Let me know how the Bravado holds up! Theres one going fairly cheap here in the UK and its nibbling away at me hahaha.Let us know if it does.
In other news I get my Elysium back today from its time out east with @1TrickPony and I'll be getting my Dorado 2020 back tomorrow and picking up the Bravado Mk ii that @SBranson is graciously allowing me to demo. It's going to be an exciting weekend
The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.
- Thread starter Rockwell75
- Start date
Yeah defo I'm quite interested in hearing EE's new bass driver (I believe it's the same driver in the Odin).
Judging from the reviews and impressions it's tuned quite differently, thats the impression I got when watching Precogs short video intro on the Bravado MkII, Valk MkII and ESR anyway. I've heard 2 IEM's that have this driver in now in the Hero and Odin... They sound quite different although the same texture etc. If its bass is tuned anything like either Hero's or Odin's I think you'll approve.
Today was a day I've been thinking about for a while-- I received my Elysium back from a loaner and I was able to listen to it back to back against the Andromeda 2020 for the first time ever. When I first heard the Elysium last December I had the Andromeda MW10 and Solaris SE on hand but it had been months at that time since I'd heard the 2020. In fact I was never able to compare even the MW10 and 2020 directly as I didn't own them both at the same time. Thus, my relative impressions of those two IEMs are all from memory .
During my honeymoon phase with Elysium I wound up selling both the MW10 and the Solaris. From memory the MW10 was a slightly darker, more intimate 2020 with the same fantastic mids, more weight in the lows and less air and definition up top. In some respects the MW10 to the 2020 Andromeda is similar to the SE Solaris to the 2020. When I compared the MW10 and SE Solaris back and forth they seemed to share a lot of the same DNA, which is not surprising as they were released at the same time and each were the first in their respective lines to have he ceramic tuning chamber. Thus, the MW10 seemed redundant to me alongside the SE, and I was so enchanted with the Elysium that it held little interest for me, so I sold it. I very much enjoyed its sound but I was never convince myself of a firm sense of how it differed from the 2020.
One thing that haunted me about the 2020 since I sold it was its characteristic air and sparkle. This feeling finally compelled me two weeks ago to re-purchase the 2020-- this time a new unit through Travis at Headphone Bar. The biggest things on my mind going in to this second round with the 2020 was 1) would it still manage to wield its spell on me after all this time and 2) would it hold my attention for long alongside the Elysium and Dorado 2020.
After two weeks with the Andromeda I can decidedly answer 1) in the affirmative-- I still love it as much as ever, for reasons I've alluded to in other posts. That being said, the jury is still out on 2) as during my first two weeks back with Andromeda both my Dorado and Elysium have been on loan. What I can say for sure is that I have been able to enjoy the 2020 fully on its own terms for two weeks with neither my enjoyment waning nor any part of my mind yearning for the Dorado or Elysium. Whatever else can be said of the Andromeda 2020 I feel I could be totally happy if it was my only IEM. This is significant for me.
Following are some scattershot impressions having had the Elysium on hand for a few hours.
+The first thing one notices with Elysium is that the stage is more intimate-- gone is that holographic spaciousness characteristic of Andro, though with Elysium the whole sound seems to breath more to coin @1TrickPony 's description.
+Andromeda is more dynamic, lively and layering/separation is more pronounced.
+On the Elysium the mid-range is more bodied, natural and alluring
+Treble on the Elysium is much more detailed and lifelike-- bit it doesn't have that Andromeda air and sparkle...Andromeda, appropriately enough, conjure in the mind a vast spacious stellar system...Elysium is more a living, breathing vibrant ecosystem...both are wonderful in their own way.
+ Elysium is a little deceptive at first but the more you listen the more you're drawn in...if ever music could sooth the savage beast it is through the Elysium
+ Andromeda is more fun, dynamic and exciting..perhaps more purely technical...Elysium is more purely emotional, natural and evocative
+ Andromeda draws your attention towards a playful, energetic, and technical midrange-- Elysium draws you within to a palace of bliss and intimacy via the mids and highs
+Based on memory the 2020 Andromeda is like the MW10 but with some air and sparkle injected back into it. The MW10 is still the most beautiful but the 2020 is my favourite to listen to.
Conclusion: The 2020 is holding up very well. At the end of the day the Elysium is still my favorite IEM and does things no other IEM has done for me yet...but the Andromeda is not to be trifled with and is still a profoundly enjoyable listen in its own right. It also has the advantage of being much easier to drive.
Tchoupitoulas
500+ Head-Fier
These are great comparisons and impressions, as always. Your descriptions are vivid and evocative, and I'm looking forward to checking out the Ely as soon as I have a powerful enough source. Does your Paw S1 do a decent enough job in driving the Elysium? I'm excited that I may be able to compare my Andro 2020 with the MW10 soon.
So, Cloud City as opposed to Dagobah system?
These are great comparisons and impressions, as always. Your descriptions are vivid and evocative, and I'm looking forward to checking out the Ely as soon as I have a powerful enough source. Does your Paw S1 do a decent enough job in driving the Elysium? I'm excited that I may be able to compare my Andro 2020 with the MW10 soon.
So, Cloud City as opposed to Dagobah system?
Indeed
No PAW S1 is arse with Elysium imho. I didn't think it sounded great with MEST either. I really think you should take a hard look at the M8. You won't regret it.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the MW10 and 2020 to see if they line up with my "from memory" comparisons.
The biggest difference IMO with M8 vs M15 is the image size. Everything sounds bigger. That's a big plus for me in terms of engagement.Indeed
No PAW S1 is arse with Elysium imho. I didn't think it sounded great with MEST either. I really think you should take a hard look at the M8. You won't regret it.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the MW10 and 2020 to see if they line up with my "from memory" comparisons.
It's been a while since I've heard another DAP to compare to but thing that really impressed me right away-- beyond the organic lush timbre-- is the magic the M8 works on the low end. Shanling's marketing literature for the M8 said that their aim was to produce a sound akin to carved jade and I feel this captures the low end the M8 puts out beautifully-- everything is so clear, weighty, beautiful and defined. Each note seems to be "wrapped in velvet' as I once heard someone say and the low end and lower mids just seem so well textured and elucidated without feeling elevated. One might say the low end of the M8 is so weighty it almost exerts a sort of gravitational pull, but it's not distracting or overwhelming...but it's there. It's really something else.
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Well in terms of low end they are not that dissimilar to each other. M15 is also weighty, but overall M8 is more organic and musical.
I've never heard the M15 so have no opinion but the two DAPs do use the same DAC chips so I'm not surprised there is some similarity.
On second thought, the bass is bigger and bolder on M8. Just did an A/B ,lol.
I have both the M15 & M8. M8 sounds fuller & richer. I use the M15 mostly for analytical/critical listening & to compare IEMs. I use the M8 exclusively with the 4.4mm module, as it's for pure musical enjoyment & to get the most out of my IEMs.
Verificateur
100+ Head-Fier
Very nice impressions. Thank you for sharing
Today was a day I've been thinking about for a while-- I received my Elysium back from a loaner and I was able to listen to it back to back against the Andromeda 2020 for the first time ever. When I first heard the Elysium last December I had the Andromeda MW10 and Solaris SE on hand but it had been months at that time since I'd heard the 2020. In fact I was never able to compare even the MW10 and 2020 directly as I didn't own them both at the same time. Thus, my relative impressions of those two IEMs are all from memory .
During my honeymoon phase with Elysium I wound up selling both the MW10 and the Solaris. From memory the MW10 was a slightly darker, more intimate 2020 with the same fantastic mids, more weight in the lows and less air and definition up top. In some respects the MW10 to the 2020 Andromeda is similar to the SE Solaris to the 2020. When I compared the MW10 and SE Solaris back and forth they seemed to share a lot of the same DNA, which is not surprising as they were released at the same time and each were the first in their respective lines to have he ceramic tuning chamber. Thus, the MW10 seemed redundant to me alongside the SE, and I was so enchanted with the Elysium that it held little interest for me, so I sold it. I very much enjoyed its sound but I was never convince myself of a firm sense of how it differed from the 2020.
One thing that haunted me about the 2020 since I sold it was its characteristic air and sparkle. This feeling finally compelled me two weeks ago to re-purchase the 2020-- this time a new unit through Travis at Headphone Bar. The biggest things on my mind going in to this second round with the 2020 was 1) would it still manage to wield its spell on me after all this time and 2) would it hold my attention for long alongside the Elysium and Dorado 2020.
After two weeks with the Andromeda I can decidedly answer 1) in the affirmative-- I still love it as much as ever, for reasons I've alluded to in other posts. That being said, the jury is still out on 2) as during my first two weeks back with Andromeda both my Dorado and Elysium have been on loan. What I can say for sure is that I have been able to enjoy the 2020 fully on its own terms for two weeks with neither my enjoyment waning nor any part of my mind yearning for the Dorado or Elysium. Whatever else can be said of the Andromeda 2020 I feel I could be totally happy if it was my only IEM. This is significant for me.
Following are some scattershot impressions having had the Elysium on hand for a few hours.
+The first thing one notices with Elysium is that the stage is more intimate-- gone is that holographic spaciousness characteristic of Andro, though with Elysium the whole sound seems to breath more to coin @1TrickPony 's description.
+Andromeda is more dynamic, lively and layering/separation is more pronounced.
+On the Elysium the mid-range is more bodied, natural and alluring
+Treble on the Elysium is much more detailed and lifelike-- bit it doesn't have that Andromeda air and sparkle...Andromeda, appropriately enough, conjure in the mind a vast spacious stellar system...Elysium is more a living, breathing vibrant ecosystem...both are wonderful in their own way.
+ Elysium is a little deceptive at first but the more you listen the more you're drawn in...if ever music could sooth the savage beast it is through the Elysium
+ Andromeda is more fun, dynamic and exciting..perhaps more purely technical...Elysium is more purely emotional, natural and evocative
+ Andromeda draws your attention towards a playful, energetic, and technical midrange-- Elysium draws you within to a palace of bliss and intimacy via the mids and highs
+Based on memory the 2020 Andromeda is like the MW10 but with some air and sparkle injected back into it. The MW10 is still the most beautiful but the 2020 is my favourite to listen to.
Conclusion: The 2020 is holding up very well. At the end of the day the Elysium is still my favorite IEM and does things no other IEM has done for me yet...but the Andromeda is not to be trifled with and is still a profoundly enjoyable listen in its own right. It also has the advantage of being much easier to drive.
I am wondering if you had a chance to listen to/compare with EE Odin? Wonder how Elysium would stack up to it, and whether you think it would remain your favourite.
DanielListening
1000+ Head-Fier
I’m excited to hear your thoughts on the EE Bravado MKII.
I enjoyed my short time with it.
I enjoyed my short time with it.
SBranson
Headphoneus Supremus
Today was a day I've been thinking about for a while-- I received my Elysium back from a loaner and I was able to listen to it back to back against the Andromeda 2020 for the first time ever. When I first heard the Elysium last December I had the Andromeda MW10 and Solaris SE on hand but it had been months at that time since I'd heard the 2020. In fact I was never able to compare even the MW10 and 2020 directly as I didn't own them both at the same time. Thus, my relative impressions of those two IEMs are all from memory .
During my honeymoon phase with Elysium I wound up selling both the MW10 and the Solaris. From memory the MW10 was a slightly darker, more intimate 2020 with the same fantastic mids, more weight in the lows and less air and definition up top. In some respects the MW10 to the 2020 Andromeda is similar to the SE Solaris to the 2020. When I compared the MW10 and SE Solaris back and forth they seemed to share a lot of the same DNA, which is not surprising as they were released at the same time and each were the first in their respective lines to have he ceramic tuning chamber. Thus, the MW10 seemed redundant to me alongside the SE, and I was so enchanted with the Elysium that it held little interest for me, so I sold it. I very much enjoyed its sound but I was never convince myself of a firm sense of how it differed from the 2020.
One thing that haunted me about the 2020 since I sold it was its characteristic air and sparkle. This feeling finally compelled me two weeks ago to re-purchase the 2020-- this time a new unit through Travis at Headphone Bar. The biggest things on my mind going in to this second round with the 2020 was 1) would it still manage to wield its spell on me after all this time and 2) would it hold my attention for long alongside the Elysium and Dorado 2020.
After two weeks with the Andromeda I can decidedly answer 1) in the affirmative-- I still love it as much as ever, for reasons I've alluded to in other posts. That being said, the jury is still out on 2) as during my first two weeks back with Andromeda both my Dorado and Elysium have been on loan. What I can say for sure is that I have been able to enjoy the 2020 fully on its own terms for two weeks with neither my enjoyment waning nor any part of my mind yearning for the Dorado or Elysium. Whatever else can be said of the Andromeda 2020 I feel I could be totally happy if it was my only IEM. This is significant for me.
Following are some scattershot impressions having had the Elysium on hand for a few hours.
+The first thing one notices with Elysium is that the stage is more intimate-- gone is that holographic spaciousness characteristic of Andro, though with Elysium the whole sound seems to breath more to coin @1TrickPony 's description.
+Andromeda is more dynamic, lively and layering/separation is more pronounced.
+On the Elysium the mid-range is more bodied, natural and alluring
+Treble on the Elysium is much more detailed and lifelike-- bit it doesn't have that Andromeda air and sparkle...Andromeda, appropriately enough, conjure in the mind a vast spacious stellar system...Elysium is more a living, breathing vibrant ecosystem...both are wonderful in their own way.
+ Elysium is a little deceptive at first but the more you listen the more you're drawn in...if ever music could sooth the savage beast it is through the Elysium
+ Andromeda is more fun, dynamic and exciting..perhaps more purely technical...Elysium is more purely emotional, natural and evocative
+ Andromeda draws your attention towards a playful, energetic, and technical midrange-- Elysium draws you within to a palace of bliss and intimacy via the mids and highs
+Based on memory the 2020 Andromeda is like the MW10 but with some air and sparkle injected back into it. The MW10 is still the most beautiful but the 2020 is my favourite to listen to.
Conclusion: The 2020 is holding up very well. At the end of the day the Elysium is still my favorite IEM and does things no other IEM has done for me yet...but the Andromeda is not to be trifled with and is still a profoundly enjoyable listen in its own right. It also has the advantage of being much easier to drive.
Somethings not working with my notifications as I didn't realize this whole page had been posted..
After reading these comparisons, we have to figure out you hearing the Cayin C9 in the mix with the Elysium. You told me that the Elysium needed power and as I acquiesced over time, bumping up my gain setting on the M8 from low to high to turbo, I finally felt like they opened up.. But the C9, to me, does pretty much all those things on this list that you say the Andromeda does better... The holographic sense is there, there is a vibrancy and realism to vocals and instrument timbre that is even more than what I originally had thought already truly excellent.. I think it will elevate your sense of the Elysium even further..
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