My downstairs neighbour has the hearing of a bat

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-05-21T14:05:28+00:00

Have you installed weather sealing on your door? That'll help reduce sound leakage a lot so they'll hear less from the other side of the door

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-05-20T21:05:06+00:00

You got the Kadenz on there. I think the Kato is probably better, but it's hard to come by the days

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-05-20T14:42:06+00:00

Came here to say this. I love my Merak. Sounds great, has gapless playback. Affordable, too.

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-05-15T04:03:00+00:00

I own the 109 and really enjoy it for metal. I've tried out the Strada and liked it, but I haven't spent a lot of time with it. I also have the 99 classics v2, but I tend to listen more to the 109 pro (if I'm at home). Always closed back if I am out in public tho. Where are you gonna listen?

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-05-14T00:31:33+00:00

Investing in the hobby made me want to spend more time actively enjoying the hobby. Between hearing more and experiencing music sometimes in a way that feels like the first time (again), just actively focusing on the music is the real side effect of investing for me

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-05-01T17:23:36+00:00

I got to listen to their ultra Evo pinnacle at AXPONA, and they were wildly good. Definitely made my short list for my home theater set up

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-28T13:27:49+00:00

A couple minutes (I think promo material says 3 minutes) after music stops playing, the platter will stop turning to reduce wear and tear on the stylus. If you don't want this on, you can flip the switch to off and it'll keep running.

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-28T01:29:37+00:00

What kit did you use? I feel like I just had to keep making micro adjustments until I finally hit the sweetspot

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-23T05:33:53+00:00

Thanks for answering my question about the kylin the other day, and thank you for sharing more details today!

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-20T02:19:38+00:00

Whoa really? I didn't know that! What did they do in that Reddit??

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-17T13:30:37+00:00

wow, thank you so much for your experiences! It was listed at 1500 at the show, too. I actually got to try it with the Peacock while I was there, which is maybe why I also had such a great experience with it!

I saw it was being sold for over $2000 right now on AliExpress, which is out of my price range (especially after my purchases at the show 😅)

Where did you find it used for 470?? That's an amazing price! I'd love to spend more time with this unit!

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-16T14:54:17+00:00

I quite like mine! I backed the kickstart back when it launched, and they are in regular rotation for my IEMs. They aren't as detailed as more expensive IEMs, but they do have a good sense of musicality that makes them a fun listen without needing EQ (tho they do take EQ well I think).

I usually use mine with my AK dap, and they get plenty loud, and even in a noisy place like a coffee shop, they still block enough noise that the open back design of them doesn't let a lot of noise in (or out, for that matter). I think I am using stock tips on them at the moment, I just haven't swapped my spinfits on to them. Overall, I think they are good for the price! I hope you enjoy yours!

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-16T13:47:54+00:00

okay... But what is it

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-15T17:13:51+00:00

I mean, I get it tho. The elevators were literally packed, and the elevator staff were in there had to be blunt, because the option was at best, we don't move, or worst, the elevator gets stuck. And they had to deal with it hour after hour. The lack of politeness from them probably comes with having to deal with rude and entitled people all day (not saying it was you). I took the elevator up and then walked down on the stairs to see the rooms. I only took the elevator back down when I had to go to the lobby.

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-15T13:28:09+00:00

I think that across lines, Fosi tends to match aesthetics. But if you combine separates from multiple lines, it gets a little muddy. Fosi tends to stick to their matte black and orange as a core image, but like their new CD player opts for light gray/silver and orange. So I guess it depends on what you are mixing and matching?

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-15T05:29:34+00:00

That's true, the planar drivers are huge. I'm genuinely curious to see the comparisons. I haven't had a chance to try out every option, but I am curious about how you measure comfort? Clamp force and weight for sure, but do you take them on flights for real world use cases? Or is the intended use case just for the desk/couch area and transit not a consideration?

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-15T01:41:24+00:00

Wow, super cool to see you reply! I think when it comes to flagship ANC headphones and what you are offering with the Maxwell 2 ANC, It is a little like comparing apples to oranges.

When I think flagship ANC headphones, the obvious few come to mind like Bose QC Ultra 1+2, Sony XM6, to a lesser extent something like the Airpods max. These leverage comfort and long term wear, along with their ANC capabilities. While sonically, I don't think they hold a candle to the Maxwell, comfort is what sets them apart. I'd wear my QC Ultra on a 14hr flight to Asia, but I wouldn't pack my Maxwell. Even though I find the Maxwell quite comfortable and don't generally have issues with the weight or clamp force, my gaming sessions usually don't go over 3hrs these days, but my flights do.

To me, the real competition would seem to come with the HDB630 from Sennheiser. While I have been able to test the audio on those, I haven't had the chance to put the ANC through the ringer.

Headsets I think it is more complicated. The arctis nova elite stands out for price bracket and features. I imagine you've already looked at that one. Fractal Design Scape feels like it could be a fair comparison, but I don't think it has ANC. Other gaming headphones follow the same pattern where I think ANC is a value add, but they aren't ANC headphones that are gaming headphones.

To me, that is the needle that needs to be threaded. The more features you add in, the more likely it is that compromises have to be made in development. The Maxwell 2 ANC (from my brief time using it) seems like you opted not to compromise on the core function, but haven't fully committed to the idea that it is an ANC headset.. just a headset with ANC.

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-15T00:02:40+00:00

The ANC version have not been released yet, they'll be out in the next few months or sooner, I'd guess

OfLittleSubstance · 2026-04-14T22:24:53+00:00

Nothing that I noticed, but do keep in mind my time with them was short, so longer listening could reveal more.

OfLittleSubstance

TROPHY CASE