I had the Cascades briefly and absolutely hated them. Theyāre bass cannons for sure but the tuning was crazy and the low end was not clean or quick, it was just overpowering slop. Both are really weird sounding headphones but Eris is better imo, the low end slams but it doesnāt totally destroy the rest of the profile.
that cable looks more expensive than the headphone
That was a great review, not just because he was very favorable, but he said it like it isā¦ itās not for everyone, but itās great for what itās supposed to do. After seeing what seems like almost 50/50 love/hate reviews with very few in between, I had someone with a lot of experience with high-end gear listen to my pair, he and was in between. The Eris isnāt for him, but he didnāt say that itās terrible (like others have) and he believes that itās worth the asking price. I think that Zeos has said that this is pretty much what his goal is.
I have a question about headphone cables for the Eris. My main source is a Motu M2. Is it better to get an unbalanced headphone cable or get one of those 4.4mm balanced to 6.25mm unbalanced adapters?
The cable isnāt really what makes it balanced, itās whatās on the end of itā¦ and you already have a pretty nice cable in your hand, so just change whatās on the end of it for around $25 and save some money.
The adapter is fine
Had my eye on that mass loading mod for a while, so I decided to order a set to try in my HD650. Very cool concept, actually, and Custom Cans is a great little company out of the UK that researches and offers these mods. Very overlooked little channel on YouTube too.
Anyway, installed them and tried them out. Pretty neat option for turning your 650/6XX to get a bit more/less bass or a bit more/less treble. But I decided to just go to the extreme. How close could I get them to sound to the Eris?
I went with the most bass heavy version of the mod. Metal weight, with no foam. I then pulled out my Yaxi pads, which add a ridiculous amount of bass. Iām a basshead. I do like the sound, even though it is basically a sin to mod a 650 like this. I think Iād recommend anyone interested to use the mass loading mod to make a small tune to the bass levels and use regular pads (or ZMF suedes in my case). The 650 is the 650 for a reason.
Bottom line is they do not sound like the Eris. Eris still has quite a bit more bass, and drastically higher quality bass at those levels. Modding a 650 like this also tends to make it sound fairly muffled, sort of like the Sony XB500 headphones with the big pillow pads. Eris is far clearer in the highs, even the way I run them with the Geekria tuning discs. The tuning is much, much different.
Maybe not a comparison anyone really wanted, but I was curious since I was already wanting to try that mod anyway, and thought Iād share.
HiFiGo Link Added to first post.
Thank you for the testing.
Hi, what would you guys recommend to drive those headphones? got mine par today and need to do some budget upgrades, would be really grateful. Iām using Creative Creative Sound Blaster X G6 right now so I feel that anything would be better
TBH, most things will drive them just fine, they are pretty efficient.
If you want something that is a direct replacement for the G6 and need Mic input, the Schiit Gunnr is a good bet as an overall upgrade to what you have without really missing out on any of the gaming features. Works with PS4, PS5, and switch as well as PC.
https://www.schiit.com/products/gunnr
For some additional PC options without a mic input, Iād consider the Schiit Magni or Asgard as solid upgrades. Just make sure to opt for the additional built-in DAC, unless you want to get a DAC separately.
Magni Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA
Asgard Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA
Schiit is a really good place to start for affordable, quality source equipment.
Aune, Topping, and SMSL are also good options for upgrades, lots of options there as well.
I particularly like the Aune X1S GT as a solid, affordable, all-in-one Dac/Amp. For Topping and SMSL, definitely aim for some of the newer releases, IMO.
Aune X1S GT Amazon.com: aune X1s GT BT Hi-Res DAC 768kHz/32bit DSD512 with PLL, External Clock Support, USB Coaxial Bluetooth5.1 aptX-HD LDAC, Headphone Amplifier 4.4mm 6.35 Out/RCA Preamp&Line Out, for PC/Phone OTG/Player : Electronics
For Topping, something like the DX3 Pro+ would be very solid.
DX3 Pro Plus TOPPING DX3 Pro+ Bluetooth DAC/Amp ā Apos
The Zen Dac 3 is good if you want to add even more bass to the bass.
Zen Dac 3 Zen DAC V3 - Desktop Digital Analog Converter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
A muse M4 is plenty of power for the Eris and will work as a desktop amp through USB C or can be used portable/bluetooth and make the Eris Wireless, very solid option, honestly. I use this all the time, I like it a lot. It drives all my headphones relatively well.
MUSE HiFi M4 https://hifigo.com/products/muse-hifi-m4?srsltid=AfmBOooSyyyxFAVUgLZmGfqazsZW2qcoUkhldBoGYGAHQskp0DtNsYOG
Those are all the options off the top of my head that are good starting points, IMO, and are reasonably priced for the Eris.
Thanks, did not expect such a detailed response
Honestly, Iām mostly doing an upgrade because there is a balanced cable in the Eris package, so Iām using this as an excuse.
The Muse looks good, too bad it is USB-C. I was previously looking at TANCHJIM Luna, but I will consider these.
Magni and Asgard and shipped from the U.S and I have a really bad track record when it comes to international shipping, P.S I live in Poland
The Aune X1S GT and DX3 Pro+ look quite good and Zen DAC V3 is sold 150$ in my country.
So tbh Iām quite split right now on what to pick Iām new to this, so I would like to ask what would you pick if you were in my shoes? Thanks again.
Also would be nice to know what @ZeosPantera thinks.
Aune X1s GT would be my overall pick from those.
Hereās Z review of the Zen Dac V2
Hereās a Zen Dac 3 review by Gadgetry Tech
Topping is also good, just a bit āboringā IMO. Topping is known for being very linear/clean/dry/flavorless. But might be a decent place to start as well.
And Z has a review of the older version of this Dac/Amp as well. Just note, itās not the current model.
I use mine at the desk at work, and I use the original Fiio K-11, itās about $130 or less while the newer version goes for around $160. Itās balanced with the proper jack for the Eris cable, and more than enough power. Sounds great to me.
*EDIT
Just saw that Apos has a refurb sale, K-11 is only $105
LINK
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They did a pretty good job listing a ton of options. If you want MORE bass the ifi is a great choice. but I have an X1sGT on my desk here soā¦
Also the new FiiO K11 R2R is a godsend.
Thanks narrowed it to two now, X1sGT or FiiO K11 /R2R what do you think is best/better choice? @ZeosPantera
Thanks again, @giova05 Right now, Iām leaning more towards the Aune X1s GT. It seems worth it to spend a bit more to get something better. Iām also considering the FiiO K11 R2R that @ZeosPantera mentioned, which has me a bit torn. It would be great to know which of these two would be the better choice.
Donāt sell that olā G6 short. Unless youāre experiencing some kind of (probably software related) issue with it, it is a solid amp/dac from my experience. Iāve tried quite a few others, and I still like to use that one on the PC I game with for the versatility. A G6 is actually what my Eris is connected to 99% of the time.
Edit:
Just also want to add that I have the K11, and it is a solid choice. Still think I prefer the G6 over it if Iām being perfectly honest, based on my own ears/experience. Not because of sound, mind you, because to me they sound identical. I like setting my G6 side button to a bass boost EQ, and essentially just using it like a True Bass switch. I generally leave things flat on the Eris, but it was a lot of fun with my HD490 Pro before I moved that one to my office.
If you want to run balanced 4.4mm, the choice becomes much simpler.
Anyone have the Zeos Eris and the Fiio ft1 by any chance that can compare them?
I mean, I like my G6 + Tygr 300R combo, but Iāve had them for so long that I think itās time for an upgrade. Iāll still use the G6, but more as a āportableā setup. If youāre able, could you share the settings you use on the G6 with the Eris? Iād love to compare them with mine .
As for the balanced 4.4mm, Iāve wanted to try it out since Iāve only used unbalanced so far. How does it make my choice easier? If the K11 is essentially a G6 but with balanced output, Iād know what to expect, as you said. Or maybe I should just put in a bit more and get the Aune X1s GT?
Sorry, my comprehension is a bit off right nowāmy brainās in a mushy state after pulling an all-nighter.