Mysphere 3.1 and 3.2

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Zhanming057, Mar 1, 2019.

  1. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Did you ever get to try them?
     
  2. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Nope. When i received the mail with availability i was going on vacation so i just canceled and end up forgetting until 1-2 weeks ago when i receive an email asking for interest. I am still very, very curious though.

    Edit- did you get 1 or 2?
     
  3. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Didn't get any, I want both 3.1 and 3.2, each is great but having both is the end game as it fills out all my needs in headphones.

    7,672.77$ for both soundframes with the cables I need is a f'ing stupid price. Chances are they'll depreciate like crazy and I'll get them used at some point if something else doesn't come up in the next couple of years. I'll give them another try at canjam and see how they fare against SR1a and TC.
    For just the regular price you can get Raal with a Vidar and a few cases of beer.

    I'm just salty they're too expensive.
     
  4. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    My big curiosity wasn't equal, or greater, as the "i will never buy HP's at those prices" and so i have refrain myself from even trying them.
    I am at the point in life where i want to travel and do things, while i am young and my health allows it.
     
  5. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Keep in mind that the manufacturing costs of the Mysphere are extraordinarily high, not just because the frames are hand assembled in Vienna but also because of the extensive use of complex CNC work. Heinz isn't trying to gouge people here - these things cost a ton to produce, and you can look at the parts costs yourself if you ask him.

    Travel is nice and I'd also prioritize that over getting headphones, of course.
     
  6. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Well, I held out as long as I could, in the end I found a good deal a new pair of MySphere 3.1 and took it. These are what I regard as the only full upgrade to my beloved sennheiser without drawbacks in any particular areas as opposed to most if not all of the TOTL cans.

    These are part of the newer run and sound exactly as I remember them, horrible picky of amps with only the Stellaris capable of fully taming them and reviling their true character. Even from canjam on various amps and sources one may wonder why someone would pay 4K for thin, bright and lean sound.

    These past few days I've been in full honeymoon mode, leaving work earlier to enjoy them and staying up later than a responsible adult should.

    What stands out so far:
    - perfect imaging, while the stage is smaller than a K1000, the precision and pinpoint accuracy is unmatched by any other dynamic or planar.
    - lack of grain, reference driver speed
    - low end, while quantity is lacking compared to planar magentic, I highly prefer the low end without pads. No issues on punch or impact, I know the limitation and the purpose of MySphere in my system.
    - tone, a blend of HD800 and HD650M done right, can't think of any other HP I'd get over it(haven't heard a well driven SR1a)
    - comfort, once I experienced headphones without materials on or around ears there's no going back.
    - no need for speaker or bespoke amps
    - different presentation than padded headphones.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2019
  7. Heinz Renner

    Heinz Renner MOT: Mysphere

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    There will come up an upgrade ear cushion with +6dB in bass adapting this hover ear headphone to diffuse field equalization additionally....
    Some more weeks to go.
    Br heinz
     
  8. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
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    Hold up, wait...a $4000 headphone is only good with a, what is it, $6000+ amp? Shit, even the RAAL SR1a is looking like a good deal at that rate. C'mon, this alone is "get the f**k outta here" territory alone.

    HOLD UP, WAIT. A $4000 headphone that sounds like shit from all but one particular amp is what you call a full upgrade to your "beloved Sennheiser?"

    I mean, I'm not sure which Senn exactly you're talking about, but even the pickiest of them, the HD800, can sound pretty darn respectable from a wider variety of amps. Not to mention amps well under $5K.

    Now, if you're talking the HD580/600/650, good news is those don't sound shitty from a wide variety of gear. Even cheap gear!

    OK, OK, let's ignore the Sennheisers. And, besides, I'm not even sure we're looking at a sensible "upgrade" as we are something that's just "totally different." But, anyway, let's say this $10K or whatever combo just smacks the pants off all other headphone setups. None of the drawbacks.

    Is it really worth that much money?

    If you really want to get around headphone drawbacks, why are you not running legit-as-f**k speakers at that price range? Shit, if you don't want to bother your significant other, you could build an upscale "man cave" shed, get better sound, and come out ahead monetarily.

    I just don't know what "no need for speakers" means. Clearly, cost isn't an issue here. And there are plenty of solid speakers that don't need a specific $6K amp to sound amazing.

    I mean, it seems like, with the exact combination you just recommended, you're targeting a niche audience of...maybe 1 or 2 people per...country? Continent? I'm not sure.

    But, really, what I'm reading is, "Oh, these headphones are absolute trash, but I found a $6K air freshener that really covers up the stink, guys."

    Yeah, as if anyone that said "no thanks" to them at CanJam is going to suddenly reconsider now that they know that if only they had the Stellaris, everything would change.

    Not to mention, if you're still rocking the Pavane that's in your sig, let's not forget how that's gonna take the edge off an otherwise "thin, bright, and lean" headphone. So, if that's the case, that's another ingredient to add to the $10K recipe.

    I mean, yeah, I'm sorry for shitting in the thread, but this post reeks of ludicrous Hi-Fi audiophile nonsense and is probably only going to further dissuade readers from ever wanting to try these, just because they think they'll have to get some unobtanium amp for them.

    (I still hold no opinion on the MySphere in actuality, regardless of what I've read, because I've not heard them. All of the above is only meant in direct response to this particular post and not meant as commentary against MySphere headphones specifically.)
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Hahaha. I am seriously 200% certain they will be awesome from even a $99 Magni 3+ if we EQ to our tastes. Heck, maybe we don't even need to EQ, and that we just need an amp that isn't difficult with nasty sonic state glare or ssss. Yes, I know we can do better than Magni 3+, but I'm just saying.

    Perhaps @Heinz Renner can arrange for a limited trusted senior members only loaner tour? Measurements would give us more insights, and like the SR1a, we already know that EQ is transformative for ear speakers vs. headphones.
     
  10. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Just my 2 cents but I think the 3.2 (110 ohm) will suit more people than the 3.1 (15 ohm), should a loaner happen.
     
  11. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    But at what point are an increasing flurry of caveats enough reason for dismissing a TOTL-aspiring design?
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Must sound acceptably good from either Project Horizon or Magni-3. If said TOTL design does not, then there's probably something wrong with it.
     
  13. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    same reason I'm skeptical of stuff like Abyss and, to an extent, HE-6. "Sounds super great if you've got X, Y, Z mods and have such-and-such amp"

    For the drooling masses these are "outsider" TOTL HPs, IMHO. But, flipside: HD800.

    Discuss.
     
  14. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    My two cents in response to @Hands

    Specific to the Mysphere 3.2 - if anything, they are some of the least source-dependent TOTL cans out there. I've found acceptable results driving them straight out the SP1000+AMP (what I use), the WA11 Topaz (also what I use) and I can say with certainty that when it comes to the LCD4, Abyss or even the HD800 performance doesn't scale down as well as the Mysphere. Now, these headphones do have a few significant caveats:

    1. Amp pairing is not only specific to model (3.1/3.2) but also amp design for tubes. If you don't want to fuss, stick to solid state and stick to the 3.2 and you're good.
    2. The cans are bass-shy, similar to the K1000.
    3. The design reaches distortion limits relatively quickly, at around 105 db or so instead of the 110db+ of the SR1a. People have reported negative experiences with the Mysphere because they run it past the limit and hear bass distortions. If you want to use them to drown out outside noise, exceeding the limit is easy - but very bad for your ears, even with moderate amounts of listening.

    Saying that "you need a $5,000 amp just to tone down the treble" is a bit nonsensical. Otherwise, I think that the trade-offs here are perfectly acceptable when you gain a pair of cans that you can drive off portable sources but with (close to) industry-leading speed, imaging and mid-range control. It's not for everybody, but neither is the SR1a or the Abyss.
     
  15. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    The 3.1 is also optimized for SET which is the part that can be a bit confusing. The drivers are interchangeable, and if Heinz sees fit, I think that both should be included.

    For personal use on anything stronger than the SP1000 with the amp attachment (unless you have to keep a 300b machine around) I do recommend the 3.2 over the 3.1. The 3.1 will also reach listenable loudness on a smartphone but I don't think that's what most people are interested in.
     
  16. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    You’re describing the HD800’s bro

    Edit: Maybe that is what you are trying to say? I might be confused by your use of “flipside”.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2019
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I rather liked Abyss from Vali 1. Seriously. Sure it can do better, but the strengths of the Abyss were evident from the Vali 1, while the amp's bloominess helped masked some of the Abyss' very minor weaknesses.

    HE-6 sounds great from a cheap Tripath amp. I far preferred this little Tripath thing at a meet to the EF-1.

    All above statements can be backed up from prior posts on Changstar. Not making it up now.

    P.S. HD800 took a while, but when the HD800 came out, it was a dark age in terms of amps. Most solid-state stuff was nasty nasty. And tube amps from SinglePower exploded. Stuff like Night Blues Mini today gets you a lot from HD800. HD800 mods didn't exist either, another huge factor.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2019
  18. Heinz Renner

    Heinz Renner MOT: Mysphere

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    Hello friends,

    As there are so many things wrote about "upgrade" with amplifiers, I would like to mention those amplifiers that are well to pair with the MYSPHERE 3.

    First of all, to explain that one of the development goals of this handset was, despite completely open design (no front pad which generate back pressure) to offer enough sensitivity to not necessarily need a performance monster of an AMP to drive.

    This goal has been achieved and you can have a lot of fun with the MYSPHERE 3 even with mobile players.

    Here, however, I would like to report exclusively on stationary devices suitable for the MYSPHERE 3, because they simply bring enough power to convey the enormous impulsiveness of this headphone. So they provide enough voltage and power to perform such impulses as recorded.

    As mentioned earlier in this and other thread, due to the high electromotive force of the EMF, not every amplifier is suitable, which often plays very well with other headphones. That's why this list is written.

    I deliberately do not do a ranking because in my opinion this makes no sense, too big are simply the respective differences in prices but also the preferences of the individual user.

    The list is written in alphabetical order and contains only such devices, which I myself could try in the past with sufficient time and peace and, so to speak, got my ok for the drive of the MYSPHERE 3.

    It is also stated which headphone variant fits (there are also amplifier devices where both variants are well suited.

    Additional keywords of my impressions:


    Audiovalve Solaris
    Very neutral sound, excellent spatial presentation, powerful, OTL mode possible> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    Audiovalve Luminare
    Very neutral sound, great spatial representation, OTL mode possible> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    BMC ULTRA DAC
    Pure warm sound, lots of power and dynamic,> MS3.2

    Bryston BHA - 1
    Lively musically, transparent, very good sound stage, sufficiently strong> MS3.2

    Burson Conductor 3 Reference
    Pure full warm sound, good control in the bass, enough power> MS3.2

    Cavalli Liquid Fire
    Very good balanced clean sound, enough power> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    Cayin HA-300
    Excellent spatiality, very good momentum> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    Crayon CHA-1
    Great performance, bass and warmth, very good momentum and spaciousness> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    DNA Stellaris
    Very transparent, strong> MS3.1

    Eddie Current Aficionado
    Sufficient performance, good tonal balance and musicality> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    Feliks Audio Euforia
    Neutral sound, enough power and dynamics, good sound stage> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    GraceDesign m903
    Warm pleasant sound, sufficient power> MS3.2

    IfI Pro ICan
    Good performance, warm sound> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    Lake People HPA RS08
    Neutral sound, enough power> MS3.2

    LTA MicroZotl MZ2
    Warm sound, good transparents and good sound stage> MS3.2

    Malwave Head Amp three Mk 4
    Lots of power, warm pleasant musical sound> MS3.2

    MASS-KOBO 394 mk2
    Lots of power, performance, good stage> MS3.2

    Meier-Audio Corda Soul
    Clear neutral sound with built in EQ, clean mids and high frequencies> MS3.2

    Paltauf HPA-100
    Pure power, neutral sound, very good stage> MS3.2

    Paltauf Universal Tubes AMP
    Good performance, very good specialty> MS3.2

    Passlabs HPA-1
    Enough performance, transparent sound, good space> MS3.2

    Pathos Aurium
    Sufficient power, good neutral playback> MS3.2

    Riviera AIC-10
    Pure control, tremendous power, transparency and warmth, great space> MS3.1 + MS3.2

    RME ADI-2 Pro
    Sufficient power, neutral sound with EQ can be influenced> MS3.2

    Woo Audio WA 33
    Lots of power, transparency and warmth, very good space> MS3.1


    Have fun, your Heinz

    Heinz Renner
     
  19. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I think purr1n got it - I'm coming at more from "in this day and age" perspective. it took nearly a decade for HD800 to become an "easy" reference: pair with appropriate tubes, and do a couple mods that are (fairly) readily available and easy, and reversible.

    But if someone is trying to say "Grab these new $3k HPs, and mod the f**k out of them," or, "they only pair well with a specific $3k amp," I don't see how that's a TOTL headphone. That's just (expensive) good synergy. Or maybe I'm just a curmudgeon.
     
  20. Heinz Renner

    Heinz Renner MOT: Mysphere

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    May be I did not understand what you are saying with your arguments.
    But in fact and just as an example: the RME ADI-2 Pro which is mentioned also in the list is a complete DAC + EQ + AMP and comes for USD 1300,- and it pairs very well with MYSPHERE 3.
    So what's up?
    Additional to mention, that it's quite normal and locical that using a high end headphone some poor parts in the complete chain can be better recognized as poor! Isn't it logically?

    kr heinz
     

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