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Poll

What is the PPP (proper price point) for the Ether?

You need to pay me to use them!
- 0 (0%)
$125
- 2 (3.7%)
$375
- 12 (22.2%)
$750
- 39 (72.2%)
$1500
- 1 (1.9%)

Total Members Voted: 54

Voting closed: September 18, 2015, 05:43:12 AM


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Author Topic: MrSpeakers Ether  (Read 5292 times)

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money4me247

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MrSpeakers Ether
« on: August 18, 2015, 04:47:53 AM »

hey guys!

First time creating a new thread, but I didn't see any current MrSpeakers Ether threads. If I am mistaken, please let me know and I will post there instead. Attached images of Ether measurements below (using stock cables as DUM/stock cables generally measure exactly the same).

My super verbose & in-depth head-fi review of the Ether is here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/mrspeakers-ether-planar-magnetic-headphones/reviews/13783

Direct comparisons & measurements against my other gear here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/760249/mrspeakers-ether-impressions-thread/1680#post_11842888

Measurement chain: PC with Windows 10 > ARTA Generates Sine Sweeps > Steinberg UR-22 USB Interface with Yamaha ASIO > Line Out > Oppo HA-2 Amplifier > headphones placed upon my own head (left ear being measured) > Pannasonic WM61-A Microphone > Steinberg UR-22 > PC > ARTA analysis

Important Measurement Note: The dip occurring at approximately the 6 kHz region is an artifact from the interaction from the mic placement with the shape of the ear folds. This artifact appears in all my measured frequency response curves via my current personal measurement set-up.
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ultrabike

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2015, 05:16:51 AM »

Thanks mate. You applied any compensation?

Here is a scaled visualization of your results:





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money4me247

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2015, 05:47:22 AM »

Thank you! No additional compensation added.

Here are some additional FR curves to see the variability during different measurement trials.
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Marvey

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2015, 05:49:22 AM »

hey guys!

First time creating a new thread, but I didn't see any current MrSpeakers Ether threads. If I am mistaken, please let me know and I will post there instead. Attached images of Ether measurements below (using stock cables as DUM/stock cables generally measure exactly the same).

My super verbose & in-depth head-fi review of the Ether is here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/mrspeakers-ether-planar-magnetic-headphones/reviews/13783

Direct comparisons & measurements against my other gear here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/760249/mrspeakers-ether-impressions-thread/1680#post_11842888

Great work!

Did you really feel the Ethers had clarity and resolution similar to other summit-fi headphones? (I consider the HD650/600, HE6, and HE560 to be superior to the Ether in terms of resolution, along with the other flagships HEK, HD800, Abyss, SR009, etc.). Also, I felt the Ether's bass was sort of indistinct, blurry, and one-note'ish. Ether's mids were pretty good and highs were quite excellent, although a teeny bit overemphasized.

Also, what SPL levels per the graph Y-axis? This is important to know for distortion.
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money4me247

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2015, 05:56:26 AM »

Thanks!!! I agree that the Ether's bass is its weakest point. I did find that I could pick up the low-volume micro-details quite well on the Ether. I would estimate that its clarity and detail resolution is similar to the HE-560 (and better than the LCD-X), so I consider it to be "summit-fi level" though likely a few other specific flagship headphones that will be better. I do think it is likely that other particular high-end headphones will relatively outperform it in certain specific technical attributes. Don't have other high-end headphones on hand for more direct comparisons though. Really I found that its overall sound signature would likely be the selling point for people considering these headphones as I found it to have a pleasant, non-fatiguing, generally well-balanced tuning.

for the y-axis, total 100 dB height on the graph with 10dB increment boxes. I don't have an SPL meter to measure that actual volume level on the headphones. For my measurements, I can never get as good distortion levels relative to your posted measurements. Not sure if it is because of the different equipment I am using. posted some other FR graphs as well so you can see the variation in my distortion measurements between trials.
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Marvey

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2015, 06:02:56 AM »

Compare to the "lowly" HD600/650 if you get a chance. I'd be interested to get your take on it.

Because the Ether is weak in an area (bass) where orthos typically are strong, my personal preference is easily for the HD650/600. At least with Mjolnir 2 tubes + multi-bit Gungnir stack or something better like my personal rig. I was quite surprised at the Schiit Show that my tweaked HD650 outresolved the Ether, although the Ether had better transient response in the treble.

BTW, I'm not sure if most people here consider the LCD-X a summit-fi headphone. Don't get me wrong, there are a few who really like the LCD-X here, but the general consensus tends to be really different from HF. Here's a good counterpoint document: http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2562.0;attach=10302

For my measurements, I can never get as good distortion levels relative to your posted measurements. Not sure if it is because of the different equipment I am using. posted some other FR graphs as well so you can see the variation in my distortion measurements between trials.

If you are doing the on your own head measurements, you don't want to run them like I do near 90db. Will blow out your ears even with the panny capsules in front! I run them louder than typical listening levels because I feel this stresses the distortion levels to the point where there is good correlation and differentiation from headphone to headphone. Not loud enough, distortion looks too good for every headphone and there is to little differentiation.
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money4me247

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2015, 06:10:37 AM »

I actually greatly appreciate the HD600/HD650 and wouldn't call it 'lowly' except from a price-point perspective. Would love to get a chance to do a direct comparison.

It is strange how the bass of the Ether is relatively lacking compared to other orthodynamics. I am actually planning on upgrading my mid-tier component set-up as the mjolnir 2 + gungnir MB slots perfectly into my price range and appears to provide the upgrade that I am looking for in terms of initial impressions. Just not sure whether I should skip the gungnir & just go straight for the yggy lol. wld love advice on this particularly from people who had the chance to try both side-by-side. I am a more value-orientated buyer generally.

I agree the LCD-X sonic performance is a bit lacking compared to some of the other summit-fi headphones. Soundstage noticeably smaller with less precise imaging and quite a bit of coloration and blurring effect. I have it as my 'fun' headphones. Just using it to place the Ether's performance relatively.

edit: thanks for the link. very interesting compilation of perspectives and I wouldn't really disagree with the thoughts stated there though I can see different people being more/less sensitive to the critiques being offered. Also, from personal direct comparisons, I would also say that the LCD-3F has similar technical abilities as the LCD-X so I guess I personally have a more lenient view on what headphones can be classified into summit-fi. I am comfortable placing the LCD-2/X/3, HE-560, PM-1, TH900, and AKG K812 all into the summit-fi category though they all have significant sonic considerations. I do think the HD800 is the gold standard for the sound quality achievable at the ~$1.5 price point. I personally think the PM-1 and LCD-XC are barely squeezing into the summit-fi class and I don't consider them to be true TOTL headphones. The v-shaped coloration of the TH900 also makes me rank it lower personally, but for people looking for a high-end option with that type of sound it does offer some technical improvements (in impact/soundstage most noticeably) compared to other more mid-tier v-shaped headphones.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2015, 06:33:05 AM by money4me247 »
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Marvey

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2015, 06:17:03 AM »

It is strange how the bass of the Ether is relatively lacking compared to other orthodynamics.

I thought I remember a image of the driver. It's still small, like the size of x2 T50RP drivers (which are super small and work best sealed because of highish distortion). The Audeze, Abyss, and HiFiMan drivers are huge. Quality bass require huge drivers. I have 15" woofers in my speaker rig. Not because I want massive bass or have audiophile small-[redickted] syndrome, but rather because big woofers (with lowish xmax / excursion) tend to have better quality bass than these tiny 6" or 8" woofers on $65,000 speakers that you see at the audio shows.

So really, when we think about it, not a surprise. And no, knurling doesn't do crap either.

Can someone post a image of the Ether driver? I can't remember where I saw it.
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money4me247

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2015, 06:23:18 AM »

that is actually not surprising at all, though the correlation with driver size is often inconsistent. I would say in this case the Ether's driver size is very likely the limiting factor in its bass response.
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Marvey

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Re: MrSpeakers Ether
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2015, 06:27:20 AM »

edit: thanks for the link. very interesting compilation of perspectives and I wouldn't really disagree with the thoughts stated there though I can see different people being more/less sensitive to the critiques being offered...  I personally think the PM-1 and LCD-XC are barely squeezing into the summit-fi class

Hahaha. I just wanted you to get a sense of the environment here. Very hard to please folks who will offer sharp critiques. The more expensive a headphone, the more it will be critiqued. FWIW, the PM-1 with the original pads were called "pooo" by quite a few of us, while the the LCD-XC goes more along the lines of "oh gawd, what the heck is this!?"
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