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Mr. Speakers ETHER Flow Headphone(?) Upgrade(?)

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by OJneg, Jul 14, 2016.

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  1. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/07/prweb13553616.htm

    Cropped_ETHER_Flow_Side.jpeg
    etherflow.PNG
     
    OJneg, Jul 14, 2016
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  2. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I've spent the past four days with this headphone. At $1799 I expect it to make some serious waves at the flagship level. The difference between the original Ether and the Flow is substantial.

    The Ether flow could easily be called a planar/stat hybrid after a first listen. The speed and decay are just that good.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2016
    Ice-man, Jul 14, 2016
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  3. Azteca

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    Azteca, Jul 14, 2016
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  4. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    The green blocks certainly appear to make the red dots turn into blue dots in a more laminar fashion. Intriguing.

    It's still too rich for me, but the possibility of upgrading an Ether to a Flow is pretty f'ing cool though. Kudos to Dan on that...
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2016
    jowls, Jul 14, 2016
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  5. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Jude has been measuring again...

    Ether Flow

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    jowls, Jul 14, 2016
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  6. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    First thought: Just had flashbacks to all the iterative upgrades to his previous headphones...Mad Dog 1, 2, 3.14159265359, Alpha Dog, doggie treats, Prime, broken Prime, fixed Prime, Ether, Ether C(rap), tuning pieces for Either Ether, etc. This guy is moving at lightning speed, and the customers love it!

    Logically, I could see this development improving the sound. How all that metal with tiny holes affected air being pushed by the diaphragms has always been something I've wondered about, but nothing more than a passing thought. The Ether open really had a lot of good things going for it, but it lacked refinement in these areas:

    1. Bass could be a hair ill-defined, but overall better than an un-modded HD650 (albeit the HD650 bests it down low in other ways, like slam).
    2. Could sound a bit lean. Some units better than others. Some were a bit boring and sterile sounding, some less so. I doubt this will improve unit variance, but it's possible he's refined the drivers over time. Some later units I heard sounded more full.
    3. Treble had a bit of a rough, slightly metallic timbre to it, but was not what I'd call a bright headphone necessarily. Just a bit accentuated there.
    4. Worst sin: Awful staging. You get direct left, direct right, a bit of a blob in the middle, lacking air, and everything being very close sounding to you. The Ether C actually does a lot better here but otherwise sounds like garbage.

    I would still not pay more than $700-800 or so for the Ether, and that's being generous due to the design and comfort.

    Is it possible this rounded out all rough edges on the Ether open and transformed it into a magical experience? History tells me to be skeptical. I have no doubt there are some improvements, and maybe they're just enough to tip the Ether from being "OK or good" to "very good" in my mind.

    Here is something to keep in mind: Dan has historically picked people to beta test and talk publicly about his products that have always been a bit fanboy-ish, the type to talk positively about everything and somehow get everyone to listen despite their relative lack of experience, or are some other sort of Head-Fi golden child. That's fine, it's his business, but I think his products have lacked that last bit of refinement they could have if he picked less "yes men." That said, I know he doesn't feel too fondly about us sorts over here. Complicated history. He and his business model fit very well into the Head-Fi culture.

    Anyway, be wary of initial impressions. Like I said, if MattTCG was referring to the Ether Flow as the HD650 successor, remember he is open and honest about his affinity towards MrSpeakers, nor would it be the first time he's talked up products as potential HD650 competitors or successors. He's a good guy, though, so don't hold it against him for enjoying whatever he wants.

    Jude's measurements need to be accompanied by more comparisons with well known headphones so we can get a feel for how his results will sound. Until then, it's very hard to interpret them. Knowing his equipment, methods, compensations, etc. holds relatively little value without that comparative data.

    Would I like to hear them? Absolutely. Will I pay $1800 myself? Not unless I hear them and am immediately sold on them. $1800 is a LOT to ask, though, especially when the Ether was double what I'd price it at if feeling generous.

    Lastly, don't forget it's a planar. I know some of you love 'em, but I think you're all just a crazy lot. :D Dynamics or death!
     
    Hands, Jul 14, 2016
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  7. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    From the Cavalli rep

    “Experiencing the difference between the ETHER and the ETHER Flow is like f****** without a condom for the first time. The eargasms come faster... harder... and all you can do is let them take you through undulating waves of ecstasy until you’re absolutely spent - or until the next track begins. If you love the original ETHER, and you don't get the new ETHER Flow, you’re simply afraid to let yourself be happy.”_

    Has Headfi turned into a parody of itself? :D
     
    Rthomas, Jul 14, 2016
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  8. null

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    I guess dan has all but abandoned the cheaper model he promised
     
    null, Jul 14, 2016
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  9. Tyll Hertsens

    Tyll Hertsens Grandpappy of the hobby - Special Friend

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    Had this for a few days...pretty damned good so far. Doesn't sound much like a planar...very smooth.
     
    Tyll Hertsens, Jul 14, 2016
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  10. ThePianoMan

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    HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE

    ok, but on a more serious note...

    the flow thing seems to make sense at least. I for one haven't really liked any of the mr speakers stuff I've heard, which is not say they are bad, just not my preference. Plus it's a bit of a turn off when he updates them as often as he does. Kind of aggressive business practices, well suited to headfi as hands said.

    I find it interesting - the engineering behind electrostats and planar mags has been well understood for a while. Richard Vandersteen once opined that the reason they sounded so tactile through the midrange was basically because they were boxless. He also said he would rather listen to an open baffle or a driver hung on a string, because dynamics are much more linear and less colored especially in the high frequency (plus they move real air)
    I'm kind of intrigued that people in headphonedom haven't talked about infinite baffle, dipole/open baffle or just cup + ear pad design/seal as much as driver tech. Seems from the small amount of modding I've done that we have some excellent drivers with terrible housings.
     
    ThePianoMan, Jul 14, 2016
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  11. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    Of course, MattTCG was referring to this. He just posted that he would be posting his review later this afternoon. Although I don't know him IRL, he is a good guy and I look forward to his review. I liked the Ether Open and hope this is, in fact, a substantial improvement. Alas, I like the original Ether red better.
     
    Colgin, Jul 14, 2016
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  12. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    Can't wait to try this Saturday on my own rig.

    I actually really liked the Ether (open) from the loaner program so an improved Ether is actually something I'd consider buying.

    I hate the $1,800 price, but I doubt anyone is thrilled with that.

    Also, the flood of prerelease reviews on HF are a bit obnoxious. I'm going to avoid reading them at all and judge for myself.
     
    TMoney, Jul 14, 2016
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  13. HAL9000

    HAL9000 Almost "Made"

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    Anybody know what the impedance and sensiitvity are?
     
    HAL9000, Jul 14, 2016
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  14. Gravity

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    Another hype train.
     
    Gravity, Jul 14, 2016
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  15. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Yeah, but you seemed to like the Ether C too, so... :p

    If it's smoother than the Ether open but otherwise keeps the good traits, maybe I could dig it. Unless it amazes me, though, I can't help but think, "Maybe you should have waited and released this at $1500 instead of the original Ether." Ah, well, still grouchy from listening to the Ether C.

    Am genuinely looking forward to your official publication and/or measurements for it, though.
     
    Hands, Jul 14, 2016
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  16. Ice-man

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    I have a friend who is also a skeptic. I invited him to listen to Ether Flow...he is longer a skeptic. :p

    All I ask is to give it a listen and judge for yourself. IMO Ether Flow is a game changer at it's price point. I compared it against a few $2000 and $3000 headphones. Ether Flow is better. I love the fact that it's not a $2k, $3k or $4k product. I like value for my money. It's the most enjoyable headphone that I've owned. It may not be for you though. For me, Ether Flow is why I'm in the hobby.
     
    Ice-man, Jul 14, 2016
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  17. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    If I were Dan or someone working for Dan, I would make sure my new products/revisions got in the hands of trustworthy and respected senior members of SBAF so that everyone would know exactly how awesome my product is :p
     
    OJneg, Jul 14, 2016
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  18. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    Which is probably why he sent it to Tyll, natch.
     
    TMoney, Jul 14, 2016
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  19. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    You ain't catching my jive honky
     
    OJneg, Jul 14, 2016
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  20. AllanMarcus

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    Well, for many of us with Ether C (or Ethers), now comes the question of upgrade or not. Of course no price has been posted yet, and the resale value of the non-flow version just dropped a bit. I'm gonna guess $400 for the upgrade.
     
    AllanMarcus, Jul 14, 2016
    #20
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