I agree. Susvara is elite. Susvara + Caldera are the best 2 Planars. 1266TC is right behind them for me.Gentlemen. All this disagreement. The real answer if you can only have two planars is Elite + Caldera)))
ZMF Caldera - New Planar Magnetic from ZMF!
- Thread starter ScornDefeat
- Start date
I agree. Elite is down there with SolP.
The Elites aren't even making a top 10. Though people say the angled pads are better, but I haven't tried them. The Elites are too veiled for me, at least with stock pads. They are mid-fi gear wrapped in summit-fi aesthetics.
They've gotta be the most divisive high end headphones lol. But listening to them on the lina stack made it clear they are summit fi level to me. And I don't really like the lina stack. To my ears, they are at a magical point where they are smooth as hell without sounding veiled. But I put solid mesh on my atriums and mantle mesh on my Calderas and I could see people calling my Monarch mk2's and 64 Nios somewhat veiled as well.
The Elites aren't even making a top 10. Though people say the angled pads are better, but I haven't tried them. The Elites are too veiled for me, at least with stock pads. They are mid-fi gear wrapped in summit-fi aesthetics.
I had probably the first Elites on head-fi; my dealer hooked me up. I sold them within 2 weeks. I was using them if my wa33 EE JPS which makes most things sound good. I haven’t heard them off the Lina though. I only heard the Lina with the Calderas, and I was very impressed. It’s what made me buy the Calderas. The Calderas sound great off my wa33 too. It had the same sound signature. I like DCS sh!t. I’ve contemplated buying the Rossini here and there, but the Elites aren’t for me. I don’t wanna call them trash, but…I don’t like them.
It is all personal how we rank TOTL headphones. There cannot be one objective list.
Trash posts often exaggerate or come from people who only superficially listened to the headphones potentially on inadequate gear. This is pretty much true for every flagship: you can read good or bad about any of them. I spent some time with the TC on the Lina stack and generally liked what I heard, but I was expecting a little more 'wow' factor as people who like them always go on about the 'best bass' 'huge 3D space'. It is true, they do have incredible bass and huge, beautiful space. They are very technical headphones. I missed a little 'organic life' from them which I get with the Caldera (or even with the Elite). On the right stack I think the Caldera even keeps up with the bass performance. The TC is definitely fun, but mids could be a little more alive and what breaks the deal for me completely is the lack of comfort: heavy, stiff, just 'sits' on your head. I don't think I could live with that.
Elites make it to my top five or perhaps even top three. The angled pads help a lot with getting a clearer sound which is more precise and detailed. There is something very appealing in the Elites relaxed, laid back and sweet sound.
The Elites aren't even making a top 10. Though people say the angled pads are better, but I haven't tried them. The Elites are too veiled for me, at least with stock pads. They are mid-fi gear wrapped in summit-fi aesthetics.
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
While I definitely love Caldera + Elite combo, actually I can enjoy 1266 TC as well. It's just the Abyss need a specialise set up that really suit them (in term of character, especially the midrange). On most set up that I think sound great for Caldera, turned into much less enjoyable with 1266 TC.
One of the most simplest set up for TC that I like actually direct from Chord TT2 (with Superconductor cable). Of course by add wa33 or riviera will enhance the enjoyment factor significantly.
One of the most simplest set up for TC that I like actually direct from Chord TT2 (with Superconductor cable). Of course by add wa33 or riviera will enhance the enjoyment factor significantly.
iamoneagain
Headphoneus Supremus
I really think Lina stack is way overrated, especially amp. The Headamp CFA3 sounded much better to me especially for the Susvara. Was really the only setup that gave them full, impactful bass. I believe I also heard the 1266 out of that setup too. Both headphones sounded incredible but the 1266 doesn’t sound like headphones. It’s the closest to speakers I’ve heard. It also has one of the worst headband setups. So even though the 1266 is great, it doesn’t scratch that headphone itch of more intimate sound. But I could see some people greatly prefer this vast open sound to what you get from most other headphones.
I only got to try the Elite on the Lina stack and the don’t know what pads were on it. But on that setup, they just weren’t as engaging at the Caldera or Utopia. Very smooth but found it kind of boring in comparison. Wasn’t getting that same punch. Utopia sounded the way I remembered being the most dynamic. The Caldera comes close but then makes up for it with a warmer, more organic sound. But I could still live with just the original Utopia if I had to but think a prefer the Caldera slightly more.
I only got to try the Elite on the Lina stack and the don’t know what pads were on it. But on that setup, they just weren’t as engaging at the Caldera or Utopia. Very smooth but found it kind of boring in comparison. Wasn’t getting that same punch. Utopia sounded the way I remembered being the most dynamic. The Caldera comes close but then makes up for it with a warmer, more organic sound. But I could still live with just the original Utopia if I had to but think a prefer the Caldera slightly more.
Please help me to understand what you mean when you say the Caldera is warmer while the Susvara is colder (makes sense) but at the same time more laid back. I usually take warm and laid back to be synonyms.
Caldera is a little warmer, but punchy and energetic with good dynamics. Susvara is more neutral but not as energetic (lighter).
iamoneagain
Headphoneus Supremus
Also, even though the Caldera has a warm sound, it still has amazing resolution and rich mids (at least with stock, suede, and run pads). So it’s still an engaging listen but slightly less than the Utopia, which means it also makes a nice morning and evening listen too. The thick pads will reduce the mids just a bit, but still not laid back because it’s still just so punchy.
I should point out that the Susvara out of the CFA3 was not laid back at all. Very punchy and dynamic. It still wasn’t as warm at the Caldera but it was an exciting listen. Felt like it had more resolution as well. On that setup, was one of the few I liked as much as the Caldera.
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Acoustic bliss 
(really lovely and resplendent out of the Decware OTL pre -> Decware Taboo amp combo)
(really lovely and resplendent out of the Decware OTL pre -> Decware Taboo amp combo)