[daijobudes]

So this is the SW01 driver:

 

[Halimj7]

These have the most intimate and lush sounding vocals I have ever heard on any headphone at any price.

 

[daijobudes]

It’s such a small thread.. I believe people just don’t care anymore. Although I’m sure these still pack great punch.

 

[Halimj7]

It’s such a small thread.. I believe people just don’t care anymore. Although I’m sure these still pack great punch.

They are not the punchiest headphones but they do have a warm and relaxing bass presentation and really excellent at intimate vocals.

 

[daijobudes]

They are not the punchiest headphones but they do have a warm and relaxing bass presentation and really excellent at intimate vocals.

They’re very punchy with Brainwavz pads I posted bout

 

[Halimj7]

They’re very punchy with Brainwavz pads I posted bout

How does that affect the mids?

 

[Infoseeker]

They are not the punchiest headphones but they do have a warm and relaxing bass presentation and really excellent at intimate vocals.

What about pEQ potential? I love to EQ my stuff.

 

[dougms3]

How do these hold up in 2024?

 

[GREQ]

How do these hold up in 2024?

These were always something of an outlier even when they first came out.

• They're bigger than portable and studio monitor closed-back headphones, but not as big as proper full-sized closed-back headphones.
- so they're 'medium' size?... which is a bit of an unusual placing.
• The tuning is WARM
• Some 2nd hand copies show significant flaking on the headband (difficult to know how much is from abuse or just normal use - mine still look like new ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Objectively, the tuning is not 'accurate'.
Subjectively, the tuning makes these sound VERY smooth and laid back which in turn makes these deceptively detailed.
It doesn't force you to hear all the detail, but that doesn't mean the drivers aren't capable - the detail is there, and if you EQ these to a more balanced sound, they sound even more 'high-end' (whatever that means).

I'm now using mine with Yaxi STPad2 pads, which is a huge comfort upgrade, and maybe gives a bit more staging, I would strongly recommend upgrading the pads, as the stock pads are simply awful for comfort and fit.
When using these outdoors, I also usually just add a small sub-bass boost to make it more linear at the very bottom end, which does roll off a touch.

If the goal is highest-end audiophile purity OUT OF THE BOX, then these are not it.
But if you want something to relax with in contrast to the ultra high end detail monsters, then it's still a very good choice, especially with some of the 2nd hand prices now.

 

[daijobudes]

These were always something of an outlier even when they first came out.

• They're bigger than portable and studio monitor closed-back headphones, but not as big as proper full-sized closed-back headphones.
- so they're 'medium' size?... which is a bit of an unusual placing.
• The tuning is WARM
• Some 2nd hand copies show significant flaking on the headband (difficult to know how much is from abuse or just normal use - mine still look like new ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Objectively, the tuning is not 'accurate'.
Subjectively, the tuning makes these sound VERY smooth and laid back which in turn makes these deceptively detailed.
It doesn't force you to hear all the detail, but that doesn't mean the drivers aren't capable - the detail is there, and if you EQ these to a more balanced sound, they sound even more 'high-end' (whatever that means).

I'm now using mine with Yaxi STPad2 pads, which is a huge comfort upgrade, and maybe gives a bit more staging, I would strongly recommend upgrading the pads, as the stock pads are simply awful for comfort and fit.
When using these outdoors, I also usually just add a small sub-bass boost to make it more linear at the very bottom end, which does roll off a touch.

If the goal is highest-end audiophile purity OUT OF THE BOX, then these are not it.
But if you want something to relax with in contrast to the ultra high end detail monsters, then it's still a very good choice, especially with some of the 2nd hand prices now.

it’s a good take!

These sound amazing still after 8years (I have the same pair since release)
Flaking happens with age, after 2-3 years because it’s faux leather.
Stock pads are going to garbage.
Very sensitive to cables and pads, many tuning options considering that.
Strong simple connectors and most accessible plug meaning you can build and experiment with your own diy cables for it.
Not the reference tuning, musical and enjoyable to listen.
Amazing sound with Chord Mojo.

 

[Infoseeker]

These were always something of an outlier even when they first came out.

• They're bigger than portable and studio monitor closed-back headphones, but not as big as proper full-sized closed-back headphones.
- so they're 'medium' size?... which is a bit of an unusual placing.
• The tuning is WARM
• Some 2nd hand copies show significant flaking on the headband (difficult to know how much is from abuse or just normal use - mine still look like new ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Objectively, the tuning is not 'accurate'.
Subjectively, the tuning makes these sound VERY smooth and laid back which in turn makes these deceptively detailed.
It doesn't force you to hear all the detail, but that doesn't mean the drivers aren't capable - the detail is there, and if you EQ these to a more balanced sound, they sound even more 'high-end' (whatever that means).

I'm now using mine with Yaxi STPad2 pads, which is a huge comfort upgrade, and maybe gives a bit more staging, I would strongly recommend upgrading the pads, as the stock pads are simply awful for comfort and fit.
When using these outdoors, I also usually just add a small sub-bass boost to make it more linear at the very bottom end, which does roll off a touch.

If the goal is highest-end audiophile purity OUT OF THE BOX, then these are not it.
But if you want something to relax with in contrast to the ultra high end detail monsters, then it's still a very good choice, especially with some of the 2nd hand prices now.

Nice take.

This kind of sound how I would describe the tuning they put for my JVC-VICTOR HA-WM90-B headphones.

 

[GREQ]

This kind of sound how I would describe the tuning they put for my JVC-VICTOR HA-WM90-B headphones.

I'd like to audition one of those one day; the price is just too much of a turn off.
Good to hear Victor/JVC might have found their signature 'flavour'. I think historically, they've always had a bit of an identity crisis.

 

[Halimj7]

These were always something of an outlier even when they first came out.

• They're bigger than portable and studio monitor closed-back headphones, but not as big as proper full-sized closed-back headphones.
- so they're 'medium' size?... which is a bit of an unusual placing.
• The tuning is WARM
• Some 2nd hand copies show significant flaking on the headband (difficult to know how much is from abuse or just normal use - mine still look like new ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Objectively, the tuning is not 'accurate'.
Subjectively, the tuning makes these sound VERY smooth and laid back which in turn makes these deceptively detailed.
It doesn't force you to hear all the detail, but that doesn't mean the drivers aren't capable - the detail is there, and if you EQ these to a more balanced sound, they sound even more 'high-end' (whatever that means).

I'm now using mine with Yaxi STPad2 pads, which is a huge comfort upgrade, and maybe gives a bit more staging, I would strongly recommend upgrading the pads, as the stock pads are simply awful for comfort and fit.
When using these outdoors, I also usually just add a small sub-bass boost to make it more linear at the very bottom end, which does roll off a touch.

If the goal is highest-end audiophile purity OUT OF THE BOX, then these are not it.
But if you want something to relax with in contrast to the ultra high end detail monsters, then it's still a very good choice, especially with some of the 2nd hand prices now.

“Warm” is a relative term and I would define “warm” as tilting more toward bass and lower mids than upper mids and treble. These are not “warm” to me. I would describe them as mid forward. They bring vocals very close and present them in a thicker way. They are for me a vocal master if you like your vocals brought forward and accentuated over all instruments in a track.

 

[Halimj7]

For a warm signature I prefer the very under rated JVC HAFW1000T.

 

[GREQ]

I forgot to post this last time regarding the YAXI stPad2-LR.
The 'leather' pad is the same as the one I mentioned previously on aliexpress - "leather MDR-CD900ST pad".

In this case, the graph tells most of the story.
Regarding the differences you can't see on the graph:
- soundstage is slightly bigger and airier than both other pads
- easily the most comfortable pad I've used yet on SW01

Leather is closer to stock, but with the YAXI, everything is just better.
100% recommended.