M0N
March 2, 2021, 6:16pm
55
Forgot this had a thread, heard it recently, some thoughts on it I posted somewhere else
Some random thoughts on the diablo so far. Actually like this one a decent bit, it doesn’t compete at all with the stuff mentioned above, but as an all in one, it’s a solid offering and a step up over a micro bl, but with less features and a different signature that the micro bl enthusiasts may not be pleased with. The signature is more in line with something like the xdsd, where it’s more neutral slightly warmer and fuller sounding but a bit more forward than the xdsd, and honestly this isn’t a bad thing for most headphones. It’s a step up in control, resolution, dynamics, and refinement, although it’s staging feels somewhat mediocre and less expansive than the black label (it’s more accurate in placement but the bl feels more spacious). It really feels more headphone focused rather than the equally headphone equally iem focused micro bl. Using it as a line out, it’s a bit better in the dac section than the micro bl and also carries along that more neural but a bit of warmer fun signature the diablo has, but it doesn’t feel like a big improvement over the bl. Specifically regarding the bass, the micro bl is much more rounded, a bit looser, and more boosted, where the diablo is fairly clean, tight, and punchy. Man I wish this thing had an xbass boost lol (and a line in). Also looks/fit and finish, give me back the old micro bl design imo
To further elaborate on the stage thing, I think while staging does feel more tight and precise, it feels less open and a bit more squashed compared to the older ifi, it’s not bad, but it’s also not something I would consider an improvement over the predecessors.
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