z3d
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Post by z3d on Jun 18, 2015 11:12:46 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 18, 2015 12:03:15 GMT
How weird is that? I was taking a look at them just last week!! I quite like the look of them. Just hope they sound good too.
I'm glad that he hasn't gone the 'beta' route as well. That kind of suggests 'flaws' to be ironed out in the whim of testers or a pre sales strategy. Kind of put me off if I'm honest so I started looking elsewhere.
Price is quite high on these and with import tax, could be quite a bit worse. I've always wondered why foreign suppliers don't sell tax free so that we pay tax in our own country. Maybe a legal thing, but we end up paying tax twice unless they're released in this country as well.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jun 18, 2015 12:20:10 GMT
Seems to be in the HE-6 league.
I assume QC is better than Hifiman drivers but Dan's products are known to be all over the place (the T50RP modded ones) These may be different in that aspect.
Price is above what I am willing to spend on this though.
Would like to see some more info and see how it performs in the real world before buying it based on reviews that are bound to be (o)very(ly) positive any way.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 18, 2015 14:44:11 GMT
I assume QC is better than Hifiman drivers but Dan's products are known to be all over the place (the T50RP modded ones) These may be different in that aspect. . In terms of build or sound Frans? I still find it quite incredible that headphones at this level have flaws that really shouldn't ge there given the cost. HD800 - non removeable (up to point) pads. Th900 and the poor screw connection into the cups. Others cracking on the wood. Some too big for a 'normal' head. And so it goes on. You'd think part of the cost might be some real world research so that stupid things like that are non existent.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jun 18, 2015 15:20:48 GMT
build quality, driver variances/matching, pads comfort/quality, sound ...
They all can vary substantially when going from 'prototype' to 'early production' to 'mass production'. usually I wait a while and see some feedback. Also it is highly unlikely shops near by will have one you can audition.
Wouldn't buy one of these 'blind' given the price point.
I do think this could be one of the better ones out there, also given the weight !
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 18, 2015 18:35:45 GMT
Yes, at the price, I'd wait a little while I think as well. It's at the same price point as others so part of me starts to think ... What is it REALLY worth? It seems that around 1500 is now the accepted level if you see what I mean. Even the Senn hd800 can be had now at much lower prices compared to the beginning .... So what's it really worth?
Basically, what people are willing to pay is my guess!!
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Post by ronzo56 on Jun 18, 2015 18:55:07 GMT
Yes, at the price, I'd wait a little while I think as well. It's at the same price point as others so part of me starts to think ... What is it REALLY worth? It seems that around 1500 is now the accepted level if you see what I mean. Even the Senn hd800 can be had now at much lower prices compared to the beginning .... So what's it really worth? Basically, what people are willing to pay is my guess!! Going to a meet next weekend. Hoping someone will bring an Ether. If they do I will report back.
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z3d
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Post by z3d on Jun 18, 2015 19:57:37 GMT
I'm glad that there's some interest in the thread guys! As for build quality and look they seem a beauty to me: those black grilles, the nice red contour, the headband system and the weight. From an acoustic point of view I'm a bit aware of too much hyped products and I'm myself not into little improvements when changing equipment but for big differences.. Philips X2 was an hyped product which I listened to for 3 weeks which was surely pleasant but didn't impressed me; I had to choose between those and HD600 owning them at the same time and..you know which one stayed I think with Ether that would not be the case. I think it's more a factor of the flavour we like better and that's not arguable. I mean, I personally like an intimate but engaging and real presentation and that's why I like HD600 (and HD650). I'm not much into large soundstage and that's why I don't think I can appreciate AKG sound (I'm only assuming cause honestly I never listened to one of those). What I'd like my HD600 to have is a better pinpoint imaging; for the rest I'm really enjoying them A LOT. The Ether seems to me to be an HD600 on steroid; the HD600 tonality (neutral, flat, real) but with the speed and the lower distortion of planars drivers, a better microdetail retrieval and a better image focus. Then...that's why I'm really interested in listened to one, really really interested!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 18, 2015 20:12:02 GMT
I am very curious about them and did have a good look last week actually. I'm just becoming a bit wary of these headphones appearing at similar price points I guess. Definitely worth a listen.
I'll be interested in what you find with them Ron if you get a chance. It's the low bass that these headphones offer that is very attractive. I noticed that there are some wobbles in the fr of the he1000 so the flavour may become diluted imo. The beta antics left me feeling a little untrusting if I'm honest since I still feel that it was a sales technique rather than a beta. So they've put out a load of expensive headphones all in one go at the start.
I hope that Dan soesn't take a similar route. It would be really nice if he allowed one to float through Europe since it would give us all a flavour of what it's actually like and if I'm honest, I'd trust them more for being up front without all the big sales stuff.
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z3d
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Post by z3d on Jun 27, 2015 17:38:57 GMT
Here (http://headfonics.com/2015/06/the-ether-by-mrspeakers/) another review which I like because the reviewer tried to be as objective as possible even if he likes a different sound signature. The more I read about it and the more I think Ether is the HD600 big brother. Really interesting!
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Post by whitenoise on Jul 1, 2015 17:25:10 GMT
I want to listen to these badly. I had an oportunity to vist Mr. Speakers facility a bit ago and had to back out due to other obligations. I kick myself in the butt for not going. I might have had the chance to check this out.
I think the price is a bit steep and for me they would have to be a real upgrade over my LCD2's to be worth the asking price.
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Post by matttcg on Jul 6, 2015 12:53:49 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 6, 2015 13:18:09 GMT
Thanks Matt. Great review.
Biggest problem for us in the UK is import taxes and even, getting hold of them. Easiest is for the, to send out a 'sample' and then you 'decide' to keep it!! It's a pity that the Ether isn't more widely available like the hd800. One European seller would do it .... Then no import tax in the whole of the EU.
One thing I don't like is paying the American taxes and then slapping UK taxes on top when it arrives. In the bad old days, you could buy things abroad, tax free and then pay UK taxes on the way in. That doesn't seem to happen now.
If they were more available, I'd definitely try one since it seems such a good compromise between HD800 and HE1000. Gone of the second company following the so called 'beta' if I'm honest. Didn't seem as upfront as I'd like.
I hope Dan eventually expands.
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Post by ronzo56 on Jul 6, 2015 22:07:51 GMT
Thanks for the review Matt. Very thorough. I spent a short amount of time at a recent meet listening to the Ether through a Lyr/Bifrost stack. Nice neutral sound. Bass was solid and the treble didn't sizzle. Comfortable as well. Also heard the HE-1000 at the same table. Not what I was expecting. Had some treble issues. I preferred the Ether. Of course this was impressions from a short listen and at a meet, so take that into consideration. Both are pricey. HE1000 in particular. I just don't feel that a lot of these new cans are a good value for the relative improvement in sound quality compared to more reasonably price gear.
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Post by matttcg on Jul 7, 2015 12:05:30 GMT
I've spent a good bit of time with both the Ether and he1k. They are both exceptional. The Ether favors neutrality and the he1k has a slight bass tilt. I could be happy with either hp. End the end I chose the Ether. The signature is cohesive and musical...it's neutrality done right. I just have a hard time finding any holes in the presentation, therefore it becomes incredibly engaging.
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