So today was my first day with Red Halo fs (the one w First Times cable) and my first impression is: holy wow. It isn't equally impressive with every recording, but when it works, the bone conduction 3d effect is absolutely spellbinding. And utterly unique. I thought this would be a Mason with an oval wide soundstage, like a trailli mason hybrid. Nope. This is its own thing. It's very INTRACRANIAL but at the same time huge. A perfectly recorded low cello can make my whole skull hum like nothing I've ever heard before. In my life. Like, never felt this sensation before. A good seal is important for the conduction to work, and certain frequencies (low mid and high bass) are where it works best. And when it does, oh boy. Strange heaven.
Havent compared to Mason yet but feels a little different, very 3d and soundstagey, whereas Mason is about natural sound for me. (But 3d in its own way, again, dont expect trailli.) Wouldnt call this a Mason retuning, definitely. But they do also have a lot in common.
Also, again first impression and not a lot of comparisons, but detail retrieval on this beats anything I've ever heard. We're really getting microscopic hairs of sound here.
Most curiously though -- Orpheus does not improve this. First Times is where the buck stops w the Red Halo, it's just perfect for it. The fabled sound really is fabled this time. Orpheus takes from detail retrieval and u want the red boy to be as revealing as possible. Orpheus also lessens the bone conduction effect to my ears a bit.
Very very interesting IEM this. Downside -- some recordings have been less wow with the bone show (but still incredibly detailed)