Keep in mind that everything I say here is based on a day (and night) of listening. I’ve avoided directly comparing the Magister to any of the other headphones on hand. I’ll post direct comparisons later. It takes time for me to form worthwhile and trustworthy opinions about how headphone A compares to headphone B. My current reference is the LCD-2.2; I also have the HE-500 with me. When I get home next week, I’ll be able to compare it against the HD800. I’m a streamer, so Tidal or Spotify are feeding my GO450. UHA-6S MkII takes care of the amping. I have an EF-6 with me, but it’s all packed up and ready to sell. I don’t feel like digging it out, especially since I prefer the Leck (although the HE-500 might pair better with the EF-6).
Some non-sound related impressions. First, clamping pressure is a bit much for me. This is the closest to Xenia Onatopp I’ve come in a headphone. And I’ve had the HD650. If I owned the Magister, I’d try to stretch it out a bit as the current pressure level make long listening sessions unpleasant. Second, I’d prefer a less microphonic, more pliable cable. Initially, I had a channel-balance problem with the 1/8” terminator. Plugging it directly into my UHA-6S MkII, the left channel came in at a lower volume than the right. Sometimes the left channel didn’t come in at all. This was remedied, however, by twisting the terminator while plugged into the jack. I’ve heard about this problem before. Interestingly enough, the terminator doesn’t exhibit the same behavior when plugged into the ¼” adapter – which is then plugged into a Grado ¼” to 1/8” adapter. Finally, the build on these sumbitches is top shelf. Looks-wise, at least. I feel like a goddamn landowner when I put these on.
A few remarks on tonality. Others have praised the quality of the Magister’s bass. I agree with them. The following tracks by Auditory Canvas were enjoyable:
I think I’ve previously posted “A Dream Nuclei” to one of the “currently listening to” threads. On each track the bassline is prominent; it provides the primary melody on “A Dream Nuclei”. The Magister manages to present this prominence without disrupting the other frequencies. The percussion in “Solace of Remembrance” as rendered by the Magister is on the cusp of being fatiguing. I have not found it to be fatiguing with other headphones. Take another track. Something about the attack in the percussion here bothers me:
This track hasn't bothered me before. That makes me think the high midrange is coming on a bit too strong for me with the Magister. Take final example. A track that that demonstrates both the positive and the negative qualities of the Magister is “Cuntpressor” by Vaetxh:
Through the Magister, the bass hits hard; it’s articulate and quick; it stays where it’s supposed to. But the shit happening in the high midrange is way too sharp. Overwhelming, even. I typically listen at roughly 80dB to 90dB. Peaks above 90dB are generally uncomfortable, painful sometimes with the right frequency. I find it difficult to listen at my preferred SPLs with the Magister. Sorry, two final beloved tracks I’m finding to be fatiguing with the Magister:
There are a number of things I love about the Magister + Clark. The maracas on “Winter Linn” and the weird hisses on “Snowbird” aren’t among them. Overall, early impression is that this isn’t my tonality.
What about technicalities? I said that the high midrange was “sharp”. This headphone seems to attack quickly across the frequencies. With some frequencies, it’s too quick for my taste, especially if I perceive those frequencies as boosted above my preference. Hence the perceived sharpness in high midrange transients. If “sharp” or “sharpness” aren’t the right words for describing phenomena in the high midrange, substitute the appropriate terms. Don’t know whether I perceive any grain in the sound. Soundstage seems respectable for a closed headphone. Like I said, these are preliminary impressions. So I’ll try to say more about technicalities when I compare the Magister to another headphone. It’s late. And I’m fatigued as hell after listening to these all day and into the night. Though I took a break to see the new Mission Impossible. Highly recommended. The movie, that is.
