ETHER 2: Impressions and Discussion

[vermaleneric]

So it will be a E2

 

[bagwell359]

Yeah 1.1 is interesting but light in the bass. I think a well modified HE-500, E2, and LCD-4 (nee z) sort of fill out one particular area sound wise. Warm and expressive but with a clean treble giving it a snap (E2 needs EQ in the treble to catch those two, and the 500 needs to get brought down a bit in the treble. The LCD-4 is probably the most romantic of the three but also nasty expensive. In some ways you could even throw the HEX v2 into this party but it needs lots of EQ (and the treble won't snap even so). Out of the those 4 the E2 and LCD-4 are the best sounding, but the price tosses the LCD-4 out (and also suffer quick death). The E2 is the best price/value for the long term (HE-500's are 6-10 years old now),

Buy it. For me its either the E2 or Susvara depending on cash next time I buy a can.

 

[vermaleneric]

I love great bass so I will prefer de E2.
LCD 4 is out of my budget.
Thank you all for your help.

 

[bagwell359]

I love great bass so I will prefer de E2.
LCD 4 is out of my budget.
Thank you all for your help.

I haven't spent a lot of time comparing the two at the same time, but I'd wager the E2's bass is more accurate, but not quite as enscouncing..

 

[ra990]

If you like accurate, linear bass, that extends low, then you won't be disappointed with the E2.

 

[vermaleneric]

Hello guys
I love the bass of my LCD2 C but want to try something else ... but not too much different.
I want something with great bass but with a different overall presentation.
I have difficult to explain.
My amps are Feliks Audio Elise and Auris HA2 SE and RNHP.
My DAC is my AK 70 dap.

 

[Slim1970]

Hello guys
I love the bass of my LCD2 C but want to try something else ... but not too much different.
I want something with great bass but with a different overall presentation.
I have difficult to explain.
My amps are Feliks Audio Elise and Auris HA2 SE and RNHP.
My DAC is my AK 70 dap.

The Ether 2's are a step up in every category. The only real similarities is the tone. Both a have a warm engaging sound signature but the Ether's 2 reach deeper and have more linear bass and subbass. They are also more detailed, balanced with better upper midrange presence and clarity. Depending on your choice of earpads you can further tweak the sound to your liking.

 

[vermaleneric]

So yes this is the E2 that I will buy.
What you say in your comment is really what I am looking for.

 

[InstantSilence]

Hello anyone running the e2 with the tt2 or an liquid platinum amp?
Is it fatiguing at all? Are the later builds quite different in sound compare to the beginning builds?

 

[LCMusicLover]

Hello anyone running the e2 with the tt2 or an liquid platinum amp? Is it fatiguing at all? ...

Liquid Platinum ==> E2 here. Not the slightest bit fatiguing to my ears. Stock Vivo XLR cable & stock pads only.

... Are the later builds quite different in sound compare to the beginning builds?

Mine are an early build, but I don’t recall seeing comments that suggest there was a change of signature with later builds. Of course I might have missed them.

 

[George Chronis]

Hello anyone running the e2 with the tt2 or an liquid platinum amp?
Is it fatiguing at all? Are the later builds quite different in sound compare to the beginning builds?

Latest E2 and LP with a Modius DAC (and also tried Mojo). Not fatiguing at all with stock tubes or Golden Lion. Haven’t rolled anything else, yet. Very highly doubt there will be any sign of fatigue. Haven’t read anything like that either.

 

[jarnopp]

Are there any comparisons of E2 and HE-1000 v2?

 

[LCMusicLover]

Are there any comparisons of E2 and HE-1000 v2?

I owned both until I upgraded to HEKse.

Fairly close in tonality except the highs — HEK sound linear to my ears, while the last bit seems slightly recessed from E2. Bass might be slightly more extended from E2, somewhat more prominent from HEK, but really very close. HEK has a slightly airier/more delicate/ethereal sound. Headstages are comparable — a little taller/wider from HEK, but slightly more depth from E2.

Overall, pretty close. I will say that E2 seems a bit more amp-picky — not in terms of power/current demands, very close there — but there were some pairings which made E2 seem less dynamic, with a flatter headstage.

Hope that helps.

 

[jarnopp]

I owned both until I upgraded to HEKse.

Fairly close in tonality except the highs — HEK sound linear to my ears, while the last bit seems slightly recessed from E2. Bass might be slightly more extended from E2, somewhat more prominent from HEK, but really very close. HEK has a slightly airier/more delicate/ethereal sound. Headstages are comparable — a little taller/wider from HEK, but slightly more depth from E2.

Overall, pretty close. I will say that E2 seems a bit more amp-picky — not in terms of power/current demands, very close there — but there were some pairings which made E2 seem less dynamic, with a flatter headstage.

Hope that helps.

That does, thank you. If I could trouble you, since you mention the 1000se and I see the HEDD in your signature, can you provide some comparisons to those also? The HEDD is the only one I am familiar with.

 

[InstantSilence]

Is the ether 2 or the zmf cans less fatiguing? Which is best for most long term listening with no harsh sound?