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StarWarder t1_j68zn0c wrote

I like a lot of headphones but here are five of note:

  1. Susvara - If I could characterize this headphone tonally, it would be as a symbol- the Yin Yang. Befitting considering it’s heritage. This headphone is perfectly balanced. And as such, I believe HiFiman created the most timbre accurate headphone I’ve heard. The Susvara is the only headphone I’ve listened to that crosses the uncanny valley completely from reproduction to believability and because of this, it’s performance is more than the sum of it’s parts. If I had one gripe, it would be that the imaging isn’t as precise as a Focal. Though this does lends a certain etherealness to it that is arguably just as interesting as perfect imaging.

  2. Focal Utopia (OG, I haven’t heard the new one yet) - The best imaging headphone I’ve heard. Approached perfection in many ways but never crossed the valley because of Focal’s house sound. This is Focal’s best headphone and strikes the best balance in their lineup.

  3. Abyss AB-1266 - Perhaps the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off. It’s like hiring a world class prostitute. None of this is natural, but it’s fucking great.

  4. Focal Clear Mg - I agree with OP. This headphone is dynamic incarnate. It’s more dynamic than the Utopia. At some point it felt like kick drums would punch a hole straight through my eardrum, in a good way. Considered this might have been my endgame for awhile but ultimately the mids are fucked- particularly male vocals. I did find out the weird tonality does lend itself to reproducing the timbre of water perfectly for some reason. Still the best rendition of Yosi’s Fluid that I’ve heard so far. Combined with Focal’s best-in-the-world imaging, it does it better than the Susvara.

  5. KSC75 - Minus the sub bass, tonally amazing. Also the soundstage is just shocking- goes way past the headphones somehow. I feel like this headphone grounds us in a world of ever escalating prices. I never get tired of listening to these and still do often.

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