The Closed Wars: MrSpeakers ETHER C vs. Audeze LCD-XC vs. Fostex TH900 vs. MrSpeakers Alpha Prime vs Fostex TH-X00 - Comparison

[gr8soundz]

It has been quiet a while since I heard the Z7. I recall not being impressed. There was something strange going on with its treble response. Take this with a grain of salt since it has been a long time...

The PM-3 on the other hand, I have heard it multiple times and it is not a contender. The cup size is too small and it rests on my ears instead of around them. It gets uncomfortable after a few minutes. The bass is anemic probably due to the size of the 40 mm driver on a planar headphone.

The AEON didn't have any of the problems listed above if its bass response improves with burn-in.

 
Thanks for that.
 
Assuming I heard a similar treble issue with the Z7, I solved it long ago with a pure-silver cable (discussed thoroughly in the Z7 thread a couple years back). Not the most detailed but still one of the most comfortable headphones I own, sounds great with everything from portables to desktop setups, and has a great soundstage for closed headphone.
 
I agree with the PM-3 being less comfy. For me, its the clamp force that causes a slight issue so I fully extend both earcups and use a cushion around the headband. The PM-3 are smaller but still over-ear, for me at least. Still a hard combo to beat with it's portability, neutral sound, some scalability, and price.
 
Aeon is twice the PM-3's price so I'll be looking for more comparisons but they're very enticing after reading so much about the Ethers and their nitinol headbands. If the MrSpeakers are as comfy as the Z7 (or my T1.2) I will definitely be looking to upgrade.
 

 

[TimeLord]

   
Aeon is twice the PM-3's price so I'll be looking for more comparisons but they're very enticing after reading so much about the Ethers and their nitinol headbands. If the MrSpeakers are as comfy as the Z7 (or my T1.2) I will definitely be looking to upgrade.  

 
Let me apologize to your wallet in advance.

Those AEONs are ridiculously comfortable. Dan has outdone himself. The shape of the cups is more similar to human ears rather than being round. They have plenty of space for all sizes of ears. The headphone itself is quite light at 340 g. The movement of the headphone to open it up is clever. I can't recall exactly how Dan explained it, but I think it only has a single moving part even though it articulates very well. It will be perfectly flush with your head when worn.
 
I am very close to placing an order...

 

[canali]

 

Let me apologize to your wallet in advance. :evil: Those AEONs are ridiculously comfortable. Dan has outdone himself. The shape of the cups is more similar to human ears rather than being round. They have plenty of space for all sizes of ears. The headphone itself is quite light at 340 g. The movement of the headphone to open it up is clever. I can't recall exactly how Dan explained it, but I think it only has a single moving part even though it articulates very well. It will be perfectly flush with your head when worn.

I am very close to placing an order...

the ear cups' shape remind me of the audeze sines...but with a cool carbon look instead

 

[Zachik]

   
Let me apologize to your wallet in advance.

Those AEONs are ridiculously comfortable. Dan has outdone himself. The shape of the cups is more similar to human ears rather than being round. They have plenty of space for all sizes of ears. The headphone itself is quite light at 340 g. The movement of the headphone to open it up is clever. I can't recall exactly how Dan explained it, but I think it only has a single moving part even though it articulates very well. It will be perfectly flush with your head when worn.
 
I am very close to placing an order...

 
VERY close to place an order, too....  My wallet does not like me anymore!

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Thanks for the correction on the Oppo. I forgot about the new Denon AH-D7200, which was originally slated for December but with delays I haven't seen first impressions until recently. Sounds like an interesting change from the D7000, less V-shaped and more flat response. Would love to see direct comparisons between these!
 
Denon AH-D7200, $999 (~$699 preorder UK)
MrSpeakers AEON, $799 ($699 preorder)
AudioQuest NightOwl, $699
Audeze EL-8, $699
beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro, $600 ($500 sale)

 

[canali]

1/and hopefully we'll someday see Campfire's over ear, closed headphones
(in link is a short vimeo interview from March/2016)...
might have sound filters as well as snap on/off pads...cool!

[size=24.57px]CanJam SoCal 2016: Campfire Audio’s forthcoming over-ear headphones[/size]

[size=24.57px]http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/03/canjam-socal-2016-campfire-audios-forthcoming-over-ear-headphones[/size]

I've also emailed campfire on any release dates
as in the video they were still working on design and sound sig...had over 50 prototypes it seems
but it seems it'll be in the more sane sub $1k realm)
 
2/something you might also like: from Ty of Innerfidelity, writing for Stereophile
''Of headphones to come''
http://www.stereophile.com/content/headphones-come
about how companies are working to make headphones sound more 3D, out of our head and speaker like.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/headphones-come#fSyFFulcaYQuewwi.97
 

Some 100 engineers and scientists from around the globe assembled for the
Audio Engineering Society's 2016 International Conference on Headphone Technology, in Aalborg, Denmark.
Read more at http://www.stereophile.com/content/headphones-come#yK571TGtPis1DUDo.99

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Interesting. I like their design of the signage, looks like post-punk psych album art. The prototypes remind me of the NAD VISO HP-50 -- could they be thrice as nice for twice the price?

 

[DrummerLeo]

TH900 only looks like a "closed". TH900 is just seductive...
Game Ending for metal fans...
Can someone list a headphone that can do better than th900 in metal genres? Except Lawton 900 lv3.....

 

[jmills8]

TH900 only looks like a "closed". TH900 is just seductive...
Game Ending for metal fans...
Can someone list a headphone that can do better than th900 in metal genres? Except Lawton 900 lv3.....

I have 5 TH900 and the full Lawton Mod is ny fav HP. Better than any I had and tested. I tested all the HPs.

 

[chimney189]

I hope there is a revival in this thread.
There is not enough discussion on closed cans!

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Ya, will the Sennheiser HD820 be a game changer?

 

[chimney189]

Ya, will the Sennheiser HD820 be a game changer?

From the impressions I have read it sounds like an HD 800 with a smidge more bass and not as big of a soundstage.
I don't believe that it is worth the ridiculous price tag.

 

[chimney189]

I'd like to see some comparisons with the AudioQuest NightOwl.
I was able to audition them at a Best Buy and the only thing that lacked was sub-bass.
What really impressed me was their 3D-like holographic soundstage, smooth highs and punchy mid-bass. A really great can.

 

[bmichels]

I will also be interested to hear the HD820. May be finally there will be an isolating closed headphone as good as the TOL open back headphones ??

 

[Whazzzup]

Nothing can directly replace my Lawton thumpers but 820 has me interested,