MrSpeakers ETHER Flow and ETHER C Flow -- Inspired by Electrostatic Headphones

[kejar31]

I used a microfiber, and a fingernail.  Whatever it is. It is stuck in the resin.  I think your words are very truthful, but I can't help thinking about it.  I sent the staff at Mr Speakers an email to get their opinion.  I sold off everything of my old rig to help fund the Ether C to start a new headphone setup.

Edit: I bought mine from a dealer with a policy of all sales are final, so if I can't get this resolved I won't be able to return it.

I am sure MrSpeakers will replace the unit for you.. while minor I kinda feel I would be the same about it as you.

 

[Docterror]

I used a microfiber, and a fingernail.  Whatever it is. It is stuck in the resin.  I think your words are very truthful, but I can't help thinking about it.  I sent the staff at Mr Speakers an email to get their opinion.  I sold off everything of my old rig to help fund the Ether C to start a new headphone setup.

Edit: I bought mine from a dealer with a policy of all sales are final, so if I can't get this resolved I won't be able to return it.

I don't post here much, but I don't think buying via the dealer makes a difference to Dan. Please contact him. I bought my Ether-C secondhand from someone who used it so much that the head band was butchered. One email with pics later, he offered to swap the slider and headband FoC, even though I insisted on paying. All he requested was I send the remnants of my dilapidated headband so that he can have a good look at it (and possibly put it in a hall of fame). He has never seen a Ether headband decimated so efficiently in his life.

That's the kind of Customer Service he gave a second user. I suspect if you could fly over to SD, he will let you chose one which you consider to be flawless, whether you bought it from a dealer or straight from him. He appears to stand my his product no questions asked.

 

[kellte2]

I don't post here much, but I don't think buying via the dealer makes a difference to Dan. Please contact him. I bought my Ether-C secondhand from someone who used it so much that the head band was butchered. One email with pics later, he offered to swap the slider and headband FoC, even though I insisted on paying. All he requested was I send the remnants of my dilapidated headband so that he can have a good look at it (and possibly put it in a hall of fame). He has never seen a Ether headband decimated so efficiently in his life.

That's the kind of Customer Service he gave a second user. I suspect if you could fly over to SD, he will let you chose one which you consider to be flawless, whether you bought it from a dealer or straight from him. He appears to stand my his product no questions asked.

No doubt about it.  Dan and his team employ impeccable customer service.
 
My earlier post and point comes from personal experience.  I've been down the exchange-until-perfection road and these experiences have often proven fruitless or a waste of time for all parties concerned, even if MrSpeakers will generously indulge your preferences.  I'm not trying to disparage your position, just wanted to issue a kind word of warning, as I've lived through it many times in my life.  Even if something minor seems worthy of dwelling on in the moment, in 6 months this will be a distant memory. 
 
A brief and relevant example: I received my Ether C Flows after months of (impatiently) waiting and they had a minor factory blemish on the anodized aluminum under the ear cup hinge.  A fleck of silver came through on the matte black surface and if you looked closely, you could see a line which led to the mark, presumably one left by a tool.  I raised the issue to Dan and, as you might expect, he wished for me to be 100% satisfied, so he offered an exchange.  I shipped them back, Dan and his team quickly dispatched a replacement, and the replacement had a similar blemish on the aluminum near the right cable entry at the bottom of the unit.
 
I took Dan's initial advice and hit the mark with a fine point sharpie and placed them back on my head to listen to the incredible sound they produce.  They'll undoubtedly get more marks in the anodized finish, the headband will deteriorate and the carbon fiber will pick up hairline scratches all from the love you give them over time.
 
If you do go through the process, as I did, to exchange the headphones, it might be wise to prepare yourself for an experience that mirrored that of my own.  I wasn't disappointed that I did it, but it proved to me something I already knew: nothing is perfect.  I hope you enjoy your Ether C Flows as much as I do my own.  I'm truly fortunate to own such an incredible piece of audio equipment.
 
EDIT-
 
For whatever it is worth, I can spot a spec of dust or two in the carbon fiber resin.  It isn't apparently unless I go looking, but just figured that I'd weigh-in, to the extent that it helps the poster make his/her decision.

 

[MrSpeakersPeter]

  I finally received my C Flows after a long wait.  The team at Mr. Speakers must be hard at work because mine were built on October 25^th, and I received them on 28^th.  The C Flow are different from the original C model I had the opportunity to listen to 5 months ago.  The original was unique, but I hesitate to say that the Flow is automatically better.
This is the first planar magnetic that I’ve owned since the LCD2 pre-fazor that I owned in 2009.  The Ether is pleasantly light for a planar headphone.
 
I don’t own a quality DAC or amp, so I can’t offer any quality sound impressions. The headphones are efficient, and can run off an iPhone to a decent volume level.
 
The only other possible concern is with the carbon fiber.  I haven’t owned any carbon fiber goods before.  I see white flecks of something that looks like lint above the weave.  Is this normal?  Can you polish them out?
 
Left
http://imgur.com/Hkc4OkO
Right
http://imgur.com/zg0DASM

I sent you an email this morning. We will gladly exchange the cups but you'll need to send it in to us. I brought up the issue with the QA team and they are on the look out for it now.

 

[mattcalgary]

What (if any) sonic differences would there be between the Flow and Flow C? I use mine in my home office so isolation isn't of concern.
 
Also, is a Schiit Vali adequate to run these (not perfectly but quite well)?

 

[LunaC]

   
My only thoughts currently are to get the C's modded to C flows (waiting on the first batch of modded C's to be reviewed),

 
I've been waiting for this as well. Seem to be slow going.  

 

[mrspeakers]

   
I've been waiting for this as well. Seem to be slow going.  

We shipped them to everyone weeks ago, and a number of people shared their impressions...  
 

 

[rmoody]

  What (if any) sonic differences would there be between the Flow and Flow C? I use mine in my home office so isolation isn't of concern.
 
Also, is a Schiit Vali adequate to run these (not perfectly but quite well)?

Ether C sounds great on Vali 2, not sure about original Vali, I have one I can try with. Ether likes tubes in the chain. My main rig is MJ2 but I've listened on Vali 2 also, very addictive and a very good starting point. I've not been able to upgrade mine nor hear any Flow yet.

 

[Delayeed]

 
Ether C sounds great on Vali 2, not sure about original Vali, I have one I can try with. Ether likes tubes in the chain. My main rig is MJ2 but I've listened on Vali 2 also, very addictive and a very good starting point. I've not been able to upgrade mine nor hear any Flow yet.

Have you tried it with LISST tubes and prefer glass with the Ethers?

 

[Rowethren]

I have tried my Mjolnir 2 with both tubes and LISST and with my Ether Flows I much prefer tubes. Nice smooth sound which is just what I want.

 

[doraymon]

Placed my order yesterday for the C Flow from a UK shop.
 
Expected shipping in 14 days...
 
I WILL NEVER SURVIVE 14 DAYS! lol

 

[Docterror]

  Placed my order yesterday for the C Flow from a UK shop.
 
Expected shipping in 14 days...
 
I WILL NEVER SURVIVE 14 DAYS! lol

Any reason you placed the order via a UK shop?

 

[doraymon]

Any reason you placed the order via a UK shop?

Several:
1) the local distributor in Hong Kong did not reply my email and they don't sell online. They must be very busy to let a hot customer for a 1.8k smackaroos headphone leave like I did!
2) MrSpeakers site does not show any shipment possibility to Hong Kong. I contacted them but so far the problem is still there
3) particularly advantageous exchange rate of the Hong Kong Dollar against the Pound
4) lower shipment costs from the U.K. Compared to USA
5) the site of the UK seller is clear, efficient and when asked an information they replied within minutes, despite being early in the morning in England

 

[MrSpeakersPeter]

We ship to Hong Kong. You just need to put in 00000 for the postal code.

 

[doraymon]

We ship to Hong Kong. You just need to put in 00000 for the postal code.

Thanks! It works!