T+A Solitaire P planar magnetostatic

[HA-1]

It's interesting his comment on how much power he thinks the T+A needs.

The T+A Solitaire P has 80 Ohms impedance while my headphone amplifier delivers 2 Watt per channel at 32 Ohms. With that, I can listen pleasantly loud at -19 dB with HiFiMan HE1000 Stealth (32 Ohms) and at -16 dB with the HE1000 V2 (35 Ohms). For the same volume impression, the Solitaire P needs -13 dB. The HE1000 is easier to drive than the Solitaire P. Same on the T+A HA200 amplifier - the Solitaire P needs a higher volume setting in comparison to the HE1000 Stealth, so unfortunately no direct (parallel) A/B comparison possible.

 

[gentlemang]

Solitaire P will give you separation of instruments. In fact, I feel Sol P is strongest with instrumentals of pretty much any type.

Better separation than 800s?

 

[tholt]

Considering the high sensitivity I had to crank the volume more than expected for it to feel right.
However I didn't measure my listening volume in an objective manner, maybe the tonality made me simply listen at louder volume.

I've found the latter is probably true for me as well... the tonality of these headphones being a bit darker, esp in the highs (which I like) invites me to turn the volume up a bit more. However, I don't find I have to turn them up a lot more than my Elites just to get the same volume. I haven't tested this, just from observation.

It's still far far off from Susvara or Expanse.

I don't own either, but based on specs vs Sus I'd assume so. Which is why I found the reviewer's comments surprising. I don't find they need a ton of power. But I don't doubt they can benefit from it.

Maybe his other HP’s are also more sensitive.

This could also be true. I guess I assumed with the wide exposure and apparent funds (or connections) he has, he probably has a lot of headphones in his collection that would span a wide range of sensitivities

 

[Frankie D]

Better separation than 800s?

I do not own my own 800S, so I cannot answer. It is highly detailed.

 

[ducanh712]

What I didn't like about the Elite is not enough resolution (for my taste with hybrid pads)

My same impression. Elite is good but lower resolution than SolP. I feel it miss detail compare to SolP with same setup

 

[nogi replicant]

Good to see some recent activity on this thread for the Sol P. I prefer it 75% of the time to my Abyss TC (part of that is due to comfort - but I also find the sound more agreeable most of the time). I sold my Susvara about 2 months ago and have not regretted it at all.

 

[CUBIX]

Sorry for the late reply. I had a few crazy days and 0 energy for writing something.

Monday, I received the Soli P, nice and drop proof box. I listen to them every day. I have around 11-12h on them.

I use my Xduoo XD05 Pro - ESS DAC and Sparkos ss3602 opamps. I don't have, at this moment, a desktop rig. The topping stack is for sale at a friend.

First impressions, out of the box, balanced cable (XLR with 4.4 mm dd-hifi adapter). I put them on my head, and the metal parts above the ear cups are a bit uncomfortable. My ears touched the lower part of the pads, and I opened them a notch. Surprise the metal part above the ear cups, doesn’t touch my head anymore. And my ears are in the middle of the cups.

The headband is OK, maybe if it was a bit wider, but is nothing to complain to much. Surprisingly, the ears cups are more comfortable for me than Meze Elite ears cups. I always had a problem with comfort on my right ear (on any headphones). I don't know why, but no matter how I positioned the headphones, some part of the pad always touched my ear. Here, the problem is quite minimal to non exiting.

Ok, Ok, sound stuff.

I didn’t have the mood for much audiophile stuff, but I listened mostly to metal and EDM.

The first thing that hit me was the bass and sub bass. This headphone goes deep and strong. I like Chelsea Wolfe lately. For example, tunnel light and unseen world. On tunnel light, the bass is more mid bass, very fast, and present. You hear and feel every frequency.
Unseen work is a bit special it has mostly sub bass, I don't think I heard and feel so present sub bass on any headphones.

I like how Soli P readers vocal music. For example, Sonya Yoncheva rebirth is one of my favorite albums. I listen to this album on every headphones, iems that I owned. On Soli P, I didn't have that high pitch that scratched my ears. But the level of detail in the voice of the realism is so awesome.

The imaging is the best that I heard on headphones so far.

The cherry on the cake is the purity of the sound. Everything is so clear, clean, without any trace of distortion. It was quite shocking. I waited, and I'm still waiting for some distortion, but nothing. I know it is a good thing, but I need time to adjust myself .

About power requirements, it requires more than elite. I am at 38-43 with the elite on xduoo on medium gain. With the Soli P, I am at 55-60, maybe more depending on recording on medium gain.

This is so far as first impressions, I will update as I go and solidify an opinion. I am curious how it will be after burn in. On Meze Elite, the change was substantial for transparency and soundstage.

@Ciggavelli, we listen to similar music. Do you have some recommendations for me?

 

[Frankie D]

Sorry for the late reply. I had a few crazy days and 0 energy for writing something.

Monday, I received the Soli P, nice and drop proof box. I listen to them every day. I have around 11-12h on them.

I use my Xduoo XD05 Pro - ESS DAC and Sparkos ss3602 opamps. I don't have, at this moment, a desktop rig. The topping stack is for sale at a friend.

First impressions, out of the box, balanced cable (XLR with 4.4 mm dd-hifi adapter). I put them on my head, and the metal parts above the ear cups are a bit uncomfortable. My ears touched the lower part of the pads, and I opened them a notch. Surprise the metal part above the ear cups, doesn’t touch my head anymore. And my ears are in the middle of the cups.

The headband is OK, maybe if it was a bit wider, but is nothing to complain to much. Surprisingly, the ears cups are more comfortable for me than Meze Elite ears cups. I always had a problem with comfort on my right ear (on any headphones). I don't know why, but no matter how I positioned the headphones, some part of the pad always touched my ear. Here, the problem is quite minimal to non exiting.

Ok, Ok, sound stuff.

I didn’t have the mood for much audiophile stuff, but I listened mostly to metal and EDM.

The first thing that hit me was the bass and sub bass. This headphone goes deep and strong. I like Chelsea Wolfe lately. For example, tunnel light and unseen world. On tunnel light, the bass is more mid bass, very fast, and present. You hear and feel every frequency.
Unseen work is a bit special it has mostly sub bass, I don't think I heard and feel so present sub bass on any headphones.

I like how Soli P readers vocal music. For example, Sonya Yoncheva rebirth is one of my favorite albums. I listen to this album on every headphones, iems that I owned. On Soli P, I didn't have that high pitch that scratched my ears. But the level of detail in the voice of the realism is so awesome.

The imaging is the best that I heard on headphones so far.

The cherry on the cake is the purity of the sound. Everything is so clear, clean, without any trace of distortion. It was quite shocking. I waited, and I'm still waiting for some distortion, but nothing. I know it is a good thing, but I need time to adjust myself .

About power requirements, it requires more than elite. I am at 38-43 with the elite on xduoo on medium gain. With the Soli P, I am at 55-60, maybe more depending on recording on medium gain.

This is so far as first impressions, I will update as I go and solidify an opinion. I am curious how it will be after burn in. On Meze Elite, the change was substantial for transparency and soundstage.

@Ciggavelli, we listen to similar music. Do you have some recommendations for me?

Try Randori by Nik Bartsch to check out the bass.

 

[Roasty]

The imaging is the best that I heard on headphones so far.

Sorry for the late reply. I had a few crazy days and 0 energy for writing something.

Monday, I received the Soli P, nice and drop proof box. I listen to them every day. I have around 11-12h on them.

I use my Xduoo XD05 Pro - ESS DAC and Sparkos ss3602 opamps. I don't have, at this moment, a desktop rig. The topping stack is for sale at a friend.

First impressions, out of the box, balanced cable (XLR with 4.4 mm dd-hifi adapter). I put them on my head, and the metal parts above the ear cups are a bit uncomfortable. My ears touched the lower part of the pads, and I opened them a notch. Surprise the metal part above the ear cups, doesn’t touch my head anymore. And my ears are in the middle of the cups.

The headband is OK, maybe if it was a bit wider, but is nothing to complain to much. Surprisingly, the ears cups are more comfortable for me than Meze Elite ears cups. I always had a problem with comfort on my right ear (on any headphones). I don't know why, but no matter how I positioned the headphones, some part of the pad always touched my ear. Here, the problem is quite minimal to non exiting.

Ok, Ok, sound stuff.

I didn’t have the mood for much audiophile stuff, but I listened mostly to metal and EDM.

The first thing that hit me was the bass and sub bass. This headphone goes deep and strong. I like Chelsea Wolfe lately. For example, tunnel light and unseen world. On tunnel light, the bass is more mid bass, very fast, and present. You hear and feel every frequency.
Unseen work is a bit special it has mostly sub bass, I don't think I heard and feel so present sub bass on any headphones.

I like how Soli P readers vocal music. For example, Sonya Yoncheva rebirth is one of my favorite albums. I listen to this album on every headphones, iems that I owned. On Soli P, I didn't have that high pitch that scratched my ears. But the level of detail in the voice of the realism is so awesome.

The imaging is the best that I heard on headphones so far.

The cherry on the cake is the purity of the sound. Everything is so clear, clean, without any trace of distortion. It was quite shocking. I waited, and I'm still waiting for some distortion, but nothing. I know it is a good thing, but I need time to adjust myself .

About power requirements, it requires more than elite. I am at 38-43 with the elite on xduoo on medium gain. With the Soli P, I am at 55-60, maybe more depending on recording on medium gain.

This is so far as first impressions, I will update as I go and solidify an opinion. I am curious how it will be after burn in. On Meze Elite, the change was substantial for transparency and soundstage.

@Ciggavelli, we listen to similar music. Do you have some recommendations for me?

nice impressions! yes, the solP is really good at staging and imaging. the sense of placement is one of the best I've heard. but they should release a revision with a better headband imo.

 

[ThanatosVI]

but they should release a revision with a better headband imo.

I'd be the first to buy back into it

 

[Frankie D]

I actually prefer the headband on the Solitaire. I always get an itch and the Sol P’s thinner headband allows me to scratch it vs removing it as with a Sus or Empy for example.

 

[Pastwa]

Very recent review from Sound News, very favourable of the Solitaire P, given the mentioned competition.

https://soundnews.net/reviews/headphones/ta-solitaire-p-headphone-review-rise-and-reign/

 

[HA-1]

Very recent review from Sound News

Same video as posted on page 216 - Head-Fi.org .

 

[ThanatosVI]

With the new releases of Susvara Unveiled and Immanis, I'm curious wether T+A is working on something new themselves.

Just to make sure that they rethink their headband, I emailed them regarding the comfort issues and how to solve them.

Would love to see a Mk.2 with new headband or who knows a Solitaire E

 

[Frankie D]

Solitaire P Update:

Can it be that the Solitaire P needs over 300 hours to break in? Now at 350 hours the mids are no longer what I would describe as recessed. While they might remain a touch more recessed in comparison to the Susvara, they are no longer recessed. The Sol P is just a bit warmer in its presentation as compared to the Susvara and has stronger bass reproduction. The clarity of the Solitaire P has also improved with the hours allowing it to now produce its own beautiful and engaging presentation.

In “I Am What I Am” as performed by Linda Eder (if you like vocals, this is a great performance) the Solitaire P’s presentation is highly detailed easily reproducing the inflections Linda uses in her voice especially at 1:28 and 2:25 where she produces a terrific “growl” while singing the lyrics. The drums are clear and tight adding to the overall mix. While I wish the overall recording were better, Linda does an unbelievable job belting out the ending. A must listen.