CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Soapbox => Topic started by: Anaxilus on March 26, 2015, 08:16:27 AM
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Consider this a direct assault on the Hype-train! :boom:
Some of us might not be up to speed on some of the latest product offerings coming, or may want a more consolidated source with which to sort the audio wheat from the audio chaff. Like the title suggests, name your latest FoTM or uber-hyped gear from other forums and we'll try to get our hands on it and offer a critical review if possible.
A couple caveats:
One, please don't restate the same item already listed or asked for just for the sake of our clutter management.
Two, if you have a review or impressions to post, do so in the appropriate sub forum please. Link to it in this thread and we'll update the list and links.
Three, if anyone has any of the devices listed and would like to send it in for review please let us know.
Four, please search for other reviews elsewhere if it is an old or well reviewed item. This is not a general review thread, though it may turn into something like it over time.
This is also less selective and critical than the Wall of Fame/Booty thread we have. The question is simply whether the performance can, will or does live up to the current hype train (and possibly price).
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Key:
:)p5 - Cheers!
::) -Meh
*:p - Shame!!
:-X - undetermined
Phones
HE1000 :-X
EL8 open :-X
EL8 closed :-X
Ether
Shure SRH-1540
Oppo PM-3
Audio-Technica M70x
Audio-Technica R70x
Audio Technica (other open?)
Beyer T1
Shure 1540
Enigmacoustics D1k (Dharma)
IEMs
Vsonic VSD3/S
Vsonic VSD5
VSonic GR01
StageDiver 2
j-phonic K2 SP
Ortofon eQ5 :)p5 http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2234.msg61406.html#msg61406 (http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2234.msg61406.html#msg61406)
DAPs
Fiio X1
Cayin N6
Sony A17
Sony
Questyle
Hifiman 902 (card?)
DACs
Desktop
Mytek Manhattan
Exogal Comet
RL Invicta Mirus
Metrum Pavane
Hegel HD12/HD25
Simaudio Neo 280D
Geek Pulse
Geek Pulse Xfi
Geek Pulse Xfi Infinity
Portable
Geek 450
Amps
Desktop
PS Audio Sprout
Ayre Codex
Chord Hugo TT
Portable
Conditioners
USB
Audioquest Jitterbug
Power
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To quote a nameless ASDF cartoon character: "I like trains..."
(http://www.silverfishlongboarding.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=145004&d=1393262482)
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Mr Speakers Ether
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IEMs/CIEMs, please.
Starting with the official Anax UERM statement (I saw the shoutbox abstract, I don't think everybody caught it).
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Vsonic VSD3/S and VSD5, and also Fiio X1 ;D
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Phones: Shure SRH-1540, Oppo PM-3, Audio-Technica M70x/R70x
DACs: Mytek Manhattan, Exogal Comet, RL Invicta Mirus, Metrum Pavane, Hegel HD12/HD25, Simaudio Neo 280D
Amps: PS Audio Sprout, Ayre Codex, Chord Hugo TT
Oddball: Audioquest Jitterbug
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Updated OP with some clarification.
Updated gear list.
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Geek Pulse Xfi/Infinity
I have one infinity coming, but I am just curious about pyrates input for them against other dac/amp.
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1540 impressions Liked not loved. But I might be biased (I like Shure! ;)) Sorry, sold them quick. --> http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-srh1540-headphones/reviews/10335
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Enigmacoustics D1k (Dharma)
VSonic GR01
StageDiver 2
j-phonic K2 SP
Ortofon eQ5
Thanks for starting the thread.
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Beyer T1.
Since they're hyped so much in other forums to the point of being an equal to the HD800, it'd be interesting to see the joke review thread expanded upon.
Also the Audio-Technica open-back headphones.
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I feel like there's a lot of DAPs that should be added here. New Questyle one, new Hifiman, new Sony, etc.
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Cayin N6 too?
There's some hype on it...
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Beyer T1.
Since they're hyped so much in other forums to the point of being an equal to the HD800, it'd be interesting to see the joke review thread expanded upon.
Also the Audio-Technica open-back headphones.
It seems this thread derailed. T1 is not a FOTM... of the last month at least. And this headphone is over reviewed here or there.
IMO what's interesting in the Anac proposal is to verify in a CURRENT hype is justified or not . Maybe I'm wrong here
@OJneg ; portable gear is a paradise for hypes.. kind of Grand Central Station of Hype trains. each month brings a new iem or dap wth people who claim it blows out the water the previous one. Pure madness.
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Why, Sonarworks Reference 3 headphone calibration seems to be all the rage these days...
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Also the Audio-Technica open-back headphones.
Which? Are they all hyped?
Why, Sonarworks Reference 3 headphone calibration seems to be all the rage these days...
Why is this hype? This is just RTA right? I'm not sure Convolution/EQ/DSP is viable for review, especially since they offer a free trial that anyone can judge for themselves. I mean, if you don't like it, you either don't know how to use EQ or just don't like their presets. Seems like too many subjective variables and too easy to access for the general population to judge for themselves.
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Ortofon eQ5
Thanks for starting the thread.
eQ5 is good. I can attest to this personally. I think I have a review on H-fi somewhere. Very similar to the DBA-02/B2 in tonality and sound signature. Maybe a hint less bright and more extended and present in the low bass but shy on the DBA's superb crystal clarity. So same signature just a bit more neutral and extended but a tad less clear. I'm giving it full speed ahead. It has no serious flaws unless they retuned it over the years.
You're Welcome!
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It seems this thread derailed. T1 is not a FOTM... of the last month at least. And this headphone is over reviewed here or there.
Yes, the T1 is hardly an unknown quantity. Perhaps the thread should be updated to include "search for reviews before posting."
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eQ5 is good. I can attest to this personally. I think I have a review on H-fi somewhere. Very similar to the DBA-02/B2 in tonality and sound signature. Maybe a hint less bright and more extended and present in the low bass but shy on the DBA's superb crystal clarity. So same signature just a bit more neutral and extended but a tad less clear. I'm giving it full speed ahead. It has no serious flaws unless they retuned it over the years.
You're Welcome!
Haven't heard the eq5, always wanted too, but I can attest that the new eq8 is quite amazing. My favorite iem at the moment.
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Yes, the T1 is hardly an unknown quantity. Perhaps the thread should be updated to include "search for reviews before posting."
Done
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Haven't heard the eq5, always wanted too, but I can attest that the new eq8 is quite amazing. My favorite iem at the moment.
That's good! I felt the eq7 was step back due to the euphonic coloration.
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In terms of hype, the Layla should be on the list.
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My friend has the vsd3S and I can vouch for it sounding pretty good for a budget IEM. However, it does have QC issues with the detachable cable. My friend's stock cable started cutting out on him until one channel was completely dead. Then he got the upgraded silver cable, which worked well for a while before it started cutting out too. However, when he swapped the channels via the connectors, the cutting out stopped.
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Why is this hype? This is just RTA right? I'm not sure Convolution/EQ/DSP is viable for review, especially since they offer a free trial that anyone can judge for themselves. I mean, if you don't like it, you either don't know how to use EQ or just don't like their presets. Seems like too many subjective variables and too easy to access for the general population to judge for themselves.
I kid, Anax - I'm one of the guys behind the project and there is no hype. Thought it might be interesting to some of the guys around here.
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I kid, Anax - I'm one of the guys behind the project and there is no hype. Thought it might be interesting to some of the guys around here.
Lol, sure, we can hype it!
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I really liked the eq5 and eq7 when I owned them, still consider them one of the better IEMs I've owned. They sound very similar with the eq5 being a bit more neutral, I liked the eq7 a tad bit more though because of its lusher presentation.
Been out of the IEM game for a while and it seems like there are some crazy offerings now so I can't say how they stack up to those. I get a headache trying to keep track of how many different IEMs there are now.. Seems like every week there's a new company offering 6 driver, 8 driver monsters with 3-way or 4-way crossovers, universal versions of custom IEMs.. seems like a mess with too much noise to sift through and deal with.
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Hmm just noticed that the GR01 is on the list. It's good and is my daily driver IEM now. I've owned it for a few years and I haven't had the desire to upgrade (either that or my self-control has gotten a lot better). I wrote up a few thoughts on it on HF that I can dig up. In short, at its core it's neutral and fast, but still slightly on the warm side of the spectrum with a smooth and liquid presentation. In addition, I really like the fit and small size of it, maybe that's why I've kept it as long as I have.
Definitely gets a Cheers! from me :)p5
Update: Here it is, a little dated with comparisons to the Audio-Technica CK10, Westone 4, SE535, SM3, and e-Q7.. but you can still understand what I'm trying to say: http://www.head-fi.org/t/591547/vsonic-gr01-info-impressions-appreciation-thread/60#post_8348379
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Topping NX1 Headphone Amplifier