My Legend Xs arrived last week (showing Packers pride!). Thanks to Ethan for guiding me through the selection and ordering process. A couple of comments. First, customs are awesome. These are my first customs (previously had universal versions of Noble K10 and Campfire Andromeda). The comfort is surprising. Obviously more comfortable than universal IEMs, and even more comfortable than my Sennheiser HD800. Its like nothing is there, except for the sound. Second, these IEMs provide terrific sound quality. Like ctsooner22, I have evolved from the 2-channel big rig arena. I use the Legends as my primary transducer in fixed locations, not just as portables. At present, my home setup is a Bryston BDP digital server, Berkeley Alpha DAC, and a Rupert Neve headphone amp. Good powercords and interconnects. It certainly rivals the sound of my big Martin Logan speakers with Class A monobloc amps. And I don't have to worry about the room, or speaker positioning, or complaints from other family members, or the perfect listening spot and chair, etc. The Legends are very dynamic. Occasionally startling. But for most of the music I listen to, quite balanced. Clarity is terrific. Bass is not omnipresent, but when called for, it is very there. Big soundstage. I now need to look for a top headphone amplifier. I was using a Ragnarok with my HD800, but I'm not so sure that is the best for a CIEM (although the Legend did sound very good out of it). There are few opinions out there regarding the best desktop amp for an IEM.
Jeff, my wife grew up in Wasusa and her family still lives there adn Madison. HUGE Packers fans! I have always liked them, so it's fun. I went to Oklahoma Univ and know kids on a bunch of different rosters who I root for, but I do have a couple of my childhood favorite teams, lol. She (and I) LOVE those CIEMS. Congrats on such a beautiful design. It will be timeless for sure!
As for the Phantom, I feel strongly that since it scales so well with top of the line gear and it has the ability to truly let us feel the emotion, it's giving us the micro and macro detail that other transducers just aren't giving us. In the end, we all talk about what signature these IEM's all have etc... What is even more important to those who love the music is answering the questions 'Do your CIEM's/IEM's take you there'.....are you at the venue or in the studio? Do you care if the IEM gives you the largest quantity of bass or are you just THERE and not thinking about teh bass. I want so badly to write a review of the Phantom. With my MS, I realize that it's so difficult to do a comprehensive review like I used to write, but the most important thing that I can share with anyone who may be on the fence is that with these CIEM's, I get lost in the music.
I will play my audiophile recordings on the AK380cu wiht or without the amp as well as the Ayre QX5. I'm not even in balanced mode and the Ayre sounds WAY better when used in true balanced differential. It's designed to be balanced. It doesn't matter, because I keep moving past these special high res or 2X DSD recordings and just listen to the regular 16/44 rebook stuff. I just keep listening and getting lost in the music. I'm listening to stuff that I don't even know and it's a blast.
Folks, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but my home system is CRAZY GOOD. Ethan and many of the 2 channel guys can attest to that. I know what I'm listening to and for. We all hear differently etc...., but when there is a piece of gear that you know most will fall in love with it's special. The Phantom's are that special piece. I have at least heard most of the IEM's in this upper range either in Japan or at the show. I own a pair of Nobles. I have a great set of headphones (ZMF Ori's) that I'm going to sell as I only use the Phantom's on weekend mornings when I can't use my main system (yes it's still better to my ears than any desktop or portable rig).
I sold my pair of STax Lambda Pro's a few years ago as well as my Sennheiser 580's which I liked better than the 600's. Personally, it was one of their best designs after a great cable upgrade.
Yes, these Phantom's are just that good. They can't be broken down like we always want to do, but words and catch phrases that we all know and use. They can't be put up against other top IEM's in the same way that others are. I read a ton of threads on this board and I read the great reviews on Headphonia and a few other Headphone boards. Dean, wiht the help of a few have nailed this thing. The Legend X is a blast. It's a true high end IEM for sure, but it has a limited audience. Some just must have that quantity of bass that you can only get from a DD right now. I feel STRONGLY that in the not too distant future, we will see the DD's upgraded in the same way the cone's and driver assemblies have been upgraded for speakers. They will keep getting better and better and EE's is able to get their's custom made, so I think they will continue to lead the pack if you would.
The Phantom on the other hand is a tad forgiving, but not so much as to distort what was recorded. I have a friend who is well known in the industry for his recording/production work. I have been asking him to get a pair of Phantom's, but he resists. He likes to do his work with studio monitors or headphones. I'm hoping to eventually get him to try these as I think they are that good. Heck, Daniel works with them professionally and there is no way he would if he didn't feel they were a true reference. JMHO
