[Aleksandar R.]

Agreed - SR1a were my absolute favourites during a 2 year headphone and IEM fest!!

Only sold them because I am not a a “sit a desk” kind of headphone guy and preferred to sit wherever I liked with them.

And couldn’t afford to have many headphones for many scenarios

These look very interesting!! Anyone compare with the SR1a somewhere? Can they be used with the all in one Jot amp?

Maybe I’m a sit in one place headphone guy now

Sure, the Jot R is CA1 ready.

Comparison by yyzSB:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/raal-ribbon-headphones-srh1a.890603/page-371#post-17019080

 

[tjlindle]

It sounds like people have already heard these on here, can anyone speak as to the quality/quantity of bass on this model especially compared to the SR1a?

Contrary to conventional wisdom that estats have weak bass, the incredible and textured bass response is arguably the marquee feature of high-end estats vs. cheaper models so if this really is a "giant killer" in that context it will have to be a huge step up from the SR1a.

Per the debate in this thread, in my opinion $2500 at MSRP (assuming purchase of the transformer bundle) is definitely a bargain if it does perform in the same league as other notable flagships, in the current landscape those tend to start at $4000 and go up from there.

Also after reading the designer's explanations on the previous page, I really appreciate the priority that was put into the comfort, ergonomics and convenience of the user experience, so thank you for that.

 

[jamington2004]

It’s all personal choice on bass right? SR1a we’re the best bass I ever heard - I could here every little fluctuation / hear the texture of the notes. There’s a track I always go back to test bass after those - and nothing else has come close to being as clear and fast that I tried (I just “hear some bass” in the sections where before I heard very little detail of the bass).

Just not as “bassy” / heavy as some headphones

Edit - maybe the KSE1200 were pretty close on that

 

[chesebert]

Contrary to conventional wisdom that estats have weak bass, the incredible and textured bass response is arguably the marquee feature of high-end estats vs. cheaper model

Estats have weak sub bass, lacking proper weight of the notes (timbre issue), lacking visceral impact, lacking bass definition and lacking PRaT when compared to the best dynamics/planar in those aspects. We are talking about $20k estat rigs here so money was not an issue.

I have already voiced my concern with new RAAL’s bass response - search my canjam Chicago impression

 

[genefruit]

It sounds like people have already heard these on here, can anyone speak as to the quality/quantity of bass on this model especially compared to the SR1a?

Contrary to conventional wisdom that estats have weak bass, the incredible and textured bass response is arguably the marquee feature of high-end estats vs. cheaper models so if this really is a "giant killer" in that context it will have to be a huge step up from the SR1a.

Per the debate in this thread, in my opinion $2500 at MSRP (assuming purchase of the transformer bundle) is definitely a bargain if it does perform in the same league as other notable flagships, in the current landscape those tend to start at $4000 and go up from there.

Also after reading the designer's explanations on the previous page, I really appreciate the priority that was put into the comfort, ergonomics and convenience of the user experience, so thank you for that.

My brief response to a similar question yesterday in another thread - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/raal-ribbon-headphones-srh1a.890603/page-370#post-17018557

 

[Dixter]

makes you want to go and buy a $500 3d printer and a couple drivers for $50..... any body in for a $300 knock off...

 

[chesebert]

makes you want to go and buy a $500 3d printer and a couple drivers for $50..... any body in for a $300 knock off...

Wanna take a headfi trip to Shenzhen and cop some ribbon drivers?

 

[GoldenSound]

I'm very excited to spend some proper time with these. The prototype I heard at Munich was so good I was expecting to hear a VERY hefty pricetag.
At $2k these are going to make a LOT of other options redundant I think

 

[VandyMan]

There is a lot going on in CA-1a...

Thank you for the detailed explanation of your thinking on the design choices. I look forward to trying them out sometime.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Estats have weak sub bass, lacking proper weight of the notes (timbre issue), lacking visceral impact, lacking bass definition and lacking PRaT when compared to the best dynamics/planar in those aspects. We are talking about $20k estat rigs here so money was not an issue.

I have already voiced my concern with new RAAL’s bass response - search my canjam Chicago impression

My brief response to a similar question yesterday in another thread - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/raal-ribbon-headphones-srh1a.890603/page-370#post-17018557

Out of those 2 sets of pads that we'll be shipping with the CA1's, I'll definitely keep one set to be very close in bass weight to what you have now/heard at the show.
That one makes a nice balance and lively, engaging sound, resembling the SR1, but with more bass weight.

Right now, I'm trying to work out what the 2nd pad should sound like. It is definitely not going to be completely closed. In that case, the bass becomes ridiculously bloated and the mid range gets sucked-in too much. Simply, the 15Hz ribbon really needs a lot of leakage to sound flat in bass, so one gap at the top will be kept, as even then, I get ~4 dB of elevation in bass and low mid.
That type makes a more relaxed, smoother listening, where music is not so attention grabbing. It tolerates aggressive, shouty mixes, and you can turn the music down, without loosing full and rich bass and mid. very nice for spending time in working while listening.

I work long hours at night and last night I tested them for hours and hours. Due to fairly easy swap method, I've changed the pads many times, grabbing the "snappy" type for a song that I want to get engaged in, and "smooth" type for getting on with my work. Piano pieces on the "smooth" type are a real joy while working.

It's like having two different headphones, but keeping the presence of detail and intelligibility of what's happening in music.
Just had a visit by Mr. S from Audeze and we were going through the pads and music...he prefers the "snappy" type, but he hasn't yet had a chance to get mentally engaged with something else while listening...

Last night was for testing with Sabre-based $800 DAC (EarMen Tradutto) and Tom Christensen's compound chip amp. Real world stuff for moderate budget but very nice sound.
This night it will be our PDA/HSA amps with Bechmark DAC, in continuing to establish whether the differences still make sense.

Because the pads have huge influence on the tone balance and attention grabbing, this is a nice opportunity for us to offer two different horses for two different courses, something that makes sense for real life use scenarios...if what I'm doing is real life at all

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Thank you for the detailed explanation of your thinking on the design choices. I look forward to trying them out sometime.

You're most welcome and thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about that!
I wasn't trying to shovel anything down your throat, I was addressing public in general, but you expressed what most people would think, I guess, so you gave me a nice platform to make a reply.
Cheers!

 

[Makiah S]

Oh! The ti-1b comes included, that makes sense!

 

[Aleksandar R.]

wait.... are those 'pads' cut from foam? they're just kidding right? what's the durability of those foam pads... are they easy to change?

No joke, bare memory foam dyed in black, but we're exploring better looking colors right now.
Durability is just fine. When putting headphones on your head, just stretch the headband enough and just let the headphones clamp you straingt on, don't drag them into position, as the foam does not like shear forces, wrapped or bare.
They are are very easy to change, you can swap them in 20 seconds. Video coming soon.
There will be 2 sets of pads coming with the headphones, offering two different tone balances.
One set with more engaging sound and one set with more of a "laid back" vibe, to use in different listening scenarios.
Easy to wash every couple of months...
And they will not be expensive to replace. Price TBD, but not high.

 

[Benno1988]

Everyone these days wants Meze Empyrean fit and finish, Utopia level performance and LCD2 pricetag. Any deviation just seems met with some sort of "won't get my money" or "why would you" type comments.

 

[Fatdoi]

Oh! The ti-1b comes included, that makes sense!

not exactly.... it's $500 extra