[Jerseyboy]

So, speaking precisely, thata not a QC issue, its about what aesthetic appearance you expect for $3500.
I'm sorry that you're disappointed, but I hope you understand that being pretty was not the point of making and designing the SR1a. Its basic function is something else entirely and it is made for that purpose alone.
We'll deal with aesthetics more on the next model, I promise.

Please don't change the design too much - I like the utilitarian pro look - I would prefer my money to go into SQ than cosmetics. Improved functionality yes; fancy aesthetics - definitely not!. This is piece of equipment which is sold on the basis of performance rather than "kerb" appeal!

 

[514077]

Hey man, sorry that i have such high standards.

I guess im just used to Stax and Sennheiser's stringent quality control.

It's been a slice, BreadMaster. Keep to your standards.

 

[Zhanming057]

Please don't change the design too much - I like the utilitarian pro look - I would prefer my money to go into SQ than cosmetics. Improved functionality yes; fancy aesthetics - definitely not!. This is piece of equipment which is sold on the basis of performance rather than "kerb" appeal!

As a first gen product, they aren't doing too badly. Teething problems are normal when you start up a production batch, and the technology involved in joining the carbon fiber plates is something new for Raal, from what I understand.

But I would expect them to get better at the process and tighten things up as production ramps up. I would like to see their 2nd gen production be better built, even if they keep the same design aesthetics.

 

[yates7592]

The one thing I would like to see is the ability to lock the driver positions, say 4 or 5 preset clicks representing 15-30-45-60-75 degrees.

 

[BreadMaster]

Except that theres nothing wrong with your headphones. You're trippin that they were worn for an hour (like you know how Buffalo leather looks like after being worn for an hour) and you didn't want the new leather set or your money back, so you'll get another pair....which is all fine, but it has nothing to do with QC, its how they are designed.
You weren't been given a bad one, you just don't like them.
So, speaking precisely, thata not a QC issue, its about what aesthetic appearance you expect for $3500.
I'm sorry that you're disappointed, but I hope you understand that being pretty was not the point of making and designing the SR1a. Its basic function is something else entirely and it is made for that purpose alone.
We'll deal with aesthetics more on the next model, I promise.

Alex, you're mistaken. I am absolutely fine with the aesthetic of the SR1A. I find the build quality is just as good as the Focal Utopia, if not, better than the Hifiman Susvara. For me, i find the SR1A to be a unique headphone, one that i shall keep with me for the next 15-20 years or so.

Just my main issue with it is the lack of cleanliness for my unit.

 

[BreadMaster]

Okay, Bread cough, cough, Complainmaster lol.

Do you like croissant sir?

 

[PeteSTRADAMUS]

Do you like croissant sir?

No, I don't.

 

[BreadMaster]

No, I don't.

@PeteSTRADAMUS What kind of bread do you like then?

 

[paulpaul]

Today I have the whole system set up at home. Thanks for my dealer who lent me a Pureaudio integrated amp to try out the headphone. This amp is a Class A SS integrated amp and can master the SR1a very well.

I also try a number of ways to wear the headphone. To have the most 3D and the largest sound stage, wear the headphone with the vertical pad aligned just after the temple position and open the two speakers to around 40 degrees. You may have to turn the volume a bit louder.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Alex, you're mistaken. I am absolutely fine with the aesthetic of the SR1A. I find the build quality is just as good as the Focal Utopia, if not, better than the Hifiman Susvara. For me, i find the SR1A to be a unique headphone, one that i shall keep with me for the next 15-20 years or so.

Just my main issue with it is the lack of cleanliness for my unit.

Well, thank you for making my day! I'm really glad to be wrong and to hear that you consider them a keeper in spite of cleanliness is a real treat!

As we go, more and more I'm becoming aware that there are people who are more selective in their taste of things than I am, expect more pedantic look, care more about design...
Of course, I knew all that before, but knowing about something and giving it a proper importance are two different things.
I'm easily satisfied when something works as intended. Done deal. This ribbon headphone thing looked like insurmountable task just a few years ago, so I got satisfied when it actually became feasible as a product, reliable enough, etc., so the importance of eye-appeal and pedantic looks became a far secondary matter.

By now, I got to see how important it is to actually round things together and make a complete presentation of the product to the customer, without giving a secondary importance to non-engineering matters, as not all product-satisfaction comes from just a well performing function. So, we'll act upon it.

Having said that, I am, we are, very grateful to early adopters!

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Please don't change the design too much - I like the utilitarian pro look - I would prefer my money to go into SQ than cosmetics. Improved functionality yes; fancy aesthetics - definitely not!. This is piece of equipment which is sold on the basis of performance rather than "kerb" appeal!

Not to worry! Above all, it will reflect the importance of function and performance. It will be about minimizing the overall weight (while having pretty much the heaviest magnets in the industry), being repairable with a ribbon cartridge, no axles, no joints, with nothing to go wrong or wear off except the leather...
The leather headband will be pretty much as it is on SR1a (folding over, held with mushroom buttons).
Stripped down, while nothing missing is the fanciest stuff for me.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

The one thing I would like to see is the ability to lock the driver positions, say 4 or 5 preset clicks representing 15-30-45-60-75 degrees.

I reviewed all the possibilities of making such mechanisms, but it always turns out to be very bulky, so I never went for it.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Finally my SR1a arrived last week. The Pelican box is really heavy and my first feeling was the burning smell. It is very similar to bursting capacitor.

I tested the headphone in my friend's system (my integrated amp will arrive in 2-3 weeks), Audio Note pre-amp and push-pull tube mono-block power amp with 40w+ output. I was impressed by its speed and sound stage. Its character is completed different from my STAX 009s or 007. STAX is elegant and polite, and is forgiving to bad recording. SR1a is honest to all the recordings.

The headphone took only 1.5 hours to run-in and was already performed pretty well. No regret in this purchase.

Yep, that the stench allright. I still don't have the alternative to laser cutting the foam, but there are some possibilities emerging and we're exploring that.
Sorry about the smell.

 

[Jerseyboy]

Together. The two finest headphones on the planet IMO.

 

[yates7592]

I reviewed all the possibilities of making such mechanisms, but it always turns out to be very bulky, so I never went for it.

OK noted, but AKG managed to design a locking mechanism for K1000 30 years ago. Maybe there is good mechanical / layout reasons why it works on K1000 but not SR1a, I don't know.