ETHER 2

Tbf what I said was something like "these are the least fucked Mr shitters I've heard"

 

Oh I forgot to list that I owned the DT990 for a while too.

Yeah I thought it was mostly the latter.

 

I would not call the Ether 2 a bright headphone. People have described it as dark, so I came into it expecting darkness. People who describe it as dark don't know what a dark headphone sounds like.

The little bit of splash that bothers me is unlikely to bother many. Something between my ear canals and my cajones is extra sensitive to it. Most headphones get instantly discarded by me because of some sort of treble issue, but the Ether 2 sounded good enough that I think they're worth me exploring a little further before discounting them.

A treble shelf would probably solve it for me, but I'd rather find a solution with an amp or toilet paper or something before spending $2k on a pair of headphones.

 

Now you're just talking shit you old so and so. That right is reserved for @jexby alone

 

Or those people heard a version of this headphone which was different than what you heard.

This is very reasonable given the manufacturer.

The version I heard did not sound in any way similar to what you and others describe. So please be careful about making generalizations about what people do not know.

Edit:
My main concern is: if I were to order this headphone today, which version would I get? I think this is unreasonable given the price of this headphone.

 

MrSpeakers will be releasing two new pads in May with a bigger opening - Suede and Synthetic leather. Suede is supposed to make it warmer and slightly darker while the other much more neutral. It’d be nice if you could choose these at checkout but he did say that wasn't going to be an option.

 

I’m not trying to beat a dead horse here, I just want to be clear about my comments in this thread:

I think I heard the original “flawed” version that sounded dark-AF. See Vtory’s attachment purple line. I was hoping the owner of that headphone would comment on this. I too thought it must be a seal issue and listened without my glasses and adjusted to see if the sound changed for the better. My issue was with the mids and up, not bass. I also tried on multiple different amps, sources etc., but it was clear that something must be wrong.

I trust the ears who say good things about this headphone.

However, the only explanation that explains the drastic differences with the headphone I heard and the positive remarks later on is product variation. Hopefully any variation or issues are resolved now. I would love to hear this headphone again in its intended form.

 

While that may be generally true, I don't think it's the case here.

As I recall, you heard ice-man's pair right? If so, I kinda think it was unlikely defective, because (1) ice-man keep on using his pair without any obvious complaints, and (2) he is sort of "inside" person (as far as I recognize) -- he can frequently talk about his pair with MrS and Dan if any troubles happen.

We all hear differently, and express even more differently. For example, loaner auteur with eikon pads sound dark and totally inoffensive to me (in a very positive way), but that combination was too incisive to one of the loaner program participants. I believe this kind of things always happen to subjective world.

And regarding the "version", I don't think it's a right way to put, unless you intended cynical. Imo selling different pairs of ear pads is never an unacceptable problem. Including everything (like meze) or leaving them as an initial option (like zmf) could be more flexible though. At least basic pads just did everything at the listenable level (I am very conservatively expressing).

 

No, I wasn’t intending to be cynical here (although, I normally am at baseline). I’m all for using different ear pads, TP, etc. to adjust a headphone to personal preferences.

I appreciate all of your input (and Hands & Marv) and I will try to figure out why I heard what I did. The important part is it sounds like it is my issue and I will move on and try to get another listen down the road.

 

@Gaspasser I've been assuming that you were just meh about E2. lol

But seriously if you are a potential buyer on the market (I mean.. way beyond curiosity) and finding a good chance of in-house testing before making a decision, I can loan you my E2 for a short period of time (3-5 days?), conditioned by both fedex (or ups) shipping+insurance paid by you. If interested, please pm me.

PS. Btw this isn't AF joke lol..

 

Grabbed some of the Ether Flow inserts that came from the upgrade kit.
https://www.mrspeakers.com/shop/accessories/tuning-and-comfort/ether-flow-1-1-upgrade.html

Didn't fit 100% and my ears bulge probably a bit more than normal and made some contact. Wonder if Dan considered including the foam inserts since he does now with Voce and Ether Flow 1.1.

 

I really don't have any issues with treble on this headphone. And I don't think that the tuning foam would be beneficial, BUT...if someone is looking to experiment, PM me and I'll send you some tuning foam. I think that I have a couple of sets or so.

To my knowledge there was a very small production issue at the beginning of the process that effected a limited number of headphones. I know the @Vtory had an effected pair, but that issue was cleared up quickly and all subsequent ETHER 2 measured VERY tightly to spec.

Regarding my pair (s). I had a pre-production pair right up to and even shortly after launch. This pair is very likely the ones that I shared with @sheldaze that he took to a mini meet. While they were production level tuning, it was probably a mistake to send them out on loan until my production pair were shipped and received. I apologize if I added to the confusion of the tuning. Lesson learned. Sometimes my excitement to share things that I feel are really good gets the better of me.

Now, I do feel that the new suede and perforated pads make a fairly substantial difference and that they will "dial in" the signature for many people. If there is interest I will ask Dan for a set of each to tour here. I am still unsure if there is a pair of ETHER 2 that will be circulated for the loaner program here. Maybe @purr1n would clarity.

 

If you need a third set I could send my pair and you’ll have more data points. On the other hand I know you’re busy so if it’s warranted let me know.

 

You are welcome to them.

 

Dan just made the two new pads available to order. I went ahead and placed an order for both the suede and the perforated leather. Wish I had a measurement rig of my own as well to see how they affect the sound objectively. You bet I'll be posting subjective impressions of both when it comes to the sound and comfort.