FullBright1
Headphoneus Supremus
Let say you are thinking about buying the Monolith 788 or the RME ADI-2 FS v2 Black
And you want to know which one has the better headphone out sound, as you plan on needing it.
Well, they both use this : AKM's AK4493
Both Headphone outs are quite powerful.
Both Volume knobs are "stepped", and the RME implements this function better.
It has more "in between" steps, that allow you to fine tune the Volume more perfectly.
Both Displays are easy to read and the RME's interface (buttons and knobs) is better implemented.
Ok...Headphone out only, unbalanced, ... which is better. ?
>NO EQ'ing
Clarity : Equal.
Dynamics : The RME leans more toward the Neutral Reference idea, while the 788 offers this but also presents a touch more overall FR energy.
FR Compression : very similar
Articulation : Equal
Resolution : Similar enough to say its a draw.
Musicality : RME
Punch : 788
Treble & Bass : With EQ set to "OFF" .... Both are very dynamic in this regard, and very similar.
Soundstage : RME is wider with slightly less center focus and is more open, and the 788 is more forward or slightly less wide and sounds more intimate and more precise.
Midrange : 788 has more solidity in the mids. They are more forward. The RME's Midrange performance is more broad and a tiny bit more musical.
If you purchase the RME, be sure to engage "High Power" all the time, as this completely changes the Headphone output's sound from slightly soft and veiled to what you will definitely prefer.
And you want to know which one has the better headphone out sound, as you plan on needing it.
Well, they both use this : AKM's AK4493
Both Headphone outs are quite powerful.
Both Volume knobs are "stepped", and the RME implements this function better.
It has more "in between" steps, that allow you to fine tune the Volume more perfectly.
Both Displays are easy to read and the RME's interface (buttons and knobs) is better implemented.
Ok...Headphone out only, unbalanced, ... which is better. ?
>NO EQ'ing
Clarity : Equal.
Dynamics : The RME leans more toward the Neutral Reference idea, while the 788 offers this but also presents a touch more overall FR energy.
FR Compression : very similar
Articulation : Equal
Resolution : Similar enough to say its a draw.
Musicality : RME
Punch : 788
Treble & Bass : With EQ set to "OFF" .... Both are very dynamic in this regard, and very similar.
Soundstage : RME is wider with slightly less center focus and is more open, and the 788 is more forward or slightly less wide and sounds more intimate and more precise.
Midrange : 788 has more solidity in the mids. They are more forward. The RME's Midrange performance is more broad and a tiny bit more musical.
If you purchase the RME, be sure to engage "High Power" all the time, as this completely changes the Headphone output's sound from slightly soft and veiled to what you will definitely prefer.
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