[Audiophonicalistic]

Purchased the phantom here on headfi and am really enjoying them with the janus d playing out of se100. Took some getting used to the sound at first but now I really appreciate the sound.

Also have the thor 8wire but I think it changes the sound too much, though I can see why others would enjoy it. Much prefer the Janus D. It's a wonderful pairing.

 

[marcusd]

Purchased the phantom here on headfi and am really enjoying them with the janus d playing out of se100. Took some getting used to the sound at first but now I really appreciate the sound.

Also have the thor 8wire but I think it changes the sound too much, though I can see why others would enjoy it. Much prefer the Janus D. It's a wonderful pairing.

yes the Janus D is my own fav pairing with the Phantom. Good choice.

 

[singleended5863]

Purchased the phantom here on headfi and am really enjoying them with the janus d playing out of se100. Took some getting used to the sound at first but now I really appreciate the sound.

Also have the thor 8wire but I think it changes the sound too much, though I can see why others would enjoy it. Much prefer the Janus D. It's a wonderful pairing.

yes the Janus D is my own fav pairing with the Phantom. Good choice.

How is the sound of the Phantoms paired up with Janus D compared to Leonidas II?

 

[marcusd]

How is the sound of the Phantoms paired up with Janus D compared to Leonidas II?

All here in my Phantom review on the two cables - https://headfonics.com/2018/11/empire-ears-phantom-review/3/

 

[rwelles]

I’ve been auditioning the Phantom for the last week. Man, what a fun pair of monitors. Lively, detailed, full sounding. I can certainly understand why so many people rave about them.

However, they don’t quite fit with what I want in my next ciems. Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Less bass. The Phantom’s bass is wonderful, but there’s too much of it. To me, the bass is not in the right proportion with the rest of the FR.
• More treble. The Phantom’s treble is very easy to listen to, never fatiguing. But it is much too subdued for me. I’d like much more presence and air.
• More open midrange. While the Phantom’s mids are very smooth, they sound congested to me.

A cold shiver runs through his wallet as he asked, “Did I just describe the Zeus XR?”

 

[Deezel177]

I’ve been auditioning the Phantom for the last week. Man, what a fun pair of monitors. Lively, detailed, full sounding. I can certainly understand why so many people rave about them.

However, they don’t quite fit with what I want in my next ciems. Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Less bass. The Phantom’s bass is wonderful, but there’s too much of it. To me, the bass is not in the right proportion with the rest of the FR.
• More treble. The Phantom’s treble is very easy to listen to, never fatiguing. But it is much too subdued for me. I’d like much more presence and air.
• More open midrange. While the Phantom’s mids are very smooth, they sound congested to me.

A cold shiver runs through his wallet as he asked, “Did I just describe the Zeus XR?”

Depending on the extent to which you want these three changes to occur, either you're looking at a Zeus-XR or a Leonidas II.

 

[kubig123]

I’ve been auditioning the Phantom for the last week. Man, what a fun pair of monitors. Lively, detailed, full sounding. I can certainly understand why so many people rave about them.

However, they don’t quite fit with what I want in my next ciems. Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Less bass. The Phantom’s bass is wonderful, but there’s too much of it. To me, the bass is not in the right proportion with the rest of the FR.
• More treble. The Phantom’s treble is very easy to listen to, never fatiguing. But it is much too subdued for me. I’d like much more presence and air.
• More open midrange. While the Phantom’s mids are very smooth, they sound congested to me.

A cold shiver runs through his wallet as he asked, “Did I just describe the Zeus XR?”

You can also try a silver or copper/silver cable. It adds some extension to the upper range and makes the lower range thighter by reducing the attack and decay, it will definitely help to reduce the congestion.

 

[KuroKitsu]

I’ve been auditioning the Phantom for the last week. Man, what a fun pair of monitors. Lively, detailed, full sounding. I can certainly understand why so many people rave about them.

However, they don’t quite fit with what I want in my next ciems. Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Less bass. The Phantom’s bass is wonderful, but there’s too much of it. To me, the bass is not in the right proportion with the rest of the FR.
• More treble. The Phantom’s treble is very easy to listen to, never fatiguing. But it is much too subdued for me. I’d like much more presence and air.
• More open midrange. While the Phantom’s mids are very smooth, they sound congested to me.

A cold shiver runs through his wallet as he asked, “Did I just describe the Zeus XR?”

Pretty much my reasons for choosing Zeus R over Phantom after testing on a Lionheart.

 

[KuroKitsu]

You can also try a silver or copper/silver cable. It adds some extension to the upper range and makes the lower range thighter by reducing the attack and decay, it will definitely help to reduce the congestion.

@rwelles also mentioned the bass is too strong on Phantom, maybe a copper silver hybrid or silver plated copper would be better suited. Silver really doesnt do favours for toning down the bass IMO

 

[olddude]

Having owned both the Phantom and the Zeus XR, what you describe on your wish list is the XR. I don't see a cable bringing the Phantom to where you want to go. If you want less bass/more treble/more open mids get the XR.

 

[proedros]

Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Less bass. The Phantom’s bass is wonderful, but there’s too much of it. To me, the bass is not in the right proportion with the rest of the FR.
• More treble. The Phantom’s treble is very easy to listen to, never fatiguing. But it is much too subdued for me. I’d like much more presence and air.
• More open midrange. While the Phantom’s mids are very smooth, they sound congested to me.

A cold shiver runs through his wallet as he asked, “Did I just describe the Zeus XR?”

Υes

btw , there is not yet a cable that can do all these 3 things simultaneously you asked , usually a cable tweaks the sound slightly while focusing on one of the 3 sonic areas

so yeap , you just described Zeus XR

speaking of Zeus , Ares II (8 wire) pairs very nicely with it , definitey happy with it

the only problem is that my cable appetite has come back with a vengeance

 

[quodjo105]

Does Zeus XR have anything in common with 64 audio A18t?.

 

[rwelles]

Thanks to all for this valuable feedback!! In my (limited) experience, cable rolling will only produce minor changes/improvements. The changes I'm looking for over the Phantoms are more significant. My wallet has been whimpering while I write this, but my ears are salivating!! (Yeah, I know it's a weird mixed metaphor...)

 

[olddude]

Does Zeus XR have anything in common with 64 audio A18t?.

They both go in your ears.

 

[olddude]

Υes

btw , there is not yet a cable that can do all these 3 things simultaneously you asked , usually a cable tweaks the sound slightly while focusing on one of the 3 sonic areas

so yeap , you just described Zeus XR

speaking of Zeus , Ares II (8 wire) pairs very nicely with it , definitey happy with it

the only problem is that my cable appetite has come back with a vengeance

With the 8-wire and your Zeus you should be good to go.