T+A Solitaire T Wireless Headphone

[eLatte]

A few questions on the T + A Solitaire T:

Background: I currently use an iPhone 16 Pro Max or a MacBook Pro to play my hi-res audio using Amazon Ultra HD or Apple Music's lossless formats. Furthermore, I currently have an AudioQuest Dragonfly Red DAC and Shure 846 In-Ear headphones. I'm hoping to switch to the T + A Solitaire T to help prevent further hearing damage partially and potentially caused by IEMs.

A few quick questions:

1. How would you the rank of connection methods (USB C, 4.4 mm jack, 3.5 mm jack, 6.3 mm jack) in terms of highest audio or sound quality? For instance, is the 4.4 mm Pentaconn connection generally going to offer a higher level of sound quality than using the 3.5mm? Or is the USB C just as good as the 4mm and 3.5mm?
   
   
2. With the built-in Quad SABRE HiFi DAC, is it only accessible when using the USB-C connection?
3. In terms of sound quality, is the built in Quad SABRE HiFi DAC higher or lower compared to using an external DAC, generally speaking?
   
   
4. How would you describe the difference between the Shure 846 IEM headphone to the T + A Solitaire in terms of soundstage or audio quality?
   
   
5. For those who own these, would you use them in the gym? Why/why not?

Note that I purchased these yesterday and they should arrive next week. I just want to ensure I have everything ready before I begin.


Best Regards and Happy New Year!

Congrats on becoming an owner of the Solitaire T! I'll provide my personal ranking when it comes to the (USB C, 4.4 mm jack, 3.5 mm jack, 6.3 mm jack).

I use an iPhone 15 Pro Max and cycle between Qobuz and Apple Music when listening. I prefer the USB C connection in High Quality mode. There is more meat on the bones to the sound and the clarity as better. You'll notice with the USB C you can take advantage of the built in amplifiers on the Solitaire T.

I am not sure if it is only accessible with USB-C connection, but I can find out for you.

When it comes to cabling I prefer the pentaconn connection. It is a balanced connection vs the 3.5mm and 6.3mm are not. I listen to the Solitaire T through my DAC 200 which has headphone output (pentaconn). It easily drives my Solitaire T and slightly bests the High Quality mode with USB C in my opinion. With the DAC 200 it brings out slightly more detail especially after 30 minutes or so. I can't speak on other DACs but I assume you may experience different characteristics using them. It is a good idea to try out all sorts of equipment.

I personally do not use them at the gym. I have a pair of Airpod pros 2nd gen specifically for the gym. I am a runner/jogger so that is a big reason why I wouldn't use them. If you are just lifting that may be a different story. I personally wouldn't want to get them all sweaty.

Hope you enjoy them and Happy New Year!

 

[chessking21]

@eLatte - Thank you so much for the quick and thorough response! This is super helpful.

When I receive them, I'll start testing the connections out between Bluetooth (AAC), USB-C, and also the 3.5 mm into my AudioQuest Dragonfly Red (DAC) - which work really well with my Shure 846 IEMs.

For the gym, I purchased the black version just in case if a little bit sweat does build up on them, they won't be noticeable. I don't really sweat too much on top of the head or ear areas, so this may work for me. If not, I'll try something else.


Best Regards and Happy New Year!

 

[eLatte]

@eLatte - Thank you so much for the quick and thorough response! This is super helpful.

When I receive them, I'll start testing the connections out between Bluetooth (AAC), USB-C, and also the 3.5 mm into my AudioQuest Dragonfly Red (DAC) - which work really well with my Shure 846 IEMs.

For the gym, I purchased the black version just in case if a little bit sweat does build up on them, they won't be noticeable. I don't really sweat too much on top of the head or ear areas, so this may work for me. If not, I'll try something else.


Best Regards and Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I was mistaken about the headphone output of the DAC 200, it is not balanced. I just wanted to correct my previous comment.

 

[KindofBluer]

I’m coming up on 8 months with the Solitaire Ts. They have become my all around go to cans except for the rare occasions I want to switch up the sound profile and listen to my Focal Clears. I usually listen passive wired 4.4 balanced with A&K SE180, module 4, but lately I’ve been connecting with the digital cable to my iPad or 16 Pro with HQ mode for convenience. Great ANC on flights and super comfortable for my admittedly not large ears. In all situations a great listen. Now if T&A could only fix the ridiculous transparency mode controls.

 

[ddlo]

I'm having a quick Tokyo run during this weekend. While i demod hp100se in e-earphone, i saw a young guy walking around listening to his solitaire t

I thought of reaching out and have a quick chat with him but was too shy to do so. Anyway, this is the first time i ever saw anyone using solitaire t on the street. Really glad to see another fellow solitaire t user out there.

 

[Tolarian]

I'm having a quick Tokyo run during this weekend. While i demod hp100se in e-earphone, i saw a young guy walking around listening to his solitaire t

I thought of reaching out and have a quick chat with him but was too shy to do so. Anyway, this is the first time i ever saw anyone using solitaire t on the street. Really glad to see another fellow solitaire t user out there.

I have never seen another person in the street with this headphone. I also don't take mine outside.

I'd say be careful not to get robbed to people who take their Solitaire T outside, but i guess most thieves are no audiophiles and don't know its value.

 

[Daniel Johnston]

I have never seen another person in the street with this headphone. I also don't take mine outside.

I'd say be careful not to get robbed to people who take their Solitaire T outside, but i guess most thieves are no audiophiles and don't know its value.

People likely will think they are Bose.

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Saw this new colourway update via email yesterday, but here it is; T+A Solitaire T Cognac:

https://stereonet.com/news/ta-introduces-elegant-solitaire-t-cognac-white-headphones

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFDoLxFtNQl/

 

[angelom]

Saw this new colourway update via email yesterday, but here it is; T+A Solitaire T Cognac:

https://stereonet.com/news/ta-introduces-elegant-solitaire-t-cognac-white-headphones

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFDoLxFtNQl/

...and this new colour is 100 EUR more expensive, from 1390 EUR to 1490 EUR

 

[TheOneInYellow]

...and this new colour is 100 EUR more expensive, from 1390 EUR to 1490 EUR

Yes I noticed that too, but I think most of that cost is the case, now made of faux cognac leather (pleather or another material), which is potentially more expensive than the fabric cases for the black and white models.

Further, I believe that the white model has both been discontinued and replaced by the cognac colourway, though black is still available.

I do wonder if now T+A will issue any meaningful update to the app, especially feature wise. There's technically nothing critically wrong with the app at present, but new features or QoL amendments would be nice, now that T+A are back on promoting the new colourway...

 

[TheOneInYellow]

As I've taken an extended break from Head-Fi and other places, I haven't post new reviews or super super cool pics of the innards of Solitaire T.
So here, a review by Fidelity Magazine (DE) and the Solitaire T right earcup passive connection and active electronics boards:

 

[angelom]

Yes I noticed that too, but I think most of that cost is the case, now made of faux cognac leather (pleather or another material), which is potentially more expensive than the fabric cases for the black and white models.

Further, I believe that the white model has both been discontinued and replaced by the cognac colourway, though black is still available.

I do wonder if now T+A will issue any meaningful update to the app, especially feature wise. There's technically nothing critically wrong with the app at present, but new features or QoL amendments would be nice, now that T+A are back on promoting the new colourway...

Also, even when the new colour name is "cognac/white", the "white" part is really more like a cream/beige colour in the headband, earpads and earcups.

 

[TheOneInYellow]

Also, even when the new colour name is "cognac/white", the "white" part is really more like a cream/beige colour in the headband, earpads and earcups.

I actually like the new cognac colourway EXCEPT the top headboard colour. The change from pure white to beige parts are beautiful against the silver metal trims, but the entire headband either should have also been beige, or cognac on the underside of the headband.

Even then, I still consider my white version the best looking, and whilst I also adore the black too, beige is beautiful with that one aforementioned exception.

Of course, this is all my subjective opinion.

However, I see your point; cognac/beige is more apt description than cognac/white.

 

[chessking21]

Interesting,

I do like the new color combination, however I opted for black due to concerns with staining over time. Ultimately, I returned my Solitaire T because they just didn't work for my use case and sound preferences.

Plugged in (3.5 or USB-C) and bluetooth yielded good results, however I couldn't get over the high end frequencies sounding too sibilance or sizzly for my tastes. It felt as if it colored high hats and cymbals to an uncomfortable level, and I couldn't get past it. Additionally, I do like neutral sound profiles, the unit I had felt a bit too thin or lacking on bass frequencies. I could tell that I was missing out on parts that I became accustomed to with my Shure 846 Gen 1 headphones. Using the Bass Boost preset in the EQ yielded more bass, but every other frequency was severely drowned out.

One last concern was the app that was released in 2022. Coming from Shure's bluetooth app that I use to connect my 846 when I want to go wireless, this app seemed quite a bit barebones for being on the market for 3 years. I was hoping that they'd have more EQ control for me to customize it a bit more because the limited pre-sets were just okay, and I could never adjust them beyond what they were pre-made at.

On a good note, the passive and active noise cancellation were more than sufficient.

Overall, I'd still recommend these for listeners who enjoy having the multiple connection options of being wired and wireless, as well as the high quality electrical components and build.

 

[LFC_SL]

I have never seen another person in the street with this headphone. I also don't take mine outside.

I'd say be careful not to get robbed to people who take their Solitaire T outside, but i guess most thieves are no audiophiles and don't know its value.

Japan is not crime free but in a hypothetical choice I would pick that country to walk around with expensive head-fi