AdvanTech

@AdvanTech, thanks for sharing! I have used Utopia only on the Ragnarok 1.5 (low gain only) and Torpedo 3 (Li Z). Neither is an ideal pairing, but I hate tube maintenance/nervosa so trying to figure out a budget solid state chain.

Still using Pranafidelity speakers?

For what it’s worth, I feel like Utopia only works in a certain volume range. I use the NIOSH app on iPhone. Anything more than low 80s average SPL measured that way and I can’t handle Utopias. Ragnarok 2 loaner was a little better in this regard and I could do 85 average once the amp warmed up.

My ears can take more with HD650 and the ZMF cans I had on loaner.

Hm, I’m not sure what would fit the bill in your case.

Yeah, The Bhavas are still being used daily.

Interesting about volume with Utopias. I’ll play around with that tomorrow but I’m hoping that restriction won’t apply to my chain. That’s a bit of an odd trait for a headphone to have.

@ChaChaRealSmooth @tommytakis I may have found something that was holding the Auteur back for me, and it is not pads. I will do so more comparisons to confirm before sharing, but this sounds so much better. I cannot believe I did not think of this earlier, after years of owning this headphone. I also use Auteur lamb pads btw. Thanks.

@AdvanTech My inclination for the OP is to aim to at least try both the Auteur and one Focal with the 3F at some point. Those are known to be great pairings. The Auteur gets the most unanimous praise with the 3F. MisterRogers told me it was one of the best amp/phone pairings he's ever heard, in accord with tommytakis.

As for comfort and stability on head, Clear has more clamp than my Auteur. They also fit on the head more snuggly than Utopia, as others have noted, so it may be not all Focals are equal in this regard. I cannot speak for likes of the Borealis, other than that the headband may need to be replaced.

Looks like they revised the Cornwall III with a larger midhorn with "mumps" and horn-loaded ports for the 15" woofer. And likely a significantly higher price to boot... Edit: Yep. $4,400/pr vs. $6,000/pr.

I was never a fan of the Cornwall IIIs, I felt like there wasn't a cohesive presentation between the drivers. Kind of honky midrange. Hopefully the changes make a clear sonic improvement. Dynamic ability was excellent, as is the case with most older Klipsch designs. Forte III had better tone, but didn't quite have the same sense of scale, and was a bitch to place.

Yeah, I wouldn’t put old JBL in the same sentence with these older Klipsch designs. JBL knew their shit.

Yeah, I cover LEDs that are on. You can still see a little light spill into nearby LED holes.

If you're really lucky, messing with plankton in a pitch-black dark room, you might get phosphorescence.

If you're really unlucky, you get swallowed up by the whale which is aiming for the plankton

:)

(I'm just envious because I'm too deaf for plankton ;) )

Don't feel bad @Thad E Ginathom, shrimp are tasty too :)

@Ringingears Thanks for that.

Next logical step would be room treatments, if you can live with the aesthetics

That, I have done. A couple thick panels in the corners (w/blankets packed in behind them) and thinner panels at first reflection points. I want to experiment with diffusers but can't seem to find any decently-sized affordable ones online.

Hi Eric,

I texted the number you left me, unless that's not a cell phone?

Thanks,
Will

@sphinxvc http://www.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic%2c2091.0.html

Did you end up getting that Haley in? would love to hear your thoughts

I did, though I haven't had time to really A/B it yet. Maybe I'll have a better picture in a week or so.

If crossover design is good, it shouldn't be a problem. There's just a bit of a difference in the way ribbons present sound vs domes.

Speaking of Crossovers... if you ever get a chance (after "burn-in" is complete)... I'm sure, I won't be the only one, who'd be very interested & intrigued to hear any of your experience & opinions on those Bhavas! Or just overall impressions.

Don't forget if they still sound off or synergize weirdly... it's probably your small-ish room as well as wall positioning/reflections/toe-in/tweeter-in/outward-position that is still gonna be a major if not the biggest factor to properly integrate your new Speakers...
And, imo, second to that, is how good the Speakers actually perform... I mean they're probably uber expensive, so they must be great-er!?! :P