"The Lab"

[Charliemotta]

 

 
I got the Angled HM5 pads today and I am trying them on for the last little bit.
 
1. Huge improvement in comfort for me. Right away, 100% more comfortable for me. Not even kidding about that
2. Soundstage reacted exactly as I predicted it would. It is bigger and not as congested as before. Less bass and better soundstage. It feels like a sphere of sound around my head.
 
Betting back to the bass, I feel it is tighter and more punchy with less mid bass. The tonal balance was warmer than neutral, and now its closer to neutral. Easier to hear more micro details. To my ears, its a pretty noticeable upgrade in sounds. Pretty crazy how much a pair of pads can affect the sound!
 
IMO the Angled velour pads are a must for the V2.

Refresh my memory, what are the V2 again

+1

 

[RedJohn456]

  Refresh my memory, what are the V2 again

 
 
Quote:

  Shout out to Somic for being gracious enough to provide me with a sample of their over ear headphones the Somic V2. Man the moment I tore open the DHL box, this thing just OOZED class. Honestly this thing had better packaging and presentation than even my Sony XBA Z5. Even other more expensive headphones!
 

 
 
 

 
 
Inside there was warranty paperwork along with a card signed by the person response for inspecting the headphone. As you can see they even provided a pair of leather ear pads. The headphones themselves come with a velour pad installed. An adapter for connecting to the bigger headphone ports was also included as you can see in the pics.
 
5/5 for presentation.
 
Build quality - Solid!!
 
This thing feels like a TANK. I mean just look at the hinges! And the headphone padding on the top. Its so soft! It comfortably goes around my ears and I have pretty big ears btw. Build quality wise this thing is built way better than the AKG K612pro. The cable has good relief on both ends although I wish it was removable.
 

 
 
 
 
 
I know that there aren't too many open back headphones in this segment but from my first listen I have a good feeling about this, a gut feeling like I had about the LZ A2. I am listening to the Dark Matter EP by Alma, and the soundstage on this thing is impressive. I have been listening to the AKG612pro last few days and this thing EASILY keeps up and then some. In fact the sound just surrounds you. Front to back, side to side. 
 
These are my first impressions (using stock velour pads) and take these with a grain of salt:
I am treble sensitive and the treble bothered me on the AKG K612Pro and my Koss KSC75. The treble on the Somic V2 is detailed and extended without being harsh or splashy. And the sub bass on these 

. I thought sub bass were supposed to be missing in open backs? The bass is well defined and tight with good texture.  Mid range is balanced in line with the rest, detailed and engage, doesn't feel recessesed at all. In fact I would classify as the midrange as being full. Guitars sound sublime. Drum hits amazing with good decay and naturalness. 
 
These headphones have good bass without being mid bass heavy or too warm. It honestly feels like a hybrid, bass of a dynamic driver and treble of a balanced armature. Its a freak
 
Good instrument separation, good positioning and layering of instruments as well. I love how the vocals feel front and centre, just floating in front of my face. 
 
With the leather pads, I feel they are a bit shallow and too bassy. The Somic V2 sounds just right with the stock velour pads. The brainwave HM5 pads might make for an awesome alternative I have two pairs but their rubber band thing ripped off a while back  Will need to get a pair of HM5 velours and leather eventually and see how they change things. Clamp is more than the AKG K612Pro but this is right out of the box so I am anticipating it to loosen up with use.
 
I am running the Somic V2 out of my Geek Out V2 with line out to VE RunABOUT and it is quite detailed to my ears. Amplification helped with the sound,with  soundstage bearing the most improvement.
 
Will report back after burn in (brain or otherwise 

) and see how they settle in. 
TLDR: thing just rocks! And rocks hard 

 
PS I reserve the right to change my mind lol 

 

[Hisoundfi]

I'll say! Good to see you here Lors!

It's just a matter of time. Everyone lingers and eventually participates in "Da Lab"

 

[x RELIC x]

Podster, John Williams.... Of course! Simply a genius! There's also Alan Silvestri's brilliant Back to the Future OST... Love that score!


twister6, simply a hunch that it's 64 Audio... I mean how exciting is the Adel tech? Please, do tell...

 

[Mr Trev]

 

 
Right, I remember them now.
 
What was that desktop amp you mentioned ye were getting? The Fiio website has been waaay slow and I haven been able to look it up

 

[x RELIC x]

Right, I remember them now.

What was that desktop amp you mentioned ye were getting? The Fiio website has been waaay slow and I haven been able to look it up

It's the FiiO K5 that is meant to also be a dock for the X1/X3ii/X5ii/X7.

Maybe released in February 2016:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/740441/k5-fiios-new-docking-desktop-amp-how-do-you-like-it-update-2015-07-06-final-design-published/75#post_12094544

 

[Mr Trev]

I remember James mentioned that there'd be a new amp/dock for the new DAPS, just couldn't remember the name or any particulars.
 
Thanks.

 

[Podster]

 

Man a guy goes offline to work on something for an hour and comes back only to have headphone porn in here!

Those look nice Tamal

 
Absolutely Craig, Silvestri, Zimmer, Wagner and we could go on and on. So many great scores

 

[DJScope]

If you want some movie bass you've got to try the Interstellar OST.

 
I've got this album. It's incredible!

 

[x RELIC x]

I've got this album. It's incredible!

I love the moments when there is nothing but a breeze blowing, and then the next moment it's pipe organ orgasms.

 

[RedJohn456]

   
Right, I remember them now.
 
What was that desktop amp you mentioned ye were getting? The Fiio website has been waaay slow and I haven been able to look it up

 
 

It's the FiiO K5 that is meant to also be a dock for the X1/X3ii/X5ii/X7.

Maybe released in February 2016:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/740441/k5-fiios-new-docking-desktop-amp-how-do-you-like-it-update-2015-07-06-final-design-published/75#post_12094544

Yup the K5, should be here any day now  Gonna use it as a desktop amp basically. Powerful like the E09K and can drive anything short of the HE6 supposedly

 

[twister6]

@twister6, simply a hunch that it's 64 Audio... I mean how exciting is the Adel tech? Please, do tell...

 
Your hunch is right, Craig.  Will let you know once I have it in my ears

 

 

[RedJohn456]

Somic V2 + Brainwavz HM5 Angled Velour pads = fantastic and addictive sound. Can't quite get enough of it. No its not the most technical sounding headphone, but its seldom that I get lost in the music so deeply that an hour goes by without me realizing it!

 

[Lorspeaker]

the HYBRID hm5 angledpads might be a better buy...with the pleather internal wall...for a more "spatial" feel...
i hav the straight velor atm, kinda neutralish. 
 
listening to interstellar now on youtube....have my space helmut on.

 

[Charliemotta]

  the HYBRID hm5 angledpads might be a better buy...with the pleather internal wall...for a more "spatial" feel...
i hav the straight velor atm, kinda neutralish. 
 
listening to interstellar now on youtube....have my space helmut on.

I didn't know they made Hybrid Angle pads. I'll have to look again.