The Flux Lab Acoustics FA-22 / Gjallarhorn JM Edition is an astounding duet. Layered, reverberant sound, immense dynamic range, textured deep bass, airy sculpted midrange, ethereal treble…(the FA-22 dethroned my longtime solid-state favourite, the Violectric V280 - itself a wizard with the GH/JM…)
Rognir is a great match for tube amplifiers. I was very pleased with how they worked together with Manley Labs Absolute (USA). Excellent result and full synergy with the Viva Egoista 845 (Italy) and Rivera Audio Labs AIC10-Bal (Italy). And the combination of Rognir with Ray Samuels Emmeline 2 "The Raptor" deprived me of sleep! In my opinion, this American brand is the best I've heard. Ray Samuels amps are fantastic! Don't think of it as advertising, it's just my personal impressions, nothing more. But I'm sorry that so few people pay attention to the humble American company Ray Samuels Audio. His products are brilliant!The bass version is the Version 1 tuning? How's the bass compared to the TH900 and VC?
What amp/DAC are you using as well?
@VKazanzhi - I might have to take you up on that offerQuestion: How well do the Rognir's interact with tube amps?
TH900 are great headphones! I'm afraid to even say anything about their bass. Probably nothing compares to them in terms of bass, including the Rognir. I can't say anything about the VC as I listened to them a long time ago, sorry. Usually we use Violectric DAC V850 + HPA V281.The bass version is the Version 1 tuning? How's the bass compared to the TH900 and VC?
What amp/DAC are you using as well?
@VKazanzhi - I might have to take you up on that offer
Wow it's great to read such an established headphone company as Kennerton mention Ray Samuels Audio. Once received, I plan to do some listening with my Rognir and my RSA "The Hornet" as another option. It's a nice little amp. I agree...RSA makes some awesome amps.
As someone who has built many, many valve hifi components, and measured them, I have a general comment on measurements in hifi.Beginning yesterday, I began to receive messages one after another asking me to comment on the latest Rognir test. Someone saw an ulterior motive in it. Some were very surprised (from those who had the opportunity to listen to Rognir with their own ears). Some suggested that the headphones were faulty. I don't want to argue with anyone. To be completely frank, my opinion about all of this can be described by a quote from Confucius: "If someone spits at your back, it means that you are ahead". I apologize, but I am as entitled to my opinion as anyone. Furthermore, I am so confident that the Rognir is one of the best closed headphones that I am willing to offer anyone who takes the risk of ordering these headphones a full refund (excluding shipping costs) if they are not to their liking. Why? And I just want everyone to be able to decide for themselves where the truth is and where it is... delusion.
One last thing... about the measurements. Yes, that's a very important point. But at the same time, there is no one correct universal methodology.
Let's compare non-normalized measurements of the same HiFiMan Ananda (just for example) headphones obtained from different sources (rtings, Crinacle, RAA, DIY-Audio-Heaven) on the same scale:
Which result is correct? The question is meaningless, because the stands are different, because the methodologies are different too, and there is no way we can compare the measurements with the real sound perception.
P.S. Sorry for my awful English...
How big of an issue is this with the leather headband cover from Rognir? Is it less microphonic, or not significantly less?
It's significantly less. The microphone effect disappears almost completely. But if you would drum on the headband with your fingers, alas no metal headband in the world can save your ears from that spring-like sound.
Good to hear I have an FA22 at home have been using it with my Grado Hemp and LSA HP Diamond. As I stated earlier in a post been using the JME Gjallarhorn with my Questyle while I am in Delaware. John M. did a phenomenal job modding to series 1. One thing while the headband is microphonic it doesn’t bother me I do not notice it impacting the sound and I do not tap myself in the head while listening…
The heart measures the beauty within music….without dials or meters….
This is GH/JM chez moi. To address microphonics in the headband, I covered the “cantilever” with a headband cover then attached a Dekoni nugget to the top of the inner headband. When I wear the GH/JM, the cantilever and inner headband approach each other and the Dekoni nugget provides additional damping. Result: microphony begone! (The photograph was taken before the arrival of FA-22. Valhalla II is still in the h/p/a rotation.)
Very nice!! Which headband did you use? How did you stick the nugget?This is GH/JM chez moi. To address microphonics in the headband, I covered the “cantilever” with a headband cover then attached a Dekoni nugget to the top of the inner headband. When I wear the GH/JM, the cantilever and inner headband approach each other and the Dekoni nugget provides additional damping. Result: microphony begone! (The photograph was taken before the arrival of FA-22. Valhalla II is still in the h/p/a rotation.)
