Tool - Fear Inoculum

[HeyWaj10]

Iantian - I was leaning that way for sure recently, figuring the nuances, details, and 3D effects may best present themselves on the higher end headphone setup. I think I'll go with the headphones for this go-round and maybe consider a future session with speakers.

My hi-fi shop carries the full Audeze, Focal, and Grado lineups. I'm leaning towards Audeze, is that a good move?

 

[lantian]

Can not say for sure. As i have not had a chance to listen to any of these brands. Though any totl tier headphone will do niceley as long as rhey have no isseuea with them. And if there are any you will notice it imidiatly that albums sounds incredible, though when Adam realy gets going it is aenime again even sound like that...

 

[phthora]

Iantian - I was leaning that way for sure recently, figuring the nuances, details, and 3D effects may best present themselves on the higher end headphone setup. I think I'll go with the headphones for this go-round and maybe consider a future session with speakers.

My hi-fi shop carries the full Audeze, Focal, and Grado lineups. I'm leaning towards Audeze, is that a good move?

I've liked the album best so far on the Focal Clear, having also heard it on my LCD-X and LCD-2F. I've been really fascinated by the drumming, and that set of headphones has the best mixture of high impact to the sound and clarity. If you're more into the guitar and bass work, I might try the LCD-4 o4 LCD-3, if available.

 

[thebkt]

Normally, I'd suggest headphones, but given the above mentioned issues with the recording... speakers. The album sounds great, especially if you can minimize the distortion, which is more likely on speakers.

 

[turbomustang84]

I've been listening to this album on the Focal Stellia's for a week so now my .....
Sennheiser HD-650s 600s 580s 660s 58Xs and my Hifiman HE-4XX and 400s are all crap !!!

It is great to listen to an Album this good on uncompromising gear but finding out the limitations of something you thought was great is a bit hard to recover from .

I was so full of crap ....I truly thought high end Headphones were such a waste now I'm trying to figure out way to make it work financially.

But Fear Inoculum is incredible

 

[turbomustang84]

I've liked the album best so far on the Focal Clear, having also heard it on my LCD-X and LCD-2F. I've been really fascinated by the drumming, and that set of headphones has the best mixture of high impact to the sound and clarity. If you're more into the guitar and bass work, I might try the LCD-4 o4 LCD-3, if available.

I've yet to hear the Focal Clears but the impact of Danny Carey hitting the Tom's on the Stellia's is just amazing so since I've never heard any other Focal Headphones I'm hoping it's like that on the Clears or the elegia's in case I have to choose something other than the Stellia's. .

 

[thebkt]

I've yet to hear the Focal Clears but the impact of Danny Carey hitting the Tom's on the Stellia's is just amazing so since I've never heard any other Focal Headphones I'm hoping it's like that on the Clears or the elegia's in case I have to choose something other than the Stellia's. .

I've got the clears at home and haven't given the album a listen on them yet... will def have to give it a go. Those drum heavy sections sound so damn good on the MX4's at least

 

[turbomustang84]

I've got the clears at home and haven't given the album a listen on them yet... will def have to give it a go. Those drum heavy sections sound so damn good on the MX4's at least

I think the Stellia's have everything I wanted Headphones to deliver and unless I pony up $3000 I'll be chasing that sound forever .

I'm hoping another Focal Headphone has even 70 percent of that magical sound .

I'm hoping the elegia will fit the bill because I so need a closed set

 

[phthora]

I think the Stellia's have everything I wanted Headphones to deliver and unless I pony up $3000 I'll be chasing that sound forever .

I'm hoping another Focal Headphone has even 70 percent of that magical sound .

I'm hoping the elegia will fit the bill because I so need a closed set

Let us know about that Elegia, would ya? I've had my eye on that one for awhile.

 

[turbomustang84]

Let us know about that Elegia, would ya? I've had my eye on that one for awhile.

I've been writing members that have both and as soon as I can I'll get them and let you know .

 

[thebkt]

Didn't have much time to spare last night, but I gave Descending a listen on the Clears... Can confirm this album sounds badass on those cans.

 

[lantian]

Normally, I'd suggest headphones, but given the above mentioned issues with the recording... speakers. The album sounds great, especially if you can minimize the distortion, which is more likely on speakers.

What distortion?

 

[John2e]

.I truly thought high end Headphones were such a waste now I'm trying to figure out way to make it work financially.

But Fear Inoculum is incredible

1) Buy Used
2) Buy gear that is already considered a great buy
3) Try your stuff before you buy ( I sometimes don't and have taken some monetary hits)
4) Try stuff with the gear you intend to use it with as synergy between pieces of equipment is an issue
5) If it is a small start up company that you ultimately decide to go with, call and ask for a head fi discount or other discount. Smaller newer companies will often give a discount initially to get their stuff out there
6) Go to some meets and listen. Sometimes the contacts I make at meets save me a bunch.
7) Black Friday is an excellent day to buy as there are a ton of discounts.
8) Even if the seller says "firm" you may politely ask for a discount after a few weeks unsold. Sometimes I don't get a response but....
9) Try stuff with the Music you listen to. Some headphones sound best with Jazz and can be hypnotizing with this genre ( U18t ) until you get home a try some TOOL and ...

BTW the Elagia is an excellent HP. I want to try the Stellia but I am happy with the Elagia. The whole TOOL catalog sounds great on them

Best,

John

 

[John2e]

What distortion?

Search the thread it is mentioned a few times ....Not a big issue IMHO

 

[thebkt]

What distortion?

Audible digital artifacts that come up in many of the tracks, especially during busier sections.

It's discussed with some timestamps referenced here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tool-on-hdtracks.912261/page-5#post-15160151

I love the album, but can't truly enjoy it because of the distortion. Each to their own, but it's a huge issue for me, mostly because every single other aspect of the recording is fantastic. I'd actually be hesitant to listen to it on a better set up than I have already... surely on something like the Stelia, Utopia or LCD4 it would be even more evident.

Still, my speaker set up is less resolving, so it's an overall more enjoyable listen for me with those.