New 350$ Planars -Thieaudio Phantom

Agreed the Brainwavz with it’s memory foam seal way better, as I said bass is definitely improved and yeah it would be good to run the rest of their pads to see which one is optimal :+1:

While I normally prefer angled pads I wonder what the performance would be with a Dekoni pad made for DT headphones or even how some of the ZMF lineup would perform. I need to get some anyway to experiment with my lcd2c so who knows lol.

I have T50RP’s with ZMF angled pads. Will test the Phantoms one received with these and report back

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After 6 hours listening I agree with most of what Smokeenmirrors says…the bass thing was sorted with the Brainwavz’s pad swop so all my opinions on this headphone are based on using them…

First off these headphones seem to be well built no real creaks when pulling them about, the size adjustment is a bit hit or miss click wise but visually it’s ok, the headphone band is comfy with no complaints here and my god these phones are light for planar’s just as well as the clamp force isn’t the greatest but they never feel like they’re going to fall off in ordinary use.
Sound wise without getting too in depth i’d call them musical and fun and not micro detail or bass monsters…That’s not a criticism in any way as they bring a wide sound stage that manages to separate instruments better than my hd660s’s, ok vocals especially female aren’t as pinpoint focused but on a flip side they bring realism to them if that makes sense.
Bass wise they’re tight, fast with a deep, not super sub sound but solid enough and man they can go loud…again no complaints.
Mids for me seem to work well with the bass and upper frequencies, I don’t find they too forward but that’s just me, again slightly less focused/tight but still very enjoyable.
Upper frequencies are good no sibilance but maybe the upper frequencies roll off a bit?.. some of the younger folks on here might help with that lol.

Overall I can’t really find anything to complain about considering their price point, thoroughly enjoyable, musical and entertaining headphones.

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This guy on reddit recommends taking out the foam over the drivers and that it makes an improvement. Anyone that also owns these want to try that out? I personally didn’t want to mess with it unless multiple people thought it was better.

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Hold my beer :beers: can’t see way? lol

“Soundstage got wider” :face_with_monocle: …it’s almost as wide as Broadway as it is.

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holds your beer for you and waits patiently.

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These are $350 phones that beggar belief with what Chifi can do with that…No disc cutter or chainsaw mods needed lol.

So is someone going to call these the best planar magnetics for under $400? I’m waiting for a superlative.

We’ll let Zeos have that honour? Lol

They are the best planar magnetics for under $400 that I have listened to.
…they are also the only planar I’ve ever listened to.

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Mate you know you’ll go down in history with that statement when the rest of Hifi community catch up :smiley:

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So if these are ordered straight from the manufacturers website, is customs (and VAT in Europe) added to the final cost?

I ordered mine through Amazon UK and didn’t have to pay anything extra on delivery :+1:

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OK…F you guys. I impulse bought these yesterday. Then cancelled my order. Then I just now impulse bought them again. And everyone on this thread is to blame for that. :wink:

FWIW, Linsoul was super responsive to my cancellation request. They cancelled it withitn an hour, and even inquired as to why I was cancelling.

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Problem with subbass/slam and miraculously even the touch of siblance and tonal imbalance totally solved with the Brainwavz XL’s. I really like the hybrid (pic’d) and they may reinforce a little more bass than perforated since the outer ring is still sealed. $20 well spent. I’ve spent about 8 hours over a few sessions and I can turn the EQ corrections off completely with these now.

The better pads really changes these from duds to studs in terms of their signature (and my expectations and desires). I hadn’t tried the Brainwavs pads previously and they’re quite nice at a fraction of Dekoni (even on +/-Mass Drop) but their not sheepskin leather either.

I’d consider trying the ZMF wedges ~$60 if I find these get uncomfy spots as they do overhang my head a tad in back but still completely seal. Some form of wedge would be the ideal I think.

Whatever you do; don’t shag pad!
not_155121597_austin-powers-shagadelic-shall-we-shag-now-or-later-1998

I was wrote Linsoul, shared my notes/feedback and they were quite responsive and say they’re still refining the product and already plan to improve: General asthetics/design and new logo (ty! - the admit the current one is “ugly”), and a new case designed for travel. Hopefully we’ll see a more refined cables set, better friction on the headband slide, and PADS that don’t suck.

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That is hilarious. I did exactly that with what will eventually be Argons.

Happened to have a prime day $10 coupon the next day so it was meant to be.

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I got both the perforated and the hybrid brainwavz pads, too. I don’t have the golden ears that some do, but I will do my best to post comparisons of those and the stock pads when the Phantoms arrive.

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I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on the differences between the perforated and hybrid. I just got my perforated ones in today and just fitted them, though I haven’t had the chance to listen to them yet.

I just got the Hifiman Sundara’s today and they sound fantastic. But do the Phantoms sound better? Can someone compare the 2? I heard the phantoms have a more narrow soundstage than the Sundara’s. is that true?

BTW the Sundaras are all aluminum and very sturdy. I dont think reliability is an issue anymore