[llcook51]

I’ve been listening to my ETHER 2 almost nonstop since I first got mine in our office last month. Brilliant sound, love the tuning. Only complaint is they are very tight against my ears (I have a huge head). The suspension wings on the Empyrean are great for big-headed people like me. But I can still say without a doubt that the ETHER 2 are the best planar magnetics on the market under two grand at this point.

The sound is exemplary. They were tight on my head for a while, also. Either the HPs broke in or my head did: no more problems.

 

[llcook51]

This is what made the LCD-2 wearable for me. There are sensitive bones behind the ears and shifting the clamp force more onto your cheeks seems to take pressure off of them.

I also find it improves the sound too. Given the location of your ear canal relative to the ear lobe this headphone positioning actually results in the driver being centered more directly over the canal opening.

Also found these observations to be accurate.

 

[llcook51]

New ear pads reduce pressure, it's simple math. Larger ear hole = larger contact area = less pressure per square area.

"Simple math" he says...

 

[Steve Wilcox]

I don't understand Dan's logic here. If there's a larger ear hole that surely means there's less padding in contact with your head and therefore more pressure per sq inch?

 

[mrspeakers]

I don't understand Dan's logic here. If there's a larger ear hole that surely means there's less padding in contact with your head and therefore more pressure per sq inch?

I'm not going to go into full details, no time, but it's simple. 100% of the pad does not contact on your head, almost universally due to the curve of the skull the primary contact is the circumference around the ear. The larger the circumference the larger the contact area. Think of putting the pad on a ball and assuming the full pad does not compress to make 100% contact. Other than that, take my word for it.

 

[Steve Wilcox]

I understand. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

And again, I'm sorry to have focussed on the one thing that has, for me, been a negative. With careful placement (forward and up) they're already starting to feel more comfortable and fingers crossed that the new pads will provide the real comfort that you would expect given the remarkably light weight of these cans.

 

[mrspeakers]

I understand. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

And again, I'm sorry to have focussed on the one thing that has, for me, been a negative. With careful placement (forward and up) they're already starting to feel more comfortable and fingers crossed that the new pads will provide the real comfort that you would expect given the remarkably light weight of these cans.

No worries. You can also "rotate" the headphone so the headband rests a bit further forward, that moves the "point" of the ear hole further back, which can be more comfy for people with a bigger bone protrusion below the ear.

 

[chimney189]

I think that I've said this before, but I'll say it again: these headphones are surprisingly good for gaming.

 

[chimney189]

Does anyone find a more than subtle difference when using the Ether 2 with a single vs balanced cable?

 

[heliosphann]

Does anyone find a more than subtle difference when using the Ether 2 with a single vs balanced cable?

The E2's generally like more power the better, so a balanced cable will give you more juice over a SE cable. Other than that, it all depends on what amp you're using.

 

[eIndi]

@mrspeakers are you planning to offer replacements for the default ear pads? If so, got an ETA?

 

[LCMusicLover]

@mrspeakers are you planning to offer replacements for the default ear pads? If so, got an ETA?

2 alternative pads are available here:

https://www.mrspeakers.com/shop/accessories/ear-pads.html

There's lots of discussion about the new pads in this thread.

 

[nwavesailor]

After the pads arrive and I figure out how they sound with my basic Burson Fun amp (w/ V6 Vivid and Sparko opamps) and Garage 1217 hybrid amp. I may look into trying the Cavelli LP and the Schiit MJ2 to perhaps move up a bit in SQ with the E2's.

 

[llcook51]

No worries. You can also "rotate" the headphone so the headband rests a bit further forward, that moves the "point" of the ear hole further back, which can be more comfy for people with a bigger bone protrusion below the ear.

That works nicely. Thanks.

 

[Empyah]

I think that I've said this before, but I'll say it again: these headphones are surprisingly good for gaming.

Have to agree with you - as of now i am liking them more than my HE1000 in games, still comparing them to my heavily modified HD800.

And by the way, i have them for four days now and am liking them a lot. The question now is which other cans have to go.

Can anybody compare the other pads to Dekoni Hybrid pads?