Nov. 28th - International Sound and Sight Exhibition:
This is traditionally more of a higher end AV / home entertainment show rather than a headphone show, but this year they have more headphone and portable gears at display.
Lehmann Traverller is the first pootable amp I saw in the show. Never listen to it as the rig I brought over to the show isn't setup to listen to amp, but to headphone.
Besides Z5, there are also MDR-Z7 as well as MDR-1A (not shown due to blurry picture)
Surprise #1: The new XBA-A series. While Z5 is pretty impressive, I actually find A3 sounding more coherent. There are some discontinuity in Z5's bass, as if it kicks in just a few nano second later then the rest of the frequency. A3 to me has the almost the same SQ, but not the coherency issue, so I ended up picking up a pair later on.
DITA - didn't try the balanced version, but I was mightily impressed by the Truth edition last time I tried it.
Surprise #2: Atomic Floyd SuperDart Titanium. I have the regular SuperDart and it has a very V-shaped sound that might not appeal to everyone. The new Titanium edition is however a different beast. It is much more balanced sounding than the regular version and I am quite impressed.
The new RHA T10i - forgot to try it as I was rushing to take pictures.
Bakoon
Hifiman feeding WOO
From left: HM802, HM901 and HM650. As you can see, HM901 is sitting on its dock.
Some TEAC and Meridian stuffs.
Surprise #3: OPPO HA-2, a portable USB DAC+amp with OTG support and bass boost, based DAC section on ESS ES9180K2M This is still prototype but overall it is quite refined. It has a fairly powerful amp section and a very neutral and transparent sound signature.
Some YAMAHA, but nothing special there.
Sennheiser wireless headphones, quite excellent sounding for wireless.
Surprise #4: Fischer Audio planar and IEM prototype
Sorry, no picture here as I don't want to ruin the surprise for Fischer Audio. I was told by FA's staff @ ISSE that FS' boss is in town for meeting, but won't have the time to visit ISSE. After I left ISSE, I went to a local headphone shop, and to my surprise, they were walking out of that shop (with one of the FS local staff, that's how I recognized them). It turns out that they were visiting shops to showcase their upcoming products, including a new planar, a full sized dynamic and an IEM. I got to listen to all three and am quite impressed. All are excellent sounding. The planar is a bit on the warm and rich side, but very effortless, even coming out of my portable rig (Sony NWZ-A15 digital-out to iDSD micro). If you want more impression, you'll have to wait for LFF's review as I was told that he will be writing one. The dynamic full size has the same sound signature, but not quite as good, though still excellent for an dynamic. The biggest surprise is the IEM - I can only describe it as being one of the most reference sounding dynamic IEM I have ever heard. Not sure when the IEM will come out, but the planar will be launched in early 2015.
Nov. 28th - Creative Sound Blaster X7 demo @ SITEX 2014
SITEX is more or less a computer and gadget show. Kind of like a year-end big electronics sale event. Very crowded, but not ideal for showing audio products because of the noise. However, it is kind of a tradition for Creative to be there since it is a local company.
The X7 is driving a pair of Canton floor speaker (not sure about the model, but seems to be the Vento series, 890.2 or 880.2) via its built-in 100W power amp and an optional upgraded power supply. As explained by the Creative guys, the upgraded power supply is needed because they need to push the X7 harder to overcome the noise in the SITEX show. If it is at home, the stock power supply should be enough. The X7 does drive the Canton pretty well.
Nov. 29th - Jaben
A quick stop at Jaben as it is on my way to the AT event, and get a chance to listen to the aurender. That thing is really big and heavy, but pretty good SQ.
Nov. 29th - The Audio-Technica Offline event
We get to try some of yet-to-be released (locally) products that AT brings over from Japan.
Some ATH-MSR7, including limited edition.
The focus of the show, the TOTL AT-HA5050H
The portable gears table, including the regular CKR9, the limited CKR9 and CKR7, the AT-PHA50BT and AT-PHA100.
The red CKR9 limited edition has a sound signature somewhat between the regular CKR9 and CKR10. It is warmer and smoother than the V-shaped sounding CKR9, but not as sweet as CKR10.
The AT-PHA50BT is a bit warm sounding, but it is not connected to my smartphone so I can't say if that's its true sound signature or not. Quite small though.
This is traditionally more of a higher end AV / home entertainment show rather than a headphone show, but this year they have more headphone and portable gears at display.
Lehmann Traverller is the first pootable amp I saw in the show. Never listen to it as the rig I brought over to the show isn't setup to listen to amp, but to headphone.
Besides Z5, there are also MDR-Z7 as well as MDR-1A (not shown due to blurry picture)
Surprise #1: The new XBA-A series. While Z5 is pretty impressive, I actually find A3 sounding more coherent. There are some discontinuity in Z5's bass, as if it kicks in just a few nano second later then the rest of the frequency. A3 to me has the almost the same SQ, but not the coherency issue, so I ended up picking up a pair later on.
DITA - didn't try the balanced version, but I was mightily impressed by the Truth edition last time I tried it.
Surprise #2: Atomic Floyd SuperDart Titanium. I have the regular SuperDart and it has a very V-shaped sound that might not appeal to everyone. The new Titanium edition is however a different beast. It is much more balanced sounding than the regular version and I am quite impressed.
The new RHA T10i - forgot to try it as I was rushing to take pictures.
Bakoon
Hifiman feeding WOO
From left: HM802, HM901 and HM650. As you can see, HM901 is sitting on its dock.
Some TEAC and Meridian stuffs.
Surprise #3: OPPO HA-2, a portable USB DAC+amp with OTG support and bass boost, based DAC section on ESS ES9180K2M This is still prototype but overall it is quite refined. It has a fairly powerful amp section and a very neutral and transparent sound signature.
Some YAMAHA, but nothing special there.
Sennheiser wireless headphones, quite excellent sounding for wireless.
Surprise #4: Fischer Audio planar and IEM prototype
Sorry, no picture here as I don't want to ruin the surprise for Fischer Audio. I was told by FA's staff @ ISSE that FS' boss is in town for meeting, but won't have the time to visit ISSE. After I left ISSE, I went to a local headphone shop, and to my surprise, they were walking out of that shop (with one of the FS local staff, that's how I recognized them). It turns out that they were visiting shops to showcase their upcoming products, including a new planar, a full sized dynamic and an IEM. I got to listen to all three and am quite impressed. All are excellent sounding. The planar is a bit on the warm and rich side, but very effortless, even coming out of my portable rig (Sony NWZ-A15 digital-out to iDSD micro). If you want more impression, you'll have to wait for LFF's review as I was told that he will be writing one. The dynamic full size has the same sound signature, but not quite as good, though still excellent for an dynamic. The biggest surprise is the IEM - I can only describe it as being one of the most reference sounding dynamic IEM I have ever heard. Not sure when the IEM will come out, but the planar will be launched in early 2015.
Nov. 28th - Creative Sound Blaster X7 demo @ SITEX 2014
SITEX is more or less a computer and gadget show. Kind of like a year-end big electronics sale event. Very crowded, but not ideal for showing audio products because of the noise. However, it is kind of a tradition for Creative to be there since it is a local company.
The X7 is driving a pair of Canton floor speaker (not sure about the model, but seems to be the Vento series, 890.2 or 880.2) via its built-in 100W power amp and an optional upgraded power supply. As explained by the Creative guys, the upgraded power supply is needed because they need to push the X7 harder to overcome the noise in the SITEX show. If it is at home, the stock power supply should be enough. The X7 does drive the Canton pretty well.
Nov. 29th - Jaben
A quick stop at Jaben as it is on my way to the AT event, and get a chance to listen to the aurender. That thing is really big and heavy, but pretty good SQ.
Nov. 29th - The Audio-Technica Offline event
We get to try some of yet-to-be released (locally) products that AT brings over from Japan.
Some ATH-MSR7, including limited edition.
The focus of the show, the TOTL AT-HA5050H
The portable gears table, including the regular CKR9, the limited CKR9 and CKR7, the AT-PHA50BT and AT-PHA100.
The red CKR9 limited edition has a sound signature somewhat between the regular CKR9 and CKR10. It is warmer and smoother than the V-shaped sounding CKR9, but not as sweet as CKR10.
The AT-PHA50BT is a bit warm sounding, but it is not connected to my smartphone so I can't say if that's its true sound signature or not. Quite small though.
too bad i only get to visit Sound and Sight...