Have both of these on me, recently started listening to them, but going to be curious of how they end up performing. Impressions to follow 
Admin note: edited to include all oriolus iems
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Very curious of your thoughts on the Isa, as a single dd it somewhat interests me. I’ve heard it has some pretty great mids
So I did let these play and burn in for like 3 days awhile ago, but hadn’t gotten around to giving them serious time yet (until yesterday and today)
Right off the bat, I honestly am liking the Crassirostris much more. Generally it’s signature reminds me of the reborn ltd, it’s got a warmer, smoother, richer and meatier signature with a bit of a slight W to it (although more linear and slightly relaxed in the treble than a typical w). In comparison the Isabellae is almost neutral in the bass but very forward with an elevation in the upper midrange and beyond, generally a bit more lean, a bit more initial clarity in signature, but honestly I’d say the Crassirostris is more balanced overall despite it’s warmer lean, the Isabellae almost feels more skewed toward a specific signature/target in comparison with a focus toward upper mids. I will give it that the Isabellae does have very nice vocals due to it’s tuning, but I don’t care about vocals so that’s kinda a downside to give them that much priority over everything else for me imo (So to me from a tuning perspective the Crassirostris is much more enjoyably and widely tuned, where the Isabellae is a more vocal and clarity focus that only works with some genre)
When it comes to technicalities, the Crassirostris is just more capable, it can provide more information, and also in a more effortless manner than the Isabellae. Extension wise I also think it bests the Isabellae Generally wider stage with more holographic presentation as well that is a bit more relaxed in presentation. I will say the Isabellae is more coherent overall, but I don’t think it’s coherency outweighs the general just better technical performance of the Crassirostris. The Isabellae stage wise is more intimate and forward in presentation, a bit more lively sounding in macrodynamics but not as proficient in microdynamics as the Crassirostris. Timbre wise, I find both to be very good, although I’d give the edge to the Crassirostris.
Need to really listen more though. So far only have been listening with the P6P, and for cables just a PW 1950s 4w (overkill yes but it’s what I’ve got to work with right now, will mess with other cables later once I feel out the sound of these iems more properly). The 1950s is a pretty neutral cable and seems to work well with both
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How do you think the crassirostris compares with the sarda, given the similar price?
I’d say it prioritizes different things, you can definitely own both and not have any conflict.
The crassi has that more relaxed w signature that has a bump in both bass and midrange so much more meaty and prominent in those areas, and a smoother more relaxed top end but still with a bit of extra upper treble sparkle. Compare that to the more clean and lean forward v approach of the sarda which is more linear in the bass, more recessed in the midrange, and more overall prominent in the treble.
Stage wise, the crassi is more large, wide, and a few steps back, where the sarda is more close, in front of you and forward in it’s stage. Sarda does have sharper imaging and more depth, but the crassi just has more space and width to play around with.
When it comes do dynamics, I do think the sarda is more lively in macro, and about similar to the crassi in micro.
For impact, it’s no doubt the sarda just hits harder in the low end and treble, but the crassi does have harder hitting mids
For resolution, I think the sarda has a slight edge but admittedly close enough.
For timbre, I do think the crassi has the edge here, and also has the edge in general organicness
For speed and separation I do think both are good here, but sarda has the edg
For tonal density the sarda is definitely more on the lean side of things, and the crassi has more meat on the bone
And in overall smoothness I find the crassi to just have that better liquidity to things without messing anything else up because of it
Also, when it comes to texture, I would say the sarda has a bit better overall texture (mainly in the bass), but the crassi does have better texture in mids than the sarda
Overall they are definitely aimed at different audiences/goals for sure, I could definitely see someone owning both
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Since I’ve got more time on them, I really do enjoy the Crassi and it’s def now one of my fave at the price point. The isabellae I can enjoy at times, but it’s not for me tuning wise, and technicality wise it’s a noticable step behind the crassirostris in most things outside of coherency which is a bit better, and timbre which is about equal. But yeah crassi ftw in this case. I’d say my impressions above still mirror how I feel now so not much to change there
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What would be a good cable pairing with the Crassi? Would the PWAudio Blackicon Silver Gold be good?
By chance, has anyone gotten to hear the Mellianus JP?
(I noticed that the Mellianus JP is down to $2300 on MusicTeck’s website and I was just curious.)
anyone try the traillii ti?
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