I returning the Solitaire T two days ago (Monday) and I deciding keeping the iO-12, the same decision from 3 months ago. The reasons are exactly the same like 3 months ago. But this time, after 12 days of intensive testing (305 tracks total!), the results are this:
92 tracks --- ST preference
83 tracks --- iO-12 preference
130 tracks --- Tie (31 with small preference for ST; 44 with small preference for iO-12; 55 with no preference = complete tie for my taste)
If I giving 1 point for preference of one headphone, 1/2 point for a tie with small preference to one or the other headphone, and 0 points for complete tie (no preference at all), the total results are this:
107.5 points for the Solitaire T
105.0 points for the iO-12
Like I saying before, and using
@Maukey's expression, the ST,
for me and my taste in music, is literally winning in sound quality by "a hair". BUT this time is more clear for me in what music I hearing more differences when preferring one headphone or the other.
In rock (different types), pop, folk, ambient, electronica, 'alternative', 'experimental, 'world' and (very little) rap/hip hop, the ST is having a more clear advantage sonically, generally.
In classical music, orchestral music is usually clearly better with the iO-12, but with chamber music (my preference, in general when listening to classical music) and solo music (usually piano, violin or cello), this is more close to a tie between the two headphones.
With Jazz, with old not good recordings, the ST is winning clearly, but with well-recorded and mastered albums the iO-12 is winning very, very clearly.
My listening preferences are, more or less, this: 50% classical music, 35% rock (different types), pop, folk, ambient, electronica, 'alternative', 'experimental, 'world' music and (very little) rap/hip hop, and 15% jazz.
