Black Widow [Update] - Second round official, 100 amps total, single chassis

Yes, I love this pairing and drfindley has been using it at work as well. For a closed headphone? Big but comfy, punchy, fun, enough air for me even as a closed/isolating phone, the BW drives them really well (tight but liquid/dynamic/clean). The Enigmas don't do resolution the same way the HD800 can, but they are really enjoyable...especially with the BW.

More people should be trying and owning the LFF Enigmas, I think. If not the Enigmas, then the Slants or Paradox (which are warmer and more neutral). I'm replying because the BW does great things with the Enigmas for me.

The BW also takes the bass of the Philips X1 and tightens/cleans it up without making the treble etched or unfriendly. I dig the X1 with Out Of Your Head software for movies but also found it a good pairing with the BW.

Primarily, I use HD800 (SBAF + light Billmods) or LFF Enigmas with the BW.

 

CEETEE, did you find the Enigmas a bit warmer than the Slants on the BW? I have the Slants (my go to orthos) but very curious about the Enigma.

 

I have not listened to the Slants on the BW but zerodeefex has a pair. I liked my Enigmas more for the extra treble than the Slants when I compared them, but he prefers the Slants. Sorry for not explaining "warm" better.

Since warm can mean different things to different people:
-Tonal balance tilted to the bass side of things (but still has treble)
-Frequency Response that rolls off at the top
-Thickness in sound due to decay characteristics or bass distortion or lots of information filling in the space throughout the range (to me this one is either resolving abilities or "connectedness" in FR with no dips)

If you can describe your warm, I can lend Ravi my Enigmas when he borrows my BW next or I can try to compare myself when I have the chance.

I do find the BW to tighten up bass on some of my phones and to make the treble a bit more "liquid", so this is a valid question and I think needs direct comparison on the BW. I also think it needs comparison with a DS and Multibit DAC to cover the bases.

 

From reading through this thread, I get the impression that the ZDS is now considered the most neutral/transparent amplifier currently available from Eddie Current, at least for the HD800. Have I got that right? I've read that the Balancing Act is tubey/warm and that the Black Widow is bloomy/warm, in relation to the ZDS. And I understand the Studio Jr. is supposed to be very transparent/neutral, but its availability is an uncertainty right now.

 

Got the confirmation on my order!

 

Hi, has anyone had the chance to compare it with the taurus, if so, could the bw be considered an upgrade? (I was hoping to read something about it on innerfidelity...)

 

is the price still 1289? @purrin i thought it was increasing? @velvetx

 

This: "lots of information filling in the space throughout the range" - is my interpretation of warm (thanks CT, you do have a way with words ) To me the tonal balance titled to the bass side is more aptly described as "being darker" but then I am not the go to guy for adherence to strict definition. For example, the Fostex TH X00 would fit the "bass tilt" criterion while my Bill-p modded LCD 2.2 (don't know if you heard this last year) is more Slant-like with a little more oomph in the bass.

 

i believe if you've sent in an order form they are going to honor that price.

 

Plus the all black option is $200 like the ZD I assume? That's what I'm getting-I can't stand that red bottom, in pics anyway.

 

Hmm is the red bottom still the current design? I'm hoping it will look like the ZD with the silver top and bottom.

 

Ooh I'd be down for Zana panels on it. Clarification @purrin?

 

Sweet. I'd probably want all black, but a red front plate would be cool as well. I assume the name is staying the same?

 

I like the red accent, actually.

 

I prefer to have my bottom red.

 

I always thought right was red. An "R" thing.