M3NTAL

Where are the Be versions of these on the micro-detail/"plankton" scale? Do they really approach Verite/Utopia or are they closer to JAR versions of Sennheiser?

micro-detail is well resolved. It is a slightly more laid back headphone than the explosive Utopia / Verite, but I think the XTC is in the realm of TOTL open backs. These are a good comparison for the Composer from AA. They are different in presentation also - more of a neutral/semi-raw & leaner presentation.

I read your review again earlier today :)

I would say it’s not worth it. You’ll really miss the high octave with the m9 and the bass wasn’t that great either

Thank you - that's all I need to know.

Get it modded by rhythmdevils - much nicer pads!

How do you like the new MB card?

Installing it this weekend - will update. I can't imagine it being an upsetting downgrade from my SFD-1, but maybe spatial presentation.

I find them anything but bass light. Maybe without EQ I guess it isn't as prominent as that driver is capable of. The passive radiator is a great idea.

Well they specifically claim it’s not a passive radiator if it was I would think it a terrible idea. Ortho drivers don’t need a passive electrodynamic radiator to create bass it’s just going to be lower quality with higher distortion. But they claim it’s a venting system to release pressure and it only engages occasionally.

I’ll have to listen to them again then if you like their bass response. A lot has happened in my life since then. But I remember thinking they still had an upward tilting FR and a very bothersome resonance that I’ve never heard in any other ortho iem (I own all of them) so I assume it’s the venting system that’s to blame. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed. :)

ilikebananafudge_ you want me to copy + paste it again? Or is a person like you, with high-end headphones out of the loop?

Oooooh you're referring to Austrian Audio with 'AA' and their headphone The Composer with 'T.C.'. I was so confused when I first read it.

It's where I go for Audio Addiction.

Piling on. How resolving is S15 vs Supermoon?

Less plastic than say a typical e-stat or BA. They might seem thin due to extension, but I'm not hearing too much push anywhere. Little laid back, so 'resolve' vs. the SM is different also. I don't think they are TOTL resolve, but how RD felt towards the S12 - the other things are working real well. Not a 'killer' at this price

If I were to play the "tier" game against crin and what I have in his 'A'-ish tier stuff, IE 600, Blessing 2, and a few others I've touched over the years - I'd say the S15 hangs with them. It's a solid A. I need to listen more, but I can't instantly pick out 'planar'

gimme a few days to listen to a new arrival…

I <3 You. I used the Piety last night - gain is still a little high, but sounded very nice. IEM is "SPL: 94 dB @ 1 kHz: 9.429 mVrms
Impedance: 9 Ohms @ 1 kHz"

All in one?

@schiit - had a chance to play with it, the syn and the midgard. Keep on doing what you all are doing. Midgard = bomb. Syn = "stereo'fier", Unity = all you need desktop setup??

I didn't see it there, but - let's talk Hel+, any special sauce built in?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/canjam-socal-2023-impressions-thread.969902/page-5#post-17756203

https://media.tenor.com/M4ndOzDS5dYAAAAC/futurama-fry.gif

No worries @M3NTAL …yes, I am working on a couple things. :)

https://www.ebay.com/usr/audiophile.rocks

Damn, I had no idea I had his fine work in my possession

There's a lot of entertainment from his digital footprint, but easily the tops for me were the poor models he somehow convinced (paid, I guess) to post nude/semi-nude with his sparkly PVC pipe power cords covering their bits, along with his like weird slow lifting kettlebell "proprietary" technique videos.

@fraggler - you nailed it. It's work to figure out WTF you're even trying to buy - trust me, I've scoured Ali a few times and end up leaving from the trash website.

IIRC there is a plugin, app, or similar tool that helps filter out China based sellers for Amazon and Etsy. Can't remember the name of it.

Like @penguins said, the copy cats are all all over Amazon and Etsy and have been all over ebay for quite sometime. Although I see fewer on ebay lately because Aliexpress becoming more popular and the ever increasing fees at the bay.

Nothing cooking at the moment, but thanks for buying shirts.

Vote for cat with eye patch, and cutlass in hand stabbing AMIRNAD or making pink panther walk the plank

Ok that is good. I may try that one.

@Vansen I guess he is looking for one in used market.

Vansen - it was mostly commentary that people are keeping them. Congrats Schiit. But, I am also keeping an eye on their b-stock page or the used market. I am a frugal - Ksaurav is correct.

Ah - secondary market, not "where'd Gungnir go?". Used market is the way to go for me with audio, too.

IMO, SBAF delicately balances being very involved in the hobby and keeping it at arm's length, at the same time. Not indulging so heavily in the hobby that it becomes exhausting and draining, but always keeping its ears to the products and companies that are doing something better and different than the rest.

Hobbies need breaks too

Agreed @YMO, shit can feel like a job if you let it.

Art takes time.

FWIW, I'm talking to ext1 about a JAR600b now and he's hoping to have it done by the end of summer. He indicated that he has a backlog and also indicate that he may not be able to work on the project past end of summer.

Sorry guys- and thank you for your patience. Plan is to finish them when I get back home this summer, but can't make promises (many reasons, quality standards being one). I want to finish them at summer because I don't know if I can do 6x0 work at all after Aug.