Regarding the E3: some time ago, I was scouting a bit for a used E3, amongst others in the Head-Fi classifieds area. And a lot of the E3's on sale did not have a single, but multiple previous owners. So despite the praise from a number of reviewers (especially those who value FR graphs), the E3 may not have much long-term likeability.
I can only agree with that in that respect.
At the show a few weeks ago it was littered with DCA headsets,Noire X,Expanse,partly E3.
When I finally went into the ZMF room boar I was at home, both bokeh's heard open as well as closed and also the Calderas.
I thought the bokeh closed was very good, when I heard the open I knew why it was getting so much attention.
Compared to the closed, it was a bit more airy in the midrange and low end.
But I thought the closed also had its strengths, which I really liked.
And it couldn't be compared with the other ZMF flagships.
For what they offer, both were the best you can get for an entry-level headphone.
I would certainly buy Bokeh one day, but not now.
I would tend to go for the closed version.
Regarding the E3: some time ago, I was scouting a bit for a used E3, amongst others in the Head-Fi classifieds area. And a lot of the E3's on sale did not have a single, but multiple previous owners. So despite the praise from a number of reviewers (especially those who value FR graphs), the E3 may not have much long-term likeability.
Damn that's a bit depressing. It kind of reminds me of Meze to a degree (but in the opposite direction). A bunch of reviewers criticize those headphones for not being technical enough for its given price range, but most people you see absolutely love their Mezes and keep them for many years.
I've only been running it with solid-state amps so tonight I had a session with an OTL and I didn't expect it to pair well. Impedance mismatch etc. It seems to be very composed still. The bass might be slightly looser. With Toto, Springsteen, blues and slower rock I don't find that to be an issue. I haven't tried the pairing with fast paced metal tracks yet but I'm really liking what I'm hearing. Almost Atrium levels of 'holography'.
I feel like the DCA "house sound" is something you either vibe with or don't, and I'm in the latter camp, unfortunately. I've tried more than one of their headphones and found them all to be lacking in dynamics and too bright for me. "Musical" is not a word I would ever use to describe DCA headphones, but it certainly applies to the Bokeh. The Bokeh is also easy to drive and scales well (you'll get more out of it with a better amp, but it doesn't need that).
Some find the Bokeh to be too dark; I don't find it to be, but I'm treble sensitive, so "dark" is sometimes a plus for me. If you do find it lacking in the highs, removing the mesh seems to help. For me, the only downside to the Bokeh is that it's heavy, but even then the weight is distributed better than other heavy headphones I've tried, and it's not as heavy as other ZMFs.
Yes, I'm old and 1/2 deaf so can tolerate treble. I removed the mesh and the BCs are now perfect for me. To put into context, I cut out the inner material on my VO pads too, to open up the treble. Also, not one Hifiman is bright for me. Just explaining my hearing and preference. Cheers.
Curious if anyone else find the same, when changing the rod adjustments from one notch to another the sound changes dramatically. I keep them at the 3rd notch down (similar to my other ZMF's) because that was the most comfortable position. One step up or down and it just sounds off. Like really off. I guess that's the nature of closed backs. Luckily my preferred position is the most comfortable and sounds the best.
I know the feeling, I've been waiting for mine for 13 weeks so it feels like they must be arriving soonish. Although being in the UK I really hope I don't suddenly get stung with some extra charge due to tariffs... The joys of a global trade war
Curious if anyone else find the same, when changing the rod adjustments from one notch to another the sound changes dramatically. I keep them at the 3rd notch down (similar to my other ZMF's) because that was the most comfortable position. One step up or down and it just sounds off. Like really off. I guess that's the nature of closed backs. Luckily my preferred position is the most comfortable and sounds the best.
Any thing that changes the location of the cups vis-a-vis ones anatomy will change the sound, sometimes dramatically. And this is true whether they are open or closed-back.
Any thing that changes the location of the cups vis-a-vis ones anatomy will change the sound, sometimes dramatically. And this is true whether they are open or closed-back.
Any thing that changes the location of the cups vis-a-vis ones anatomy will change the sound, sometimes dramatically. And this is true whether they are open or closed-back.
Any thing that changes the location of the cups vis-a-vis ones anatomy will change the sound, sometimes dramatically. And this is true whether they are open or closed-back.
The Bokeh Open has been getting lots of love recently and rightly so, however I switched back to the Bokeh Closed yesterday for the first time in weeks, and this headphone is just as magical in it's own unique way.
The Bokeh Closed and Aegis pairing is flat out incredible. The midrange with it's euphonic texture, and the excellent note decay and reverb, really makes acoustic instruments sound lifelike. The staging is also amazing, and I actually forgot I was listening to a closedbacks several times while listening.
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. Wow - I've never experienced anything like this. Not minimising your experience either, just didn't know it was a thing.
