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

[Alexcargtz]

I hope the expectations live up to my hype, but I'm fairly confident it will.

I feel they are pretty much apples and oranges. One is transparent, with extended and airy treble, linear bass, and thinnish note weight, with excellent stage (Nunchaku), while the DCE has elevated mid bass, fuller soundstage, and weightier notes, but also polite treble extension that lacks a bit of air, and not as transparent (more "musical").

Honestly, this might be the best description I've read of the DC Elite's sound signature. I mainly listen to Rap and Hip Hop, so the bass hits on the Nunchaku felt less textured and singers a bit more distant. Not my cup of tea, but can see how the Nunchaku can work for different genres.

 

[NJoyzAudio]

Mefisto is definitely friendlier, sonically speaking.

And not to spoil my own review, but just in case you didn't catch Jude making it apparent in the preview video... if you felt that Macbeth was peaky or bright, then you want to hear Mefisto.




That's what the pre-drooling was for, to put out the flames. Safety first!



For me, yes, though I still favor Macbeth for certain genres and recordings. If I had to sum up Mefisto in as few words as possible, it would be energy without fatigue.



ikr? Feels like it's bee forever since the tuning process began.





Actually, I have no idea. It's being launched at CanJam Singapore 2025, but I don't know exactly when retail packages will begin shipping.



lol, the preview video broke embargo, so now we're free to talk about it I guess?



I've never heard that pairing, but in my head that sounds glorious!

Cross posting from the Forte Ears thread now that Warren has opened the door.

Well the cat is out of the bag, but I think not all the information is out (again there is still an Embargo....)
Mefisto Prelim info has launched via the CanJam SG preveiw video Warren mentions above, and while in the various forums on Head-fi there has been a LOT of speculation, some misinformation and pricing guesses out there, its great to see Head-Fi was able to break the news, as MANY Head-fiers were sworn to secrecy about Mefisto, but these same "MANY" Head-fiers, as well as ALL who listened to the prototypes at the various CanJam's (So Cal, HK, and NY to name a few of the shows it was at in its various versions) can tell you, Riccardo and Eric listened intently, actively sought feedback and suggestions and while some prototype versions were not that great, the last version was something.

Is there room for Macbeth and Mefisto to co-exist in a collection? IMO Absolutely
While a Macbeth owner may choose to own Mefisto, again IMO, I think Mefisto will attract a different listener to Forte Ears, and that is a good thing.
Will I be putting my money where my opinion is, YES I WILL BUY THESE! (and confirming, NO, I do not get mine for free, I purchase just like others here)
And....Out of respect to Riccardo and Eric, I will stop here as CanJam SG is the official unveiling (not sure about official on sale debut...) and I do NOT want to steal any thunder plus I do NOT have all the information anyways.

But...If you are at CanJam SG or ANY CanJam or meet up where Macbeth and Mefisto are at, do yourself a favor and listen, and hopefully you too will walk away with a smile on your face, and that the old Head-fi adage will hit you, "Welcome to Head-Fi, Sorry about your wallet"

Enough said for now.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Mefisto definitely become one thing that thick my curiosity the most at canjam Singapore this weekend! Other thing like AO Fulgrim also pick my interest.

I also curious about Quill but I don't think it will appear in canjam sg.

 

[audioaura]

Cross posting from the Forte Ears thread now that Warren has opened the door.

Well the cat is out of the bag, but I think not all the information is out (again there is still an Embargo....)
Mefisto Prelim info has launched via the CanJam SG preveiw video Warren mentions above, and while in the various forums on Head-fi there has been a LOT of speculation, some misinformation and pricing guesses out there, its great to see Head-Fi was able to break the news, as MANY Head-fiers were sworn to secrecy about Mefisto, but these same "MANY" Head-fiers, as well as ALL who listened to the prototypes at the various CanJam's (So Cal, HK, and NY to name a few of the shows it was at in its various versions) can tell you, Riccardo and Eric listened intently, actively sought feedback and suggestions and while some prototype versions were not that great, the last version was something.

Is there room for Macbeth and Mefisto to co-exist in a collection? IMO Absolutely
While a Macbeth owner may choose to own Mefisto, again IMO, I think Mefisto will attract a different listener to Forte Ears, and that is a good thing.
Will I be putting my money where my opinion is, YES I WILL BUY THESE! (and confirming, NO, I do not get mine for free, I purchase just like others here)
And....Out of respect to Riccardo and Eric, I will stop here as CanJam SG is the official unveiling (not sure about official on sale debut...) and I do NOT want to steal any thunder plus I do NOT have all the information anyways.

But...If you are at CanJam SG or ANY CanJam or meet up where Macbeth and Mefisto are at, do yourself a favor and listen, and hopefully you too will walk away with a smile on your face, and that the old Head-fi adage will hit you, "Welcome to Head-Fi, Sorry about your wallet"

Enough said for now.

Absolutely buzzing for Mefisto’s official debut! While Macbeth set a high bar, Mefisto feels like it’s carving its own lane—something fresh rather than just an upgrade. Forte Ears is clearly listening to the community, and that’s what makes this launch so exciting. If the final version lives up to the hype (which, judging by feedback, it will), this could be a game-changer. Can’t wait to hear it myself—because let’s be real, no amount of speculation beats actually listening.

 

[Valrhona]

Didn't know Lee was into rafting but given where he lives he could probably raft down the plateau to the Andaman Sea.

drftr

Or perhaps, drift.

 

[twister6]

Is that the infamous super short interconnect?

Cable looks great!

I had to confirm with Andrew since I also got a separate longer interconnect cable, and he told me that all Kunpeng orders will come with a new IC cable, almost twice as long as the original one.

 

[Dandelion777]

...-pre-orders both the same month-

Mefisto definitely become one thing that thick my curiosity the most at canjam Singapore this weekend! Other thing like AO Fulgrim also pick my interest.

I also curious about Quill but I don't think it will appear in canjam sg.

 

[KuroKitsu]

...-pre-orders both the same month-

Pick one I chose my desktop setup

 

[Valrhona]

Hey hey if you like the Jewel, The Erebus is even better

I'm sorry. 40k flashbacks.

 

[Dandelion777]

Pick one I chose my desktop setup

Sadly gonna let go of my Dualitys. Ngl, I absolutely love what they do, but, and here's the big but, the set is so so so so so sososososososososoosos (you get it) power hungry, it makes my shanling m8t scream with the bass switch up. I guess Mephisto sounds right up my alley for electronica and pop too. I loved my Macbeths, and while the diablo ba went deep! Its was still ba bass to me. Now, Forte ears Mephisto with a DD? Take my money. I cannot wait to pop em on my ears, considering how great the Macbeth was, even for a basshead like me. :'D. Low key I regret selling the Macbeth set. But sacrifices had to be made for the AO Fulgrim.I'll eventually get another macbeth set tho. Pray for me and pray that my clean underwear lasts me a month. hahahahahah

 

[530620]

My take on the Dita Mecha!​

5

Item review in 'DITA Audio Mecha'

4.50 star(s)

Pros: +Extremely well built
+Attention to detail with the packaging and accessories
+Great overall balance in sound
+Tectonic bass (with foam tips)
+Good clarity and timbre
+Shines with EDM, Techno and synth-wave and similar

Cons: - Shells are heavy and might not fit everyone
- Not the best for vocals

Review of the Dita Mecha, single dynamic driver IEM I've had the great pleasure of trying out one of the IEM maker Dita's newest models, the Mecha. It's on sale right now for 900 USD. I've been using it extensively over a period of two weeks. It was kindly sent out by Dita as a tour unit for...

• 530620
• Mar 31, 2025
• Reaction score: 5

 

[musingclouds]

Sadly gonna let go of my Dualitys. Ngl, I absolutely love what they do, but, and here's the big but, the set is so so so so so sososososososososoosos (you get it) power hungry, it makes my shanling m8t scream with the bass switch up. I guess Mephisto sounds right up my alley for electronica and pop too. I loved my Macbeths, and while the diablo ba went deep! Its was still ba bass to me. Now, Forte ears Mephisto with a DD? Take my money. I cannot wait to pop em on my ears, considering how great the Macbeth was, even for a basshead like me. :'D. Low key I regret selling the Macbeth set. But sacrifices had to be made for the AO Fulgrim.I'll eventually get another macbeth set tho. Pray for me and pray that my clean underwear lasts me a month. hahahahahah

Something M8T can’t drive?!

 

[atomLI631]

any news if Flipears is still on track to release the Legion and Aegis soon? I thought they mentioned end of this month at Canjam, but maybe it was April?

 

[Dandelion777]

any news if Flipears is still on track to release the Legion and Aegis soon? I thought they mentioned end of this month at Canjam, but maybe it was April?

Musiteck told me the release was supposed to be at the end of March, but, that knowing how things go, it might be delayed to April.

 

[AntiqueMusician]

any news if Flipears is still on track to release the Legion and Aegis soon? I thought they mentioned end of this month at Canjam, but maybe it was April?

I spoke to Bloom Audio earlier and they are still on track to receive shipments later this week or by next week the latest. I was told they will be shipping preorder units out the same day that they receive their shipment.

I’m curious about the Legion and how it fares versus others in its price range like the Thieaudio Origin. I was a little concerned about recessed vocals that were mentioned in several reviews. Unfortunately haven’t had the chance to demo them personally, but have heard mostly great things!