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
      My dad believes in 'natural immunity' and has had covid 4 times despite living in rural TN where numbers are low
      1. Thad E Ginathom likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. pure5152
      4. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Four times! I think this is the highest number I've heard yet.
        Jul 10, 2022
      5. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        Seems on par with almost everyone in rual TN.
        Jul 11, 2022
    2. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Between Moondrops, IE300, S12, whats the hot IEM under $200 right now? Dont like overly pushed upper mids, can mod if necessary tho.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Is the S12 current preferred mod config simply partial micropore nozzle coverage or something more intricate? I have a lot of fibrous filters similar to micropore tape of varying density, and also a bunch of different meshes too. Looking forward to tweaking. I guess it's settled haha
        Jun 25, 2022
      3. rhythmdevils
        rhythmdevils
        Yeah all you have to do is cover the back half of the nozzle with micropore tape. The transformation from stock is pretty astounding. It corrects all the problems.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-zbsRbxDms

        you might come up with something better too! I'm pretty happy with this though
        Jun 25, 2022
        Cryptowolf, PoochZag and E_Schaaf like this.
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        I like a KISS approach, ill definitely try with your config first and see how it goes :)
        Jun 25, 2022
        rhythmdevils likes this.
    3. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      IME, pads+airflow/damping affect timbre more than diaphragm material. Have heard warmpoo w/ Alu and metallic/zingy w/ Wool.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        A lot of misconceptions about this probably stem from the fact that enclosure info is almost never really explored in spec sheets or marketing copy outside of 'more open', 'more closed', etc. It's easy to assume most differences heard between two different headphones are due to the drivers, but in reality drivers are just a small part of the bigger picture and there are dozens of confounding variables.
        Jun 20, 2022
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Have measured and heard earpads that make 15dB differences in FR and distortion with the same enclosure and driver as well as reduce or increase ringing by several ms. As an analogy, imagine listening to two sets of different speakers in a well treated room, and then comparing again inside a solid concrete box for a room. Room differences will be more dramatic than speaker differences.
        Jun 20, 2022
      4. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Our audio world suffers from a bad mixture of materials bias, eg plastic is bad, whatever, regardless of actual properties and engineering, and anthropomorphism eg silver sounds bright.
        Jun 22, 2022
        E_Schaaf likes this.
    4. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      The Sennheiser HD650 released in 2004 for $549 MSRP. Accounting for inflation, that would be ~$850 today. Interesting to think about.
      1. obsiCO, Lyander, Jinxy245 and 11 others like this.
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Inversely, a Drop HD6xx at $220 in 2022 would be about ~$145 in 2004.
        Jun 17, 2022
        obsiCO, Lyander, Jinxy245 and 4 others like this.
      3. M3NTAL
        M3NTAL
        When it came out, they had it on a pedestal at Circuity City. It was the most expensive pair they sold. It felt unreachable even at $550. It wasn't until they came down to sub K701 prices before I could afford one.
        Jun 17, 2022
        Lyander, Jinxy245, E_Schaaf and 2 others like this.
    5. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      "what the artist intended" - bullshit. The artist intends for you to enjoy their music subjectively using whatever gear you happen to own.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Gazny
        Gazny
        I just came back from a live show, and their was this drone band that was Avant-garde but it was loud and passionate, and on the main stage they had a 10 piece band full of stiff players and it was so boring rigid. Some vosco, bosanova thing. Nothing about it stuck out to me other than decision paralysis because the band was too big and it seemed they had no real direction in a huge open space.
        Jun 13, 2022
      3. Gazny
        Gazny
        While the Drone band was dynamic in a concreate room, absolutely incredible.

        So what do artists intend? Do they all have intention or simply playing along.
        Jun 13, 2022
        penguins and E_Schaaf like this.
      4. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        And what about the producer and the mastering engineer? Are they chopped liver? They probably more time and care in making things sound good.
        Jun 13, 2022
        E_Schaaf and atomicbob like this.
    6. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Soon will test some AlNiCo V headphone drivers. Hope they dont suck bc the dev/sample cost was $$$. A learning experience, no regrets.
      1. obsiCO, 9suns, Jinxy245 and 6 others like this.
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        It'll be a worlds first! The manufacturer repeatedly tried to dissuade me, citing the strength advantage of NdFeB, but my curiosity had to be satiated...
        Jun 7, 2022
        9suns and pure5152 like this.
      3. nishan99
        nishan99
        Jun 8, 2022
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        @nishan99 yes! I already have several of those as well, there was some parallel development. The dual magnetic drivers hopefully will launch in sale ready headphones in the next month or two. They sound amazing and are an ETA exclusive :)
        Jun 8, 2022
        obsiCO, 9suns, Jinxy245 and 3 others like this.
    7. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Just got a 70s Pioneer Monitor 10. Sounded pretty good, but i already took the drivers out for transplantstion :) 57.4mm beefcakes
      1. Deep Funk likes this.
      2. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        Pioneer was onto something. Those old Pioneers can sound exceptional, end-game exceptional.
        Jun 3, 2022
    8. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Few minutes into listening, and I'm enjoying Centrance HiFi-M8 V2 via bluetooth more than any computer->DAC->amp system I've ever heard.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. rhythmdevils
        rhythmdevils
        SBAF is getting one in a month. How’s that for the magic gearmaster touch? :p
        Jun 2, 2022
        obsiCO, Jinxy245, sheldaze and 12 others like this.
      3. monacelli
        monacelli
        Jun 2, 2022
        rhythmdevils likes this.
      4. Jinxy245
        Jinxy245
        I passed it by at CanJam....I'll have to sign up for the loaner....nice!!
        Jun 4, 2022
    9. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      On LGV60. Both channels heard in mono, but there is no bass, and any shared signal between channels is not heard. Pinout issue?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        May 26, 2022
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        The adapter @Biodegraded linked didn't work, same issue. I notice that there will also be no sound when just one of the sides of the headphone is unplugged and I reinsert the jack, but when both are plugged in, both channels are active. Seems the positive leads are being bridged and grounding doesn't work unless both leads are active???
        May 27, 2022
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Kinda seems like the pinout on the socket is 100% backwards
        May 27, 2022
    10. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      After 1.5 years of full time headphone experiments, I find myself having lots of new opinions about headphones + related audio stuff.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. ColdsnapBry
        ColdsnapBry
        Re:thinnest pads possible. Maybe that's why I enjoy the Porta Pros and KSC75 so much. Having the driver that close realy just puts you right into the music.
        May 19, 2022
      3. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        Closed designs are efficient and yes make amps less important. Exotic materials are for looks/aesthetics, which people do buy with their eyes. 600/650 are damped, but I would not say over-damped. This is why you need a good amp to get through the damped haze. And lastly, more revealing signal chain will reveal how bad recordings are. Lower top end makes things sound more "pleasant" - Harman already figured this out.
        May 19, 2022
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      4. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        Good that you have worked out your personal preferences. Keep perspective that these may not necessarily represent universal Trvths. However sharing provides yet another important data point for all.
        May 19, 2022
        Merrick, Cryptowolf, obsiCO and 2 others like this.
    11. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Thank you future funk and hyperpop for making the loudness wars aesthetic feel purposeful and expressive and not an unfortunate mistake
    12. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Recording a choir this weekend. Thanks to thingiverse, I'm going to 3D Print ORTF and XY stereo mic clips for a pair of Schoeps :)
      1. View previous comments...
      2. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        ORTF will provide decent results even if the room acoustics are not so great.
        May 8, 2022
        E_Schaaf likes this.
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        I wanted to do ORTF, but the Schoeps CMC641 pair are supercardioid, I thought it'd lack center fill so went for XY
        May 8, 2022
      4. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        I've used both CMC62 and CMC641 in ORTF to great effect. If room acoustics are good, CMC62, otherwise CMC641.
        May 8, 2022
        E_Schaaf likes this.
    13. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      If it didn't sound compromised both ways, is something like an open/closed modular headphone an idea that intrigues you?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Mdkaler
        Mdkaler
        Sometimes I take the grill off the 6xx to make them more open and reduce reflections. Sometimes I add a layer of foam behind the grill to make them more closed and increase isolation.
        Apr 19, 2022
      3. roshambo123
        roshambo123
        No. I prefer headphones that chase one rabbit and catch it.
        Apr 19, 2022
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        It would be interesting. I feel to really have a place it would have to offer some unique strengths in both configurations
        Apr 20, 2022
        Cryptowolf likes this.
    14. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      All earpads suck. Make the baffle comfortable and inert and put my ear right up next to the driver. f**k reflections. f**k HRTF bullshit.
      1. Jinxy245, Lyander, Justin S and 4 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. rhythmdevils
        rhythmdevils
        But I hear you, most earpads suck and I bet most manufacturers just don't try enough or think about them enough to get the best sound from their headphones.
        Apr 15, 2022
        Jinxy245 and Justin S like this.
      4. rhythmdevils
        rhythmdevils
        It's also not logical. I have found almost zero acoustic "rules" that apply to all earpads except more leaky generally means a brighter more bass light sound but not always and otherwise it's just seemingly very random as far as midrange presence and things like that.
        Apr 15, 2022
        E_Schaaf and Justin S like this.
      5. pure5152
        pure5152
        Hmm I wonder if it's because people _don't_ want to recreate the stage in the recording, they want something that sounds more expansive because some recordings can sound more closed in/intimate than they'd like. For those people, bigger earpads may be a hack to get that; others may like the commissions of tube amps or the like. Just a thought.
        Apr 16, 2022
        E_Schaaf likes this.
    15. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Diagnosed the cause of sample driver fails. Already making some changes to permanently avoid the same issue. Hope they're ready by TX meet!
      1. Jinxy245, Sqveak, Soups and 10 others like this.
      2. DigMe
        DigMe
        nm
        Apr 12, 2022
    16. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Spent thousands + waited 6 mo for new drivers, and 5/6 sample units DOA. MFR blames shipping. FML. At least it sounds good on one side...
      1. Case
        Case
        That sucks.
        Apr 6, 2022
      2. Walderstorn
        Walderstorn
        That's awful, 5/6...
        Apr 6, 2022
      3. JayC
        JayC
        does this also say something about lifetime and customer support if you use the drivers? For example DOA headphones, or damaged while they packed it in a backpack/suitcase and so on? Would cost you a lot to deal with warranty issues like that I assume
        Apr 7, 2022
    17. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Fun w/new mods on a HD600 today. Gonna put some effort into a closed back mod that doesn't sound like shit. Also, new ETA drivers on 4/6!
    18. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      First Mini Closed proto tuned up today. Loving it. Get ready for an affordable great sounding 100% sealed closed back
      1. Sqveak, Jinxy245, Azimuth and 11 others like this.
      2. jowls
        jowls
        HELL YES.
        Mar 21, 2022
        Jinxy245 and pure5152 like this.
      3. Lyander
        Lyander
        KEEP THE SIDE VENTS THEY LOOK COOL :)
        Mar 22, 2022
        Jinxy245 likes this.
    19. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      ETA has a new and exclusive driver coming soon! Using two concentric mags and a ridged graphene+bio diaphragm. https://imgur.com/a/fqp3Iv4
      1. DarthVader, lagadu, pure5152 and 22 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. BenjaminBore
        BenjaminBore
        That is one sexy little driver. Have you been able to listen to them yet? How much of that tactile slammin' sound can it reasonably maintain vs openness of cup/module and rear damping materials?

        The only thing with a motor remotely like it is the Utopia. And they don't have that lovely textured bio sound, and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
        Mar 22, 2022
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Not yet! Arriving shortly. Airflow on the driver frame should be as great or greater than most stock drivers (barring focal drivers) given most stock drivers are used with near complete blockage of rear vents most of the time. Very few drivers run with rear vents mostly open, but I'm hoping with some tweaks to enclosure design I can run these new guys wide open.
        Mar 22, 2022
        9suns and BenjaminBore like this.
      5. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        The current Mini driver also uses a graphene diaphragm, but no pleated face and only one N52 magnet, and a more typical CCAW coil. Pure copper voice coils are a rarity in headphone drivers and I'm excited to explore that as well. Maybe spc coil later on
        Mar 22, 2022
        9suns and BenjaminBore like this.
    20. E_Schaaf
      E_Schaaf
      Comparing some headphones that sound opposite to how they measure vs one another has me rethinking how much weight to put on graphs.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Impulse response on the first one mentioned is also rounder and less sharp. They literally sound opposite to how they look vs one another
        Mar 18, 2022
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        The only guess I have is that my ears themselves are somehow reacting to the stark differences between them both in terms of sonics and design traits. Grey area... Some kind of fatigue response?
        Mar 18, 2022
        Thad E Ginathom, Jinxy245 and Lyander like this.
      4. BenjaminBore
        BenjaminBore
        Are they using the same type of transducer? The LCD-X '21 has me reconsidering the same thing.
        Mar 23, 2022
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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