[MatW]

I am very happy I bought the Empyreans again. I tried using it with the Formula S, but I hear a faint electrical noise, as if the headhphone is too sensitive for the amp. So I plug it straight into the DAVE. And it sounds awesome!

Currently listening to this album:

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I am very happy I bought the Empyreans again. I tried using it with the Formula S, but I hear a faint electrical noise, as if the headhphone is too sensitive for the amp.

I believe it's normal behaviour of Formula S. Also happen with LCD-X, although the "hiss" not as loud as I experienced with Milo.

 

[Frankie D]

I am very happy I bought the Empyreans again. I tried using it with the Formula S, but I hear a faint electrical noise, as if the headhphone is too sensitive for the amp. So I plug it straight into the DAVE. And it sounds awesome!

Currently listening to this album:

Does that mean the Formula S is not as good as Abyss has said it is? Or is it just a matching issue? Tks.

 

[MatW]

Does that mean the Formula S is not as good as Abyss has said it is? Or is it just a matching issue? Tks.

Abyss recently posted a video on the Abyss thread in which they said that the Formula S is also good for easier to drive headphones or something to that effect, and I mentioned my Empyrean experience in response to that. I would say it's a very good amplifier for hard to drive headphones, but for more efficient ones, I don't think it works. Forget about IEMs too. But in my case it's totally fine, as I plug them straight into the Dave. (Actually the Dave produces hiss with sensitive IEMs like the Fourte, and I added a THX 789 to the chain for those cases.)

 

[Slim1970]

Does that mean the Formula S is not as good as Abyss has said it is? Or is it just a matching issue? Tks.

A lot of amps exhibit this behavior with low impedance, high sensitivity headphones. It’s completely normal for amps with high output made to drive demanding headphones.

 

[xenithon]

Has anyone tried running the Empyrean directly from an R8 balanced (i.e., the 4.4mm output)?

 

[MatW]

A lot of amps exhibit this behavior with low impedance, high sensitivity headphones. It’s completely normal for amps with high output made to drive demanding headphones.

I guess that's true. There are some exceptions though. Take an A90. It's very powerful, yet dead silent with sensitive headphones and IEMs. Whatever one thinks of the A90, I think that's pretty neat. And it makes me wonder why the 'big brands' can't achieve the same.

 

[Newsee]

Has anyone tried running the Empyrean directly from an R8 balanced (i.e., the 4.4mm output)?

Yes, I had. I was not happy at all at the beginning. With Forza Noir Hybrid cable and leather pad the punch of drums was so sharp that the bass was not enjoyable for me. (I am ptetty sensible to some upper mid freqencies) I was missing the nice soft bass from the Kann Cube.
After a few month of trying to get used to it came the recognition: R8+Empy is very good if I use either the SE out on R8 with adapter, or use a thinner cable (Forza Hybrid series HPC) on 4.4, and turn off the turbo mode. That took away the (for me) painful puch.
Even better result came on 4.4 with the Forza Noir Hybrid cable (turbo still off) by using the Alcantra pads. Then the sound went into the direction what I experienced with the T+A Solitaire P on HA200. Tighter bass, more treble, but still without the painful kicks.

 

[Icenine2]

I've had mine for a year and LOVE them. When I'm listening at night my Wife is commenting (Choose your own descriptive) that she can hear the music from the next room. I'm "thinking" about buying a second headphone, closed back, so I don't have this issue. Any suggestions? Focal Stellia's seemed a good choice but I'm wary because I've seen people on Sell Forum letting them go after a few weeks. No clue. Also used or like new are going for around $2K which is $1K discount. Must be something there but what I don't know. They are for sure unattractive in that color.

 

[Ichos]

I've had mine for a year and LOVE them. When I'm listening at night my Wife is commenting (Choose your own descriptive) that she can hear the music from the next room. I'm "thinking" about buying a second headphone, closed back, so I don't have this issue. Any suggestions? Focal Stellia's seemed a good choice but I'm wary because I've seen people on Sell Forum letting them go after a few weeks. No clue. Also used or like new are going for around $2K which is $1K discount. Must be something there but what I don't know. They are for sure unattractive in that color.

Why not be patient and wait for the rumored closed baby Empyrean?

 

[Icenine2]

I didn’t even know that was a thing.

 

[TANTALUMWATCHES]

I've had mine for a year and LOVE them. When I'm listening at night my Wife is commenting (Choose your own descriptive) that she can hear the music from the next room. I'm "thinking" about buying a second headphone, closed back, so I don't have this issue. Any suggestions? Focal Stellia's seemed a good choice but I'm wary because I've seen people on Sell Forum letting them go after a few weeks. No clue. Also used or like new are going for around $2K which is $1K discount. Must be something there but what I don't know. They are for sure unattractive in that color.

Sony MDR-Z1R Top choise

 

[Ichos]

I didn’t even know that was a thing.

Yes it is but no ETA yet...
Well at least it was till recently.

 

[Icenine2]

I would gladly wait for those. Thank you.

 

[ThanatosVI]

I would gladly wait for those. Thank you.

It's not even announced, nothing more than a rumor.
So if you really need a closed back now maybe take a look at the Kennerton Rögnir.

If you can wait until the end of thr year, a potential closed Empyrean could be announced.

However the upcoming Meze Headphone could be something entirely else.