2015 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest Impressions

Ranking? Where did I rank anything? Are you talking about my Big Sound article?

Personally, I prefer the AZ PMx2 over the Dharma. I'd have to get an extended at-home listen in on the HEX to comment on that more. The PMx2 is just a tad soft sounding to me compared to some other TOTL headphones, but still fast and pretty resolving/transparent. I think it's the thicker driver. Yes, I think an HD650 paired with a good setup is still clearer sounding and perhaps more resolving, but that's me. The PMx2 has a wonderful neutral tone, perhaps the best I've heard. I do prefer the slight mid-bass hump on the HD650, though, but, again, that's just me. The PMx2 just offers a very agreeable listen and still gives me the technicalities I want, but someone that is looking for HD800-level of precision and resolution might be left wanting even if they like the PMx2 tone. Does that help?

Odin just sounded hazy in a low-fi way. Maybe it was the midrange emphasis. I don't know. I didn't care for it enough to listen very long.

 

It was their new Tesla 2 driver. I asked.

 

Ew.

 

In regards to why I ranked the HEX and Dharma over the Audio Zenith because for the types of music I listen to it just made more sense. Don't get me wrong either headphone you won't be unhappy with if you were thinking of getting the Zenith. I really had a great time with Alex and he definitely made me a believer of these headphones.

The only thing I will say is that I enjoyed it paired with the Yggdrasil and Rag the best. With what I believe to be the Geek Out I felt that there was some distortion in the sound I didn't enjoy. I think it means they weren't properly amped with enough power (could be wrong on this).

 

In the prior discussions on certain subjects, I took out a small a part to protect the innocent. No need to PM me. While this place isn't Changstar, I see no reason to prevent people from venting or discussing their heartfelt concerns about the state of the hobby. Carry on.

 

Thank you for the clarification on this Marv.

Our table of contents front page has been revised. If you haven't read Jexby's section of impressions of the industry please do as I think it's interesting what everyone thinks about the state of the industry and how things are for them.

 

I read Jexby's piece. Eerily similar to a State of the Headphone Industry piece I wrote a few months ago but never released.

I decided not to worry about it and concentrate on SBAF. I'd like SBAF to not just be a forum, but eventually a hobbyists' society (we are almost there already). In the end, quality content is king. We'll see if we can swing both a T1v2 and Dharma for measurements.

 

I also wanted to point out as we are talking about doing things differently during meets and being a cut above the rest. Read this post: what these guys did to me was absolutely amazing and it was done in an environment that really thrives (small, good gear, and great impressions). Now on a bigger scale doing something like this with say more rooms would be a good idea but in terms of the small scale I would love to see and be apart of more of this.

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...esting-Yggdrasil-gungnir-mb-and-usb-regen.45/

 

IMO because 50mkIII is such a good value proposition as well as good sounding, not the best new headphone listened to at RMAF.

I easily preferred the HEX, but yah- the pricing of $160 vs $1500+ skews the value ratings.
yet also preferred the 50mkIII to the Ether-C by a long long longer longest distance.
didn't event want to troll the Audeze $4000 booth visit.

guess it demonstrates that industry quality relative to pricing is all over the map.