Submitted by beeglowbot t3_zxoj8v in headphones
^(Gear I tested it on: Amazon Music UHD > Schiit Modius > Singxer SA-1)
"Why are they so fancy??" is the first thing my wife said the moment I took them out. lol they really are very fancy, but not gaudy thankfully. They make the Aryas look kind of cheap. If you sat them next to each other and told a lay person one is above $1k, they would immediately point at the Mezes.
Stupid comfortable, even for someone with a massive head like me. To give you an idea, my crown is 24.5in around; so it's difficult for me to find even sunglasses or hats that fit comfortably. Arya fits me nicely because of how giant the band is but there's pressure below my ears due to how long the cups are. These have zero pressure, just even clamp force. I particularly love how everything is just automatic. The cups auto swivel to your head, the band auto expand when you pull it down; has enough force to hold the placement but ZERO pressure. I can't even tell it's there, just the cups.
Tuning is very fun coming from the Arya Stealth's. I know they're two completely different products in different categories, but it's my dd so it's going to have to be my reference.
There's obviously more bass but it's not messy, it does nothing to detract from the mids and the highs. It's almost like throwing a sub into a pair of solid bookshelves, all the detail and clarity is still there but now there's just more bass! Every song is more fun, they might not be correct but they're all fun and dynamic! I expected to lose some instrument separation or maybe some top end, but everything is still there....just....more.....fun!
Jurassic Park Theme Song (Remaster) at 24/192: The Aryas are obviously wider but there's just less impact because it's just flatter. The 109 Pro's just makes it feel much more grand. Instruments seemed to be separated better too, though I'm thinking it might be because of the tuning making things pop out more.
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights: Arya's are airier, vocals are cleaner but has a bit more sibilance at higher volumes. Meze's vocals are closer and a bit more intimate (that's just a dynamic driver thing). The keyboard and synths are separated very well but slightly less clear.
Radiohead - Reckoner: tambourine sounds were very fun. Super natural and metallic, you can hear each jingle jangling away.
Prince - When Doves Cry: Keyboard is very clear, layered just between his voice and the drums. That's a running theme it seems: instruments are just separated and layered very well, nothing smears into each other.
UPDATE - Big Wreck - Albatross: The acoustic guitar sounds more natural on the Arya's , the 109's adds a bit more twang as each pluck falls away. That could be the tuning. They both tickle the ear the same way. However, because the 109 brings everything in closer to you, it's a lot more enjoyable.
His vocals are fairly similar after 1:00, 109's brings out his raspiness slightly more; especially after 1:20 where he strains a bit and does his vibrato thing. Again, that's likely because the soundstage isn't as wide so everything is more intimate. But because the 109's are just warmer, it makes this track more enjoyable. For me personally, it would get a bit fatiguing listening to this on the Arya but that's totally subjective.
These are just quick impressions obviously, I'll need some more time to listen. So far so good, very impressive.
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EastResolution1242 t1_j21jn8k wrote
I’ve had my pair for a couple weeks. Love them.