Taction Technology Kannons

I agree. The Ossics aren't even a proven technology at this point. They're an idea with a terrible prototype. Taction Kannons have a fully functional badass prototype and they just need money to push them into production, not continue researching an idea.

I am truly dumbfounded at how much Ossic made in Kickstarter funds given that it's 90% marketing and 10% reality.

 

I have a feeling its due to all the hype with VR right now. In theory, the ossic's 3d audio and vr is a perfect match

 

Amazing! So excited to see these got funded. Sadly didn't have the money to commit now myself, but knowing they will be on market soon is great.

 

Thanks for mentioning Out Of Your Head , @Merrick .
I actually tried out both the Ossic and the Kannons. I won't say anything about the Ossics, but the Kannons were SO great with Out Of Your Head! I watched part of a 7.1 movie through Out Of Your Head with the Kannons. I was really surprised how well the tactile transducers worked. I didn't think shaking my head would be convincing, but it was. I use a SUBPAC or sometimes a Hsu subwoofer to get bass especially for movies. The Kannons were pretty good in comparison. The only issue is that you have to use their headphones which I think are the limiting factor.

 

Also, not sure if y'all saw this but it looks like Taction is using AT as their OEM. I'm pretty sure the current Kannons use M30x housing at least. Open back version seems to use AD700x http://www.head-fi.org/t/716711/the...-are-the-extreme-bass-club/6705#post_12521027

This backs up what James told me at Axpona when I asked who was doing the OEM. He said he couldn't say but that they have been in the headphone business for years.

 

Interesting product. I always liked the idea of replicating the visceral bass feel you get from speakers/subwoofers in headphones. To me, this is much more important than the endless attempts at 3D audio sound stage bogus that people obsess over.

 

Long time no posts in this thread. But it turns out they managed to get them made! It's been a long time since the Kickstarter.

Physical bass reproduction on them is outstanding. Frequency response is fairly neutral. Gonna be a while before I feel like they're burned in enough to know the true frequency response.

I also have some sheepskin Brainwavz HM5 pads coming from a Massdrop sometime soon (Friday?). The stock pads are small for my big ears and the drivers are pressed right up against my head. I anticipate that comfort will shift up dramatically.

Pretty certain Audio Technica is the OEM. They're like a sturdier ATH-M50x. Might be based on the M70X with how physically solid they are. Driver is likely one of those two as well, possibly tuned a bit. One of my complaints for the ATH-Mwhatevers is the leaner sub-bass, but that's beyond solved with the Taction drivers.

 

This technology seems ripe for a loaner tour!

 

With the stock pads, my ears kept breaking the seal, so I basically stopped listening to them.

The Brainwavz HM5 sheepskin pads finally arrived, so I popped those on and started listening.

Huge difference! Proper seal, smoother response, outstanding comfort.

These are actually fairly neutral with a smoother frequency response than I originally perceived (they sounded a bit thin and mildly v-shaped with a bad seal).

Now I'm completely addicted to the tactile sensation from them.

Can't wait to let people try them at a meet at some point.

 

waddup with these jawns? how does the bass compare to the th900? Soundstage? microdynamics? what's poppin?

 

The bass is incomparable. Truly. It's completely next level. Everything else is fine. Good, not great. Nothing offensive. The tech is ridiculous, though.

Unfortunately, with how much trouble I'm having selling my JVCs, I'm probably going to have to let go of the Kannons.

 

If you do, I'm sure someone will grab your pair quickly.

 

So, these are interesting...
Got #18.

I have to say I expected these to be bass cannons on first listen and with the "Taction Technology" turned off. You know, usual, cheaper closed-backs are usually a bit warm with sucky bass. Turns out, they are PRETTY TAME! Haven't run specific test/bass sweeps but I'm pretty sure ALL of my headphones at home (Ultrasone Signature DJ, Sony MDR-Z1R, another cheapo I don't even remember) have more bass presence/go lower. Signature seems fairly neutral/bright actually! But then you turn on the Taction button and ... an awesome boost with excellent tactile response. It's definitely massaging my face right now. They lack a bit of clarity and energy somewhere, can't pinpoint yet but it might be mid-bass, need a few days/weeks and my gear (I'm only using them directly from my phone which as you all know, might not be the best test bench...).

All in all, interesting cans, and surprised they are not too weird sounding with the tech off.

 

Got #161!

Wow! Seems like perfect temporal integration between the tactile and dynamic transducers.

OOTB the dynamic transducers are tight -- low frequencies aren't quite fluid and upper frequencies are breaking up... as they should. Breaking them in for 50 hours to see if the wonkiness goes away.