T+A Solitaire T Wireless Headphone

[nole]

If I kind of enjoy a fun, V-shaped sound but want high-quality headphones, should I get the T+A Solitaire T or something like the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo? Is the “Vitalize” EQ preset a good match in my case, or should I consider a different model or tuning?

 

[winstonliu]

If I kind of enjoy a fun, V-shaped sound but want high-quality headphones, should I get the T+A Solitaire T or something like the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo? Is the “Vitalize” EQ preset a good match in my case, or should I consider a different model or tuning?

I would not categorize the Solitaire as V-shaped. In fact I will say it has a very neutral sound, with slight emphasis on the high and mid frequencies. And some people will find it a touch lean on the bass frequencies. Hence my preference to use it with Bass Boost on the EQ. Overall it is more a reference sounding headphone as opposed to a warm sounding headphone.

I have not heard the Apollo, so don't know how they compare.

 

[DrSeven]

I can only tell what I hear.

My setup here is also the simplest and most direct. Music player direct to the headphones by Analog Input cable.

There is a marked difference in sound between having the Power on vs. with the Power off.

I would classify the sound as follows -

1. Wired with headphone Power on, the sound is outstanding, a rich and full body presentation.

2. Wired with headphone Power off, the sound is decisively inferior, lacks body, and exhibits very recessed bass.

3. Wireless using Bluetooth, the sound is very lean and vastly inferior to my B&W Px8 but better than my Bose Ultra Comfort.

I pulled the trigger last year black Friday and I really love these headphones. BUT I have to agree that I was disappointed by the wired power off sound because it did sound weird (sibilant, artificial,..). Wired and wireless with power on are both very very good and I love the punch they have but still they are very resolving and clean sounding. I'd classify them as on the analytical side but I'm always having fun listening to them - so far from boring. With bad source material they can get sibilant but that's ok. All in all I'd recommend them without any hesitation. Maybe I'll have to give the wired mode with power off another try these days. But it's curious that I had almost the same experience as you @winstonliu

 

[winstonliu]

I pulled the trigger last year black Friday and I really love these headphones. BUT I have to agree that I was disappointed by the wired power off sound because it did sound weird (sibilant, artificial,..). Wired and wireless with power on are both very very good and I love the punch they have but still they are very resolving and clean sounding. I'd classify them as on the analytical side but I'm always having fun listening to them - so far from boring. With bad source material they can get sibilant but that's ok. All in all I'd recommend them without any hesitation. Maybe I'll have to give the wired mode with power off another try these days. But it's curious that I had almost the same experience as you @winstonliu

Thank you, you used the best word to describe their sound signature!

The Solitaire has an 'analytical', as opposed to a 'warm' type of sound.

Overall, I would rank it as a benchmark for reference among wireless headphones, for transparency, neutrality, and resolution of musical details.

 

[DrSeven]

Thank you, you used the best word to describe their sound signature!

The Solitaire has an 'analytical', as opposed to a 'warm' type of sound.

Overall, I would rank it as a benchmark for reference among wireless headphones, for transparency, neutrality, and resolution of musical details.

100%! When I first tried them I was so freaking impressed how good a wireless headphone can sound it put a big smile on my face.

 

[KindofBluer]

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, you are probably right here. My music player built-in power amp is probably not up to task. Hence without the headphone Power on, there's not enough power to drive the headphones in passive mode in a proper manner.
In a wired mode with the headphone Power on, the Solitaire T outclass both Px8 and Bathy's in my opinion.

Switching between wired and wireless for me is a night and day difference. The sound via Bluetooth is just vastly inferior. But I do not have this problem with my other headphones. Could be something wrong with the Bluetooth on my Solitaire ?

As for wireless mode via Bluetooth, using the same music player but just switching between 3 headphones, the results are crystal clear : -
The Px8 easily comes out on top, being equal or better in almost every facet of sound reproduction. The Solitaire T comes in a very distant second, and the Bose Ultra Quietcomfort not that far behind in third place.
Even my wife who listens a lot but is not as picky as me said the very same m

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, you are probably right here. My music player built-in power amp is probably not up to task. Hence without the headphone Power on, there's not enough power to drive the headphones in passive mode in a proper manner.
In a wired mode with the headphone Power on, the Solitaire T outclass both Px8 and Bathy's in my opinion.

Switching between wired and wireless for me is a night and day difference. The sound via Bluetooth is just vastly inferior. But I do not have this problem with my other headphones. Could be something wrong with the Bluetooth on my Solitaire ?

As for wireless mode via Bluetooth, using the same music player but just switching between 3 headphones, the results are crystal clear : -
The Px8 easily comes out on top, being equal or better in almost every facet of sound reproduction. The Solitaire T comes in a very distant second, and the Bose Ultra Quietcomfort not that far behind in third place.
Even my wife who listens a lot but is not as picky as me said the very same thing!

I second what @aaronjensen said. I was expecting great things from the PX8 but I found the bass was so emphasized the sound was muddy. The Solitaire T, on the other hand, especially in passive wired mode, to my ears is perfectly balanced.

 

[WDitters]

Goodbye everyone, having let go of my beloved T+A Solitaire T ... (custom cables up for grabs in the classifieds) ... I will keep an eye on this thread however to keep an eye on what happens in here but no longer on my 1st priorities list ...