Ok well I got my pair a few days ago (fresh from Massdrop after my zip tie fiasco with BLINQ).
I've been doing a lot of listening with the Ori pads, have the Lawton DYI kit for driver dampening but wanted to do some listening before modding. I'll refrain from saying too much about sound until I've had an opportunity to do more listening.
First impressions:
Note: my source is my MB Pro, no amp. From Spotify with higher quality audio option toggled
Not going to lie I was SLIGHTLY disappointed on first listen. Probably because they've been so hyped up in my mind though. I've read that burn in isn't actually real but after listening for hours and hours... well I appreciate them so much more now (the logical explanation here, and im quoting koover, is my brain has gotten used to the SS). I listen to music while I work, so several hours a day, but with these headphones I found myself listening to music until like 2-3am after getting home (I'm sure part of it was excitement over a new toy, but still). When i find myself digging through old songs just to see how they'd sound at 2 am in the morning.. I'd say its a good thing.
When I compared them to other over ear headphones I had around (Bose QC25, Munitio Pro40, Beats Solo- on ear but whatever) it was a no contest also (as expected). The PH blew them out of the water.
There's even some songs I've saved to my library exclusively because they sound amazing on these headphones.
The Ori pads are certainly more comfortable than the stock pads. I have yet to cut out an attenuation ring like suggested in this thread which I heard improves bass. It does change the sound from the stock (bass, which is pretty THICC with stock pads, seems to have taken a slight hit in its raw power for example, but its more articulated/clean now for sure) and I haven't decided whether I like it more yet (have done most listening on Ori, gonna switch back to stock soon to recompare). I originally thought the Ori pads were just too deep so the sound seems to be coming from a bit further, which is slightly less preferable if you're listening in a non quiet environment as the stock pads have a more in your head sound. I can see that being a bit fatiguing for long listening sessions though.
I've definitely found them to be V-shaped, so the mids are bit recessed (I knew that going in and am totally okay with that). Great details, not a super wide soundstage but it contributes to the allure (sound feels like its just coming from your head in a good way).
A few more initial observations:
These are not very isolating. I have an AC running in my room that makes noise and putting these on barely, if at all, reduces the noise. You can hear whats going on around you if no music is playing and even slightly when music is playing. They obviously leak some noise too, not sure how much. I'll be using them in the office so I'll ask coworkers if they hear it. Was expecting it to be a little more isolating given it appears closed, but was not quite the case.
Portability: I had read that this would prob not the best pair for commuting. I have a 5 minute walk to work every day so thought it would be no big deal and ignored that. Well, it's definitely manageable but jesus the 10 foot vacuum cord monstrosity they include really is a hassle. I braided it (
) which helps but its a beast either way. Should probably invest in a good pair of IEMs for that anyways though.
Comfort/ Stability: Improved with a pair of after market pads (which change the sound, but maybe for the better depending on your tastes). They don't clamp too hard, which is ok, but they do tend to slide a bit forward and back if I tilt my head. Not enough to fall out but they do move around a bit. Not an issue unless you're trying to listen to them horizontally lol, and even then all you really need to do is adjust. It does adjust pretty nicely though and isn't TOO heavy. The headband isn't that uncomfortable IMO but if you're sensitive to that you may want to purchase something like (
http://www.zmfheadphones.com/pads-and-cables/pilot-pad) for example since it's not that padded and you can feel the frame under it. Not too big a deal for me personally.
Aesthetics: They're pretty hot. Not in an urban, contemporary way like the Beats for example (admit it, they do look real nice). Only including because I did have a bit of a moment when unwrapping all the packaging and finally seeing these and just being like wow. The purple heart is real nice, but looks best in the light as can be pretty dark otherwise. The Ori Pads do make them look a bit weird on since they're so damn deep (like easily 2-3x as thick as the wooden cups themselves).
And this is probably fairly standard but I did find the lack of a mic with the track skipping/pausing thing a slight decrement. I do use these headphones to take calls and such and you'll have to rely on the mic in your computer or phone. All the cables I've used in the past have had them and it was convenient to have, but not a deal breaker in the slightest.
