Welcome, @Max_Settings! Quite the collection, glad to have you here.
1 Like
Yeah thatâs a great list of gear.
3 Likes
Hi and welcome @Max_Settings. Thatâs a fine collection of gear you have.
4 Likes
Hello Max and welcome to the forum!
thank you for this explanations and the reviews in the past.
I also did prefer the 600 over the 650 (though without a enough good amp) in the past, before I gave it away, what I regret
quite a view similar fr in your collection and now you think about adding the Borealis, which is also similar(fom what I read) to the Sennheisers ⌠good for us to see what you prefer, in terms of reference
did you sell the RME ADI 2, like mentioned in your review? have you changed to something R2R?
have a good time here!
4 Likes
Welcome @Max_Settings have fun, partake and enjoy the conversation, we are a very accepting group so long as we donât step on others opinions.
Everyone comes from different backgrounds and experience, everyone is respectful and engaging (for the most part 
though known to get ornery when Audio bullies show up 
). Great group of people to engage and learn from!
6 Likes
Thanks @Max_Settings welcome to the forum! What a great collection, thanks for sharing with us, look forward to seeing more of your impressions.
4 Likes
3 Likes
3 Likes
I was blessed with one set of ears, so I need only one set of headphones; Focal Utopia, driven by Pass Labs HPA-1. Great synergy between the two.
I normally listen to my Magico speakers. They do a great job for both critical and just general listening. I only listen to headphones at night when my wife is bed.
So, one set is enough.
9 Likes
Thatâs a good âone setâ to have.
2 Likes
The one set approach is a good one
sometimes I think my Elegia with ifi xDSD is all need
not on the same level as your Kit though a focal at least haha
the one set- in my situation- could only be a closed back. Sad but true
6 Likes
I wish I had discipline for a one-headphone setup. Well, maybe 3 - one for home, one for work, and one IEM.
9 Likes
How do the Elegia compare to the Elear?
2 Likes
Not @MartinTransporter but I think the Elegia is a more neutral experience, and the Elear is a more âlivelyâ bass experienceâŚ
But I have, limited experience with the Elear
5 Likes
Thanks buddy!! I figured you would know too hahah
4 Likes
Welcome to the forum @Max_Settings
Nice collection. Some great gear you have.
Brings back memories when you mentioned that you have the Advanced Alpha. I had that headphone for awhile. I was in love with it for awhile but I donât think I would like it now that I have experienced better gear. Would be curious to see if I agree with my review now, I highly doubt I would lol.
2 Likes
Whatâs your quick comparison between the Kpss Porta Pro and The Senn PX 100? I lost my PortaPros about 23 years ago, and trashed my PX-100s when I tried to wear them while my head was in a halo brace. Those bars can be murder on cables.
2 Likes
3 posts were split to a new topic: What speakers do you use and why?
Giving them a quick A/B with âPlaying in the Yardâ by Sonny Rollins, the first movement of Dvorakâs âAmericanâ Quartet, and âMiss Teen Wordpowerâ by the New Pornographers.
The PX-100s are decidedly warmer. The Porta Pros are brighter, but they also have more detail.
To me, the PX-100s win the comparison on the Rollins and Dvorak. Koss wins on the New Pornographers.
Both nice lightweight units. Iâd wear them for walking if my dermatologist hadnât insisted I wear a big hat⌠so, IEMs.
1 Like
Iâm sure these have been mentioned here before, but my only pair of full sized headphones right now are the Focal Elex. Managed to cop them at $400, and theyâre an absurd value.
They retain my favorite thing about Utopia, which is its dynamics. They do lose the detail and imaging of Utopia, but theyâre not bad by any means in those departments, easily beating HD650 and coming in slightly behind HD800. Soundstage isnât great, much like Utopia, so if youâre an HD800 fan, you probably wonât like these. Thereâs a significant sonic wall effect so you can expect an intimate presentation. Layering and separation was significantly better than I expected, given this is an area where its close sibling, Clear, struggles, sounding rather congested and closed in. Itâs not on the level of Utopia or Stax in this department, but I donât think anyone expected it to be, and aside from absurdly priced sets like that, itâs near the top.
The bass is impactful and tactile, but itâs not overpowering. For some it might even be a little bass light, as the overall tuning is close to neutral. Unfortunately for huge bassheads it will distort if you EQ bass past 90-95db (which you shouldnât do anyways smh). Mids while occasionally a bit shouty are nicely textured and have spot on timbre. Treble is extended and neutral, tho Audeze (read: darkfi) fans will think theyâre bright.
These are easily my favorite set of headphones under $1k, but beware, my first set came with a dead left driver because of which I refunded the unit and bought another used. This set has been ok, thank God. Give em a try if you havenât, you might end up falling in love like I have.
2 Likes