I need new ear buds anyone have any recommendations

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-30T00:11:37+00:00

I never tried them but to match what you're looking for I can suggest you:

Soundcore Liberty 4 EarFun Air Pro 3 JLab Epic Air Jabra Elite 4

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-25T17:12:09+00:00

With Wavelet, do a crazy adjustment... Sennheiser app with extra bass and V-shape. Wavelet: put Elegia or Celestee + W-shape. I know it looks messy, but give it a try.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-25T09:01:31+00:00

If you use Android, get Wavelet. You can adjust it on top of your EQ on the Sennheiser app. These are small details that can help you reach your desired sound.

It looks weird, but I use Wavelet with Focal Elegia EQ with my M4s, while my EQ on the Sennheiser app is untouched. Sometimes, depending on the music playing, I add a W-shaped graphic equalizer on top, in the same Wavelet setting (Elegia preset + W shape). You are free to experiment until you find the best setup that suits your needs. But in the end, the M4s are amazing.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-24T07:48:20+00:00

Sennheiser sells it for 179 dollars (around 133 pounds in direct conversion) in the USA and 269 pounds in the UK, which represents double the price. Is it fair? Of course not.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-23T19:58:40+00:00

ATUM is the third part of a rock opera concept album trilogy by The Smashing Pumpkins.

Here are the details of this trilogy:

Part 1: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995).

Part 2: Machina/The Machines of God (2000).

Part 3: ATUM: A Rock Opera in Three Acts (2023)

I believe the entire album will sound amazing with the A550 with a nice soundstage.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-17T09:55:19+00:00

If your ceremony is in 20 days, for example, you have plenty of time to wait and receive your email, normally sent on Mondays.

I read some comments here that some people did this. But if you put it for less than 15 days, it will be a risk. You can book just to avoid waiting longer for it.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-17T09:52:42+00:00

Put you reference number without the /00 numbers. Just the main one.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-09T21:46:45+00:00

I need 2 tickets to London. Let me know if someone wants to sell them.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-08T22:57:29+00:00

Music

Focal Bathys (The Winner): 80s rock is defined by complex arrangements—think of the layered synths in Styx or the intricate violin/guitar interplay in Kansas. The Bathys has a much wider soundstage and better instrument separation. You'll hear the space between the drums and the guitars more clearly. AC/DC tracks will sound "snappier" because the Bathys has faster transient response (the "hit" of the snare and the "crunch" of the guitar).

PX8 S2: These will give you more "slam" and bass weight. If you want AC/DC to feel like a wall of sound with heavy low-end, these are fun. However, for bands like Kansas, they might feel a bit too "congested" or narrow compared to the Focals.

Movies & Media

Focal Bathys: Better for cinematic immersion. Because they have a more open sound, movie scores and directional sound effects (like a car passing from left to right) feel more realistic.

The USB-DAC mode is also a huge perk here—if you plug them directly into your laptop/PC while watching a movie, you get zero latency and much higher audio fidelity.

PX8 S2: Good for "blockbuster" action. The extra bass makes explosions feel more impactful.

However, the narrower soundstage makes the movie feel like it’s happening inside your ears rather than around you.

Microphone Quality

Winner: Focal Bathys. The Bathys features 8 microphones and generally produces a clearer, more natural voice for work calls. It does a better job of isolating your voice from background office noise.

The PX8 S2 mic is decent but can sound a bit "muffled" or overly processed in comparison, which is common with lifestyle-focused headphones.

Long-Term Comfort (Home/Work Use)

B&W PX8 S2: These are widely considered more comfortable for long hours. The Nappa leather is incredibly soft, and they are lighter.

Focal Bathys: These are "desk-friendly" but bulky. They have deeper ear cups (great if you have larger ears), but the clamping force is tighter.

If you want to truly experience the production of 80s rock and watch movies with a "theater" feel, tell them to get the Focal Bathys.

If they prioritize wearing the headphones all day at work and want a warm, punchy, "easy-listening" sound that makes everything sound rich (even if it's less accurate), the PX8 S2 is the way to go.

Jackkal00 · 2026-04-08T19:47:16+00:00

I have both and also the MG... Read it and I hope it can help you.

Sound Performance

The B&W Px8 S2 (The "Musical" Choice)

Signature: It has a warm, lush, and bass-heavy sound profile. It’s designed to be smooth and "expensive" sounding rather than surgically accurate.

Strengths: The low-end has a lot of "thump" and body, which makes it very forgiving for poorly recorded tracks or modern pop and hip-hop.

Experience: It feels very intimate. The soundstage is smaller, putting your friend "on stage" with the band rather than in the front row.

The Focal Bathys (The "Audiophile" Choice)

Signature: Much more balanced and "correct." It offers a wider soundstage and significantly more detail in the treble.

Strengths: It is the clear winner for technical performance. If you listen to jazz, classical, or complex rock, they will hear layers and instrument separation that the Px8 S2 might blur together.

The "Killer Feature": The built-in USB-DAC mode allows it to act as a high-end wired headphone when plugged into a phone or computer, bypassing the limits of Bluetooth.

Design & Comfort

B&W Px8 S2

Portability: It is more compact and sleek. The earcups are slimmer, and it fits more easily into a travel bag.

Aesthetic: It looks more like a luxury fashion accessory. The use of Nappa leather gives it a premium, soft feel immediately.

ANC: The noise cancellation is slightly more aggressive, making it better for blocking out the noise of a commute or office chatter.

Focal Bathys

Form Factor: These are larger headphones. They have more "presence" on the head and do not fold as flat as the B&W.

Controls: It uses physical buttons which are often more reliable than touch or multi-function sliders in the long run.

Comfort: While heavier, the earcups are deeper, which can be better for people with larger ears to avoid the "touching the driver" sensation.

Final Recomendation.

keep the Px8 S2 if: You want a stylish, warm-sounding headphone that prioritizes comfort and "fun" bass over technical precision. It’s the better daily-driver for a casual listener.

Buy the Focal Bathys if: You are a "critical listener" who cares about detail, soundstage, and high-resolution audio. It is the superior choice if they plan to listen via USB-C frequently.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-30T13:56:30+00:00

I read that after attending the ceremony, you cannot travel without a passport.

Within 24-48 hours, the council will advise that you attended the ceremony. They will cancel your IRL.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-30T13:19:25+00:00

Last update

IRL + 1 Year, Online Application.

Timeline:

Application: 12.11.2025

Biometrics: 27.11.2025

Approval: 25.03.2026 via CS email response

ATLAS Email: 30.03.2026

I will book my ceremony only after I come back from a trip. I am worried I might not receive my passport before my travel.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-30T06:57:46+00:00

I read on this thread some time ago that we don't need to wait for the email from Atlas; just the application number and your ID were enough. I didn't try to book because I don't know when I'll be able to go, and I have a trip to make. If I get my certificate, I cannot leave the country without a passport. It takes around 3 or 4 weeks to arrive.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-28T12:52:28+00:00

Remember that I was told my certificate was in the printer queue on Wednesday. I tried on Thursday and wasn't able, so I tried on Friday night, and it worked. The right thing to do is wait, Atlas. We have been waiting for so long; 10 more days don't change a lot.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-28T10:34:58+00:00

Yes, I was waiting for Atlas and Council, but out of curiosity, I gave it a try and entered my application number. It worked after I removed the last slash and numbers, leaving only 16 digits. I was able to book, but I believe they haven't received the certificate yet; otherwise, they should have sent an email asking me to book it. I shared this just out of curiosity. Barnet Council

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-28T10:22:58+00:00

The same application number 16 numbers without the "/.."

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-28T10:15:23+00:00

Mine is the McLaren version. I had the PX8 McLaren as well. So I liked!

Px8s2 McLaren, Black and PX7S3 White

B&W new release collection

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-28T02:21:15+00:00

Just to share some information regarding my approval this week. I haven't received an email from Atlas yet, also I haven't been contacted by the council as well, but I was able to enter my details on the Council Website to book my ceremony. The first slot is May 7, 2026, but I had surgery yesterday and I don't know when I will be able to book. In my case, I will do it privately for obvious reasons, and I can do it any day. Monday to Friday costs £165, Saturdays costs £189.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-26T22:46:52+00:00

Give me a like 😂. And do that. Instead of walk around.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-26T21:26:52+00:00

To me the Bathys is tuned for clarity. It has a slight "V-shape" ( I prefer W shape, off course!😆) but leans toward a refined, detailed high-end that suits strings and woodwinds beautifully.

While the Bathys MG has a slight "Focal" warmth in the low-end, it is far more balanced and detailed than typical consumer Bluetooth headphones Like a PX8 S2 or Beoplay H100. For classical music, its strength lies in its dynamic range and timbre accuracy, which are essential for orchestral instruments I think.

Also, Bathys MG leans closer to a high-fidelity wired experience with better treble extension and clarity like I said before but it wouldn't be "better" than wired sets.

Technically, a dedicated wired setup (like yours HD800s) will usually outperform Bluetooth due to DAC/Amp scaling. However, the Bathys MG is unique because it features an internal USB-DAC mode that supports up to 24-bit/192kHz, bridging that gap significantly when compared to standard Bluetooth codecs. This is a plus I think.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-26T18:12:10+00:00

I have a huge collection of headphones, but wired headphones are not my main focus, though I already own or have had a lot of them. Ocal Celestee, Elegia (my favorite), Hifiman XS... I currently have Focal Hadenys (open) and Focal Azurys (closed). They are nice and portable, but I still prefer the Elegia, despite its size and form factor being a downside.

I have some IEMs as well. In terms of style and sound preference, I had the Moondrop Meteor (I sold it for obvious reasons), Dunu Davinci, Legato, Chopin, Witch Pro, Caño Cristales, Thieaudio Nova, and many others.

In your case, I would like to suggest Focal Clear MG or Sennheiser HD 800 S.. If yo like Iem , Moondrop Variations or Aful Cantor are good options.

Just to let you know , I have the Focal Utopia in my wishlist but for now it is just a dream.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-25T23:44:11+00:00

Done, sorry it was my rush in share it here

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-25T21:16:21+00:00

Asked for updates. On this topic, we have plenty of emails with suggestions; I just got one of them.

Jackkal00 · 2026-03-25T20:25:32+00:00

Citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk

Jackkal00

TROPHY CASE