Hello,
below you will find my sonic impressions of the new T+A Solitaire P-SE. I hope that I have succeeded in the translation to some extent. Cause unfortunately the Google translator is completely unusable...and as you know, I am not a native speaker...
In order to make it easier for you to classify the sound of my test candidate today, I will compare the SOLITAIRE P-SE with the MEZE EMPYREAN, which is also in this price range. But of course, I'm also very curious to see how the current entry-level model from the Herford-based manufacturer will fare against the world-renowned SOLITAIRE P reference headphones.
In addition, the T+A HA200, which is now a firmly established transistor reference on Musicalhead, is recommended to fully explore the sonic talents of the "Trio Infernale". An AURALIC ARIES MINI with implemented SSD hard disk and the corresponding AURALIC ultra low-noise power supply serve as an adequate signal source, which establishes digital contact with the HA200's converter section via an AUDIOQUEST CARBON USB connection.
To test the mobile suitability, the new HIBY R8 does the honors sonically and provides up to 2 x 1,088 mW at its dedicated PentaConn output. Of course, it goes without saying that the aforementioned ear speakers dock exclusively in the balanced connection variant to the Chinese playing partner.
And once again, the usual suspects from the fields of classical, jazz, blues, rock and pop serve me for the musical assessment of my current test candidate. For more information about the T+A SOLITAIRE P-SE, please visit the manufacturer's website.
A small side note: Like almost all orthodynamic headphones, the P-SE requires a relatively long break-in period, which is why it first had to spend 3 days in our tried and tested storage room. Quite to the chagrin of my wife - because of the slightly ambitious chosen level, she even suspected burglars in the house the first night. Bad man.
As is so often the case, I have not made this review easy for myself. Since December of last year, I have been putting the new T+A SOLITAIRE P-SE through its paces acoustically in numerous listening sessions, some of which have lasted several hours, until well into the night. And with every conceivable musical material.
My wife had to separate me not infrequently with gentle force from my listening place in our winter garden. This was also due to the absolutely stress-free presentation of the new ear loudspeaker from Herford, which, in terms of its sonic characteristics, can be identified after just a few minutes as a typical representative of T+A's new headphone product line.
No pithy basses counteract the transparency in the fundamental tone, no excessive treble distracts from decisive events in the sound-relevant midrange. The moreover quite objective, but as it were transparent way of the acoustic presentation had already struck me positively with the SOLITAIRE P and distinguishes now also primarily the new P-SE model.
Just like its bigger brother, the orthodynamic ear speaker does not prefer any specific frequency range with the in-house T+A HA200 - even demanding musical gems are thus reproduced authentically and free of any coloration and finely balanced.
The spatial imaging of the T+A headphones is also exemplary; the separation of voices and instruments in particular is masterfully achieved by the P-SE. And even the entry-level model from the Herford-based manufacturer always maintains the correct proportions of the individual players in relation to each other. That's the way it has to be.
In addition, the flat radiator undoubtedly plays in the Champions League in terms of bass performance. The P-SE inspires at the HA200 with a tight contour as well as a detailed structuring and excellent timing. A very slight emphasis in the midbass also gives individual bass impulses a marginal acoustic weighting, without directing the attention of the grail knight of fine tones specifically to this area.
Only in the low bass range does the new T+A headphone have to admit defeat to the reference model of the Herford manufacture. The black crown prince can't quite keep up with the abysmal bass of the aluminum-reinforced firstborn and ultimately denies itself the final illumination of the very lowest registers.
In the seamless transition to the fundamental tone, the T+A convinces with a slag-free reproduction, which nevertheless always has enough substance. A differentiated and transparent elaboration of musical details with exemplary localization is also one of the P-SE's great strengths in the midrange - but the German headphones also know how to please with fast and natural-looking transients.
The spirited challenger doesn't show any weakness in the high frequencies, especially since the ear speaker seems to be a bit more engaged in this frequency range than the silver first generation. Even the smallest musical details are reproduced with nuance and resolved conscientiously, whereby the flat-panel radiator never tends toward sibilance, but unquestionably maintains a relaxed pace.
In direct comparison to the Herford reference headphones, subtle sonic differences are nevertheless revealed in combination with the HA200. Despite the common DNA, the SOLITAIRE P simply conveys even more calmness in an exemplary three-dimensional sound image and scores especially with the more precise focusing and a higher edge definition in terms of spatial imaging.
The MEZE EMPYREAN reproduces the bass range also sovereignly, combined with a decided low bass. The Romanian headphones start with almost fulminant pressure, but sometimes act a bit too dominant compared to the P-SE, which slightly softens the contours of complex bass lines and sometimes blurs them into each other.
Nevertheless, the EMPYREAN succeeds in unobtrusively connecting to the earthy fundamental tone, which lends the MEZE a unique expressiveness in the tonally rich midrange. Musical events are not only razor-sharp altered, but also absolutely precisely placed in the virtual space.
The more direct playing style of the MEZE in the upper midrange is up to the personal taste of each Knight of the Grail. The SOLITAIRE P-SE is comparatively somewhat restrained in the audible presence range, consequently remains true to its stress-free line and thus explicitly states the tonal philosophy of the house.
In the high frequency range the MEZE also impresses with filigree detail work and first-class resolving power. Sibilants are reproduced softly and smoothly and never tend to sharpness. And although both surface radiators don't give each other anything in the high frequencies, the EMPYREAN nevertheless performs with a slightly darker timbre. The T+A often seems a touch airier here.
In particular, the suboptimal ear pads of the EMPYREAN unnecessarily restrict the spatial impression due to the relatively high acoustic damping, so that not only the actors on the imaginary stage move closer together, but also individual reverberation tails fade out prematurely. Consequently, the P-SE undoubtedly has slight advantages in the discipline of three-dimensionality.
While both headphones master the fine dynamic separation of micro details to perfection, the P-SE does not have much to offer against the exorbitantly high efficiency of the MEZE. The interaction with the HA200 enables the EMPYREAN to achieve almost explosive dynamics. At extreme (!) listening levels, minimal distortions can be heard in the bass range, which are completely alien to the T+A.
The P-SE is thus dependent on higher power reserves in order to shine in terms of (bass) dynamics. Even in comparison with the SOLITAIRE P, the new T+A does not gain any significant advantages in terms of achievable volume - despite the mobile-friendly impedance of 45 ohms. Which, of course, also speaks for the enormous efficiency of its bigger brother.
This calls the HIBY R8 onto the scene for the first time. The reference player from the Chinese manufacturer has already received numerous advance praises in the run-up and can now finally prove its sonic capabilities. And the R8 proves to be the ideal mobile companion for the T+A headphones. Especially at the 4.4 mm PentaConn output, the new HIBY shows the DAP world elite where Bartel has been getting the cider recently.
The player, equipped with a double AKM chipset, is not only capable of playing the T+A headphones without compression at any listening level, the sonic signature of the Japanese reference transducers from Asahi Kasei Microsystems, which prefer a natural and richly colored midrange, complements the transparent presentation of the P-SE in an almost ideal way.
The HIBY R8 gives the flat radiator slightly more plasticity in the fundamental tone, which results in a very organic playing style without neglecting audiophile aspects. This also applies to the SOLITAIRE P, whose impedance (80 ohms) does not affect the power dwarf at all and also produces formidable musical fireworks on the Herford reference headphones.
The EMPYREAN also cuts an excellent figure on the HIBY, convinces on the R8 with grandiose dynamic qualities and inspires with a wonderful musical flow. Even though the MEZE harmonizes in my opinion a bit better with ESS-armed players due to the slightly brighter tonality and a more excessive room illumination.
Finally, I still have to clarify the question of how the SOLITAIRE P-SE performs in comparison to the MEZE EMPYREAN.
Of course, individual listening preferences are crucial for selecting the "right" headphones. In my opinion, the tonal tuning of the corresponding ear speaker also becomes the central focus. And of course the respective intended use.
On stationary components like the T+A HA200, I would personally tend towards the SOLITAIRE P-SE. On the one hand, because the slightly more delicate playing style of the T+A simply appeals to me more, and on the other hand, because the Romanian beau is sometimes a bit too thick in the bass range.
In mobile use, the MEZE could decide the race in its favor due to its high sensitivity - but only in strict dependence on a careful selection of the respective playing partner. While the P-SE can compete with almost every powerful DAP of the new generation, the EMPYREAN often behaves rather like a diva. My wife loves these headphones.
Final thoughts
With the new SOLITAIRE P-SE, the German manufacturer T+A has, in my opinion, undoubtedly succeeded in setting another milestone on the road to musical nirvana. The orthodynamic ear speaker once again plays in the top field of world-class headphones and not only makes music with exemplary transparency, but also acts absolutely free of coloration against a pitch-black background.
The orthodynamic ear speaker also impresses with an excellently structured bass range, great midrange clarity, as well as superb and at the same time unobtrusive detail work at high frequencies. Lightning-fast transients and a perfect impulse response complete the excellent impression.
The sonic differences to the SOLITAIRE P are rather of a marginal nature. The resonance-free aluminum housing of the first generation provides for more quietness in the excellently organized sound image - the higher-quality TPM3100 transducers also enable the Herford reference headphones to achieve an exorbitant low bass.
However, this is only noticeable in a direct comparison. The inclined Knight of the Holy Grail could at most be bothered by the black crown prince's mundane choice of materials and reach for the bigger brother for that reason alone. And although the surcharge seems very ambitious, in my opinion it can be justified by the considerably more complex manufacturing process and a somewhat better qualitative impression.
The T+A SOLITAIRE P-SE will be available in stores from January 25, 2021 at a retail price of 2,800 euros (in Germany). Anyone who has always flirted with the SOLITAIRE P, but has fallen out with the domestic game management because of the ambitious price tag, now gets a second chance with the new offer from the German high-end forge.
Yours Fidelio
But that wasn't my understanding and I would disagree with that, as R8 is a very powerful DAP and can drive P (I would also expect P-SE) very well. It is technically behind a desktop DAC / amp but not underpowered at all. DeepL translation:
