ETHER 2

"last" for the next 5-7 years
You are right though. While getting back into things since last and earlier year, I was lucky enough to be able to try most headphones since ~2010 back to back all at once. Then picked up most of the gear I have now almost all at once based on were my favorites were for specific types of listening and let myself be happy with it. Don't think of new headphones or replacing stuff as much as I did back then. Has made this hobby that much better this time around. Last 2-3 transducers would be for the last 2 - 3 types of listening I do .... or this could all be read as a paragraph of my own mental gymnastics.

Yep, probably shouldn't have been lazy and used a 2 word summary on my part (or skipped reference points from other posts). Quick impressions and skipping not the norm for me but I was in the middle of 2 other things when I posted last night... so there.

And now that I am once again in the middle of something else and will resort to being lazy (albeit less) again , I would still say EFO is relaxing, but not like in a go to sleep way. All the times I've used/tried them I didn't want to do anything else but sit there and just relax and listen to music. Vs when I listen with other transducers I sometimes catch myself inadvertently analyzing sound, making comparisons, etc.

 

Isn't this applicable only for very old days?

I don't know much about alphas.. so, let me just list their history from Ether.

Ether was released mid 2015
Foam upgrade: early 2016 (more like front damping mod everyone here does for many headphones to some degree)
Flow upgrade?: mid 2016 (but AFAIK this is more like "side-grade" - for different taste)
Flow 1.1: Late 2018

Aeon, Aeon flow, Voce - no upgrade yet since release

Honestly, I can't call this "overzealous revisions".

 

I've owned my Flows for a year and a half and enjoy them at least as much now as when I bought them. I got what I paid for, no complaints.

 

You'll get to peak efficiency MUCH easier with e2 than with any version of the hek. The HEK actually needed a good bit of power to sound it's best.

 

How is the transient attack/impact/hit compared to well amped HE-6 or Abyss? is it more like HE-6/Abyss or HEK?

 

I've not owned the he-6 or Abyss, so I'll have to leave this to others.

 

Yeah TDK OST

 

Been reading the Head Fi Review of The Either 2! I have been seriously considering the ZMF Verite and now I see Dan may have created a real serious Game Changer. The new ZMF seems to be an Effort to create a more planar sound! I love my Auteur Blackwood particularly with either a Zenwave Silver Gold cable or a custom Mad Scientist Carbon Fiber. The second substantionally opens up the staging and is completely even bottom to top. For me I don't do multiple phone's. One must do everything well and my Frankenheiser 650 is a great backup when necessary. So the Auteurs are most likely going on the Auction Block over the next month. Im leaning toward Dan's latest effort at this point. Will entertain offers on the Auteurs...pm me...but not in a huge hurry to sell them! If I change inclination toward Verite than probably sooner.

But the Ether 2's look to be to the ultimate planar solution at this point! Im going to be following comments and impressions on both very closely!

Happy listening,

 

The first Ethers were hailed as the second coming of Christ as well.......

I did not see a single negative in Ice man's 2015 review.

Most experienced members would agree that the 650 is competitive with the first Ether at a fraction of the cost.

These Ether 2s are better in every way of course and $500 more

Sigh.

 

$2k is a ton of money for just about anyone. I would highly recommend that if you are considering these find a way to audition first. It's likely that sbaf will buy a loaner and start a tour.

At the very least give them a chance to get into the hands of some additional senior members and read those impressions as well.

 

@Ice-man @Hands how is the comfort and earpads size compared the hekv2's as thats what am using and I need my comfort as I use my headphones for general purpose use aswell

hows the soundstage is it in comparable range or just outclasses? by that i mean size or expansiveness

 

The pad size is going to be larger on the HEK series. So if you have dumbo ears, the HEK would probably be the better option. I would call the ETHER 2 pads accommodating for most ears and comfortable with it's nice leather. It will come down to preference though.

 

This is not an exact comparison bw E2 and HEK2, but I've owned both AFO and HEX2 which showed two different approaches (prol cause Dan and Fang may have different philosophies) regarding wearing comfort.

Clamping: Afo > Hex2
To me Afo was just right enough to guarantee good seal even when I nod or move my head. Hex was a bit too loose.

Earcup inner space (roominess): Hex2 > Afo
I have a large head and big ears, but had no problem with Afo. Could feel more physical air on Hex2 though.

Physical openness: Hex2 > Afo
MrS' "flow" feels more like nearly semi-open back design. Pretty sure E2 will not differ much.
On the contrary, Hex2 had Stax-level openness.

Earpad material (surface and inner-foam): Afo > Hex2
But this will be different when it comes to E2 vs Hek2, because both may use much luxurious material.

Honestly, both were amazing cans from ergonomic perspectives. Easily "disappeared" after a while.

 

Since this is SBAF and not Hype-Fi......

Do you get accommodation pricing from MrSpeakers?

I think it is relevant info if you praise his products to the sky.

 

I do not have any deal with MrSpeakers for accommodation, period. But even if I did, which I don't, I would not announce it publicly. What I said in my review is exactly how I feel about the headphones.

It would have been much easier for me to just say, "f**k, these are amaze-balls. Run your ass to the computer and order them now." But I try to have a little more restraint when possible. It's not easy though when you hear something this good.

If I'm enthusiastic and sound a little smitten, that's because I am. I mean, "f**k, these are amaze-balls. Run your ass to the computer and order them now."

 

I vote that SBAF doesnt buy the Ether 2, and they are provided on loan from Mr. Speakers, one of his vendors, or a member that wants to pump them up (cough cough).

 

I have already offered my pair (paid for with my own money) if there is not a loan from MrSpeakers. I would only loan them to about four people with Marv getting first shot. But maybe we'll get a demo/loaner from Dan. He is super busy this weekend with RMAF. So I'll check back with him after that.

 

let me know when you able to experience the headphones am 6,3 aswell so pretty big ears the only last headphone I liked was the hd800 in comfort

 

question about the earpads are they breathable like the hd800 or he1kv2 or are they more like closed headphones?