T+A Solitaire T Wireless Headphone

[angelom]

A very common comment about headphones that have a (very close to) flat tonal balance is that they're "boring", "sterile" or similar adjectives. I'm sure this is true for very many people, and is very valid that they have this opinion. Sound quality, like many things, is can be very personal. But for me is often that more neutral / flat headphones making producing more excitement and emotion in me.

So, now I'm listening to "Anarchy In The UK" by The Sex Pistols. This really isn't a audiophile recording at all, and is probably intentional that is this way, because the sound must sounding raw in this music. This is one excellent track, more if you understanding this song, the lyrics, the time in the history of music, this band, etc...

Anyway, I like this song very much, but I'm usually having problems with the sound quality (not because I want audiophile sound, no!, but for other preference in this type of recording of this particular music). The ST isn't making miracles, no, but the transparency of the ST in reproducing this song AND all the album is so good that this song is almost sounding like a good recording! I mentioning recently that the ST reproducing excellently the sound of snare drums. In the song "God Save The Queen" of the same album the snare drum, for the first time in any wireless headphone, is sounding exactly like is must sounding.

 

[mlb11]

A very common comment about headphones that have a (very close to) flat tonal balance is that they're "boring", "sterile" or similar adjectives. I'm sure this is true for very many people, and is very valid that they have this opinion. Sound quality, like many things, is can be very personal. But for me is often that more neutral / flat headphones making producing more excitement and emotion in me.

So, now I'm listening to "Anarchy In The UK" by The Sex Pistols. This really isn't a audiophile recording at all, and is probably intentional that is this way, because the sound must sounding raw in this music. This is one excellent track, more if you understanding this song, the lyrics, the time in the history of music, this band, etc...

Anyway, I like this song very much, but I'm usually having problems with the sound quality (not because I want audiophile sound, no!, but for other preference in this type of recording of this particular music). The ST isn't making miracles, no, but the transparency of the ST in reproducing this song AND all the album is so good that this song is almost sounding like a good recording! I mentioning recently that the ST reproducing excellently the sound of snare drums. In the song "God Save The Queen" of the same album the snare drum, for the first time in any wireless headphone, is sounding exactly like is must sounding.

Interesting you use the word “sterile”. I have a 5.1 home audio system with T+A speakers (Talis series) and these have been called this as well! I don’t believe it was a complimentary term for the speakers, but my sound preferences definitely lean toward the “sterile” side.

I’m continuing to monitor the USB-C issue and appreciate the discussion. I have a MBP and would send the STs a high res stream through Audirvāna for home listening. Therefore, volume level using USB-C is critical. Plus I am currently very happy using the h95s this way….

 

[TheOneInYellow]

PLEASE don't see my posts like a competition against you. I hope not only for "healthy debate" but for accurate information as much as is possible.

Isn't necessary apologising at all. Seriously. I know very well that your intentions and comments are meaning in the best possible way.



Yes, this is true.



My comments, like your comments, aren't about preference in volume, but only saying what my experience is when using a MacBook Pro, and in this case isn't only different, BUT very, very drastically opposite (USB C mode is very more loud than BT mode, exactly the opposite of your experience with your device). And when I speaking about going deaf before with different albums, this is real, not because I think is only very loud. Scientifically, after exposure of certain high levels of dBs our hearing is in danger.



Don't taking this in wrong way, but do you reading my posts well?? I never saying that "there is no difference in volume when using USB-C between an Apple device connected to Solitaire T headphones (in USB-C DAC mode)". I saying that yes, is a BIG difference in my MBP between USB C and BT modes in reference to volume levels, and this difference isn't only different from your experience, but the the exact opposite, going in the complete different direction (USB C very more loud than BT mode).



I'm a person that having tendency for exactness, accuracy and science as much as is possible, so using correct words, specially words that having relating to numbers is important because this having effect in others people and others people start repeating wrong information in other threads and forums and giving incorrect information and impressions of this (or other) headphone.

I repeat this. Is now only few owners of ST, and saying "many" is almost like saying "majority" or very significant number. And I repeat that of this owners several (not many) saying they wanting more maximum volume in BT mode but VERY few people even speaking/mentioning USB C mode in negative or positive way, and this is the only reason I mentioning this in my previous post. I don't have intention of attacking you but you using big capital letters, bold format and making long explanation of this negative aspect of ST in your long previous post, and I don't even mentioning this in my first reply, only commenting about using a MBP, nothing more.

I think you know now that I'm one of very few people that speaking about some negative aspects of ST, and sometimes in (very) strong way, so I'm not blind ST fanboy.



Please read my previous comment. And PLEASE don't taking this personally. PLEASE.

Hi @angelom, I went to bed after posting ha ha !

We're all good, I was just really checking what we were saying, and your post is clear and honest.

I have had toxicity from other areas of my hobby, horology for example, so it may be more me overthinking, but also trying to rationalise your previous posts that were positive, so I made my post with caution just to be on the safe side.

We are all good!

I don't think you are an ST fanboy at all, but instead, like me, champion the St's virtues whilst lamenting specific areas where it is lacking, though we both have different areas where we are more focused on in which we hope for improvement.

Regardless, I have enjoyed sharing knowledge and experiences with yourself and other owners and readers interested in these headphones, and continue to do so!

I take note that your Apple to ST in USB-C DAC mode seems to be working as intended, and I sincerely hope that the few Android users, who are having low volume issues, get such an experience as well.
This would complete the biggest outlier I have with my headphones.
The second is user control/saveable EQ settings, which would be awesome!

 

[TheOneInYellow]

A very common comment about headphones that have a (very close to) flat tonal balance is that they're "boring", "sterile" or similar adjectives. I'm sure this is true for very many people, and is very valid that they have this opinion. Sound quality, like many things, is can be very personal. But for me is often that more neutral / flat headphones making producing more excitement and emotion in me.

So, now I'm listening to "Anarchy In The UK" by The Sex Pistols. This really isn't a audiophile recording at all, and is probably intentional that is this way, because the sound must sounding raw in this music. This is one excellent track, more if you understanding this song, the lyrics, the time in the history of music, this band, etc...

Anyway, I like this song very much, but I'm usually having problems with the sound quality (not because I want audiophile sound, no!, but for other preference in this type of recording of this particular music). The ST isn't making miracles, no, but the transparency of the ST in reproducing this song AND all the album is so good that this song is almost sounding like a good recording! I mentioning recently that the ST reproducing excellently the sound of snare drums. In the song "God Save The Queen" of the same album the snare drum, for the first time in any wireless headphone, is sounding exactly like is must sounding.

I echo much of this, and how real my music sounds via the Solitaire T's, especially in the mids and treble region!

I have decided that the Bass Boost preset is not perfect, and if I had control of this I would increase the bass by +2dB - +4dB instead, so often during songs I constantly change the the EQ between Bass Boost and Flat (aka no EQ) via the app.

That initial sterility of music through the Solitaire T turns into obsessive addictive engagement simply due to how the headphones reproduce music.

Utterly engrossing, even if I have a want for a little lift in bass (but not as much as +6dB as per Bass Boost preset)!

 

[WDitters]

Just put a stamp on my ML 5909.. They're on their way to their new owner now

 

[WDitters]

I spoke with T+A today and on the topic of EQ I can share the following:

[Q] Would it be possible to also have manual EQ (next to presets)?
[T+A] is already planned and we hope that we can add this with one of the next updates

 

[BTD1]

Any word from T+A on the iPhone app? It's weird that the release of the android app is not mentioned on their website.

 

[angelom]

The ST app for iOS is ready in Apple App Store. The name is T+A Solitaire Companion App. The firmware update (from 3.3.5 to 4.0.5) taking 6.5 minutes.

 

[WDitters]

The ST app for iOS is ready in Apple Store. The name is T+A Solitaire Companion App.

You just beat me to it

[Q] Would it be possible to make an audible distinction between modes ANC 1 2 and 3? Now the voice only says ANC On at each level.
[T+A] Yes, this is already planned

[Q] Any estimation on when the iOS app will be released?
[T+A] The first version of the iOS App is live for a few hour now, but we will make some small changes and release an update soon.

 

[thyname]

Anyone here bought a third party cable for Solitaire T (yet)? Hopefully by now someone figured out the connectors that work with the ST. Thanks

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Anyone here bought a third party cable for Solitaire T (yet)? Hopefully by now someone figured out the connectors that work with the ST. Thanks

I forgot to update here, but I refer you to @WDitters who went to Audiophile Ninja for his aftermarket cable. He's not got it yet, but I'm sure he'll update us in due course.

---

As for me, I contacted my dealer, Premium Sound, last week, via chat, then later email, for a cable solution for my needs.
I haven't made a final decision as I just received final pricing for my options, but in summary:

Atlas Zeno 1:1 @ 1m
- £352.00 inc VAT
- 2.5mm male to 4.4mm male (earcup to source respectively)
- Custom designed for T+A Solitaire T headphones 4.4mm TRRS pin layout

Atlas Zeno 1:1 Adapter 1
- 4.4mm female to 4-pin XLR male
£150.00 inc VAT

Atlas Zeno 1:1 Adapter 2
- 4.4mm female to 2.5mm balance jack
- £150.00 inc VAT

---

I'm arguing with myself on whether I should get the lot, or rather, invest into the FiiO M17 (and essentially replace all of my aging desktop system) and just get the main 2.5 - 4.4 Zeno 1:1 cable...

This is already getting expensive ha ha!

 

[angelom]

Some comments about the new app for iOS devices.

The good / great news:
1. Maximum volume is now more than before, and when I comparing with my 5909, is looking like they're the same or extremely close. This is great because even when few people thinking the 5909 isn't have sufficient max volume, for me (and majority of owners) is always sufficiently good. And for the people that don't knowing the 5909 but maybe knowing the H95, in my test, when I buying the 5909 and I still having the H95, both 5909 and H95 having very similar max volume. So, for me, now the ST, 5909 and H95 have practically the same max volume level.

2. This one is more a great thing for me personally, because I changing volume ALL the time. Now the volume steps aren't jumping more than one step, they going always one step by one step (isn't matter if you swiping a little or a lot up or down). I now only wishing that instead of 15-16 steps T+A offering same max volume but 30-32 steps, this is specially great for albums with loud masterings (loudness wars masters) specially albums from early 1990s until today and is thousands of albums like this.

3. The play/pause touch feature is responding better than before, BUT if you're (specially) decreasing volume, or increasing is now better that you swiping more long area so that you don't activating play/pause unintentionally. But this is quick easy adaptation.

The not very good, but I'm sure that T+A fixing soon:
1. Connecting to app isn't easy in iOS devices, probably not a problem with Android app because no-one saying anything yet, and I testing this with 2 iPhones (14 Pro and XR) and same difficulty. Is difficult explaining here why. My suggestion is that for iOS users you must keeping trying connecting until is ok.

2. I can't accessing the 3 levels of ANC at all, only ANC on, off or HQ mode like in the physical buttons. This isn't a problem for me because I personally only using ANC in max setting and this is already available without the app. But I know some people really appreciating different levels and T+A is supposedly offering this, but isn't working correctly now.

Is great seeing that T+A keeping the promise of releasing app before Christmas even if iOS app is having some problems still, and that they listening and reacting quickly making important changes like increasing the max volume level.

 

[WDitters]

Anyone here bought a third party cable for Solitaire T (yet)? Hopefully by now someone figured out the connectors that work with the ST. Thanks

Balanced wiring scheme

 

[WDitters]

Anyone here bought a third party cable for Solitaire T (yet)? Hopefully by now someone figured out the connectors that work with the ST. Thanks

Single-ended wiring scheme

 

[WDitters]

I forgot to update here, but I refer you to @WDitters who went to Audiophile Ninja for his aftermarket cable. He's not got it yet, but I'm sure he'll update us in due course.

---

As for me, I contacted my dealer, Premium Sound, last week, via chat, then later email, for a cable solution for my needs.
I haven't made a final decision as I just received final pricing for my options, but in summary:

Atlas Zeno 1:1 @ 1m
- £352.00 inc VAT
- 2.5mm male to 4.4mm male (earcup to source respectively)
- Custom designed for T+A Solitaire T headphones 4.4mm TRRS pin layout

Atlas Zeno 1:1 Adapter 1
- 4.4mm female to 4-pin XLR male
£150.00 inc VAT

Atlas Zeno 1:1 Adapter 2
- 4.4mm female to 2.5mm balance jack
- £150.00 inc VAT

---

I'm arguing with myself on whether I should get the lot, or rather, invest into the FiiO M17 (and essentially replace all of my aging desktop system) and just get the main 2.5 - 4.4 Zeno 1:1 cable...

This is already getting expensive ha ha!

That's why I went with Audiophile Ninja... Way cheaper and great to start with in terms of a first experiment