NoScoprNinja t1_j9iacg9 wrote on February 22, 2023 at 4:04 AM

Reply to comment by ratatat in My End Game, but I'm not sure I'm happy Any questions? by mghazik

660… crispiness?

ratatat t1_j9jl2cb wrote on February 22, 2023 at 1:03 PM

Clarity might be a better word? When A/B’ing the 660 & Sundara over 2 days, the Sundara sounded a bit muffled in comparison, almost like listening to a speaker in a gymnasium in comparison. Greater instrument/vocal separation in the 660, which pushed me to keep the 660.

Rogue-Architect t1_j9icj2n wrote on February 22, 2023 at 4:23 AM

Just misinformed. I mean I’m pretty sure those plus soundstage are the 6X0 series 3 major downfalls. Smooth, close, 3 blob.

radrod69 t1_j9je1q6 wrote on February 22, 2023 at 11:54 AM

I wouldn't call them misinformed considering they've listened to both the Sundara and 660S. The 660S stands out from the rest of the 6x0 lineup as it has a good (read: wider) soundstage and decent imaging.

I haven't listened to a Sundara in a while but if my memory serves me well, I'd call the mid range on the 660 crispier (vocals sounding muted and lack of slam were the reasons I upgraded). Depending on what you listen to, I could see how someone could come to that conclusion.

ratatat t1_j9jl9n6 wrote on February 22, 2023 at 1:05 PM

I might be using improper terminology but I can understand “blob” and Sundaras were more blobby than the 660s in my experience. Couldn’t tell if you’ve used either, but just sharing my opinion.

NoScoprNinja t1_j9icuow wrote on February 22, 2023 at 4:25 AM

Exactly, the Sundara was perfect for me compared to the 660, loved it so much that I just decided to get an Ananda as a slight upgrade to the Sundara.

Rogue-Architect t1_j9iekmj wrote on February 22, 2023 at 4:41 AM

I started with a DT-990 Pro and then I went all in and tried most of the highly recommended things in Midfi: Edition XS, Ananda, Elex, Aeon Open X, HE6SE and ended up loving the difference so much that I had to know what the Arya was like. Jeez what a difference. Everything in that category was already a big step up and so I wanted to know but wondered what more there could be. For me personally, this was when I felt like I finally transcended. Everything in that midfi category sounded incredible but the Arya was the first time I fully disappeared into the music. I was in a new world. I don’t know if that is the same for everyone but it wasn’t until I broke that threshold that everything came alive.

From there I tried some IEMs and eventually got the Audeze iSine10. They destroyed every IEM I had heard and so I had to hear the Audeze sound and picked up a pair of LCD-3. It was intoxicating. Smooth and liquidy but also really detailed. Not as detailed as the Arya but I loved the warm/dark signature. I then traded my Arya for an LCD-24 and it was like another level again. More detail than the Arya but the warmth and impact I had to come to love from Audeze. I am now on an LCD-5 and woof. The detail is unparalleled and they just sound so natural. It was like transcending again. They are just insane.

It’s funny because I believe in diminishing returns but at the same time I personally have felt that at certain levels there are points where things just go to a different level. Are they 20x better as the price would indicate? Well no, but it is not the same experience at all so I don’t know where I sit lol.