E_Schaaf
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E_Schaaf

MOT: E.T.A Headphones, from Staten Island, NY

Pyrate BWC

What are some of your earliest memories regarding noticing good or bad sound quality? Jan 16, 2024

    1. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Finally got around to modding my 6xx. An assload of goop, tungsten putty, and a couple new front baffle dampers / pad mods.
      1. Jinxy245 likes this.
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        rear spider and foam removed. front foam removed. somehow not too hot or edgy for my sensitive ears, but extension feels improved on either end. might have brencho hear em soon
        Apr 9, 2020
        Lyander, SeanT, Biodegraded and 2 others like this.
      3. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        Would you be willing to wave them in front of a webcam on Saturday morning?
        Apr 9, 2020
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        If not I'll post pics shortly. Gotta sleep on it and see how they sound in the morning before sharing
        Apr 9, 2020
        Lyander and Biodegraded like this.
    2. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Loving how tons of harsh stuff like hyperpop, oldies, disco, 80s, RVG masters, etc suddenly become listenable with a sloped response.
      1. YMO, Deep Funk and brencho like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Psalmanazar
        Psalmanazar
        Remove digititus and get better speakers. No metal tweeters. Only massive clipping and noise spikes in the recording will harm you then.
        Apr 8, 2020
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Psalm, I just mean on headphones. I have no problems with fatigue on my '74 JBL L55s w/ subs (paper cones throughout) with a wide range of music regardless of volume. Those things would blow out my windows before I'd call them harsh, and that's with only 25W on the mains out of my F7 clone.
        Apr 8, 2020
        Psalmanazar likes this.
      5. YMO
        YMO
        Apr 8, 2020
    3. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Ben Frost - By the Throat is sick on wax. Texture in the mids and highs, boundless stage, instant transients. But wanting heavier bass...
    4. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Comparing JAR600, stock 580 / 6xx, Australis, Borealis, modded TH900. TH900 is still most like my mains - no others can tame Mr. Oizo.
      1. obsiCO, Lyander, Azimuth and 4 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        My measurement rig is at Upscale so it may be inaccessible for a bit. Assuming Brencho keeps em I can measure when quarantine's lifted or if I find my binaural mic. I like them more than stock HD600/650/580, but haven't heard JAR650. I actually thought the drivers on the Borealis felt too distant - like I was getting a lot of reflected sound in the treble. I'd rather have a shallower basket w/ thicker pads.
        Apr 6, 2020
        Hands likes this.
      4. brencho
        brencho
        @Hands i have a average to large head and the loaner pair were actually a bit loose on me maybe from wear and tear. I’m not super treble sensitive but still found it somewhat harsh and uneven
        Apr 6, 2020
        Hands likes this.
      5. brencho
        brencho
        That said want to highlight that it shows promise too and has positive attributes (punch/attack etc)
        Apr 6, 2020
        Hands likes this.
    5. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      The smart way to bring a sense of dynamics to a 'loudness war' master is to get a playback FR with 4-8dB boost ≤ 100hz w/ a mild BBC dip.
      1. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Moderate-Q boost on the bass so as not to bloat the lower mids, w/ no treble peaks beyond lower midrange. This is why Eikon and modded ADX5000 / TH900 are great for pop music, and some pairs of Audezes too (though the bass is flatter on those). HE6 w/ the right leather pads just off the mark with the 2k recession being too low in the FR and no net slope.
        Apr 2, 2020
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Annoying to think that so much stuff was mixed and mastered with Beats by Dre in mind.
        Apr 2, 2020
        FatCat likes this.
    6. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Modi 2U / SYS / Loki into GFA-555 into $50 80s Pioneer CS-B5000. Loki saves these cheapo boxes - sounds pretty dynamic and open for mid-fi.
      1. Jinxy245, Lyander and rlow like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Yes, Pioneer was a respected name back then. Do they still exist? A brain cell suggests they might still make car audio,
        Mar 31, 2020
        Lyander likes this.
      4. Lyander
        Lyander
        @Thad E Ginathom they have DJ headphones, and I've got fond memories of the Pioneer SE-EX9 for more reasons than their fun name, haha!
        Mar 31, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      5. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        I think I remember them even making turntables. Almost sure I do.
        Mar 31, 2020
    7. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Moved to a new apartment that's nicer and cheaper than my old one. Fun to set up the speakers again. Ended up upside-down atop the subs!
      1. Deep Funk, Lyander, Jinxy245 and 12 others like this.
      2. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        The bass really moved you.
        Mar 30, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Ear level woofers and knee-level subs with tweeters shooting at my chest unless I slump back in my seat (which I normally end up doing) definitely ticks my marks when it comes to getting the best dynamics and extension out of my system. I keep the tweeters on low anyway...
        Mar 30, 2020
        Deep Funk likes this.
    8. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Pulled out my A-grade 2010 LCD-2 for a listen. This thing still blows the living shit out of anything I've heard from Audeze lately.
      1. penguins and dubharmonic like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        @Lyander I don't find Audeze bad ergonomically either. Just tired of their manufacturing inconsistency.

        That and I like ZMFs more and subscribed to team dynamic
        Mar 27, 2020
        Lyander likes this.
      4. Lyander
        Lyander
        I hear that, extensive demos + having a nice entry-level planar at home for the first time has me leaning into team dynamic, just can't get used to how typical planars do headstage. Also bass impact, but my main cans spoil me there lol.

        Original LCD-2 is sexy as hell though.
        Mar 27, 2020
      5. YMO
        YMO
        I'm saying this, make the LCDs more like the LCD2-C. Now that I can wear for hours. I remember the original LCD2s were great for Kraftwerk, but at times their low end was getting on my nerves and my neck was hurting for hours.
        Mar 27, 2020
    9. E_Schaaf
      1. View previous comments...
      2. gaspasser
        gaspasser
        Waiting for a price drop from Uncle Kevvy for Coronachristmas ;)
        Mar 25, 2020
        YMO and E_Schaaf like this.
      3. YMO
        YMO
        Good price but shitty headband.
        Mar 25, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      4. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        After 3 years with the Utopias I don't regret getting a pair.
        Mar 25, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
    10. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Nak 500 > Valhalla 2 > HD580 + TH900 at the desk. Warm and fuzzy as the bath robe I'm wearing while working from home.
      1. Jinxy245, Case, Mystic and 5 others like this.
    11. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Redacted. A resolution's been made.
      1. Azimuth and dubharmonic like this.
      2. Mithrandir41
        Mithrandir41
        Working from home then?
        Mar 19, 2020
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        I was told there will 'be a meeting' about it shortly, with promises made verbally.
        Mar 19, 2020
        Azimuth and Phantaminum like this.
    12. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Wish we had a better headphone selection at Upscale beyond Focal and Senn. With ZMF direct and so many 'meh' planars, things feel stagnant.
      1. Case and YMO like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        I still use 2000-2010 as my reference point, so today's options seem amazing. Things have changed a ton.
        Mar 11, 2020
      4. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        Back in those days almost nothing big happened.
        Mar 11, 2020
      5. Rthomas
        Rthomas
        Can't believe it's been nearly 5 years since the Utopia and LCD4.Not counting ear speakers and ZMFs nothing very exciting release since then :(
        Mar 11, 2020
    13. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Question - better to have a +6db bass boost 200hz and down (with -2dB from target @ 3k) or 120hz and down (with +2db from target @ 3k)?
      1. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Not talking about EQ, just talking about headphone FR w/ mods. And it's a broad boost either way, with a smooth downslope to the mids beyond the mentioned cutoff points.
        Feb 28, 2020
      2. Superexchanger
        Superexchanger
        For my taste, and without hearing anything, the former might balance bass slam with intelligibility of the upper mids better, and sound cleaner. With a general sensitivity to mids, a relative boost of the 3 kHz region to the warmer end of the bass response could sound tiring with a little less impact.
        Feb 28, 2020
        Lyander and E_Schaaf like this.
    14. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Modded TH900mk2 and stock V1 here. V1 has less 3k presence and high treble (because squishier pads?), which means lighter mods needed. Nice!
      1. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        'less 3k presence and high treble' relative to stock V2 if that wasn't clear. Modded is just... better in every way.
        Feb 24, 2020
        Jinxy245 likes this.
    15. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Just moved the re-issue JBL L100's into my small shared office. Music throughout the day makes the customer service life way more bearable.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. e.schell
        e.schell
        I have been very curious about those speakers since their release. I have been wondering if Aegir monoblocks would be enough power and be good synergy or if bi-amp Vidar / Aegir (low / mid & high) would be a better match... don't suppose you have the ability to test any of these?
        Feb 20, 2020
      3. neogeosnk
        neogeosnk
        @e.shell that's exactly why I asked! Wife likes the speakers cause she's into the old school esthetics and sound.
        Feb 20, 2020
        e.schell likes this.
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Aegir should be fine with them - 1 or 2. They're 90dB/1W@4Ohms so not really hard to drive unless you like to listen at a 100dB average all the time and still want headroom beyond that.
        Feb 20, 2020
        e.schell likes this.
    16. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      1. View previous comments...
      2. YMO
        YMO
        It feels good without it.
        Feb 18, 2020
        Jinxy245 and E_Schaaf like this.
      3. JK47
        JK47
        Probably better if they was a she, and said they weren't wearing any panties...
        Feb 19, 2020
        YMO likes this.
      4. netforce
        netforce
        Had a buddy looking for a place in SF few years back. Saw a text where someone said he could crash at his place if he "showed him his goodies".
        Feb 19, 2020
    17. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Just closed a huge $17k cable sale. He knew what he wanted and I hope he'll be happy. Can't even imagine being in those shoes...
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        They say that's where the margins are. money falling into the till is the one sound that cables absolutely do improve: I hope @E_Schaaf did well out of it.

        Goes against all my notions of reasonability, but if someone is standing there saying, hey, take my money, It would be hard not to.
        Feb 15, 2020
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Its days like those I wish I was paid a commission. Personally sold well over $2M in the last year. Don't get to see a penny of it aside from my hourly wage, which is fairly generous as far as this industry goes, but I'm spread thin with student loans and exorbitant SoCal rent.
        Feb 17, 2020
        Thad E Ginathom, brencho and YMO like this.
      4. YMO
        YMO
        My friend moved from Jax to Burbank. He was paying $900 for 1/1 with a fridge and everything. In Burbank it's $2k for a studio with his BF and two dogs, no fridge. I guess pay to play for SoCal.
        Feb 17, 2020
    18. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Let it be known @brencho is a closeted basshead when it comes to headphones. Stupid grins all around with some EDM through the modded TH-900
      1. View previous comments...
      2. YMO
        YMO
        We should never have things in the closet. What street rep we are trying to keep?
        Feb 12, 2020
        Lyander likes this.
      3. Koth Ganesh
        Koth Ganesh
        Is this then a must own for classic and hard rock aficionados?
        Feb 13, 2020
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        ^ Only headphones that don't make my ears bleed when I crank it with such things. So on that front, yes?
        Feb 14, 2020
        Azimuth likes this.
    19. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Feliks is gifting me a Euforia 20th Anniv! Excited to swap in different tubes. Totally killer with the dynamics I have at home... #MOTperks
      1. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        That's awesome!
        Feb 10, 2020
    20. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Spent the last few days doing nothing but modding the TH-900. Found an ideal tuning for my tastes. Makes me want to sell all my other cans.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. E_Schaaf
      3. Taverius
        Taverius
        That looks promising. Is the 8k escarpment actual or resonance?
        Feb 7, 2020
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Just an artifact from EARS - many of my other measurements show it too. Not audible with sine sweeps.
        Feb 7, 2020
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  • About

    Home Page:
    https://www.etaheadphones.com/
    Location:
    Staten Island, NY
    Occupation:
    Sonic Optimizer

    Signature

    skunkworks headphone enthusiast - discovering new sounds