Have you tried the ER4XR? Definitely better than the 2. Much better than my old ET6.
If you like the passive isolation of the Etymotic design there are not many alternative deep insertion choices. Personally I find them difficult over time and prefer light insertion, wider soundstage IEMS.
One possible thought might be “pro” type IEMs designed for musicians like the Sennheiser IE 40 PRO. They have pretty good isolation and a 10 mm dynamic driver. Well reviewed here (use search).
No, haven’t heard the 4, but I’m happy saying the SA6 is “the” BA iem for me, so I’m still looking for a dynamic to fill the same role. I do like Etys take on the diffuse field sound, so yeah, just a higher end er2.
I’ll need to look into the IE40, but my experience with Senn’s portable offerings haven’t been all that great (reliabilty mostly, but I haven’t tried any of the “pro” gear)
I am roadtesting an IBasso DX240 which is working really well except in one respect and that is the Bluetooth connection. I have tried it with a Sony Soundbar, Bowers and Wilkins headphones and Sony in ear phones and the same issue crops up with all - and it is a dangerous one.
When I switch the bluetooth device on and press play on the DAP, the volume is deafening until I twiddle the volume knob slightly at which point it drops to normal. It happens every time I reconnect the bluetooth device to the player but wjhile it remains connected I can pause and play as often as I want and it doesn’t happen - the volume level remains normal.
I just returned my 2021 LCD-X because they were too hot on my head. I loved everything about them except for the fact that they made me really hot. I currently wear DT770 without issue, so it’s not all closed backs.
I love bass, particularly sub bass, and was using the LCD-X’s with a 10db bass shelf, but could also tune it for other genres easily. Primary listen to hiphop, edm, film scores, classical, and some jazz.
Is there anything that’ll EQ well to allow for great quality and quantity of bass, but versatile for other genres too?
Budget is $1500. I have a Qudelix 5K and iDSD Micro Black Label for amps.
I did order the Focal Stellia. They were suppose to be here today, but are delayed in shipping. Kind of a bummer. Hopefully they’ll get here tomorrow.
I have to I like FiiO BTR5. It’s a lot smaller than I was expecting. I have been using it with the Steelseries Artics 3 Bluetooth gaming headset that can be connected via 3.5mm or Bluetooth. They cost about $100US. It does make them louder and a little bit more clean sound. It’s a more subtle change. I thought it would have been a little more pronounced. It’s more than likely the headset and source. I’ve mainly had it connected to my PC via USB. A little bit on my phone via USB and blue tooth.
The wierdest thing I’ve encountered with BTR5 is connecting to my PC. It’s works find with the USB C A to USB C. When try USB C to USB C with two different cord, Windows will not recognize it with the front. It usually does with the back port, but will get a driver error or not recognize it too 3/4 of the time. I updated the drivers and so forth. It’s probably some weird hardware issue on that particular port.
Ever since I had my Clear MG Pro’s, I have been longing for that sound again. I unfortunately had to part ways with them due to having some kind of reaction to the pads on them. I absolutely loved the Punch and Slam that they offered. My only complaint would be the narrow stage of them…and that is nitpicking. I’ve heard the treble is not what the OG Clear was, but it was still very good to me.
What I am searching for is a DD HP that has that punch/slam but possibly also a bigger stage? Does it exist? I know there are some lower cost options out there that offer such things (DT1990 comes to mind) but there are compromises with that.
I’ve been intrigued by the Auteurs as a possibility. I’m also not just stuck on looking at DD if there is a Planar…I just doubt I would find a planar that hits like they did.
Anyway, not looking to go out and purchase this tomorrow…so would love to start a discussion on this one.
Thought about that for sure. I’ve read both sides to it saying it either did or did not change the sound sig of them. Believe me I kinda wish I had at least tried it…but in the end I didn’t. Would rather not think about that now lol.
So looking to see what else is out there that I may have missed in looking up.
I cannot really give much alternatives since I extremely limited experience with a lot of cans.
Since you have a reaction to the earpads, you may want to look into IEMs. Since you like Focals so much, the possible smaller stage shouldn’t be an issue. Granted, if you haven’t done anything where you put something in your ear, it can be a little off putting at first. I’m sure someone here probably knows of a set of IEMs with a similar sound of the Focul MG Clear. You will not have to worry about having an ear pad reaction.
I suppose I need to clarify more on this. I have owned many headphones in my life with no issues. It is just related to the fenestrated pads that Focal uses for some reason. Honestly, I think it is even the dye. The dye on the Red Pro pads even rubbed off on my headphone stand I had used for it. Quite possibly it was a defect on the pad…either way…this topic was not to discuss the pads of the Clear MG but really just to find another HP similar to them out there with better staging.
I do appreciate the comments and suggestions so far so do not mistake that. I currently own and daily use the Arya V3 and absolutely love them! However, in this hobby as we have found, variety is nice to have.
The Elex does not lack dynamics and punch, even with the THX line of amps. Are you getting a proper seal?
I’d replace the amp and DAC, as recommended above by @Rhodey You may want to be sure there’s not something wrong with the headphone as well; Focals do not lack dynamics or punch.
Any reccys for a decent NUC/mini PC for a music server. I currently using an old laptop, which works, but it has a dgpu so it gets rather hot and has a noisy fan (server lives in my bedroom). I’m running Daphile so it has to be a x86 machine. I was thinking about an Intel NUC, but they’re pretty expensive for just a music server
No offensive was taken or implied by from what you said. I cannot speak to how other interpreted, but I have a feeling they did not either.
I was thinking you wanted something similar sounding or comfort to the Clear MG. My thinking, based on the information you gave, was how to eliminate the irritating, which I was thinking an IEM would do well since the tips are usually some kind of silicon rubber or foam, which OTE headphone pads are not made from.
It’s not a great suggestion, but if I would suggest trying a third party pad like the Dekoni’s with the Arya V3’s and see if you have an issues–reaction, sound change, etc. If not, I would suggest getting another paid of Clear MG and get pads from that thrid party company for the Clear MG. The bad part, it’s an expense to test on the V3 and an added for the next MG. The good part, you already like and know what you’re getting with the MG. Heck, you may be able to return pads on the V3 by stating you did like the feel, sound, etc. Sometimes, it is easier to fix the wheel the reinvent it.
Not a bad idea at all. Hell I may just wait till I can get to a retailer that has the pads to get a “feel” for them literally. I still think looking back on it that it very well could have been the dyes. Especially since all my other headphones have been solid black pads.
Either way, still was curious about finding that Focal type punch/slam but with better stage. I saw the comment above about the Auteur or Verite and that was my hope as well. It’s a lot of money to invest in just sampling one of those if I don’t like them…but I know they do offer returns albeit a restock fee. For sure I think the ZMF cans are gorgeous.