Yes, I’m quite happy with the Modi MB and it would be my recommendation before one elevates to Bifrost 2 territory.
In prior posts, I believe @Torq and @ProfFalkin have stated that the Bifrost 1 and Modi MB are on the same or nearly the same level. I found these specific posts informative when I made my decision.
A cleaner connection might be more of a priority or item to address for you compared to me. Bummer about only black.
I opted for a SS amp first. I also started with a cheap tube preamp to get my feet wet with tubes and rolling (and to have alternative SS and tube options) before getting a full tube amp at the get go.
Well I pulled the trigger on a used (slightly) Schiit Jotunheim yesterday so that is out of the way. Now have to make that DAC decision. I’m so tempted to just blow the budget and go with the Bifrost 2 but with sales tax and shipping that is getting close to $800 by itself. Then I’d be forced to upgrade the HD 6XXs just to take advantage of the setup
Brandon,
I will also be looking for a reasonably priced tube preamp or buffer. Any suggestions?
Why? Headphone price isn’t a good metric to judge headphone performance. The Yggy + ZDS combo with the 650 is one of my favorites, and each of those will set you back $2000+. It might seem silly just to drive a sub-$600 headphone, but it’s not.
If you don’t like the sound of the 650 that’s a whole different thing.
Congrats on the Jotunheim! I personally would get the Modi MB or Modius and use the amount saved versus the Bifrost 2 on a new/used Hifiman Sundara or allocated to the Ananda, which would be my recommended “next/additional” headphones after the HD6XX that are less than $700. Transducers/headphones before electronics, although as @ProfFalkin notes, the HD6XX scale very well with better equipment in the chain.
Something like this is a low cost of entry for getting feet wet and exploring/rolling tubes.
ProfFalkin
I was being somewhat facetious with the upgrade comment as noted by the emoji but I do also see this as a starting point for spending a whole lot of money.
I am interested to buy Bower & Wilkins PI3. From all the reviews that I have seen, the music quality seems to be excellent. I want to know how is the call quality especially with apps on laptop like teams, skype, messenger and apps on phone like whatsapp, messenger etc.
Can anyone who owns these headphones share their experience?
First, welcome. I searched the entire forum for comments about that model and found nothing. @TylersEclectic, @generic, @antdroid, can you help with this question?
@Koel_Chakrabarty, perhaps you can tell us a bit more about how you will use this?
Your question is interesting, because I do have some headphones and IEMs that I use specifically when I am interested in call quality. I generally don’t like IEMs, but use wired 1More Triple Drivers when I need good call quality AND want to shut out the rest of the world. They make a wireless version.
Far more frequently, I use Koss Porta-Pros with Yaxi pads because they are extremely comfortable, have superior music quality and a fine microphone. I’ve tried the wireless version also, and think they pair best with non-apple equipment because they do not support AAC.
Finally, the most used wireless headphone I use for calls is one designed for call centers - a Plantronics Savi 700 series headset. Not something I recommend for general music, but the clear winner if you rely on voice calls for business.
With the virus making more people work and play from a distance, your quest is certainly relevant.
How long have you had the Meze Empyreans? Are you enjoying them so far? They look like one of the most beautifully designed headphones from photos I have ever seen. Some people love them and others feel their sound signature sounds strange. Do you enjoy them for certain genre’s or are they a daily driver for all your listening @ProfFalkin
I really enjoy them. They are as I remembered them: A neutral-warm-dark-lush kind of sound with the suede pads, and a little more crisp with the leather pads. So comfortable you can wear them for days.
I think they are amazeballs with blues, jazz, rock/metal. It’s fine for EDM, but the Teak are better suited for that genre. (I’ve never liked planarmagnetic drivers for EDM, as they always seem to lack the visceral impact I get with dynamic drivers.) I also use them when gaming. So, yes, daily driver.
I can see why people are divided by this headphone. It has a unique presentation that is very smooth. It doesn’t lack detail, but nothing is going jump out and bite you either. Personally, I love it.
If something like the HD800/Focal Clear/Audeze LCD4 is the sharp fancy suit you wear to a formal event, then the Empyrean is the ultra soft terry cloth robe and fuzzy bunny slippers you relax in while drinking an Old Fashion when you get home.
A lot of the remarks I have read about the empys, from those who like it, is that it’s their office or work headphone - it presents a non distracting, pleasant, inviting sound. Im glad you like them.
