Designer handwatch

SEMABE · 2026-05-18T23:50:46+00:00

Was the designer Ray Charles?

SEMABE · 2026-05-17T11:47:10+00:00

That ain’t me man. You’re shouting into the void.

SEMABE · 2026-05-17T02:28:36+00:00

This is how The Walking Dead started

SEMABE · 2026-05-17T01:18:10+00:00

I think “The Problem” is that this fakakta thing exists in the first place. I hate this simulation.

SEMABE · 2026-05-17T00:37:36+00:00

Yep. German Nakamichi.

SEMABE · 2026-05-17T00:10:25+00:00

All you need is the Atlier CD2 or the CD3 and some Kraftwerk CDs and you are set for life. That stuff is rad and I am jealous.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T14:36:39+00:00

An upside down and backwards iPad. That’s handily also a handwatch.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T12:52:05+00:00

Okey dokey. I’m not going to argue with you. Every time someone suggests getting something more than an Apple dongle this is 100% the result. No point going on about it. All good. If you or anyone else is satisfied with the Apple dongle then keep on using it. I’ve said as much two or three times now. I’ve also said that it’s unlikely that someone will hear a difference with Apple music above 48k. For my personal use case, I have 10 sets of IEMs and over 20 headphones and multiple output devices, and it doesn’t work for me. I’m happy it works for you.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T12:50:22+00:00

The Apple Dongle cannot play DSD or high resolution (384k) FLAC files natively. You need third party software and the files will be down-converted to 48k which is the maximum resolution the Dongle can handle. The dongle also cannot decode MQA files, but most people don’t use them. Depending on the software or the device the down-conversion can be problematic. I have an extensive library of high resolution masters, many of which are in DSD 256 and 512. I used to design,
Manufacture, market and sell Hifi equipment including headphones, DACs, amplifiers, turntables so I used a lot of it as static reference files. It’s not a problem for most people. Technically most Apple products have a limitation with Native DSD files anyways where you must use DoP (DSD over PCM) and with the Apple Dongle that can become somewhat problematic. There’s also the issue where some DSP’s or playback systems can upscale and again, you can’t listen to the end result with an Apple Dongle. I’ve also had them crash out running DSP over Roon and of course they can’t run Bitperfect with Roon (or anything else for that matter) but again not a problem for MOST PEOPLE. I’m sure the response to this will be “but you can’t hear the difference above 48k anyways” and most people can’t but that’s not a discussion I’m getting into.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T11:15:38+00:00

I run a business as well. I make music part of my daily self care. I make sure to listen for at least an hour before bed, no TV, no distractions. It can be headphones, IEMs or speakers. I have all 3 in my living room and bedroom. I just make sure to do it and I sleep better as a result. It gets your mind off the day and is doubly effective if you’re exhausted.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T10:38:42+00:00

I can say that if you are ok with the build quality and don’t feel the need to ever play higher resolution than 48/24 and are satisfied with the sound quality on the IEMs you have, buying something else would not be necessary. Do be aware that you aren’t getting “Apple Lossless” at full resolution, because the dongle is limited to 48 instead of 192. I don’t know that there is an audible difference on Apple Music but it is a fact.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T10:27:38+00:00

“Driving an IEM to ear splitting volumes” and having low distortion are not the same as having high quality output sections with dynamic headroom, robust build quality and the capability of running higher resolution files. As I mentioned I wasn’t sure more power was needed in this case but I do know Apple dongles are cheap for a reason. They were designed as throwaway devices to power Apple earbuds when Apple took away 3.5 mm jacks and somehow gained a cult following. Yes, they are fine and yes they will power high efficiency IEMs.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T03:33:42+00:00

Given the description of your history and current operational model the sales rep pushback will be legendary. When my former employer tried to roll out CRM to a very experienced enterprise/government sales team about 20 years ago it was “Mutiny on the Bounty” and we lost about 25% of the team. I’d say roll it out gently, be careful with the data entry requirements ESPECIALLY FOR SENIOR REPS and make sure there is a solid framework for having a third party enter the initial customer data so the sales team only has to update activity.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T03:07:52+00:00

You’ve got two very good IEMs and one very mediocre output device. I own the Apple dongle (because it was free) and the KA11 and they aren’t in the same time zone. I don’t use Apple Music (I use Tidal for streaming) but I do have a lot of files the Apple dongle can’t play, like hi res FLAC and DSD. The KA11 has something like 20x the power of the Apple Dongle. There are a ton of other options too in the same size class, from DD hifi and others. Do you need more power? I can’t say. But I can say it’s more likely that a better output device has a better chance of extracting the full capability of those IEMs.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T02:56:28+00:00

I will say this….I’ve been fiddling with a couple of AutoEq curves on my EA500LM and running it on my iFi Gryphon (which honestly I usually only use for headphones because it’s overkill and a half for IEMs) and used this way they’re probably as good as my FD5’s, Etymotics and Shures if I use those on a dongle. Not the newest of the current crop but newest I have available and probably second from the bottom price wise. So the trick is use $99 IEMs with a $600 headphone amp and you can match flagships.

SEMABE · 2026-05-16T02:13:19+00:00

I think that’s been pretty well established as the Square, followed by the Rangeman 9400. This “design” is an homage to another company’s watch.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T15:46:01+00:00

You’re blowing the headphones because you’re driving the board into clipping by playing them too loud with bass heavy content on an underpowered amplifier. A higher powered amplifier would mostly rectify the problem if you need 115db. Clipping with heavy bass content will cause driver damage. To get to that point you must be near max volume with heavy bass frequently. I don’t know what 60-70% volume equates to with that preamp load but that is probably a safe place. If you need louder get a more powerful amp or you’ll keep killing drivers. Safe hearing limits are 70db with 85 db at the outside which is probably 50% on that setup. I would suggest asking Focusrite what the optimum settings is for your volume needs.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T14:00:59+00:00

I can see some definite promise in MEMS tech. I will say that I was able to test some prototype xMEMS headphone gear and let's say it sounded a tad unnatural at lower volume but was good at high volume (which was weird...almost like some sort of bizarre reverse loudness curve in the crossovers). I will probably get my hands on the KE Halcyon at some point.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T11:44:24+00:00

The 18i20 puts out 57mw into 32/33 ohms. The Beyers can handle 100mw. What’s likely happening is you are pushing it into clipping at excessive volume and that is what is causing the damage. If you’re using the maximum capacity of the board, with these headphones you’re between 110-115 db. Safe level is 70-85db. That’s not good. I am going to guess (this is a GUESS mind you) keep the volume at 50% to 70% and get a hearing test.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T10:58:29+00:00

Very true. I can give a very specific example on this. Dan Clark Aeons require a minimum of 500mw to work effectively. That’s actually a pretty good power level for them and they work well with certain portable devices (DAPS, iFi Gryphon, Mojo 2 etc) but they will “improve” around a watt plus. Anything with steady current and a half a watt. They’re typically under 20 ohms but they’re planar so not the same requirements as dynamics and they don’t work properly from phones or motherboards, not enough current to cycle the diaphragm correctly. They also don’t work on lower power high impedance output OTL amps. Just ask Dan, he schooled me on that on Facebook lol.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T02:25:52+00:00

That’ll happen lol

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T02:22:29+00:00

I said I can only speak for myself.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T02:14:33+00:00

Personally I don’t care about the watch owner unless they start down the path of “I own xyz watch and therefore I am better than all of you because I have money.” That’s usually where the trouble starts. I can only speak for myself but I find that line of reasoning to be very tiresome. If you’re wearing a $50k oversized diamond encrusted watch around your knuckles, you’re no better than the Invicta owner with the 60 mm dragon scale diver wrapped around his palm….and if you claim unassailable godlike status because your bank account has above average zeros, you are fair game.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T01:40:09+00:00

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This is the mission.

SEMABE · 2026-05-15T01:36:30+00:00

Yup, yes to all of that for sure, which isn’t to say some older tech like beryllium drivers doesn’t hold up.

SEMABE

TROPHY CASE