Comments on Profile Post by MellowVelo

The OG or the 2022?

OG. To be fair, I haven't heard the 2022, but I don't think that I would want more bass than this. I also would not want to dampen the treble; it's incredibly defined yet smooth at the same time.

I'm interested in the Austria Audio Composer and Axel Grell's new phones. The Phillaphone still is getting love at these meets. Sad I didn't read much about ETA audio at CanJam. O2 is right there with the tops in on-ears.

@M3NTAL anything by Axel Grell intrigues me. I haven’t heard of Austrian Audio Composer. Sadly, my ears can’t handle on-ear headphones for extended periods, so ETA doesn’t work well for me.

Isn't there a 2020 version of Utopia as well?

@lithium the 2020 version is a repackaged version of the OG. It comes with a carrying case and a balanced cable. Sonically, it’s the same as the OG. In contrast, the 2022 version is tuned differently. I have the 2020/OG.

Yeah, I'd concur with the OG still being the top dynamic. There's maybe an argument to be made for the HD800(S). Or even the HD600. (I haven't heard the JAR mods.) I like the VC quite a bit, too, though definitely prefer OG Utopia to it and the VO, which I never quite connected with. Wild that some of the best dynamics are all kinda long in the tooth now.

The JAR mods are insanely good, especially the JAR800 v2, which I’d say is my runner-up. Considering that I listen mostly to rock, I prefer the Utopia’s less diffuse soundstage. I enjoy all of the Senns for their respective strengths, but I think that Utopia offers the most complete package of strengths.

One day I’ll bite the bullet and get a pair. I’m a Senn head but I even in a crowded Can Jam years ago, the Utopias really made an impression on me.

@internethandle I was a long-time Senn user until Focal came along. I’m eager to see if Sennheiser can release a proper successor to the 800.

Clear OG isn't Utopia OG level, but certain parts of the Utopia make it almost a need to have a second headphone. The Clear, like the 600/650, are more universally accepted. The JAR heavphones haven't changed the physics of overall design, but they are competent enough to make a case for a 'one and only' The Clear OG was a strong contender, but times keep advancing. :D

@M3NTAL these are all good points. The Utopia demands attention to every component in the chain, whereas the Clear and 600/650 offer some mercy and forgiveness. With the right source and amplification like the 3F, I think that the Utopia can be a truly remarkable “one and only” headphone, but it’s pricey to get there and really requires you to commit to a certain path.

The good thing is that even without the funds for a 3F, you can still get a bit of mileage from a Piety until you hit the lottery. The Clear is also a more than “good enough” interim in the goal for a Utopia. But the Ute does have that magic sauce and slightly better technicality than my Clear OG.

@joch I paired the Piety with my Elear with Utopia pads (which is basically an Elex), and it was delightfully engaging. Is there more to be gained beyond this point? Yes, but the returns diminish significantly. This pairing is more than “good enough” to enjoy the music.

A used Gungnir A2 feeding into it? Or a Soekris?

@joch I haven’t heard those.

@MellowVelo your source/DAC may be good enough. I’m currently running Pi2AES>Gungnir>Piety and that works well for me. What’s mentioned by many others is that it’s important for the entire chain to gel. A midfi DAC + HP + $160 amp can sound better than summitfi stuff that don’t synergize.

@joch when I tried the Piety and the Elear with Utopia pads, I used Yggdrasil A1 as the source. It sounded great, but to be clear, you don’t need a source like this to get favorable results.