Comments on Profile Post by Merrick

Yours and mine both, dude. Nice to be able to appreciate the virtues of planars by listening to one that's not seriously compromised. For a change.

And simultaneously one that doesn't cost $1K+. In terms of sheer enjoyment, I think the Sines may top the list of transducers I own (competing against the HD600, LFF Paradox, and Empire Ears Spartans). Of course all of the other ones have their virtues as well, but when I want to just put on some music and not worry about it, the Sines tend to be my go to.

That's exactly how I use it. The SINE has got a sort of bouncy-yet-composed sound that pairs exceptionally well with recordings that aren't of the best quality. Although its got plenty of resolution to do justice to those of good fidelity, too. Not cheap, but a bargain nonetheless if one's in the market for a versatile portable.

Of all the headphones I have, I find it easiest to pick out what individual instruments are doing on the Sine. That doesn't mean they have the most absolute resolution (the Spartans win that title in my collection), but there's something about them that makes it very easy to separate individual parts. At the same time, they don't sound disjointed or incoherent. A very interesting quality.

Again, I agree. SINE has remarkably good depth, even by full-size standards. If the soundstage weren't as compressed as it is, it'd be something quite remarkable. I'd rank its prowess in that area as about on par with the HD 600 from my M3, but not the DNA Sonett. The SINE has the best highs I've heard from a planar, which goes a long way toward meshing its presentation together.

I've been very pleased with how they sound from my iPhone with the Cypher cable, but it levels up played out of my ALO Rx Mk.III-B. Now if only someone would make a balanced cable for them, then I'd be able to make the most out of that ALO amp!

Up until I acquired the SWA M3, I favored the Cipher cable with the SINE over the rest of my amps. The DSP and equalization seem quite well implemented, and that left me with little reason to do much listening via other hardware. But after listening to the SINE out of the M3, I'll admit that there's some improvement to be had from a good amp.

I use the Sine if I'm out of the house or doing chores around the house. I don't need to lug around an external amp connected to my phone and the Cypher does sound very good for what it is. If I'm at my desk I'll use it with an amp because that's what amps are for. I appreciate that it scales up well, but the convenience of the Cypher cable was a big selling point for me.

Ditto although the Andromeda is eating into this time. Unfortunately, I bought it without the Cypher and I cannot find one (on its own).

Check around on HF, I know some people bought the Cypher version but are selling off the cable.

Its funny how if a headphone is super comfy, its easier to forget that you might have something better in the stable.

The Sine is the least comfortable headphone I own, haha.

Starting to sound like a shill, but I find the SINE surprisingly comfortable. I think that's due to the relatively large size of its cups and the decent quality of the protein leather used on the earpads. The pads rest on the edge of my ears, without exerting much pressure. Worn it for hours with little discomfort.

I wore them for four to five hours last night, which is a lot of consecutive headtime for me, and by the end of that my ears were sore, but not seriously hurting. The HD600 and the Paradox I can wear forever and never feel sore.

Unexpected bonus of the Sine: They sound fantastic paired with the Valhalla 2! Tons of bite and detail. The PM-3 felt flat with the Val2.

It's funny, I don't find that the SINE scales up a great deal with amping. In a weird way, that's another bonus of the Cipher; it doesn't leave much performance on the table. Surprised to find that SINE would pair well with the Valhalla, but that's a versatile OTL. Vali 2 does give a modest bump, unsurprisingly.

Kind of a wacky comparison, but if one were to alchemically transmute the CA Jupiter into a planar headphone, I think that the SINE would be startlingly near to the result. Prefer the planar incarnation, myself.

I haven't heard the Jupiter but now you're making me want to!

You might really like it. For my money, the UM Martian is considerably better. ;) But then I'm a tough sell on purely BA IEM designs.

Interesting, I've only spent significant time with all BA IEMs.

Find myself needing more meat on them bones, more often than not. Almost pulled the trigger on a Spartan, but past lack of enthusiasm for the Supra stayed my hand. Demoed Jupiter and thought it was okay.

For the most part I like the Spartans, gobs and gobs of resolution, but yeah not the most bass in the world and some piercing highs sometimes.