plumpudding2 t1_iu3jj77 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:23 AM

They're not everyone's cup of tea but Dan Clark has been really innovating with his Stealth and Expanse headphones. The acoustic metamaterial tuning system is true innovation in the headphone world imo, and the Stealth is the first closed back to sound as open as a small staged open back.

Yammy_Lyfe OP t1_iu4m8rp wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:48 PM

This sounds really interesting. Have you heard a pair?

plumpudding2 t1_iu4pqhu wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:12 PM

I own a pair! Best closed back on the planet imo, and really competes with ToTl open backs. However you need a properly powerful amplifier for them, on some people's heads bass seal is an issue, and some might just not like the tonality. So try before you buy!

Yammy_Lyfe OP t1_iu4qlj1 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:18 PM

This is very interesting. Yes, for sure I'm all about TBYB with so much subjectivity, but at the same time, closed backs that preform like open backs sound enticing to look into.

What do you run them on, and what's the isolation like for people near by?

plumpudding2 t1_iu4u9fv wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:42 PM

The fact that they're closed back sold it for me too, during daytime it can be quite noisy with neighbors or street traffic and then the isolation it provides is a godsend.

I run them on a Ferrum Oor + Hypsos combo which I'm veryhappy with. The designer has stated they'll perform at their best with at least 500 mW at 23 ohms, which can even be reached by a high quality portable amp. Some people swear that you need Susvara tier amplification for them to shine though..

I also should mention that I've been recommended low output impedance tube amp pairings to add some euphonic distortion back in, as these headphones have less distortion than some dacs or amps.

Isolation is excellent, if you play at ear bleeding levels some sound might leak out, but in my own experience absolutely no sound leakage at normal listening volume.

Yammy_Lyfe OP t1_iu55hzs wrote on October 28, 2022 at 4:57 PM

Thanks for all this great detail. I'm going to have to look up these amps and get myself up to date this weekend.

I didn't really ask about what's turning heads as far as amplification in this thread, but ai probably should have.

These headphones look pretty awesome, and more the kind of innovation I was hoping to see at the show.

I'd like to be able to sit in the same room as my partner while listening without it buzzing in her ears. Since I don't listen loud that could certainly work.

The last fully closed backs I had were the original AKG K550, and original M-50... they just get older from there. LOL. So that's an area I'm way more than 6 years behind. Those definitely kneekaped the soundstage, although I'd argue the K550 really made a good early attempt to open up the stage more then most had.

I also feel like that's a critical area for companies to innovate in if they can get an open feeling sound. It's amazing that we still think it's normal to project the sound all over the place from a personal listening device.

I also love something that responds well to tubes, so many interesting aspects here. Of course it would come down to liking the sound, but it's definitely a pair to research and try out.

I appreciate you taking the time to tell me about them.