Rosson Audio - RAD-0 - Official Thread

[Torq]

This’ll be a bit random/jump around some, but here we go …

If it was me, I’d wait on any prospective Abyss purchase at this point. It is a model that has been periodically updated, with the most recent trio of updates coming about 18 months apart. And that’s almost where the latest TC version is in its lifecycle.

Ergonomic/comfort and power-hunger issues aside, they’re great headphones. But I sold my Phi CC set, am passing on the TC, and will wait to jump back in until its eventual successor arrives, regardless of whether that’s three months from now or three years for now.

And it is, of course, possible that no successor to the TC happens (JPS-Labs could go in a different direction, introduce a higher-tier model, or just stand pat for an extended period - as with the original AB-1266). But since I like what I have better than the Phi CC or TC, that works for me.

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The Meze Empyrean are a gorgeous, beautifully made, easy to drive and incredibly comfortable headphone. They’re popular for a reason.

I personally find them lacking coherence, with a disjointed low-end and beam-like treble with a just-too-recessed-for-me mid-range, and much prefer the sound of the RAD-0.

While I could certainly have purchased both, and have had both on hand to compare together, it was pretty apparent to me that having the RAD-0 would mean I wouldn’t use the Empyreans, so I passed on buying a set. I would still rank the RAD-0 ahead of the Empyrean sonically, with the Empyrean being better in every other regard (except perhaps aesthetic preference depending on the RAD-0 in question).

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If we’re just talking sound, I’d generally put the AB-1266 Phi TC above the RAD-0, and the RAD-0 above the Meze Empyrean. The RAD-0 has the most natural tonality of all of them. The Abyss is the fastest, most resolving and has the best bass performance.

[MuseMuff]

[quote=“Torq, post:101, topic:3537, full:true”][/quote]

This’ll be a bit random/jump around some, but here we go …

If it was me, I’d wait on any prospective Abyss purchase at this point. It is a model that has been periodically updated, with the most recent trio of updates coming about 18 months apart. And that’s almost where the latest TC version is in its lifecycle.

Ergonomic/comfort and power-hunger issues aside, they’re great headphones. But I sold my Phi CC set, am passing on the TC, and will wait to jump back in until its eventual successor arrives, regardless of whether that’s three months from now or three years for now.

And it is, of course, possible that no successor to the TC happens (JPS-Labs could go in a different direction, introduce a higher-tier model, or just stand pat for an extended period - as with the original AB-1266). But since I like what I have better than the Phi CC or TC, that works for me .

I am a collector so the kind of person who would sometimes buy for reasons other than SQ or life expectancy (of the item), like I did with the Susvara. But at this point I have made the choice that, if a purchase is mainly destined to collect rather than be used often, said item would not be at the higher tier of the spectrum. There are plenty of collectibles under the $1,000 mark, some possess something that make them a little special. A good example is the HFM Sundara, which has serious build and SQ never found under $1,000 before. Of course now that you can get the Focal Elegia, Elear and Elex (and soon the Clear) as well as some Mr Speakers and Audeze planars below that mark the Sundara has lost its status of best can under a grand but at now $350 it still holds the “best value” title

The Meze Empyrean are a gorgeous, beautifully made, easy to drive and incredibly comfortable headphone. They’re popular for a reason.

I personally find them lacking coherence, with a disjointed low-end and beam-like treble with a just-too-recessed-for-me mid-range, and much prefer the sound of the RAD-0.

That sounds like a definition of the Focal Elear. It can be corrected on the Elear but I don’t think I’d take the chance that it could on the Meze as well because no one has ever mentioned that it could. It would be a challenge from the very start seeing as a planar is supposedly less responsive to DSP than a dynamic driver like the Elear has. The Meze is beautifully crafted though, but as I said I don’t want it to end up as a display-only item.

While I could certainly have purchased both, and have had both on hand to compare together, it was pretty apparent to me that having the RAD-0 would mean I wouldn’t use the Empyreans, so I passed on buying a set. I would still rank the RAD-0 ahead of the Empyrean sonically, with the Empyrean being better in every other regard (except perhaps aesthetic preference depending on the RAD-0 in question).

To me both the Meze and the RAD-0 are aesthetically astounding.

If we’re just talking sound, I’d generally put the AB-1266 Phi TC above the RAD-0, and the RAD-0 above the Meze Empyrean. The RAD-0 has the most natural tonality of all of them. The Abyss is the fastest, most resolving and has the best bass performance.

Thank you very much for the quick reply. The more I think about it the attracted I am to the RAD-0. It is not just easy on the eye but also has that large diaphragm I am very eager to put my ears against. Being more affordable than the all-dressed Abyss it would give me more latitude in the selection of a DAC/HP amp.

[taronlissimore]

@Legalopalos

Rosson has said he isn’t sure he wants to keep making headphones next, and it’s a 2-3 man shop, so that could be cause for worry. It’s not like he’s a grifter on the scene, though.

I’m not sure where this is coming from but we’d like to address it before this unconfirmed rumour takes off. This isn’t true and Alex confirmed it this weekend when we were with him. He’s very passionate about this industry and his company and has a lot of really exciting plans for the future.

[Legalopalos]

That’s great to hear (as a happy owner). If it matters, which it might not, you can PM me and I can try to find the statements I read that seemed open to that interpretation. Usually, they were along the lines of “we haven’t decided what we’re releasing next” – ex., some mentions of releasing a more affordable entry model next – I guess there was just a time or two this was worded loosely enough it wasn’t perfectly clear.

It wasn’t just me injecting that into the discussion—I added that caveat here because I’ve talked about it elsewhere and had a couple people mock me for hyping the warranty, and I was just trying to head it off. So my impression is addressing the planned longevity of the company benefits you overall.

[taronlissimore]

While our HEDDphone demo is off with a reviewer in the US I figured it was time to get back on the RAD-0 train as it had been a while since I’ve listened to my pair in the office and I’m all aboard the RAD-0 train again. I completely forgot how natural the tonality is on these headphones and listening through the Auris Audio Euterpe has been a fantastic time! The Euterpe is a very enjoyable listen and pairs very well with the RAD-0.

[BondDaBoom]

Well I’ve made the purchase yesterday night on RAD-0.

[MRHifiReviews]

Which one did you get @BondDaBoom ?

[BondDaBoom]

I got Emerald Microberlinia

[MRHifiReviews]

Beautiful!! Wow @BondDaBoom

[BondDaBoom]

I had the first website buy last year but sold them for something else. I’ve missed them and decided to get a new set. I love the look of these better.

[ValentineLuke]

Those look awesome. Kind of like an urban camouflage.

[BondDaBoom]

I changed my mind and went with Rainbow Mesmerize. The some what colors and copperish looking grill is calling out to me.

[ValentineLuke]

Those are sweet, too!

I’ve yet to see a Rad-0 that’s ugly.

[BondDaBoom]

Got the RAD-0 and they are kicking ass. I watched Max Settings review and don’t agree with him. These sound fabulous. I find them better then my D8000 pro and Empyrean. My 1266 phi tc still takes the cake. They seem comfortable I’m waiting for the top band to bother me.

[angstorms]

I agree with you they sound great.

[taronlissimore]

This is one of the first times since we’ve started the business that I’ve really listened to the same headphones for longer than a week long period and I got to say I really missed the Rossons. I think the HEDDphones are fantastic, love the Utopias and LCD-4 and I haven’t had enough time to really spend with any ZMF headphones to do a proper comparison but I find myself reaching for the RAD-0 more often than not now.

@BondDaBoom

These sound fabulous. I find them better then my D8000 pro and Empyrean.

I haven’t spent anytime with the D8000 Pro so I couldn’t comment there but I definitely think they sound better than the Empy. The Empy wins out on comfort but even it’s looks (which are a huge plus) gets overshadowed by most of the RAD-0s. There are some ugly ducklings out there but for the most part they are all so nice to look at.

There’s something about the RAD-0 sound that is so addicting that I noticed when I first tried them on last summer and I’m finding that again. I wish that they were more widely available so more people would have the opportunity to get them on their ears but maybe down the line that will be a possibility.

[BondDaBoom]

Just ordered some Norne Audio bling. Getting Draug 3SC. I do have Rosson’s xlr but I like the Norne cables a lot.

[angstorms]

It why I said these are the underdog of the High-end headphones. They sound great directly on iPad listening to Apple Music, Qobuz, YouTube watching shows like: That Pedal Show, Paul Davids, Andertons, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyer.

Then upgrade to outboard DAC and Amp with my MacBook Pro they open even more with Qobuz and watching videos.

The other day I even used them on a conference call finally people sound like they should on Skype and Webex

Just love them.

[MRHifiReviews]

@taronlissimore

There’s something about the RAD-0 sound that is so addicting

These are on my must hear list!

[BondDaBoom]

Just got Norne audio cable in Druag sc3 for my RAD-0