Audeze Sine - Quick Impressions and Stream of Consciousness

Having listened to these for a few days (with Cipher), These have a pretty good amount of bass, but maybe too much upper bass for me. But I'm a fan of lower bass anyhow. The highs (4k upwards) benefits from a 1-2db boost. (Boosting 2 and 4k brings out the vocals and guitars very nicely, but might be tiring in the long run. Rock/metal get nicely crunchy, though.) Cutting "the honk" from 1-2k takes away too much from the fundamentals, I think.

This is just me playing with the provided app. It's crude, but maybe gives you an idea of what's going on generally.

There might be some boxy-ness in the mids that happens when listening to loud mids, esp big metal guitars. Maybe it's the cups resonating, or something. It would be nice to see what's in there.

btw, listening to these for 2 hours straight gets tiring on my ears, comfort-wise.

 

Using Sine+Cipher vs LCD-2.1+Lyr-2 (no EQ):
The Sine is more bassy, very noticeably. But yeah, it all sounds weird after so many hours with the Sines. Much more comfortable with the huge LCD-pads. Damn, do the portables have tighter bass? Or maybe there's just more of it. The smaller Sine SS really shows now, the LCDs sound quite distant - not at all in-my-face. Aggressive music has a better presence with the Sines. These are the first portable cans I've liked to use at home, through my phone too.

Using Lyr 2 with both:
Damn, the Sines sound very middy with little sub bass. It's a different flavor, but not bad. I guess this is approximately what you get with a smaller driver and a closed cup. Highs are not very upfront. LCDs have lots of air in the FR and stereo sense, they sound way more like a speaker. In comparison the big brother sounds positively huge. This is why I don't think it's a fair comparison.

At least without Cipher, (non-Fazor) LCD it ain't.

P.S. LCDs have much more present highs and more dynamics, no matter the source. Sines sound ever so slightly congested/compressed and just like the closed pair they are. LCDs are the headphones I'd prefer in all non-portable situations from these two. But, these are not really comparable - well done Sine anyway.

 

That the Sine has much more bass quantity than the LCD 4.

Had another play yesterday because of comments above, and honestly don't see how somebody would think that.

 

Though being a little overpriced I would actually choose the P7 over the sine I think.

 

I've currently got these plugged straight into my GOV2 SE out with the 3.5mm cable, which I don't often use. These things are just fun. I know the SE out on the GOV2 isn't the best, but these do great in a pinch (normally my office listening rig is GOV2 balanced out to an ALO Rx Mk. III-B, then balanced out again to a LFF Paradox, but my ALO needed charging and my XLR adapter for the GO is at home).

 

I feel like on-ears and IEMs both can vary depending on the person's ears since on-ears are a bitch to get the fit and seal right. The same and more goes for IEMs since different people insert at different depths and use different tips and can get different fits.

That being said, after my experience with past on-ear headphones, as tempted as I am to take the plunge on these, I know I'll regret it due to the fact that on-ears are the bane of headphone existence.

 

You cannot buy the SINE Cipher cable separately yet. So if you have an iOS device and bought the $450 SINE w/standard cable instead of the $500 SINE w/Cipher cable then "oops". But you're not alone.

 

Audez'e lists this:
https://www.audeze.com/products/accessories/el-8-cable-apple-ios-devices

Can this used for the Sine?

 

No, the Sine has different connectors from the EL-8.

Most of my impressions are with the cypher cable, but I have listened and do enjoy the cans with the 3.5mm cable as well.

 

You should be able to purchase the Cipher cable separately eventually (I have my order in already), but still.... Basically, only get the standard version if you will never use an Apple device.

The Apple cable is not a Cipher cable. The Apple cable just means you have the three buttons for control and inline microphone, just like you find from other headphone and cable manufacturers. The EL-8 Cipher cable has an MSRP of $149.

 

I did & reviewed the Sines @ HF:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audeze-sine/reviews/16433

 

I got onto the first page of HF, I'm a star!

Here's my review of the Sines:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audeze-sine/reviews/16433

 

eah, shittts.
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audeze-sine/reviews/16433

 

The EL-8 cable isn't the same as the 3,5mm Sine -style Cipher cable.

 

Well, I had my first session with the loaner Sine (no Cypher), and I've been flipping between my HD25 ii, and my DT1350. The music is several Fleetwood Mac songs and the album "Friday Night in San Francisco" by Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin...

Now I only listened with my iPod, as I don't have a fancy DAP like many of you. But I wanted to get a feel of these being fed with lower power. At this point, the Sine really isn't shining over the others that are at most half the price.

The HD25s are the most aggressive sounding, with more "grit". But less controlled bass then both the others. And the treble is where most of that "gritty" sound is coming from.

The DT1350 was the most pleasing with percussion sounds like the electronic drums in Fleetwood Mac's "Big Love", and as usual the sub bass from these headphone are still most pleasing. But they definitely sound a bit thin after switching from the Sine.

The Sine was the most even sounding of the three, but only if you jack the volume to full. Classic planar magnetic's need for more current. Sometime's a listed Ohm requirement doesn't tell the story. The HD25 and DT1350 was pleasing at 75% volume. But it was full or nothing with the Sine. I felt like there was a threshold to hit with these headphones before they hit their stride. I don't think someone who listens at low levels will enjoy these too much. The mids were superior, with both female and male vocals shining. And soundstage feels more "correct" then the others. Not too forward, and not too recessed (once that threshold is hit). And its doesn't have a blobby sound at all.

The Sine does scream quality, both in build and feel. It feels more expensive then the others. And I think the included pouch is better then the bashing it seems to receive. I think it would well in a messenger bag...

So if one is considering this headphone, but can't invest in a DAP with a good amp or an add on device for their phone or iPod, I wouldn't spend the money. And my curiosity about the Cypher cable grows. Would it provide enough oomph?

Tomorrow, I'm going to listen to these three again. But out of my HiFi-M8 portable DAC/amp. I'm expecting the separation to be far more noticed. Update to follow...

 

Having tried the SINE with each amp I own, I actually like the Cipher best due to a) sheer convenience and b) the unique benefits afforded by its DSP and EQ functionality. As for it being under driven, I haven't found that to be the case. If you were relatively satisfied (albeit barely) with the results from your iPod, I wouldn't anticipate that you'd have any issues on that score with anything else.

Bear in mind, I'm of the view that amping doesn't yield dramatic improvements in the SINE's capabilities. This is no Senn. It was designed to be easily driven, and I think that Audeze achieved that. Which is largely why I still use mine regularly.

 

That's good to hear. But no, the ipod isn't really enough for a Sine. Where it is for my other two portables. It feels almost there with 100% iPod volume. So the Cypher might put it to that "sweet spot". So basically buy the Sine with the Cypher, or stay away unless you have other amping options...

I forgot to mention that the Sine is winning the comfort battle too. And I'm a huge fan of the split bands on the HD25 and DT1350...

 

Yes, I'd personally rule out usage direct from one's phone. And, on my head, the SINE's comfort as a portable is surpassed only by the PM-3. But it sounds much better than that headphone. Better built, too.