Utopia vs Mysphere 3.2 vs Susvara vs 1266 Phi TC

[M0N]

No, that could be done, perhaps move it down a slot but realistically you might be able to substitute

[Andy77]

I find it so funny that I
I have based thousands of dollars in purchases based on something called a “Shit List”

[Draaly]

I mean, calling it the “poor boi” “I guess its sufficient for TOTL cans” list just don’t have the same ring to em

[M0N]

Keep in mind the “Shit” ranking system encompasses at least positive experiences only (starting at “nice shit”) and goes up from there (to “holy shit”), and does not actually include shit that I wouldn’t want to listen to on it’s own. Shit just is used as an expression to express surprise or satisfaction of the experience with modifiers of increasing surprise/intensity, not a qualitative assessment of the items represented on it’s own

Also it’s not a “buy this list” or “tier list” or anything like that per se, just a way for me to categorize my general experiences with something, you can interpret those experiences how you will lol

@Draaly

I mean, calling it the “poor boi” “I guess its sufficient for TOTL cans” list just don’t have the same ring to em

I mean imo there’s a sufficient amount of variety and different price brackets represented in this one for the type of headphones being discussed, from things that will get you to the point where you are starting to get what you actually paid for in the headphone, to things that will get the most out of the headphones too. I wouldn’t say the absolute bare minimum is represented here (as much as I would want to say that lol), but I think I do have picks that start at the threshold of an experience that is next level/a distinct step up compared to entry hifi stuff, and where I would suggest at least starting from for the aforementioned headphones to get a good feeling for what they can truly offer

[Draaly]

@M0N

I wouldn’t say the absolute bare minimum is represented here (as much as I would want to say that lol), but I think I do have picks that start at the threshold of an experience that is next level compared to entry hifi stuff

Lol, yah… I missed the joke here on initial comment tbh. I thought it was more of a comment calling the v590 like “good enough” instead of “actualy not a bad match if maybe not the best for the price” because I didn’t look at the lists again tbh.

[sa11297]

@M0N

The Mysphere is hard to directly compare because it’s a much different experience than all the others, it offers the most accurate experience of listening to music in a room, and it’s presentation of almost nearfield speakers really changes things to overcome some of it’s weaker aspect. It’s got a midrange to die for, presentation that is extremely convincing, and tonality that is pleasing for almost all organic music. Sure it’s not the most resolving out of the bunch, but I think it’s realistic portrayal of dynamics, and it’s extremely technical midrange (the rest of the headphone isn’t as technical, so much realism there) makes it a winner combined with it’s spatial recreation.

im listening to my mysphere 3.2 right now after the susvara on some Olafur Arnalds/Slow Meadow tracks and althought the susvara is very good, the Myphere is absolutely unbelievable. I 100% hear the midrange to die for as you say (and the presentation you don’ get with other headphones as well of course)

EDIT: Idk if that just means that I actually just need to get a dope 2 channel system and don’t know it yet…

[Draaly]

@sa11297

EDIT: Idk if that just means that I actually just need to get a dope 2 channel system and don’t know it yet…

Gg.

But realy, I am comming to the conclusion more and more that I just love me some full (border lush) mids. Yall got me very tempted by myspheres right now.

[Draaly]

Something I just realized I haven’t asked yet. I ultimately listen fairly quiet (most of my listening is ~60dB with the loudest I ever go having peaks ~77-78). Do any of these 4 cans not handle volumes that low? I know the utopia handle those lower levels fairly well at least but most planars ive owners realy don’t open uo until the upper end of my listening range so I figured I should ask (especialy since most demos tend to take place louder than my standard listening so I’ve been lured into cans that don’t work for me a few times)

[M0N]

Susvara and mysphere are excellent low volume so no problems there, same with utopia as you mentioned. The only one I’d hesitate on is the 1266 for that

[Polygonhell]

@M0N

The only one I’d hesitate on is the 1266 for that

I think it’s fine, but I would agree it needs more than the Susvara to open up.
I actually think the MySphere can go the same way though, and I do find myself listening louder on the MySphere, or at least I think I am it’s hard to measure in a useful way.
Most of my listening is under 75dB’s, but it’s hard to compare numbers without knowing how they were measured, which weighting, over how long, and what source material.

[M0N]

I think regarding the mysphere, it really depends on the amp imo if it pulls it off well or not, I think you have to push them harder with solid state amps vs tubes (likely due to microdynamics and fullness/richness). The susvara is just generally good at it without needing to be as dependent on the amp

[Polygonhell]

Could also just be I like to listen to the MySpheres louder because of the more speaker like presentation.

[M0N]

Hmmm very true lol. Honestly it’s hard to not listen to higher end headphones louder in general, they get good enough where they don’t struggle at all with louder volumes, makes it too easy to goad yourself into pushing the volume too far over time

[bmn1251]

For me, Susvara is very nice at lower levels and also higher levels. I feel i can really enjoy it depending on the mood. It’s very adaptable/versatile with many genres and moods. I can chill out with it, and be very engaged too.

[Draaly]

@M0N

I wouldn’t say the absolute bare minimum is represented here (as much as I would want to say that lol), but I think I do have picks that start at the threshold of an experience that is next level/a distinct step up compared to entry hifi stuff, and where I would suggest at least starting from for the aforementioned headphones to get a good feeling for what they can truly offer

sorry to jump back to this for a second. Does this mean you think the V550/V590 are sufficient to make this list for sus? Because, tbh, they are like 1/2 the price of any other sus amp on this list so im kinda curious. If so, do you think they have sufficient control for proper slam (not necessarily the most just to have some solid slam)?

[M0N]

I do, but it would also be pretty low in the category getting close to that bare minimum mark imo, where other options are more comfortably above even in the nice shit category. But really I wouldn’t consider the amps in the nice shit category when it comes to a susvara.

That’s actually good you pointed that out, because there’s sorta a flaw in my final rankings for the susvara. I flat out wouldn’t buy a dna, eddie current, lta, or ecp for those headphones. Just wouldn’t so the starting point should be the niimbus there. I just included all the amps in each category so I should note what’s not suggested. Might edit it a bit to show what’s ok and what’s not since that is somewhat confusing

Also added clarification to the mysphere amp suggestions so they now show the better pairing version of the mysphere (although I haven’t tested the 3.1 with everything I still have heard the 3.1 with those amps as well, but 3.2 has been tested on everything)

[Delta9K]

@M0N , tagging on to @Draaly’s post - 1266tc too ?

[M0N]

Yep, although might get a bit too dry for my tastes there but I still think it can be enjoyable

Also updated rankings some and added more clarification

[Draaly]

@M0N

That’s actually good you pointed that out, because there’s sorta a flaw in my final rankings for the susvara. I flat out wouldn’t buy a dna, eddie current, lta, or ecp for those headphones.

Ok, so I was curious about this specifically. Because a couple times you said something was a nogo for sus and then put it in the lower category so i got a bit confused tbh.

dead honest question, if you had to pick a “starting” amp for sus, would it be something like a 13r/inpol/niimbus (all in ~ the 5k used mark)?

EDIT: I just want to say btw. Instead of giving me more options on amps litteraly all this thread has done is make me crave an AIC-10…

[Delta9K]

If I had the chance to audition one (1266 tc) then it would not be a waste of their effort or mine. Meaning, I would not just be listening to it to say I have “heard” one ?