^^^Interesting impressions! Without having heard the V2 myself, this review is making me think that the slightly narrower soundstage of the V2 and the improved sense of "intimacy" spring from the same source, to the point where we could say, one is the effect of the other (of course, I could be wrong about that). That said, and without intending this to sound like a critique, I would have liked some commentary on the type of music that was used in the comparative evaluation... I am wondering whether the sense of increased intimacy and "slightly narrower soundstage" of the V2 would have the same apparently beneficial effect on all types of music... Or put in a different way, are there not some types of music that might possibly sound better to some listeners on the V1 (as is) than on the V2, precisely because of the relatively reduced sense of intimacy of the V1?
One more question: I have decided to stick with the V1 and not to send it to hifiman for the upgrade. However, I would like to purchase the pads and cable of the V2 in order to experiment with them on the V1... I wonder what results this type of experimentation might produce.
These remarks are not to be taken as a critique of the very interesting review above, for which I am very grateful. I am just articulating some questions and concerns that the review has produced in my mind.
Thanks very much for the review.
That's sort of my working hypothesis on the intimacy theory. I think moving the driver / membrane closer to the ear has slightly narrowed the soundstage and brought greater focus. I could be wrong, too!
I listen to mostly rock and jazz, some blues, a little classical.
I don't know how to take the ear pads off and swap them. I'm not terribly inclined to experiment.