thanks for the reply I mustāve missed that og posting
so seems like a better value than a $900 new og clear
I like low end punch but I can throw it on my zen stack or get something like a lokius for that
might mod the headband if itās an issue
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Hmmm well I have the Focal Elex and the Edition XS.
I cannot part either can. Theyāre different animals - I wouldnāt be able to forgo one for another. I think they both compliment each other and are different enough.
I would not directly compare between a pair of Focals and a pair of egg-head Hifimans, or consider either one as to be an alternative of the other.
Focals offer better dynamics, punchiness, are more detailed, sound a bit closed in with a smaller stage yet still encompassing, more intimate in the mids, and overall, just too exciting. Built better too. The Focals are an upgrade to Senn HD6X0 lineup.
The XS would sound laid-back, with some relaxed mids, some missing detail, much wider and open, better timbre. Built a bit worse. The XS is an upgrade to the He4X0 lineup.
So the value for money may be one thing - the sound characteristics is, well, another.
EDIT: Also adding here, the bass is a step up on the Focals. Dynamic drivers still do bass at a different level than planars - the good open back dynamic driver headphones.
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What dacs and amps are you powering Focals and Xs with?
You have probably posted that already, but there are 1025 posts and my memory runs short.
I was using a Bifrost 2 / Jotunheim 2 at the time.
Anyone have any updates on how these compare to the DT1990 Pro? I know a couple people had a pair and the XS on the way
Hello everybody, i have one question, after month of use Edition XS, i canāt listen to DT 1770/1990 for long period of time now, so my question is there any closed back alternatives of Edition XS? I need second pair with similar sound signature. In under 500-600 budget.
Maybe i should try Hifiman HE-R7DX or Dekoni blue by Fostex as closed back? I know they are cheap, but i started to believe in new budget hifiman headphonesā¦ or maybe something else to try?
Me - Iām using the ifi micro iDSD, using SE - am yet to put out my Tone2Pro with the SMSL SH-9 and go balanced on them.
Ahhhhh hahahah yeah now youāre going down the rabbit hole.
Well thank the XS for a near-fatigue free listening experience.
My thoughts here would be - itās hard for closed backs to come close to this kind of an attribute.
Iāve turned my closed to opens, like my EMU Teak is now open back, my M1060C is open too (took off cups from both).
Itās going to be tough to find the right closed-back for longer sessions, if any in the first place.
Letās see if someone else can come up with suggestions. IMHO itās going to be hard to find an closed back like that. No closed backs fit that bill, at least not for me.
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Understood, maybe new beyerdynamic DT 700 can provide fatigue free experience? Because edition XS is the first headphones to work with them for 8-9 hours without fatigue
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Yes - thatās the thing about these headphones.
Itās tough for closed backs to do this - thatās why Iāve quit IEMs, for many years now, in favor of earbuds or some apple earpods style earphones. Closed back will always close in the sound and air pressure and cause fatigue. There will be very rare exceptions.
Hope you find what youāre looking for.
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I hope that someone could share thoughts on this but I think Dan Clark Aeon Closed X are very good for long sessions. I initially was about to order them if they were available but then I got into the hype with XS. There was someone on this thread that actually own them and he also ordered XS. He said he will compare them but not sure if I missed it somehow.
Just to clarify that Iāve never actually tested them. Just know that they are extremely comfortable and sound very spacious for a closed back. They are still on my radar as purchase in future (good closed back).
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Check into DCA closed-backs
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I know itās not going to have a similar sound signature, but a good compliment that you could get for that price, and still be fatigue-free would the Focal Elegia. That can often be found on Adorama for, I think, $399? Someone can correct me if Iāve got that price wrong. But they run it dirt cheap a lot.
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The Smsl sh-9 is not balanced. The XLR connector is just there for convenience (and to fool people). You wonāt get any extra power from it.
After ASR measurements Smslās power rating with 3W at 32 Ohm seem to be wrong too. It only measured with 1.7W. Still he says it drives his Ether CX well. (23 Ohm, 92dB)
Yeah I understand that, but Iāve already bought into it.
I expect that at least itāll be fed 4 volts from the Tone2Pro balanced to offer some advantage at least.
Also, I understand it should have enough juice overall for this. Otherwise I still have my emotiva bas-x A-100 for infinite single ended juice.
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I donāt have the XS (yetā¦) but Iāll say the dan clark closed backs sound like open backs and people that have compared the DT1770 to the 177xGO say the go is a bit more relaxed in the treble
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How do you feel the XS compare to the 1990pro in imaging, detail, soundstage, bass, mids, and vocals?
Sorry for the difficult question
My XS arrived. Iāll post a detailed breakdown in a little while, but I think it would be useful for you to look at some videos comparing the DT1990 and Sundara as a starter. From my brief time with both, the XS has better bass extension and various improvements/differences in soundstage compared to the Sundara, but when put alongside the DT1990 the Sundara and XS are more similar than different. Many arguments for DT1990 vs XS are going to mirror DT1990 vs Sundara.
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I can use the DT1770 rolled (modded hybrid pads) as is the Elegia rolled (Dekoni Stellia LE pads) and the DCA/Drop Aeon flow X closed for the day. As to extended wearing, all great for comfort though the Beyer and Focal depending on the person could find fatiguing (bass and they can be aggressive etc).
All good cans with differences (also Planar Vs Dynamic), most of my canās are open but these are my choice of closed cans.
The Aeonās are one of the most comfortable headphones for me along with the XS, The Elegiaās not far behind but I find them all comfy and enjoyable for long periods. Biggest issue for long periods closed backs can be a bit warm etc if itās warm/hot weatherā¦
Yeppers, I have em and listening to them todayā¦ Damn my pet parrot can get loud/noisy lol, TG for closed back cansā¦
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Thank you for the brief breakdown. Looking forward to your deeper thoughts on the XS.