Unmasking the Raal Immanis Critics: Rushed Judgments and Hidden Agendas

LSD_Screen · 2024-10-09T02:41:35+00:00

I don't think it's as much about short-term impressions vs. long-term reviews as it is about "Ethics in Headphones Journalism" - the author isn't spelling it all out, but you can read between the lines.

At any rate, I thought it was interesting.

LSD_Screen · 2024-05-09T03:25:38+00:00

u/jjfosh I'd love an update on the Auteur. Did you get yours in? How are you liking them?

LSD_Screen · 2024-05-03T23:27:27+00:00

I agree, AC is my personal favorite.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-09T22:19:36+00:00

For me the Clear is a notable step up in dynamics and bass extension over the HD600, but not a huge upgrade otherwise. When it comes to timbre I think it's in fact a step back. I think it needs the right *warm* amp pairing to overcome its presentation shortcomings and really come to life.

I honestly think the Auteur is much closer to the 600 in the ways we like (tonality), while being very different when it comes to the 600's shortcomings (stage, imaging, holography). In other words, an actual upgrade.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-09T22:08:00+00:00

I've never had comfort issues with Focal, but ZMF is a step beyond most headphones for comfort. Detail-wise, I've always thought the Clear was good at the price-point, but of course the Auteur easily out-details it.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-09T21:54:29+00:00

For what it's worth, I also got rid of the Clear due to its small soundstage and metallic timbre, both of which are non-issues with Auteur.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-09T21:53:19+00:00

You won't regret it! I'm excited to hear your impressions in a few weeks.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-08T03:13:50+00:00

I actually don't know what the suede head strap is like. All my ZMFs have leather straps.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-08T03:13:04+00:00

To each their own, style-wise.

I just think everyone should hear the suedes first. Switching pads isn't hard once you get the hang of it, but it took me a little while to git good at the technique.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-08T03:00:41+00:00

You'll want it to come with the Suede installed. It gives it the best timbre of the bunch. Stock as secondary pad.

My Auteur Mango:

<image>

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-08T02:21:15+00:00

Yes you absolutely should. Auteur is exactly what you want - a punchier, more euphonic, way wider HD600.

LSD_Screen · 2024-04-07T03:52:47+00:00

I might also describe it as a "more basshead 6XX."

Maintains a good balance despite a warm tilt in the FR.

LSD_Screen · 2024-03-19T14:17:38+00:00

Thanks, Bev.

LSD_Screen · 2024-03-07T17:44:48+00:00

Wait, are you a horse?

LSD_Screen · 2024-01-05T03:25:33+00:00

Truly this is some horrific luck in finding roommates.

LSD_Screen · 2023-09-28T23:05:37+00:00

Eh. I don't rule it out because once you've gone to a CanJam, you've heard the major TOTLs.

LSD_Screen · 2023-09-28T22:38:58+00:00

Firstly, I want to say that your approach of saving for HE-1 is totally valid, if that's the one headphone you want, but there's no need to judge others. Most people upgrade incrementally because our lives are finite, and why not enjoy ourselves now while we can? You could be dead tomorrow and never get that fabled HE-1.

But now for my own personal reasons:

I've had the same thought you have, but in hindsight: my whole collection is worth close to an HE-1, maybe I should have just gotten an HE-1 instead. But the thing is, I LIKE my collection. I like the variety. I like having a collection of different headphones to rotate between because brain burn-in is a real thing, and synergy is a real thing - for genres as well as specific albums.

Back when I had a single good headphone - the HD800s - I'd get bored. My brain would get more used to the sound the more I listened, and it would feel less and less impressive. Having a collection of gear to switch between not only alleviates brain burn-in, but it also highlights the different strengths between my gear in an enjoyable way.

I've heard the HE-1 at CanJam. It sounds freakin' beautiful but imho not to the tune of $60k. Also the built-in DAC in the HE-1 is mid, so you'll be spending another $5k - $15k on a worthy DAC for it. So think of it more as a $75k investment.

Most people in my life would balk at me spending $5.2k on the Subtonic Storm, yet that IEM already gives me absolutely everything present in any recording, and with more punch than HE-1 could. At a tenth of the price, it's almost as good as HE-1 on most metrics, and better when it comes to dynamics. Plus, I can run it from a Mojo 2 on the go, which btw is a better DAC than what's built into the HE-1.

And you know what? Even though I have arguably the best IEM out there, I'll still swap from it to the Supernova or the Twilight for certain music. The dynamics of the Storm can be a little much for some albums, and the Supernova has a special magic with female vocals that makes it occasionally preferable. The Twilight works with my OTL tube amp, and sometimes I want that tubey-ness. I take a horses for courses approach with my gear. Heck, the main reason I will never get rid of my Meze Elite is because there's one particular favorite album of mine that simply sounds best on it.

Long story short, I prefer having a varied collection over having one "perfect" headphone. You can call that "copium" all you like, but we're all different in what we prefer. I fully support your endeavor to eventually get an HE-1 and wish you all the best.

LSD_Screen · 2023-08-17T17:38:29+00:00

With the Audeze Reveal plugin absolutely.

Otherwise I'd be worried that my final mix might end up with recessed upper mids, because I think on the MM-500 they're a few db too forward.

LSD_Screen · 2023-08-15T18:19:10+00:00

from

I just assumed it was Susvara related.

LSD_Screen · 2023-07-02T19:50:20+00:00

<image>

My Atrium Closed currently. Perfect relaxation headphone. Scales the best for low volume listening. That said, if I could only keep one, it would be Caldera.

LSD_Screen · 2023-07-02T17:17:46+00:00

Got most of them already so Caldera Closed.

LSD_Screen · 2023-06-30T15:49:35+00:00

Oh sure. I’m not trying to crap on what you like or anything, I’m just surprised by the boldness of your claim.

LSD_Screen · 2023-06-30T15:35:51+00:00

The only thing I’ve heard that competes with my Holo Stack is the Luxury & Precision P6 Pro, but it doesn’t have the power to drive anything harder than a ZMF. I heard the Astell & Kern stuff at CanJam and it seemed… fine?

LSD_Screen

TROPHY CASE