R E C E N T - Purchases Thread

[Susiban]

Dunu SA6 - 7 out of 10. Bought less than 1 month ago.

Bass is BA Bass while it has quantity it does not have the physical thump.
Best way to describe it is like getting punch with a fist covered in a pillow.

Mids are great. Especially vocals lovely.

Treble is good and no harshness.

If the Bass had a physical thump I would give this IEM:

8.5/9 out of 10 it would be my end game for $550.

Thanks.

 

[HipHopScribe]

I love my Aeon Flow X. It's my favorite phone by far. What amp are you running with them?

I'm actually in between dedicated headphones amp right now. I've been using my Xduoo XP-2 Pro, which I originally bought for my portable set-up, to do desktop duties too. I was using a JDS Atom before, but when I found the Aeon had better synergy with the XP-2 Pro I decided it was time for an amp upgrade and ditched the Atom. Still haven't decided on my next desktop set-up. Which amp do you like best with the Aeon?

 

[HipHopScribe]

I basically turned over my full-size headphone collection completely in the last 60 days. Ratings are relative to value for the segment and use case for each headphone, so aren't comparable between different types, prices, etc.

Oppo PM-3 (Closed Portable, Planar) - 9/10 - My doing-stuff-around-the-house headphone. This is a re-purchase actually. I sold my previous pair during my brief love affair with the Audeze Sine, but I soon regretted the decision. These are probably the most well-balanced closed headphones I've ever heard, and I've heard many. There are some more exciting ones, like the Sine, some that might be better on the technicalities, but to me the PM-3 has the perfect tonal balance. The bass is extended, the mids are euphoric and the highs are detailed, maybe a little rolled-off, and never harsh. Eventually the headband and earpads are gonna flake away and I'll deal with that when it happens, but build is otherwise flawless and comfort is great.

Final Audio Sonorous IV (Semi-closed, Hybrid BA-Dynamic) - 6/10 - My in-the-office headphone. These are weird. Sound is weird. Build is weird. There are peaks and dips in the upper mids and highs that probably shouldn't be there, so some music just doesn't sound quite right on these, but damn those balanced armature drivers are fast and clear and the dynamic drivers can really fill in the bottom end with some nice impact. When it's bad it's bad, but when it's good it's really great. They're comfortable enough stock, but an earpad change helped. There are probably better options out there for semi-closed in this segment, but I might hang onto these for a while since they're kinda unique.

V-Moda M-100 Master (Closed Portable, Dynamic) - 7/10 - On-the-go/travel headphones. I expected these to be pretty V-shaped, despite the marketing saying they were a more balanced V-Moda, but the marketing was right. The bass is definitely still boosted, but not like the original M-100, and really you want that boost when you're planning to use a headphone in noisy environments. The upper mids and highs are surprisingly balanced and they really don't do much wrong. They're narrow, even for closed headphones, and detail isn't amazing, but they sound good. The PM-3s could do this job for me, they're much better headphones for sound, but these fold smaller, isolate a little better and I'd care less if they were broken, lost or stolen. For someone who can't wear IEMs for long periods and who doesn't want to sacrifice sound quality with a Bluetooth ANC headphone, this was a good buy.

Avantone Pro Planar (Open, Planar) - N/A - Sold my TYGR 300 Rs, so there's a void in my line-up for home office headphones. Was hoping these would fill it, but they arrived broken. Build quality and design seemed iffy otherwise. They sounded really good when I could get them to work. Decided to return rather than exchange.

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Open RT (Open, Planar) - N/A - On the way now to hopefully be my home office headphone. Impressions to come.

Just to follow-up:

Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT Open (Open, Planar) - 8/10 - First of all the build and design of these is top-notch. They're very light for their size but don't feel at all cheap or fragile to me, which is quite an accomplishment. Very comfortable as well. In terms of sound, they're warm, fast and detailed. Bass is well extended. They're a bit narrow and intimate, there's good instrument separation but there's not a huge sense of space. They're not the most dynamic or exciting headphone around, but so far they've handled everything I've thrown at them well. They're very well-balanced with a natural tonality that makes them an easy listen. I do think there are some peaks in the treble region that might bother some people, but playing around with the tuning filters seemed to take care of that for me.

UPDATES SINCE MY LAST IMPRESSIONS:

PSB M4U 8 (ANC Bluetooth) - 7/10 - Yep, I ditched the V-Modas. So I guess I went back on what I said before lol. I'm taking my first plane trip since the start of the pandemic soon and decided ANC might actually be a good thing to have. I would put the V-Modas a little ahead in sound quality, but the PSBs aren't bad. Not as good the wired M4U 1's I used to have, but build at least feels more robust than those. These were released a few years ago at this point and never had top tier ANC but they have one advantage over other ANC bluetooth headphones out there that I thought was important: they run on AA batteries! They come with a rechargeable pair of AAs installed, but you can just swap in regular AA batteries when juice runs out and when the stock batteries die for good I can replace them easily. Not world beaters, but they'll do the job they're meant for.

FiiO FA7 (Quad BA IEM) - 8/10 - I'm not an IEM guy. I've always had trouble getting both comfort and a good seal. But the easy portability is occasionally a must so I always keep some around. I'm mostly running these in a TWS set-up with FiiO UTWS3 adapters. They're not quite as comfortable as my Meze Rai Solos, which are smaller and lower profile, but I get a more consistent seal with the FA7s and they sound significantly better. Warm sounding and smooth but still detailed and bass is surprisingly satisfying for a balanced armature. FiiO has newer hybrid models that are probably better in some ways but these seemed like they'd fit my ears better and I'm very happy with them so far.

 

[Shane D]

Can't wait to get your impressions of the Argon. I bought mine used so I didn't have a long wait but imho the wait is worth it.

I bought my T60RP's new a few months ago and liked them a lot right off.
But I am very curious about Argon land.

 

[Dawgfish]

I'm actually in between dedicated headphones amp right now. I've been using my Xduoo XP-2 Pro, which I originally bought for my portable set-up, to do desktop duties too. I was using a JDS Atom before, but when I found the Aeon had better synergy with the XP-2 Pro I decided it was time for an amp upgrade and ditched the Atom. Still haven't decided on my next desktop set-up. Which amp do you like best with the Aeon?

I like it best with the Primaluna Prologue 4 but the PL is designed for use with speakers. I use a speaker level to 4-pin XLR adapter to run the Aeon and my other planars with it. As far as dedicated headphone amps I really like it with the Schiit Lyr and Little Dot 1+. It likes current. I've read also that the Aeon have good synergy with the Joutenheim and Asgard 3. Look for an amp with a good internal power supply and not a wallwart. I've noticed personally that it did not sound as good out of the Schiit Magni 2 Uber or Liquid Spark (both use wallwarts instead of internal power supplies). Also the early THX amps like the 789 are NOT a good match for the Aeon. Give it some current and you will be shocked with the Aeon's dynamics and slam.

 

[Dawgfish]

I bought my T60RP's new a few months ago and liked them a lot right off.
But I am very curious about Argon land.

I think you will like Argon land! Lol!

 

[HipHopScribe]

I like it best with the Primaluna Prologue 4 but the PL is designed for use with speakers. I use a speaker level to 4-pin XLR adapter to run the Aeon and my other planars with it. As far as dedicated headphone amps I really like it with the Schiit Lyr and Little Dot 1+. It likes current. I've read also that the Aeon have good synergy with the Joutenheim and Asgard 3. Look for an amp with a good internal power supply and not a wallwart. I've noticed personally that it did not sound as good out of the Schiit Magni 2 Uber or Liquid Spark (both use wallwarts instead of internal power supplies). Also the early THX amps like the 789 are NOT a good match for the Aeon. Give it some current and you will be shocked with the Aeon's dynamics and slam.

The Lyr and the Asgard 3 have been on my shortlist. Also considering the Singxer SA-1

 

[Dawgfish]

The Lyr and the Asgard 3 have been on my shortlist. Also considering the Singxer SA-1

All great choices!

 

[Deolum]

Thats pretty much. I sell also very much so i mostly buy new headphones for testing them.

So am i supposed to rate value?

Hifiman Susvara:

Value: 8/10
Sound: 9,5/10

Hifiman HE1000SE:

Value: 8/10
Sound: 8,5/10

HE1000V2:

Value: 7/10
Sound: 8/10

ATH-ADX5000:

Value: 8/10
Sound: 8,5/10

Hifiman Ananda

Value: 9,5/10
Sound 7,5/10

Hifiman HE560

Value: 7,5/10
Sound: 7/10

Gustard X16 DAC

Value: 10/10

64 Audio Tia Trió

Value: 9/10
Sound: 9/10

64 Audio Tia Fourté

Value: 8,5/10
Sound: 9,5/10

64 Audio U12t

Value: 8,5/10
Sound: 8,5/10

64 Audio U18t

Value: 8/10
Sound: 8/10

Dali Callisto 2C Speaker

Value: 9/10
Sound: 7/10

 

[iFi audio]

Next up is a "new to me" amp, the iFi Pro iCAN. Very powerful amp and nobody, IMO, does bass boost better than iFi. 3D sound is also very interesting, depending on the headphone.
Also it is a tube/SS hybrid. 8 out of 10 with use and might even go higher. Very impressive amp.

Thanks a lot for mentioning our Pro iCAN. It's fair to say that versatility is one of its greatest assets

 

[Shane D]

Thanks a lot for mentioning our Pro iCAN. It's fair to say that versatility is one of its greatest assets

I am loving this amp more and more as I use it.

The coolest thing about this amp is that it was not a long time dream that finally came true. I came into a bit of money, hopped on CAM (Canuck Audio Mart), found an ad, made an offer and a few days later the seller said yes and the deal was done.
The most expensive piece of Head-Fi gear that I ever bought is also my least researched purchase ever!

I learned the hard way that a remote is a must with this amp.

 

[iFi audio]

The coolest thing about this amp is that it was not a long time dream that finally came true. I came into a bit of money, hopped on CAM (Canuck Audio Mart), found an ad, made an offer and a few days later the seller said yes and the deal was done.
The most expensive piece of Head-Fi gear that I ever bought is also my least researched purchase ever!

I'm really happy for you. I know how it feels like to finally get some audio stuff that seemed way out of reach for a long time. I've been there more times than I'd like, but I guess that that's the nature of this hobby

 

[Shane D]

As I mentioned the previous page, I bought a set of M1570's on the weekend and I got them today.
Right out of the box, I am Very impressed! Of course my real opinion won't set in for another month, after a lot more hours.

But my initial reaction is Wow! Great bass and great mids. Treble is present, but not forward or overbearing.

The first pairing is pretty much perfect. It is hooked up to an iFi Pro iCAN. The X-bass is maxed out at 40Hz. The 3D is maxed out at 90/60+. The gain set on mid and the sound is set on tube. Volume is sliding between 9:30 and 10:30, depending on the music. It is killing it with my test list. The bass is booming, when called upon and the vocals are sounding great, both male and female.

These are definitely miles ahead of the M570's, but I have always believed you get what you pay for. To a certain extent.

Right off the bat, these sound a lot more fun than the LCD-2 Classic's. So far, great headphone for a very nice price.

PS: Forgot to mention two things:
1) They have a big sloppy fit like the Fostex TH610's, but a MUCH better sound.
2) I would rate these as an 8 out of 10 initially. Could go up or down after some time.

 

[iFi audio]

Right off the bat, these sound a lot more fun than the LCD-2 Classic's.

I had fun with pre-fazor LCD-2 years ago. It was a nice opposite sound versus HD800 we had back then. Having said that, closer to which one of these two your M1570 are?

 

[Shane D]

I had fun with pre-fazor LCD-2 years ago. It was a nice opposite sound versus HD800 we had back then. Having said that, closer to which one of these two your M1570 are?

I have never heard the Sennheiser 800 series. I have owned and disliked the HD600 and HD6XX's, twice.. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment.

I do have and like the HD660. I would put the M1570's much closer to the Audeze side than the Senn side. I guess that only makes sense as they kind of copy Audeze.