From the BHSE and the Dave DAC. Don't underestimate the DAC here. The Dave is fabulous. Impression both after 20 or 40 seconds and hours, numerous sessions.
The larger driver comes off as, sounds natural. The 009 and 009S are quite a bit (as in dramatically) more detailed. I didn't think Voce and 009 would differ quite that much. I much prefer the 009s diaphragm and tension especially, but I like the 009 electrode itself without the etching around each hole most. The 009 has the most tone of the three.
It's honestly tough to compete with the r&d at Stax, referring to what had better be a great next headphone..
Many and smaller holes would be better at the electrode itself for a more even drive/transmission field. .35mm or .4mm a piece. Dan should chemically mill the electrodes. The ratio of diaphragm to stator distance:to hole size should become greater than 1 in a full size headphone.
I do admire MrSpeakers efforts and like the build quality. I think they are a bit expensive for what the sound (detail - especially) is like and probably liked the Utopia better. [The audeze lcd 4 and he1000 and HD800 were close behind the Utopia as well]
The larger driver is a neat/refreshing feature in and of (by) itself.
I think a much better headphone can/could easily be done though. I also think people should at least have both a 009 and Voce to make any judgement.
At first I liked the Voce more (on initial listen the larger driver impresses), but after time listening it was clear it is not pulling weight in the detail-department compared to the 009S especially.
At first I thought 009s was simply slightly bass light compared to 009, moreover though with more listening time, as in 10 or 20 minutes i was convinced the 009s pulls/produces more fundamental detail than the 009.
It is tough to say which is more accurate between 009s/009 of the two without a live performer or instruments for reference.
The tension on the 009s, 009 diaphragm is interesting if trivial where their 1st and 2nd order resonances are.
I'm going to hazard a guess when there is eventually a Voce successor it might be an improvement in the adhesively attached stator plate, with many, much smaller holes for better transmission coupling between the diaphragm (transducing material) and electrode around each hole. Electrostatic forces are weak with the square of the distance.
I'm going to say again that I think people (Reviewers) should at least have BOTH a 009 and Voce to make any judgement. And should listen back and forth for 15 or 20 minutes before they write too/very much.
/soapbox
