Well @taronlissimore, @Torq, @Resolve… I completed it lol…this review was tough…these are great headphones, and I really appreciate what they do…I just couldn’t get into a reviewing mindset…I think this was one of my least well written reviews. This ties back heavily into what I think can happen when outside factors color reviews. I have had a very busy past couple weeks/month or two and just could never find the time to dedicate to any of my hobbies… it was like the movie Groundhogs day…but the first few days where it was not fun Work, hang with fam (this was priority with limited time), then sleep…I hope I at least did these some of the justice they deserve to some degree in my review… I feel like it is a jumbled mess, I couldn’t pull it together properly in my head.
Let me know what you think of the photos… I think they came out ok… I actually like the “soundstage” image even though you can’t quite see the details in the headphone.
Brain no worky… sorry for the typed verbal diarrhea lol mind dumping I think I need to hit my reset button…now if only I could find the darn thing!
Were there any EQ or output settings configured on the RME?
I once tried to review (impressions really, not a full review) one of Zack’s headphones, the Vibro Mk2 I believe. I thought it was kind of lack luster in some areas, and then I realized I had the EQ for my K7XX applied the whole time. That makes quite a difference…
Don’t second guess yourself. I see nothing “wrong” in your review.
One thing I’ve found, over hundreds of write-ups, is that the more of them you do, the more things start to seem repetitive or trite, and it makes it progressively harder to write something one feels personally good about. Either objective or subjectively.
And doing several, in quick succession, exacerbates those feelings.
It’s a major factor in my more recent slow-down in posting reviews or impressions. Everything I write feels contrived, even if when I solicit specific feedback that’s not the response I get.
More and more I just want to listen to the music and not say anything about it, or the gear I am using, to anyone. I’ll finish my Ether 2 review, which is very much on the same plane as yours, before I get to that point, but it gets harder with every one I write …
Photos look great, love the sound descriptions as well. I’m intrigued about your “leaning forward vs leaning back” comparison. I’m now self-conscious about my listening posture hahaha. I think in general I’m a lean forward to listen kind of guy - probably doing terrible things to my back in the process. But I think you’re right in that there’s a relationship between the way music is approached and its ultimate enjoyment on various equipment. At the end of the day, just wanting to chill out, causes me to reach for a different headphone than when I’m in “work mode” for example. Also, we’ll have to connect on some bourbon next time I’m south of the border haha.
I think @Torq nailed it on the head In the next comment down from yours, and I interpreted my own stress levels and perceived lack of time just exacerbated the issue
I keep eq on flat when listening to new headphones, but I’ll double check now…wouldn’t that be an MF…I still really like these headphones! Really a joy to unwind with
Yes…yes they are…I think you will tease out better pictures.
I have a couple other pictures that came out ok but I didn’t like the overall makeup of the pictures.
I also, have been enjoying just listening to my gear, and the music. It has been a haven…that and playing some violent video games lol…just beat Katana Zero over the weekend, now working on Cuphead…both on switch, both have awesome soundtracks and visuals…Cuphead especially has some great music and visuals very Steamboat Willy! Both being played instead of sleeping lol, lost track of time while playing them…
@Resolve I’m always down for good whiskey of course once approved by the wife lol
I only ask to confirm a few suspicions. I heard them at RMAF, and thought the mid presence was lacking.
With that said, I have heard running changes have been made since then, plus some kind of filter add-ons as well. Basically, I don’t know what I should think about these now.
I liked your review, by the way. It was well written and concise.
I think I’m just being a lil bit of a ninny and I over thought the dang thing, then got hyper critical of my writing…which is rare for me to do…I think in part due to the fact that I liked the Ether2…and wasn’t explaining it properly…now I feel like a lil batch of cookies lol…need to go shoot something…chop some wood…drink some lagavulin 16yo…pick some heavy things up and put them down again… ha
The mids , weren’t stand out for me, but the overall presentation of source was nice and enjoyable.
Dude… Paralysis by analysis is the entire reason I don’t write full reviews. I think being hyper critical is normal. It also takes a bit of courage (liquid or otherwise) put your opinions out there for everybody to see, for us introverts anyway. I think that’s why I prefer to write short and sweet impressions, summaries, stuff like that.
More than three paragraphs and it feels like I’ve written a bloody novel. Hah
Edit: It doesn’t help that I’m usually far too blunt when decrying things I don’t like, or that I like using very colorful “metaphors” when doing so. Others either find it funny, or very irksome.
It is definitely interesting once you pick up on it. I think of it in terms of conversations, I lean forward when I find things interesting or intriguing, or I’m trying to determine something. I lean back and enjoy conversation with old friends, or even new friends having a couple cocktails and telling stories, jokes, reminiscing etc… part of why I love this hobby it brings me music that tells stories or pulls memories from the “Ether” that have strong emotions for me or that I can relate to, that transport me to times and places, or remind me of people I’ve met. Depending on the gear chain, I’ll notice myself sitting forward, or leaning back. Funny enough I tend to close my eyes when both leaning into or back…
@rrwwss52 that feather light factor is a big deal, especially when swapping between LCD headphones lol
@ProfFalkin yeah, I’m a big believer in pulling the bandaid and moving on, it is rare as of late for me to be sensitive to a review I’ve written… I tend to just start writing and like a good book, or game, music etc will get lost to it, I’ll throw on random music and start writing about what I’m hearing and just keep going. Then I’ll go back compile the writing and review it with the headphones on and confirm what my ramble writing notes said, and edit them into a what I hope is a coherent review lol… I tend to average about 7-10 pages of writing that I try and get paired down to 5 or so, give or take.
This is a substantial difference, and even just from listening to it it’s a night and day improvement. The original unit was way too dark, and I can really dig the sound now.
I’ll post a full review as soon as I can. I feel like I need to do another full evaluation given how different this unit sounds.
Work, hang with fam (this was priority with limited time), then sleep…I hope I at least did these some of the justice they deserve to some degree in my review… I feel like it is a jumbled mess, I couldn’t pull it together properly in my head.
of course once approved by the wife lol
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