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

[vsrrr]

When IEMs start getting as high as they are nowadays, you have to consider the opportunity cost of what you can get in regard to desktop/headphone gear.

I might be in the minority here with this very subjective opinion, but I personally think the average $1k-$2k IEM is leaps and bounds better than the average headphone in the same price range.
And this is using the same desktop chain to drive the IEM and the headphone.

When you're in Immanis territory though, yeah, I would concede that it's hard for IEMs to compete.

 

[unfitstew]

I might be in the minority here with this very subjective opinion, but I personally think the average $1k-$2k IEM is leaps and bounds better than the average headphone in the same price range.
And this is using the same desktop chain to drive the IEM and the headphone.

When you're in Immanis territory though, yeah, I would concede that it's hard for IEMs to compete.

I think it absolutely depends what you value. Some people will prefer how headphones present sound. Like you will never get the same sense of space and soundstage in an iem like you do in a HP. But iems a lot of times have arguably better tunings along with the intimacy to notice things like details easier.

Comfort wise that will be subjective. I know some who find the comfortable HP much easier to wear for longer periods of time. But also the opposite too.

I personally tend to prefer how headphones represent sound myself. But I still love iems which is why I have and have went through plenty of them trying to find the ideal one for myself.

But I do think at the top end of HP
(Especially ones with the really good tunings) vs iems it is more of a clear win for HP. But there are far more better tuned iems a lot cheaper than many HP. That doesnt inherently make the cheaper ones better as I still think there are many well tuned well priced HP but they are for sure quite a bit rarer.

Anyways the point is it depends on ones preferences in how sound is represented to me.

That said at a certain price point I am fully convined it makes a lot more sense to do a full room treated speaker setup. If your goal is for pure sonic performance vs the many conveniences iems and HP have in comparision to a speaker setup.

 

[rantng]

Yes , I wasn’t trying to contradict you. Just adding to the statement!

Yes, agree to agree!

 

[Neweymatt]

Yeah, it's just a pity that IEMs have nothing to do with headphone and desktop gears.

Not so sure about that. Some desktop amps have a 4.4mm jack designed specifically for IEMs..


And some IEMs may actually play better with the higher OI of the 6.3 or even XLR on an amp like Aegis anyway.

I much prefer the versatility some gear offers me, whether at home or on the go. Between the Bifrost2/Aegis on my desk and the P6Pro 10AE when commuting, I don’t really want for much else tbh.

 

[Ike1985]

Desktops are not very portable.

For me anyway portability is really important.

I do wonder though at 17K$s for FU and tethered to a desktop, perhaps you could get a tube amp, and headphone that would come close to the Fugaku in sound, likely a larger stage. I just don’t have that use case, so wouldn’t use it. Now if I can get close to as engaging as the Fugaku is with an IEM that can be played with my top pocketable DAP that would be the best for the portable use case then for me and worth paying a high price for, the IEM would also need good ergonomics.

You should have spent 17k on Fugaku instead, you'd be able to listen while you're at the airport or the gym (kinda and depending on which neighborhood you live in). That desktop setup will only provide you a superior listening experience with any headphone or IEM that comes your way, it will never allow you to listen while you're waiting in line to get your nails done, just make sure you're not on the bad side of town. Don't forget to de-amp when wearing Fugaku and doing dead lifts, I'd hate to see that beautiful amp explode in a hundred pieces.

I've got a better idea and I've been saying it for awhile. There is no reason desktop gear has to be at home only. We've got massive portable battery banks now like stormtank. You could run stormtank + your desktop setup in a rig like this:

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...h=1359&dpr=1#vhid=XAW-oV-zNUCJVM&vssid=mosaic

Something like this there is never a reason to buy Fugaku. Just REALLY REALLY make sure you're on the right side of town with this setup. Probably make you less of a target than the Hex as you wont have bling bling diamonds shining everywhere you go in the hood. These asian courties aint the same as Stockton, CA or Memphis, TN. Try wearing Hex out there, find out. Probably recommend you stick to asian countries like Japan, almost no street crime.

 

[warrenpchi]

I've got a better idea and I've been saying it for awhile. There is no reason desktop gear has to be at home only. We've got massive portable battery banks now like stormtank. You could run stormtank + your desktop setup in a rig like this:

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...h=1359&dpr=1#vhid=XAW-oV-zNUCJVM&vssid=mosaic

FAA regulations do not allow for batteries that exceed 100 watt hours. In addition, carriers do not allow for carry-on luggage that exceeds 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches.

 

[Ike1985]

FAA regulations do not allow for batteries that exceed 100 watt hours. In addition, carriers do not allow for carry-on luggage that exceeds 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches.

Yea, everywhere except commercial planes then but if you fly privately its no issue. Get your own plane.

 

[warrenpchi]

Yea, everywhere except commercial planes then but if you fly privately its no issue. Get your own plane.

Which aircraft do you own and thus recommend?

 

[Ike1985]

Which aircraft do you own and thus recommend?

Still shopping, haven't made up my mind. Will report back.

 

[rantng]

Define portability; been a while since anyone has posted this pic.

 

[warrenpchi]

Still shopping, haven't made up my mind. Will report back.

Okay cool, that'll be an interesting review to read.

 

[RTodd]

You should have spent 17k on Fugaku instead, you'd be able to listen while you're at the airport or the gym (kinda and depending on which neighborhood you live in). That desktop setup will only provide you a superior listening experience with any headphone or IEM that comes your way, it will never allow you to listen while you're waiting in line to get your nails done, just make sure you're not on the bad side of town. Don't forget to de-amp when wearing Fugaku and doing dead lifts, I'd hate to see that beautiful amp explode in a hundred pieces.

I've got a better idea and I've been saying it for awhile. There is no reason desktop gear has to be at home only. We've got massive portable battery banks now like stormtank. You could run stormtank + your desktop setup in a rig like this:

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...h=1359&dpr=1#vhid=XAW-oV-zNUCJVM&vssid=mosaic

Something like this there is never a reason to buy Fugaku. Just REALLY REALLY make sure you're on the right side of town with this setup. Probably make you less of a target than the Hex as you wont have bling bling diamonds shining everywhere you go in the hood. These asian courties aint the same as Stockton, CA or Memphis, TN. Try wearing Hex out there, find out. Probably recommend you stick to asian countries like Japan, almost no street crime.

Nail polish, hm, never even considered that.
What is your favorite nail polish color?

I tried Fugaku for two sessions 4 hours each, and for me that is not at all portable. If the amp had a DAP in it than I could fit it in my top pocket. I actually tried, it fit, the need for an interconnect and a source is the biggest issue besides the cords and their ergonomics are not that great for moving around for me anyway. Another note is the Fugaku is very source sensitive so it is important to choose a source that synergies with it well. Long story short I enjoyed the sound I did not enjoy the use case.

I guess you are trying to be funny, what you describe is not how or where I live. I live rural go for walks on the country roads and hills, with spotty to no internet, that is my most used portable case. There is no real danger of theft here it is just not that kind of area.

 

[Mcleenx]

Define portability; been a while since anyone has posted this pic.

What is that?
Now, I appreciate the Fugaku more and even more the A&K SP3000M!
That looks like a home custom-made b o m b!

I'm sure I will run away if I see that guy close to me.

 

[BlankName]

Define portability; been a while since anyone has posted this pic.

Hugo+wm1z+ak380 cu and amp addon+mk428+iphone+(maybe additional amp) also the wiring is all over the place, eg iphone spdif going into the mk428 and hugo going into the wm1z.

 

[aaf evo]

What is that?
Now, I appreciate the Fugaku more and even more the A&K SP3000M!
That looks like a home custom-made b o m b!

I'm sure I will run away if I see that guy close to me.

Have you tried the Copper Nickel SP3000M? If not I highly suggest giving it a go if you can! I don’t know if A&K uses a built in DSP rather than their chassis to make their models sound different but its a noticeable change compared to the black 3000M. The Copper Nickel is comparison sounds richer and slightly warmer than my perceived neutral but it still manages to achieve a great tonal balance with huge stage and pinpoint imaging abilities.

I love the way the storm sounds from it! It won’t push it the Storm to ear bleeding volumes but in terms of still sounding really spacious and dynamic I think it does a a great job… and the combo is so portable! I really enjoyed using it on my flight yesterday.




It also sounds quite a bit different with Fugaku compared to the black 3000M. The treble is smoother whereas I felt on the black version it could be a little bright and sharp.