T+A Solitaire T Wireless Headphone

[Frabera]

Since I have the ST (already 4-5 months) playing with the Flagship Shanling M9+ I unfortunately do not listen any more my ZMF VC, when I bought the ST, I have never supected any time, It would have been so good wired.

 

[narticus]

Forgive me for not reading through 112 pages but I'm wondering if the quiet nature of the Solitaire Ts in BT mode can be improved in any way?

 

[eLatte]

Forgive me for not reading through 112 pages but I'm wondering if the quiet nature of the Solitaire Ts in BT mode can be improved in any way?

The volume has been increased with the 4.2.1 update.

 

[narticus]

The volume has been increased with the 4.2.1 update.

Are people satisfied with the increase? It still seems rather quiet to me. I just received the headphones in the mail and they have been updated to 4.2.1

 

[narticus]

Already really enjoying them in passive mode so far. Need to take some time and see if the BT mode volume is an issue in louder environments.

 

[angelom]

@angelom: Allow me a curious question: Is there a special reason why you often change volume and tracks? Normally, when I enjoy listening to music I listen to a complete album or playlist and did not often change tracks or volume. Only when comparing two headphones for example I change between different songs. So I am just curious what your reason is?

The short answer is this: I love music and I'm very sensitive to changes in volume (not only with music, but with sounds in general, people in a restaurant, for example).

The more long answer is this: I have several very long (1000-3000 tracks) playlists. I like using random mode very much so that I don't know what is the next track that will playing. Because the tracks in this random sequence coming from different albums and masters the volume is different (I don't like using 'normalisation'). I frequently change tracks too because I don't want listening some songs/music in a particular moment (a very long playlist is ideal for this).

Very many of this tracks, apart from coming from different albums and master quality, already have (very) quiet parts and (very) more loud parts, specially in genres like classical music, some jazz or some types of rock, ambient or instrumental music. But even when not having this big volume changes, my ears frequently asking me for more fine/precise adjustments in volume.

But of course sometimes, like you, I listen to complete albums with little or occasionally no changes in volume adjustments.

 

[me7]

Am I right to assume that the USB mode has a very low latency?

 

[streetbeat]

Because the tracks in this random sequence coming from different albums and masters the volume is different (I don't like using 'normalisation').

I could guess you already know all that, but if by chance you aren't... ReplayGain does look like exactly what you need. By a matter of toggle switch, RG can be enabled/disabled depending on your listening routine at particular moment. Of course depends on what software you use (I'm a long time fan of foobar2000 on desktop, but PowerAmp also does the trick on Android) and whether it supports RG.

 

[angelom]

I could guess you already know all that, but if by chance you aren't... ReplayGain does look like exactly what you need. By a matter of toggle switch, RG can be enabled/disabled depending on your listening routine at particular moment. Of course depends on what software you use (I'm a long time fan of foobar2000 on desktop, but PowerAmp also does the trick on Android) and whether it supports RG.

Thank you for the suggestion.

I know about RG, but unfortunately is not for me. Maybe I’m old school but I prefer not interfering with the original gain or original dynamic range of an album or master. Also, I’m not sure RG is ok for Apple Music that I use both in my MacBook Pro and iPhone. And playlist management is excellent in this 2 Apple devices.

In the past I trying different (some even expensive) music players but I never having the same seamless user experience I have with Apple’s iTunes/Apple Music.

The 5909 sound decent in passive mode, but the ST are much better. Better tonality, soundstage, and bass response. The 5909 use a proprietary cable as well that is microphonic and no option for balanced.

Maybe @angelom will chime in about the Dali io12 wired performance.

Maybe I'm not the best person for describing correctly the iO-12's wired performance, but here is a post from somebody with experience of (very) good wired headphones who is specifically and only speaking about the iO-12's passive/wired mode: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dali-i0-12-initial-impressions.971210/#post-17897479

 

[Benesyed]

Solitaire T are my go to travel headphones now. I use predominantly my Calderas or DCA expanse at home/office (former more so than the latter). While the SolT is very good, I do miss my full size cans esp the open backs when I am away from them!

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

Hi Solitaire T owners. I'm contemplating pressing the trigger on these for commute/travel purposes. A couple of quick questions. What are the dimensions of the case? And by any chance has anyone compared these with the new ZMF Bokehs? They're a very different proposition, and the 'portability' is a bit contentious, but one of the main uses I'll be putting my next cans to is listening when I'm away in hotels for work and on holiday, so there's some overlap. Currently I'm using Oppo PM-3s for this which are still a delight with my Shanling M7 DAP, but am going to A B demo the Oppos against the Solitaires and see if the upgrade is justified. My very brief, curious demo a while ago made me think it might well be.

 

[avkauppi]

Hi Solitaire T owners. I'm contemplating pressing the trigger on these for commute/travel purposes. A couple of quick questions. What are the dimensions of the case? And by any chance has anyone compared these with the new ZMF Bokehs? They're a very different proposition, and the 'portability' is a bit contentious, but one of the main uses I'll be putting my next cans to is listening when I'm away in hotels for work and on holiday, so there's some overlap. Currently I'm using Oppo PM-3s for this which are still a delight with my Shanling M7 DAP, but am going to A B demo the Oppos against the Solitaires and see if the upgrade is justified. My very brief, curious demo a while ago made me think it might well be.

Hi, I have Solitaire T that I got for travel purposes and I have Oppo PM-1 that I used to have with me in travels to listen in hotel rooms. Oppo PM-1 is half-open so it*s not suitable for commute or flights, but I suppose it's about the same size as Oppo PM-3 in the travel bag. When compared to Solitaire T the travel bags are about the same size, and also the weight is about the same. As a DAP I have Ibasso DX320 with amp14. I listen in the hotels mostly wired through balanced connection, which Solitaire T also has, and when commuting and in flights through Bluetooth. I find the ANC really good and value added to the listening experience in commuting and flights. However, the HQ mode sounds even better, and the passive isolation is so good that you can use it also in noisier environments.

The only downsides in Solitaire T I can think of are the size (if you have big ears) and the volume level (if you listen straight from the iPhone and are used to listen loud). Those are not problems for me with medium sized ears and no need for higher volumes, but you might want to check these out before making the decision. The sound is different from Oppo PM-1, especially the bass and treble are stronger. Also the soundstage is smaller and the listening experience more intimate. I really enjoy their dynamic and detailed sound and I believe they are good with many music genres.

I hope this helps.

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

Hi, I have Solitaire T that I got for travel purposes and I have Oppo PM-1 that I used to have with me in travels to listen in hotel rooms. Oppo PM-1 is half-open so it*s not suitable for commute or flights, but I suppose it's about the same size as Oppo PM-3 in the travel bag. When compared to Solitaire T the travel bags are about the same size, and also the weight is about the same. As a DAP I have Ibasso DX320 with amp14. I listen in the hotels mostly wired through balanced connection, which Solitaire T also has, and when commuting and in flights through Bluetooth. I find the ANC really good and value added to the listening experience in commuting and flights. However, the HQ mode sounds even better, and the passive isolation is so good that you can use it also in noisier environments.

The only downsides in Solitaire T I can think of are the size (if you have big ears) and the volume level (if you listen straight from the iPhone and are used to listen loud). Those are not problems for me with medium sized ears and no need for higher volumes, but you might want to check these out before making the decision. The sound is different from Oppo PM-1, especially the bass and treble are stronger. Also the soundstage is smaller and the listening experience more intimate. I really enjoy their dynamic and detailed sound and I believe they are good with many music genres.

I hope this helps.

That's very helpful, Avkuppi. Thank you. Coincidentally, had been wondering about Oppo PM-1s or PM-2s too, but have pretty much concluded that would just mean carrying two sets of headphones: one for the actual travelling and one for the ultimate destination, which isn't ideal, however compact the cases.

Then I came across the Solitaires. I was initially a bit sceptical about the 'master of all trades, both wired and unwired' claims, but review after review has made me wonder whether they really do achieve that. It's good to hear from someone who'd found they work out well for them in that way.

Just to contribute something myself for those weighing up the Solitaire Ts, here's a round up of recent reviews I've read/viewed, all of which pretty much agree that the small soundstage and 'user ear size' issue are the only downsides (well, those and the financial haemorrhaging needed to actually buy them, but as we're all friends here on HeadFi there's no need to dwell on that...):

• the always reliable Darko
• What Hi Fi
• Audiofied
• Teoh on Tech
• AV Forums
• ZP Productions

 

[aaronjensen]

@angelom I'm thinking of giving the Solitaire T a try after trying the IO-12 and discovering its problems with voice calls. It sounds like you feel the audio quality is similar enough (and likely for me) but I'm wondering about everything else. How's the mic? How's the bluetooth connectivity stability and multipoint connections? Long term comfort (I wear them all day and have ears that fit in Bose QC, but touch on Sony XM5). Any suggestions or thoughts before I pull the trigger?

Anyone else? Thank you!

 

[angelom]

@angelom I'm thinking of giving the Solitaire T a try after trying the IO-12 and discovering its problems with voice calls. It sounds like you feel the audio quality is similar enough (and likely for me)

The ST and iO-12's tonal balance and presentation is clearly different not similar, more than maybe you're imagining. The ST's sound is, maybe initially, seeming little boring and very intimate (soundstage difference with the IO-12 is significant). BUT the sound of the ST, with little patience, maybe you discovering soon is very true/honest and you acquiring a taste for this clean window to sound.

How's the mic?

I only using the ST with telephone calls (not Zoom or Teams) and I never having complaints from other side, this is the best I can telling you.

How's the bluetooth connectivity stability and multipoint connections?

Absolutely no problem in both aspects in my experience.

Long term comfort (I wear them all day and have ears that fit in Bose QC, but touch on Sony XM5). Any suggestions or thoughts before I pull the trigger?

I using the ST sometimes for 4-6 hrs maximum and only stopping because I must doing something different not because of comfort problems. Comfort is never a problem for me with the ST, but this maybe different for you. Is definitely NOT so comfortable like the absolute king of comfort (for me at least), the Bose QC35. I have problem with comfort with the Bose NC700 and Sony XM4 but not with the Sony XM3 (but the QC35 is even better).

About advice before "pulling the trigger", only the usual advice for a very expensive product like this: Try this headphone if possible before buying, or try buying from a place with good returns policy if you can't trying in a shop.