I had the same issue auditioning the Layla. Turns out the bass output attenuator was maxed out. It was fine after it was adjusted all the way down. Might've been the issue?
Before I get to my impressions, I'm more of a music lover than I am an audiophile. I currently have a pair of JH16s NFP. I'm doing my last audition with the Layla and Angies today (I've had ~4-5 hours with each the past few days). I've done testing with flacs, Tidal, and Spotify Premium. I'm using a Meridian Explorer2 DAC. Brought a crew of music lovers to test them out as well.
We also had Roxanne, 13s, and 16s with freqphase on deck for A/B comparisons. So far, we agree unanimously that these flagships are significantly more enjoyable to listen to and are placed in a completely different tier from the others, including Roxy. These are the notes I wrote down during the auditions:
Both:
- The soundstage is enormous. It's apparent for all types of music but using the Chesky - Right/Let Channel ID Test made it really obvious (and freaky). Incredible.
- Coherence
- I think the best blanket term for both of these is "organic." There's a naturalness and detail that's plain addictive.
- Well-extended and could handle anything you throw at them.
- As far as universals go, I thought both of them were comfortable but frickin' huge.
Layla:
- Accurate to a fault. Astounding amount of detail and balance. Definitely a reference level monitor.
- There's more detail and sense of clarity (more airy in the mids)
- Bass reproduction was a bit more detailed
- Imaging was a tad better than Angies.
- Mids were clean, textured, and has a clear presence. Some instruments were not as apparent on the Angies.
- Some recordings were lifeless...but accurate.
Angie:
- The vocals unequivocally have a larger presence...which isn't necessary a bad thing, at least to my ears.
- I felt the Angies were more textured on the high-end. It was apparent in some songs like Damien Rice - 9 Crimes at the 2:40 mark. The low female vocal was amazingly perceptible on the Angies but a bit stressed/harsh on the Laylas.
- The thing I found as a bit of an issue with the 13s/16s/Roxys was the sibilance. Quite honestly, it's the recording most of the time and these monitors are just recreating the sound accurately. That said, the Angies had less sibilance and made it more enjoying to listen to for most of my playlist.
- The low end might be a bit lacking for some palates.
Conclusion:
The Laylas were more technical, analytic, and extremely revealing. They are what they were meant to be...reference monitors.
The Angies have a more fun and energetic touch to them and is probably more of my preference as far as sound signatures go.
In other words, Layla is the girl you marry: you might find things you like or hate about her as you go but she's solid. Angie is more of a one-night stand. You could have a deep conversation with her if you want but she'll be fun most of the time.
Artists: Charice, Avril, Babyface, Beck, Buckthead, Damien Rice, Diana Krall, Dr. Dre, Echosmith, Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, Kina Grannis, Lindsey Stirling, Madonna, Mariah, Metallica, Michale Jackson, miles Davis, Nirvana (MTV NYC), Norah J, Paramore, The Ataris, The XX, Tristan Prettyman, Sara Bareilles, and the Chesky demos.
