Very understandably outclassing anything I heard to date. No matter how they're fed or driven. As a complete package of totl experience, they almost feel invincible.
Not playing dumb, just being ignorant - SQ aside, what is unique about the tech? Seems like a conventional planar driver, albeit with a thin diaphragm and stealth mags. Even if it is well tuned and manufactured, I fail to see the innovation. D8000 and Snorry seem way more novel from a tech standpoint. (1/2)
Sound matters most of course (the tech doesn't matter more than a means to that end), but if we're gonna investigate how the tech plays into it, let's dig deeper! Why does it sound as good as it does, from a material, physical standpoint? Not saying I know, but I want to! (2/2)
I'm sure @Vtory has a better answer but my impression of Sus was it just seemed to be a fast driver with a non-exuberant tuning. Perhaps it is about tech, but maybe it's about decisions.
Thin diaphragm and stealth magnets giving best of both worlds vs electrostats while maintaining some magneto punch? Seems like the end of a road moreso than the start of a new one. Unless the road continues to even thinner diaphragms, smaller mags, more inefficient and stat-like. It'll be interesting to see what HFMs next flagship will be like, if they ever will radically change their driver design or not.
@E_Schaaf I shortened the word. Wanted to put technicality there. Not exactly technology which I don't think anything new (not only for Sus but also for almost everything in this hobby). Let's blame 140 letter restriction..
@E_Schaaf If I remember correctly their diaphragms are not only nano thin but also gold coated to stiffen it making it behave more like a piston like traditional DDs and also to tailor the FR to their target making it the only flagship along with the Utopia that doesn't sound weird.
Where does planar technology have to go? Though dynamic tech seems to offer many paths, the planar path seems narrow. Are they technologically just estat wannabes? Is the endpoint that they sound like an estat? (By estat I don't mean a Stax sound profile)
Half agreed. I'm thinking of both ways. Planars want to be estats. Estats want to be planars. My general impression from recent planar and estat totls. ..and for dynamics IDK. I have to hear really good electrodynamics which I haven't met yet. If you meant versatility (such as microspk), then I agree tho!
Just a random off-topic thought. For pure technology perspective, I'm very impressed by microspeakers Apple uses lately. Given physical limits, they really do loud sound well.. HS well.
@BenjaminBore I do think there are many avenues forward for orthodynamic and isodynamic tech, it's just that none of the large outfits seem to be pursuing them. There are nearly infinite ways to lay traces and magnets, various shapes and patterns to balance the movement of the diaphragm. But those are all ambitious avenues when incrementalism and 'if it's not broken don't fix it' is the prevailing approach.
@E_Schaaf I agree 100% with you about Final and Snorry, they are way more interesting than anything else but...if the more normal, less over the top but more expensive Hifiman implementation sounds better...it is what is. Someone with both cash and good taste needs to take over the planar market, that's for sure.
Imagine a planar wth Be traces (like Pioneer's old ribbons), permendur magnets, Final/Snorry level topology, well tuned with some really high end implementation (ie: "Kanshitsu" cups and headband, search "Feastrex Kanshitsu" to see what is like) and 600 ohm flat impedance...it could sound so good (and be so expensive but rightfully so!)
@9suns probably just a matter of time (even though it may be a long time), it seems like planar tech is dominating in terms of total sales in the high-end space. Audeze will probably step up before HFM given they're at least trying new things with the LCDR and CRBN.
It's all priced over my head, but also makes high-performance dynamic headphones more attractive in lower price categories, which is where I've been focusing most of my efforts in terms of new development :)
Yes, sooner or later someone has to do it! PS: that driver you are working on is so interesting...I know you are price conscious but don't price it too low, don't be the next Vapor Audio (which ended bankrupt, with lots of angry customers because prices were too low to be profitable). 1/2
Don't be shy with prices, as long as you don't pull up a Fang everyone will understand if it costs ie 1400$ instead of 900$. Of course, just my opinion. 2/2
Oh yeah the plan was to keep using the current drivers with the single N52 magnet and more typical graphene diaphragm (which still out-specs 99.99% of dynamic drivers IMO) in all of the 3d printed builds for the value-minded ppl out there and use the new double mag pleated diaphragm/copper coil drivers in CNC builds, maybe made of solid metal with much more robust build quality and accessories at a higher price tier.
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