You're not alone in this one.
Absolutely: that they are some of the best headphones for gaming with accurate surround placement, anything that could tweak them thoroughly to a ‘flatline’ sound would benefit MANY.
(I don’t have a set, but I know their application uses, and PC gaming - these are one of the ‘top five shortlist’ to get)
So I reckon that the part would be best to support them. Especially given iFi/AMRs exceptionally useful noise filtration being practical in the PC space.
That being said the Meze99s do have an overexagerated bass and Drop didn’t change the sound on these from the Meze originals, so there would be a wide market, and a genuine need for a profile for them.
Having owned some Hifiman Sundaras (which follow the Harmon curve pretty spot on), and the Hifiman 4XXs not being a dramatic difference (to my limited understanding), I would think they don’t need a curve adjut (maybe just some dynamics upgrade
),.. but knowing that Planars benefit from amp ‘control’ having users buy a part due to believing it is tailored especially for them, would be great.
I nearly bought one of iFis combo packs tailored for the Senn 6XXs with the intent to just ‘not use the circuit’.. so I do believe, from a marketing point of view, many planar enthusiasts would jump on the part, and that would be to their absolute benefit. (ifi make great parts)
My heart goes to the 177Xs though just due to the need to be reequalised to flatline for HRTFs (headphone surround) to truly work/work well.
In that regard I see the unit as highly useful, and I feel many trying to get the best for their PC gaming setup would know the same. (so long as the profile tunes towards neutral)
But yeah the only one on that list I have in the house (still) are the Meze99s. (drop editions in black)- the Meze99s are keepers, and many who have discovered them know that, but they are not golden for all music due to their inherent sound profile (my child said, on audition “its like they were built to do Tool”).
Being able to tune them at the flick of a switch would be great and prove useful, and given the longevity of the Meze99 (literally being a ‘top ten’ headphone on many audiofools worlds best list) would make it practical for many.
I suppose it is about matching the budget and price points of the headphones to their market segments.
The amp would best need to be ’on the radar’ for the prospective buyer.
I would fathom that many PC gamers/gamers who buy the 177X do so due to its soundstage, and might come from all pricepoints (some being budget, some being cost is ‘no expense’) which might lessen their prospective market in terms of iFi reaching them- some of their owners might own megabuck setups for their playback.
This is where the Hifiman 4XXs would really prove a great fit to the product, and again, I reiterate - many people think an amp is ’just for more volume’ and don’t understand it is about driver control, something that Planars generally need (an amp), so I think they make the most sense from iFis perspecitve, to target.
Of coure the Hifimans do seem to get redone every other minute and are still a ‘settling product’.
the Meze99s and the 177X, ‘not so much’.
so to clarify: from iFis perspective (needed by the punters): Hifiman4XX
needed by gamers: 177x
needed by audiofools: Meze99
My horse in this race would be for the Meze99, but I’d buy a 2nd/3rd place bet and happily cash in.
Again, I applaud iFi for doing this without it being a marketing exercise to up their profile on Facebook etc. (congratulation and ‘thankyou”)