Introducing CL2 Planar

[pan mores]

@RHA Team - these CL2 still sound great without a DAP? Connected directly to a, say, iPhone? Or a DAP is a must?

 

[McCol]

I've pre-ordered, will be interesting to see how they fare against my AKG N5005. Same price, similar look to body shape, similar cables and bluetooth functions. The N5005 s a stellar earphone.

 

[davidmolliere]

I've pre-ordered, will be interesting to see how they fare against my AKG N5005. Same price, similar look to body shape, similar cables and bluetooth functions. The N5005 s a stellar earphone.

Your impressions will very probably make me buy or not buy the CL2

 

[pan mores]

Interesting comment here... what do you guys think how the MEEs compare to the CL2?

https://www.soundguys.com/rha-cl2-wireless-planar-magnetic-release-19015/#comment-4071019778

 

[McCol]

Your impressions will very probably make me buy or not buy the CL2

I don't really expect the CL2 to surpass the N5005, the N5005 is really something quite special to my ears. Allowed me to sell my Noble K10. What I'm expecting (hopefully) is a similar level of quality but with a different sound signature.

 

[McCol]

Interesting comment here... what do you guys think how the MEEs compare to the CL2?

https://www.soundguys.com/rha-cl2-wireless-planar-magnetic-release-19015/#comment-4071019778

I got the impression elsewhere/somewhere that the MEE earphones are using a different driver for their earphones.

 

[waveSounds]

Interesting to note the similarity in release timing and tech, but RHA don't strike me as the kind of company to hike prices for the sake of it *cough*cHiFiMAN*cough*

 

[davidmolliere]

I don't really expect the CL2 to surpass the N5005, the N5005 is really something quite special to my ears. Allowed me to sell my Noble K10. What I'm expecting (hopefully) is a similar level of quality but with a different sound signature.

I didn't think the N5005 was that good, thought it was good but not selling K10 good, curious to know what the CL2 holds anyway

 

[pan mores]

Wondering whether the CL2 requires a DAP. With the CL1 RHA explicitly said so.

Am not that good with reading specs. I asked RHA support about this and they answered:

"It is not necessary to use a Dacamp L1 with the CL2 Planar. However, if you do connect the Dacamp L1 via the cables provided this will only enhance the sound quality."

Anyone?

 

[davidmolliere]

Wondering whether the CL2 requires a DAP. With the CL1 RHA explicitly said so.
Am not that good with reading specs. I asked RHA support about this and they answered:
"It is not necessary to use a Dacamp L1 with the CL2 Planar. However, if you do connect the Dacamp L1 via the cables provided this will only enhance the sound quality."
Anyone?

I bet it does need a DAP, the quite low 89dB/mW sensitivity rating means you'll need decent power to drive the CL2 loud enough (most smartphone will need to be pushed at 80/90% volume probably) and the 15ohms impedance means you'll need good current and low output impedance as well. Not sure every smartphone will fit that bill, unless you have a LG V10/V20 or the likes.

My guess is, you won't get a great performance out of an average source.

 

[pan mores]

Sounds plausible @davidmolliere ... Could you recommend a DAP, apart from RHA's model, that would be well suited for iPhones and the CL2?

 

[davidmolliere]

Sounds plausible @davidmolliere ... Could you recommend a DAP, apart from RHA's model, that would be well suited for iPhones and the CL2?

Looks like you're looking for an external DAC/amp if you want to use with the iPhone, I have lost touch with that kind of gear as I have tried stacked phone + DAC/amp but it never quite agreed with me... This being said, you can't go wrong with Chord Mojo (I own one) if you can accomodate the form factor (thicker and smaller than your phone) if not then something like iFi Audio xDSD might do it for you. There are others less bulky but not in the same league Oppo HA-2 or FiiO Q5.

 

[McCol]

I’ll be using the Q5 with my iPhone and assuming it will have the power to drive these.

 

[Kitechaser]

Hey when you guys get this, can you please do a comparison to the campfire andromeda, and vega.
I want to listen to these first hand after, but any input will be helpful.

 

[RHA Team]

@RHA Team - these CL2 still sound great without a DAP? Connected directly to a, say, iPhone? Or a DAP is a must?

The better the source, the better the sound BUT we've been using this at IFA with iPods and Neutron/my OnePlus 3T and Tidal and they run great so dedicated players are NOT *required* to run them.