shell size, not the drivers. Both sizes use the same drivers.

Exactly right.

 

[agonynine]

Just to clarify, 14.8mm and 16mm of Rose Maria II refer to the shell size, not the drivers. Both sizes use the same drivers.

Sorry, yes, meant shells, typed drivers.

 

[samandhi]

Sorry, yes, meant shells, typed drivers.

Well, technically speaking, the rear of the shell is much larger to accommodate the 20mm driver. It is the nozzle/bud part of the shell that can be either 14.8 or 16mm for fit only.

But, I totally got what you were saying. I actually DID think about getting the 14.8, but one of the reviews I read said they got it and it was actually too small and they had a hard time keeping them in their ears because of the off balanced weight. It seems they were right. The 16mm does balance out the weight distribution very well (though technically I can't speak to how well it would go for the 14.8mm).

So far I am really liking the sound of these. They seem to have some spectacular technicalities (as wide or wider soundstage than the Chaconne, for instance). They are a tad bit boosted in the upper mids, but otherwise very clear. The lower end is not boosted a ton, but boy does it go deep. The 20mm DD shows off here, though not as bassy overall as you would think with such a big driver. The bass is a bit dark(ish). The focus is more in sub bass than mid and upper bass, though they ARE there. Texture seems to be ok to great, and speed is also really nice, but could be better if mid bass has a tad more presense. Transitions are really smooth all the way up the FR. Treble is warm and smooth. I wouldn't quite call them sweet, but they are pretty close to it. Cymbals do crash, but are laid back a bit underneath the upper mids. Mids are fairly smooth, and not thin like others I have heard. Overall they seem to be a different tuning even then the 2 Smabats, the Chaconne, and the DUNU (which is a great thing because I wanted a contrast to the Chaconne but on the same level, which these appear to be IMO).

Anyhow, those are just first impressions. I am almost 100% sure things will change over time (once I get used to hearing them).

 

[miserybeforethemusic]

Take 2 on the foam-overs. This time, I'm not stretching the earhook around the entire driver, just the back piece. Luckily, Smabat made this pretty easy:



Doesn't look too shabby, but how does it fit?



Pretty darn good. It's not as confident as the older method, but this is a heck of a lot easier to set up and the net effect in FR is pretty minimal. I do get a bit more of the sub-bass back compared to when I'm not using the fins and these don't knock out. I'd say that's a win

 

[samandhi]

Those look great! Plus, I would think you WOULD get better bass response, because having the fins further back, the buds can get closer to your ear canals than they otherwise would be with the fins on the nozzle itself. Great idea!

Remind me, which cable is that? it looks different than the one you had before???

BTW! Gettin' some gray hairs going there young man....

 

[miserybeforethemusic]

Those look great! Plus, I would think you WOULD get better bass response, because having the fins further back, the buds can get closer to your ear canals than they otherwise would be with the fins on the nozzle itself. Great idea!

Remind me, which cable is that? it looks different than the one you had before???

BTW! Gettin' some gray hairs going there young man....

Hah...internally, I'm hitting 65 this year. Externally, no comment hahaha. I earned all of those grey hairs, anyway.

The cable is NiceHCK's 16-core OCC cable. I have the same style in a SPC as well (that's the black one you see periodically). The silver Litz, for obvious reasons, is a different weave. Still waiting on the smaller guys to arrive, but this cable could stand to go on a diet.

 

[samandhi]

Hah...internally, I'm hitting 65 this year. Externally, no comment hahaha. I earned all of those grey hairs, anyway.

The cable is NiceHCK's 16-core OCC cable. I have the same style in a SPC as well (that's the black one you see periodically). The silver Litz, for obvious reasons, is a different weave. Still waiting on the smaller guys to arrive, but this cable could stand to go on a diet.

LOL I hear ya' there.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing the silver litz on it. That is why I was asking, it looks pretty big for an earbud cable...

 

[baskingshark]

Why are you asking us? Just choose: red or blue pill

Actually, the only one and correct answer on headfi is to choose both. Best of both worlds.

Spoiler: Choosing both options will incur double the Wrath of the significant other though.

 

[miserybeforethemusic]

LOL I hear ya' there.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing the silver litz on it. That is why I was asking, it looks pretty big for an earbud cable...

Yep, it's on the edge of "good enough for earbuds." Certainly not ideal, but the hooks definitely help with ergonomics.



These foams only seem to be getting fluffier, too. Going to have to make sure I figure out what the closest substitute to these are in case I tear this set.

 

[samandhi]

Yep, it's on the edge of "good enough for earbuds." Certainly not ideal, but the hooks definitely help with ergonomics.



These foams only seem to be getting fluffier, too. Going to have to make sure I figure out what the closest substitute to these are in case I tear this set.

Those hooks almost look as though they were made for those. Like it a lot!

Actually, the only one and correct answer on headfi is to choose both. Best of both worlds.

Spoiler: Choosing both options will incur double the Wrath of the significant other though.

SOOOO +1 (on both accounts) LOL