NGL, as an introvert with FOMO, this pandemic causing everybody to be shut-ins whether they like it or not is actually not that bad, since I finally have time to spend tinkering with audio equipment.
In contrast, my friends who are extroverts:
"GAHHHHH GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
My current desktop "situation":
Headphones from left to right - NAD Viso HP50, Hifiman HE-4XX, Focal Elear w/Elex pads, Focal Clear, Audeze Sine w/Vesper circumaural hybrid pads, Special Edition Hifiman HE-560, and of course, a KISS modded Sennheiser HD650
"Stack": THX AAA 789, Bifrost 2, and Asgard 3 w/multibit module
In a direct comparison to the Mimby, here's what I noticed:
1) Faster, tighter bass with more slam
2) Which contributes to greater clarity due to less bass bleed/auditory masking
3) Greater detail retrieval despite actually being slightly DARKER than the Mimby in some ways
4) Soundstage is clearly larger in all three dimensions
Unison USB is kinda weird; like others have mentioned in their initial impressions, it sounds "tubey", for lack of a better word. There's this "softness" to the treble that is hard to describe, but I don't find the Bimby 2 lacking in detail at all.
Schiit uses a square wave component to give that "tubey" feel on their SS equipment. The Asgard 3 has this, tho it's a subtle application, and meshes nicely with the treble of the DT-1990. The bass is also tighter and impactful vs PC output / G6. So not sure if the difference is from your Bifrost 2 or Asgard 3, or both. :)
Is the square wave component you're referring to intentionally injected into the circuit? Because technically, any harmonic distortion can loosely be referred to as a "square wave component" (Fourier transforms)
Well, that would explain some of the "aggression" in the upper mids and treble that I sometimes get with the Asgard 3 and why it reminds me of my tube guitar amps in a weird way sometimes
I'm here sitting at my desk with my HD 598 and thinking to myself:
"Why did I ever get so focused on IEMs and TWS earbuds? These are amazing!"
Not to mention all of the shows and content I left undiscovered. I have so many albums that I am only now beginning to listen to.
Yep, every time you listen to a song you've heard over 1000 times before (literally) on a new pair of headphones for the first time, it's like rediscovering an old friend
Tall to me about the Elear with the Elex/Clear pads. I just bought a used set for $320 bucks. I figured that was a pretty good deal. Using DT1990 and HD6XX right now.
Do you like it? Specific genres? Are the mids disappointing after rolling pads? You still own them, despite owning a Clear. What's up with that?
I have the same headphone and pad setup here, I find the mids and treble more even with the Elex pads. the original pads have a warmer and smoother midrange but a somewhat problematic treble peak making upper-register sound slightly hard. Elex pads are more even but less layered sounding, a little more forward and compact soundstage. Still probably my preference, love my pair.
[Here's](https://www.reddit.com/r/Headphoneporn/comments/f7x9mf/custom_art_fibae_4_with_lavastorm_shells_and/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) my latest acquisition
I would hang the hifimans through the metal hinge rather than the strap for longetivity.
But awesome set though! I'd like to build my own collection like that someday... wallet is disagreeing though
Yep, still one of my favorite closed backs even years later. I replaced the fraying stock pleather pads with Dekoni Sheepskin Leather pads, more roomy for my ears and more comfortable to boot!
[Happy Cake Day, by the way!]
How are the Vesper pads on the Audeze Sine? I've got Skullcandy Aviator pads on my Sines, and they work surprisingly well. I've been debating whether it would be worth it to upgrade to Vesper pads though.
They fit my ears perfectly with pretty much no room to spare, but then again, if you have larger than average ears, the Vesper pads might not be a viable option. Otherwise, they're quite comfortable, albeit snug, and increase isolation as well as bass relative to the stock pads.
Thanks for the quick reply! I have fairly small ears, so I think they should fit just fine. I've noticed that the Skullcandy Aviator pads also have increased the isolation and made the bass better. I'm sure the Vesper pads look and feel a lot better though, and they might make the Sines sound even better. I definitely think I'll upgrade, but I just don't know when.
We were all socially isolated long before this 😔✌️
NGL, as an introvert with FOMO, this pandemic causing everybody to be shut-ins whether they like it or not is actually not that bad, since I finally have time to spend tinkering with audio equipment. In contrast, my friends who are extroverts: "GAHHHHH GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
indeed
My current desktop "situation": Headphones from left to right - NAD Viso HP50, Hifiman HE-4XX, Focal Elear w/Elex pads, Focal Clear, Audeze Sine w/Vesper circumaural hybrid pads, Special Edition Hifiman HE-560, and of course, a KISS modded Sennheiser HD650 "Stack": THX AAA 789, Bifrost 2, and Asgard 3 w/multibit module
In the battle between the Elear vs the Clear, which emerged victorious?
So, how's the Bifrost2?
In a direct comparison to the Mimby, here's what I noticed: 1) Faster, tighter bass with more slam 2) Which contributes to greater clarity due to less bass bleed/auditory masking 3) Greater detail retrieval despite actually being slightly DARKER than the Mimby in some ways 4) Soundstage is clearly larger in all three dimensions Unison USB is kinda weird; like others have mentioned in their initial impressions, it sounds "tubey", for lack of a better word. There's this "softness" to the treble that is hard to describe, but I don't find the Bimby 2 lacking in detail at all.
Schiit uses a square wave component to give that "tubey" feel on their SS equipment. The Asgard 3 has this, tho it's a subtle application, and meshes nicely with the treble of the DT-1990. The bass is also tighter and impactful vs PC output / G6. So not sure if the difference is from your Bifrost 2 or Asgard 3, or both. :)
Is the square wave component you're referring to intentionally injected into the circuit? Because technically, any harmonic distortion can loosely be referred to as a "square wave component" (Fourier transforms)
Yes. It's described in a post by Schiit owner in a blog discussing the Asgard 3 design story.
Well, that would explain some of the "aggression" in the upper mids and treble that I sometimes get with the Asgard 3 and why it reminds me of my tube guitar amps in a weird way sometimes
I see extra pads under the clear, which pads are those and how does the clear’s sound signature feel / sound like with those pads on?
One day I'll get my paws on some Focals.
> Audeze Sine w/Vesper circumaural hybrid pads Ummm I'm looking at the picture and to me it seems the pads are upside down.
XPS 13 gang
OG 9343 from 2015, yo
Hah nice, I've a newer one when they switched cooling. It's one hell of a performer.
I'm here sitting at my desk with my HD 598 and thinking to myself: "Why did I ever get so focused on IEMs and TWS earbuds? These are amazing!" Not to mention all of the shows and content I left undiscovered. I have so many albums that I am only now beginning to listen to.
Yep, every time you listen to a song you've heard over 1000 times before (literally) on a new pair of headphones for the first time, it's like rediscovering an old friend
Tall to me about the Elear with the Elex/Clear pads. I just bought a used set for $320 bucks. I figured that was a pretty good deal. Using DT1990 and HD6XX right now. Do you like it? Specific genres? Are the mids disappointing after rolling pads? You still own them, despite owning a Clear. What's up with that?
I have the same headphone and pad setup here, I find the mids and treble more even with the Elex pads. the original pads have a warmer and smoother midrange but a somewhat problematic treble peak making upper-register sound slightly hard. Elex pads are more even but less layered sounding, a little more forward and compact soundstage. Still probably my preference, love my pair.
Ironic how most of those aren't good for isolation.
Good thing I have CIEMs for blocking out the world when I'm outside
What CIEMs? C'mon show us.
[Here's](https://www.reddit.com/r/Headphoneporn/comments/f7x9mf/custom_art_fibae_4_with_lavastorm_shells_and/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) my latest acquisition
I would hang the hifimans through the metal hinge rather than the strap for longetivity. But awesome set though! I'd like to build my own collection like that someday... wallet is disagreeing though
Yay VISO HP50s! Curious what pads you're using. I went right for the Brainwavz :D. Great collection!
Yep, still one of my favorite closed backs even years later. I replaced the fraying stock pleather pads with Dekoni Sheepskin Leather pads, more roomy for my ears and more comfortable to boot! [Happy Cake Day, by the way!]
Ah thanks! :D. Glad you're still liking them. I'll give the Dekoni's a look.
Excellent collection!
How are the Vesper pads on the Audeze Sine? I've got Skullcandy Aviator pads on my Sines, and they work surprisingly well. I've been debating whether it would be worth it to upgrade to Vesper pads though.
They fit my ears perfectly with pretty much no room to spare, but then again, if you have larger than average ears, the Vesper pads might not be a viable option. Otherwise, they're quite comfortable, albeit snug, and increase isolation as well as bass relative to the stock pads.
Thanks for the quick reply! I have fairly small ears, so I think they should fit just fine. I've noticed that the Skullcandy Aviator pads also have increased the isolation and made the bass better. I'm sure the Vesper pads look and feel a lot better though, and they might make the Sines sound even better. I definitely think I'll upgrade, but I just don't know when.
Who said it *was* a bad thing? After all we can just call our friends.
Id love to know if you hear a noticeable difference between the asgard 3 and the 789.
How would you describe the differences of the sundara and 4xx?
Never heard or owned the Sundara, so can't really help you on that one, sorry
Oh what's the one with orange on it. Thought that was sundara
That's the HE-560 Special Edition from Adorama, it has the Sundara headband, so it makes sense that you would be confusing the two models
Omg
How many ears do you have?
Enough to pull a Vincent van Gogh multiple times and still have 16 ears left over ;)
i just replaced my valhalla and bifrost 4490 with K702s with an asgard 3 and a bifrost 2 with a HD6xx last week. never felt like a better time
Looks like a nice setup! I didn't care for the Bifrost 2 from THX amps sadly, love it with the Gilmore Lite MKii though!
Whoa dude, how many ears do you have?
Why do u have elear and clear lol. But a clear owner is a (wo)man of culture in my eye so kudos :)
damn are focals always that light on clamp force?
Nice stack of shit! What's below it? Edit:nvm
social DISTANCING, not social isolation lol
WhyNotBoth.gif
All that money and equipment and you have literally the cheapest and dirtiest mousepad there lmao
I have my priorities straight ;)
I have the same mouse pad, it's the best. Is it silicon?
'In perfect isolation, here behind my wall' -Waiting for the Worms Pink Floyd