[iFi audio]

I use TWau Whiplash cable, which sadly is no longer available, and with that, they are one of the best headphones I own.

That's very interesting if not inspiring. Let me ask which cans they resemble the most to your ears? Is there any specific model that comes to mind? Thanks!

 

[paulybatz]

That's very interesting if not inspiring. Let me ask which cans they resemble the most to your ears? Is there any specific model that comes to mind? Thanks!

They’re really unto themselves. Very analytical…pure and clear. I use a silver cable with mine through tan RME adi2 pro

 

[iFi audio]

Very analytical…pure and clear.

That's all I needed to know how these cans sound like, thanks a lot

 

[jamato8]

That's all I needed to know how these cans sound like, thanks a lot

I would not call them analytical.The reason for this, is my own interpretation of that is that a headphone gets all the details but their is something lost in the sound. It doesn't have any natural warmth when needed, soul of the music is gone. The SR2 and SR3 get to the crux of music and if there is an edginess to the sound, it is there because it is there to begin with and not artificially put in because the headphones have an emphasis on upper mid frequencies but because it they don't gloss over the sound. I have some nice headphones that are very enjoyable to listen to but that ultimate edge that can exist in live music is missing. Not so with the SR3 (especially the SR3). That empty space that can exist in good recordings, that take you to the venue, is there when these headphones are used and for me, when used in combination with a good cable.

 

[paulybatz]

I would not call them analytical.The reason for this, is my own interpretation of that is that a headphone gets all the details but their is something lost in the sound. It doesn't have any natural warmth when needed, soul of the music is gone. The SR2 and SR3 get to the crux of music and if there is an edginess to the sound, it is there because it is there to begin with and not artificially put in because the headphones have an emphasis on upper mid frequencies but because it they don't gloss over the sound. I have some nice headphones that are very enjoyable to listen to but that ultimate edge that can exist in live music is missing. Not so with the SR3 (especially the SR3). That empty space that can exist in good recordings, that take you to the venue, is there when these headphones are used and for me, when used in combination with a good cable.

Always better than me at explaining this. Yes… all that… clear and distinct

 

[iFi audio]

I would not call them analytical.The reason for this, is my own interpretation of that is that a headphone gets all the details but their is something lost in the sound. It doesn't have any natural warmth when needed, soul of the music is gone. The SR2 and SR3 get to the crux of music and if there is an edginess to the sound, it is there because it is there to begin with and not artificially put in because the headphones have an emphasis on upper mid frequencies but because it they don't gloss over the sound. I have some nice headphones that are very enjoyable to listen to but that ultimate edge that can exist in live music is missing. Not so with the SR3 (especially the SR3). That empty space that can exist in good recordings, that take you to the venue, is there when these headphones are used and for me, when used in combination with a good cable.

Thank you! So we're discussing cans analytical yet developed on natural tone and body, more or less?

 

[jamato8]

Thank you! So we're discussing cans analytical yet developed on natural tone and body, more or less?

Yes, but I find analytical to be cold and sterile. They do not miss detail. Detail isn't always analytical but can be. They are full sounding, as in natural but without missing the detail.

 

[iFi audio]

They are full sounding, as in natural but without missing the detail.

I hear you, we're on the same page then and thanks for explaining! I consider cans capable of sounding full *and* detailed (usually it's more of one or the other...) at the same time as elegant in a way. Now it's easy for me to understand why you like them so much

 

[TWerk]

Yeah these things sound lovely. Very immersive, big sound/stage - the way it stages is impressive. I'm really digging that bass extension and the midrange sounds really great too. Mids are liquid, smooth - nuanced. Comfort is amazing. These have a lot of detail and resolution on offer but it's not shouty at you, it's just layered. The bass extension is very good here, they extend down really well too. I'm really impressed - it's a very complete headphone with great dynamics too.

Is the census (I'd imagine) to run them with the larger perforated pads? I tried the smaller ones and it seemed to make them much more closed in and dark with a lot of extra bass which could be good (I guess) for brighter amps and/or bassheads. Glad to have both options but yeah, it changes them rather significantly with the larger holed pads seeming much more balanced. I could see their appeal already with my limited listening session, sounds very balanced all over but engaging.

 

[Mhog55]

Yeah these things sound lovely. Very immersive, big sound/stage - the way it stages is impressive. I'm really digging that bass extension and the midrange sounds really great too. Mids are liquid, smooth - nuanced. Comfort is amazing. These have a lot of detail and resolution on offer but it's not shouty at you, it's just layered. The bass extension is very good here, they extend down really well too. I'm really impressed - it's a very complete headphone with great dynamics too.

Is the census (I'd imagine) to run them with the larger perforated pads? I tried the smaller ones and it seemed to make them much more closed in and dark with a lot of extra bass which could be good (I guess) for brighter amps and/or bassheads. Glad to have both options but yeah, it changes them rather significantly with the larger holed pads seeming much more balanced. I could see their appeal already with my limited listening session, sounds very balanced all over but engaging.

This sounds about right to me. I don't find the SR2 analytical. We're not talking outrageous resolution and extreme detail. They sound natural with a nice bump in the bass, which is very clear, layered and dynamic. The lower mids have just the slightest amount of warmth, mids are linear, upper mids are a splash reserved to avoid any wonky or annoying splash or sizzle. Lower treble and up is smooth but not lacking unless you are a treble head. Imaging is pretty superb. I hear most all of the nuances. Timbre is lovely and very easy to get along with, which leads to a very musical presentation. Very engaging and sounds very good with whatever you throw at it. Comfort is outstanding. This is my opinion with the pre installed pads.

 

[TWerk]

They really do seem to walk a tight line in doing everything well. Maybe like a jack of all trades type of headphone - technical performance is solid across the board while remaining very musical and enjoyable. Mid centric sound to my ears - smooth and effortless presentation.

I agree with timbre as well. And yes, comfort is fantastic. Love the pads and the whole thing just fits like a glove. They did a really nice job in bringing a lot of good qualities to this one - I really think the lower bass into sub bass area is impressive too.

When you say stock pads, do you mean the smaller holed ones? I think those close in the sound and deff make them come across as more veiled though some amps lean brighter and this may be a good counterforce if that is the case.

 

[jamato8]

They really do seem to walk a tight line in doing everything well. Maybe like a jack of all trades type of headphone - technical performance is solid across the board while remaining very musical and enjoyable.

I agree with timbre as well - there is a certain smoothness throughout that is very appealing. And yes, comfort is fantastic. Love the pads and the whole thing just fits like a glove. They did a really nice job in bringing a lot of good qualities to this one.

When you say stock pads, do you mean the smaller holed ones? I think those close in the sound and deff make them come across as more veiled though some amps lean brighter and this may be a good counterforce if that is the case.

The HE90 are considered to be a premier headphone. Some still prefer it to the new HE1. And they are wonderful and mine are like new. Also my amp for them is totally updated and does a great job.

But, what do I listen to most all the time, even compared to the HE90, which now go for around 14,000 dollars, the SR3. It isn't about price, it is performance but some only equate performance with dollars and I can tell you, it ain't so.

 

[Mhog55]

The HE90 are considered to be a premier headphone. Some still prefer it to the new HE1. And they are wonderful and mine are like new. Also my amp for them is totally updated and does a great job.

But, what do I listen to most all the time, even compared to the HE90, which now go for around 14,000 dollars, the SR3. It isn't about price, it is performance but some only equate performance with dollars and I can tell you, it ain't so.

Would you say that the SR3 is more neutral/flat than the SR2 - better on a technical level? Is the timbre and frequency response similar? What sets the 3 apart from the 2? I don't know if it should be considered an upgrade, or if I need to even try it.

 

[TWerk]

The HE90 are considered to be a premier headphone. Some still prefer it to the new HE1. And they are wonderful and mine are like new. Also my amp for them is totally updated and does a great job.

But, what do I listen to most all the time, even compared to the HE90, which now go for around 14,000 dollars, the SR3. It isn't about price, it is performance but some only equate performance with dollars and I can tell you, it ain't so.

I'm in 100% agreement. I've gone through a lot of headphones in over 10 years during my time here and I can tell you there are plenty of headphones at lower prices which have surprised me with how much I enjoy them.

There have also been plenty at higher prices which I did not like or whose price to me did not justify keeping. It certainly is not all about the price and there are plenty of fantastic headphones out there at various price levels.

The ones I own now, for me, occupy that sweet zone of reasonable price and excellent performance.

What I look for is more enjoyment than anything. I don't care about what a graph looks like or revealing every minute detail, personally it's just if I could stick something on my head and have an enjoyable time listening and destress after work.

None in my collection now came in over $400, though I always stick with used to help with that.

 

[TWerk]

There is a certain quality of these also that do sound Biocellulose to me also having heard other Biocellulose driver headphones...

I had TH900 a few times. It had that really nicely extended sub bass with a smoothness/liquidity through the mids that was characteristic of it.

Though that one had some peaky treble issues which this model does not share nor was it mid-centric like this one - that one had suck out in the mids.