The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[phiemon]

After owning both. A few differences I found:

- SP3K has more rounded edge to bass vs N8ii. More mid bass / lower bass lift where as N8ii has less of that but more sub. This is why iems like XE6 paired well with N8ii for me. SP3K pairs well with Elysian iems like Diva which has elevated upper mids.

- N8ii is more treble leaning vs SP3K. This is something I noticed while using the UM Mentor with both. I found SP3K to be the best match with Mentor which balances out the tonality / crispy treble.

- N8ii has sharper transients when SP3K is more relaxed (but still fast in general compared to other daps. Another reason why its optimal for me with XE6. It cleans up some of the mid bass bleed.

- N8ii has some background noise where SP3K is dark. This is one of SP3Ks strongest qualities.

- N8ii has a shorter battery life than SP3K (especially with Nutubes on). It also runs a lot hotter.

As a whole, I found N8ii to be a neutral / bright dap while I found SP3K to be a neutral warm.

I actually have to say that for the first time, Mentor's treble is kind of bothering me because it's too pronounced since I got the N8ii. That's why I have to reduce the volume. And also I have a wish that Mentor would be warmer - which I never had until now. Maybe the SP3000 would be a better choice in general after all, when it's obviously more natural and balanced.

Thanks again, you (and others) have helped me a lot!

 

[wolfstar76]

I actually have to say that for the first time, Mentor's treble is kind of bothering me because it's too pronounced since I got the N8ii. That's why I have to reduce the volume. And also I have a wish that Mentor would be warmer - which I never had until now. Maybe the SP3000 would be a better choice in general after all, when it's obviously more natural and balanced.

Thanks again, you (and others) have helped me a lot!

Another choice is to try some R2R souce, such as RS8. I tried Mentor on RS2, which is very interesting: on one hand, it is less fatiguing especially what you mentioned as too pronounced treble. On the other hand, it might not be the best match in the sense that both RS2 and Mentor have similar signature, it enhences what Mentor is already doing so well to the degree that someone may find it too much. Of course, it is highly YMMV.

 

[phiemon]

Another choice is to try some R2R souce, such as RS8. I tried Mentor on RS2, which is very interesting: on one hand, it is less fatiguing especially what you mentioned as too pronounced treble. On the other hand, it might not be the best match in the sense that both RS2 and Mentor have similar signature, it enhences what Mentor is already doing so well to the degree that someone may find it too much. Of course, it is highly YMMV.

I have also already received a tip about the RS8. The problem is that it is difficult to test it here in Germany before buying. And blindly I do not buy it. My choice should now be between the SP3000 and RS8, but I'm leaning towards the SP3000 at the moment - quite reluctantly, as I don't like the closed Android system, the UI is slow(er) and it generally costs almost 1000€ more than the N8ii.

 

[aaf evo]

I do not recommend RS8 and Mentor myself, it’s not that great of synergy when compared to SP3000. The stage loses width and sounds overly deep, it comes off a little wonky and Mentor loses some treble extension as well.

 

[wolfstar76]

Well, SP3k is a safe bet anyway since it is very close to reference tuning and therefore can be paired with any IEM or headphone, may not the best matching, but won't be the worst.

 

[wolfstar76]

I do not recommend RS8 and Mentor myself, it’s not that great of synergy when compared to SP3000. The stage loses width and sounds overly deep, it comes off a little wonky and Mentor loses some treble extension as well.

That's what I afraid, it is like if Mentor has certain coloring, RS8 will double that coloring.

 

[Scubadevils]

That's what I afraid, it is like if Mentor has certain coloring, RS8 will double that coloring.

Yes synergy between a DAP and IEM can make a massive difference. I was listening to Eclipse with N7 tonight and it sounded quite muddy - an analogue sounding source with an analogue sounding IEM didn’t work… I was even contemplating listing Eclipse on classifieds. I then switched to the DX320X and much better synergy, Eclipse opened up with much more detail and separation, while retaining it’s smooth sound.

N7 and Camelot on the other hand are fantastic together.

 

[phiemon]

Well, SP3k is a safe bet anyway since it is very close to reference tuning and therefore can be paired with any IEM or headphone, may not the best matching, but won't be the worst.

What you write convinces me very much, I like it!

 

[Damz87]

I actually have to say that for the first time, Mentor's treble is kind of bothering me because it's too pronounced since I got the N8ii. That's why I have to reduce the volume. And also I have a wish that Mentor would be warmer - which I never had until now. Maybe the SP3000 would be a better choice in general after all, when it's obviously more natural and balanced.

Thanks again, you (and others) have helped me a lot!

If you’re gonna go for a SP3000 for your Mentor, I’d recommend going for the Cu version. I had both the Cu and SS SP3000’s this weekend and I’ve been A/B’ing them extensively. There are tonal differences between them (albeit minor) with Cu being the warmer, more sub-bassy one with fuller mids and slightly pulled back treble. SS is brighter and thinner sounding (comparatively speaking) and comes off slightly less natural and a touch more revealing.

 

[phiemon]

If you’re gonna go for a SP3000 for your Mentor, I’d recommend going for the Cu version. I had both the Cu and SS SP3000’s this weekend and I’ve been A/B’ing them extensively. There are tonal differences between them (albeit minor) with Cu being the warmer, more sub-bassy one with fuller mids and slightly pulled back treble. SS is brighter and thinner sounding (comparatively speaking) and comes off slightly less natural and a touch more revealing.

What?! And I thought that the new color was... just a color and that there were no other differences!

If you had not said that ... thank you very much!

 

[Nostoi]

You should strongly consider the ATH-TWX9

Do take note of my allegiance, but truthfully I believe it to be the supreme TWS on the market currently.

EQ in companion app also is super fluent and functional in fine-tuning it to your preference if need be.



It’s very similar to the likes of Mentor Multiverse with thicker bass in its voicing, just consumer-grade of course.

Love Audio-Technica and indeed the TWX9 were pretty pretty good, but - and I know it's a different use/form/function - ATH-M50xBT2 with ZMF ATH pads is the best wireless setup not only within that price but at any budget!

That's all.

 

[Frankie D]

I had the A12t just shy of two years. Right now I have the RN6, Maestro SE, and my Grand Maestro will be with me by Tuesday. Everything else is gone.

Where do we set the over/under? Do they make it to 2024?

 

[Not so fat head]

Love Audio-Technica and indeed the TWX9 were pretty pretty good, but - and I know it's a different use/form/function - ATH-M50xBT2 with ZMF ATH pads is the best wireless setup not only within that price but at any budget!

That's all.

I like it, but you're in the wrong blog. These guys poop on anything under $5k.
And $5k is just barely cutting it...

 

[Rockwell75]

These guys poop on anything under $5k.

That's an unfair characterization. The only community I am aware of that "poops on" anything simply due to its price is reddit. While the discussion here is indeed skewed towards the TOTL realm 1) that starts at about $1k, not $5k and 2) discussion and enthusiasm about any products are welcome and encouraged here. While there are certainly great IEMs at all price tiers generally diminishing returnns kicks in large at about $1k which, more than anytihng, is why we are mostly focused on IEMs priced at that level and above.

 

[gLer]

"We all hear things differently etc. etc."

FWIW I also found n8ii somewhat bright during both of my demos with it. SP3k came off quite "clean and clinical" to me (on two separate demos) but I never found it bright. YMMV etc.

Hey, you said the C word. Trust me when I tell you that's a bad idea around here!

What an amazing can of worms.. So what I'm reading here, is one can take the same $2k IEM, run it across a dozen different DAP's and get different results.
Not a chance I want to go down that rabbit hole.. I just EQ to what suites me.

Didn't you get the instruction manual at the start of this hobby? That's on page one!