MrSpeakers Ether Flow

[@MarshallSmith27]

I just listened to these and the Ether C Flow (sealed) yesterday at Can Jam London and I was absolutely blown away by them. Particularly the sealed model. I usually never much like the sound of sealed backs but they have really out done themselves on these two headphones. I heard them both on a tube amplifier (not sure what it was it wasn't in a case) and a Cavalli Audio Liquid Carbon amplifier, both using Chord Mojo DAC's. These are truly amazing I believe and if you get the chance to listen or buy definitely do both.

[@HitmanFluffy]

Does it drop the bass like you drop the ban-hammer?

[@Delayeed9]

okay now that's savage

[@mistermatsuda]

You really know your stuff. Your collection of audio gear makes mine look like garbage. Keep up what you're doing, it's impressive.

[@KojiCO-ConvinceM]

HD 800 S is my daily driver and I recently picked up the P9 signatures, but when I Hurd the closed back variant of these I was absolutely blown away! Definitely going to be my next purchase in the summer

[@jmohd]

Great review, thanks. This will make my choice easier.

[@chrisgullo3893]

Hey Amos, I'm a big fan of your videos and I got really excited when you started talking about the HE1000. I am a very, very happy owner and I wish they got more respect as an end-game headphone. I would love your full review like you teased. I have not yet seen a well-respected reviewer talk about how well the headphones respond to custom cables and high-end multibit DACs (I own the Gumby myself). I also highly recommend trying the adhesive felt strip modification found on SBAF, which is easily reversible and requires no opening of the headphone. It really gave them a punch and focus that their critics should hear for themselves. Thanks again!

[@drx8888]

I've always been fascinated with the lcd-x. after hearing one at a shop i made it a life goal to own one. it just had sound so much more appealing then something like the hd800s (it being to bright for my tastes). would you say the Eithers are a noticeable step up from the lcd-x? and have you had the chance to listen the Either C?

[@ghost2031]

If i would bend my Hifiman HE-500 like this, it would fall apart into 10+ pieces. But anyway, nice Hp for sure.

[@Borednlonely]

Will you be reviewing the Ether C Flow?

[@leegreenmusic]

thanks for the review. I found it quite informative. However, I am curious if someone was wanting more bass than the HE1K, could they consider the Flow as a viable option. IMO the HE1K is a nice headphone but it is a little sleepy in overall engagement. Thanks in advance.

[@ajuyal]

Nice review as always, look forward to them :-) I do most of my listening on Roxannes or se846s and occasionally pull out my Meze99s or EL8C. Have been wondering what next - Noble Kaiser, KSE1500 or Laylas in the IEM dept. 800S, LCD-3 or now these Ether Flows. Will try and audition them if possible or maybe just lean out and buy them if not available locally in Singapore.

[@ajuyal]

+Currawong thanks. I did look it up and will audition them this week.

[@jeremyhunter5592]

excellent review amos

[@jarkmodels]

That was an awesome review...problem is, now I need them.

[@fatdoi003]

can you elaborate bit more between Ether flow and C flow?

[@fatdoi003]

***** thanks.... will be great to see the comparison between the two...

[@s.p.3428]

Thanks for the review, how is the soundstage of these? would you say its a bit too intimate?

[@RX-rd4sc]

Ether c flow vs z1r What was your preference at that time?

[@nihilionsaro]

I have the LCD-2s and love them--love them so much in fact that I'm planning to upgrade this summer. How do you think these compare with the LCD-3s?

[@Currawong]

I haven't owned the LCD-3s for a very long while. Usually the Audeze cans have a slightly darker overall tone, though the drivers have changed a lot over the years.

[@ThujanK]

nihilionsaro I have lcd 3s the 2016 fazor edition and I also have ether flows on my way. Will let you know the comparison

[@waterdragonsage8460]

How do they sound compared to the oppo pm-3? I'm looking for a headphone that sounds like the oppo pm-3 but has an improved high end and more airy sound that's flat and neutral/natural sounding for my mix work. Note this is an end game for me along with my favorite oppo's. These ether flows are on my short list.

[@itsabodh]

Marvin Evolution buy beats

[@brainache555]

The video was not long but i felt like i watched it for 1 hour! Not in a bad way maybe im just tired :)

[@roiosdona]

Hi Currawong, how do they compare to the HD800S?

[@DigitalBliss69]

Hey! Saw your Chord dave review, do you think you could do a video review too?

[@Currawong]

I don't have the DAVE here any longer and didn't have enough time when I did have it here. If I can borrow one again in the future and do it more comprehensively then I might.

[@TrampledReed]

Good review

[@Tetsujin-28]

Focal Elear give the Ether line a run for the money especially since they are cheaper by $500.00?

[@Currawong]

I wont have an idea until I can borrow a pair. There are mixed impressions in the CanJam London 2016 thread on Head-Fi.

[@hifix-man319]

What do you think of ether c flow compared to ether

[@Currawong]

I only had it briefly here, but like the Ether C, there was less mid-bass.

[@hifix-man319]

Currawong what do you think is the alternative of susvara?

[@rubenevensen2948]

Have you heard the Sennheiser HD800S? It has better tonality than the original 800 and i was wondering how you would rate it against the Ether Flow?

[@Currawong]

I have a pair on loan from a friend. I don't like them -- they sound strange to me. However other people do. I'm going to have to try and figure them out.

[@rubenevensen2948]

Strange how? I'll look forward to a video of it, if it's in the making. :)

[@johnyang799]

Rina Ljungquist hd800 and hd800s are bullshit. forget them.

[@rubenevensen2948]

John Yang your opinion is bullshit

[@johnyang799]

Rina Ljungquist lol. I have compared almost all headphones plus some of the ear phones through hugo tt and moon 430. Hd800 sounds like shit. Peaky high without extension. Low and mid are pretty accurate but it is not listenable. The soundstage is so fake and it is rather small when listen carefully. T1 is already better let alone with 1990 and amiron. And those headphones such as lcd ether flow 009 hekv2 are just in a different world. Utopia sounds like a super upgraded hd800 but i don't like it. it has some problems in highs and mid. Also an earphone er4b is better than hd800 for whatever reason under same drive. Tell you if you can't say bad thing about hd800 then your eara are fucked or dull. I love highs like ether er4b but never hd800. It is huge problem. I also tried wooaudio wa22 it smoothen the peak but the region was widen so the high extension sounds worse than it should be. Forget those. Get an amiron or something.

[@AresPT]

Great review! How do these compare with the Audeze LCD-X?

[@Currawong]

My pair of LCD-X were first production originals, so the drivers are probably different to what is in production now. I need to get around to sorting out an update.

[@Mr2pint]

What's there Customer service like? I say that because I'm fed up with the atrocious CS of Audeze it's so bad it's non existent. Im thinking of getting either these or the Focal Elears next.

[@Currawong]

Dan Clark is very responsive. He is "mr speakers" on the Head-Fi thread. There are quite a few posts there about customer experience as well.

[@Mr2pint]

Thanks

[@1Schnellbachniko340]

I am considering buying the "dan clark audio aeon 2 closed back". Which portable headphone amplifier dac can you recommend?

[@nickcarrozza3133]

Didn’t you say the HP 1000’s were rewired to find their good sound? Maybe yo said HE 1000, accent is different then what I’m use to. 13:32 of your recording.

[@Currawong]

Ahh, yes. The HE1000 had a less than ideal stock cable. That was fixed with the V2.

[@rick-val22]

how do these compare to the Focal Elears especially since the Flow's are about $800 more

[@Currawong]

I'd like to find out, but they are in such huge demand that getting hold of a loaner pair is close to impossible.

[@Introverder]

I prefer cheaper (a bit) Ether version (open). They are for me much more natural than Flow.

[@tomsneden2469]

What are the headphones you are describing at 8:30? The look like Grados...

[@Currawong]

They *were* Grados, but were modded by Symphones back when he was doing a full mod with custom drivers and metal sleeves. You can still buy the latest version of the drivers, but you need to buy a pair of Grados (or similar, custom made) to put them in.

[@emilsal]

How does these compare to the lcd -x?

[@ductrung3993]

i know it's orange to apples, but how do these compare to the Utopia?

[@Currawong]

I'll be answering that question soon, at least with my own system.

[@ductrung3993]

Currawong great, if you can include he1000 too then it'd be awesome - top 3 nonstat in the market for different needs perhaps they are

[@ductrung3993]

great! i think utopia, ether flow, and he1000 maybe the top 3 choices atm for different musical needs

[@JustFun-bm8dz]

So Ether Flow vs 800S? What do you buy?

[@Currawong]

At the moment I'm liking the Ether Flow better. I have borrowed a pair of HD800 S which I'll hopefully have time to make a video about.

[@randeezy3914]

Is the ETHER Flow as neutral and uncolored as the ETHER?

[@johnyang799]

Randolph Knackstedt Ether is more colored.

[@Currawong]

They sound mostly the same, so if you consider the Ether neutral, then you'd consider the Flow to be as well.

[@johnyang799]

Currawong Are you serious? are you serious...

[@Currawong]

I have both here. I'm serious. Note the "mostly". If there is an area that they are different I missed in my video (not entirely impossible as some people will have versions of the original with the 1.1 upgrade) I'm interested to know, preferably in reference to the music used as I find there is always something new to learn.

[@nickcarrozza3133]

Why in heck would a $3000.00 set of HP need to be rewired to sound better? And how much was that extra on top of your all ready hard earned 3K?

[@Currawong]

Wait... these aren't $3k HP. Am I missing something?

[@bratosin1]

3 rules when u choose a headphone: 1.comfort 2.audio 3.build .materials and weight

[@hpol3603]

I bought the Focal Utopia headphone instead. In my opinion they are better.

[@alexandergomes3317]

they're much better utopias are the best phones in the world....presently bar NON!!

[@alexandergomes3317]

where are you from.. don't get the accent.. a cross between English and south african...probably Australian or kiwi

[@Currawong]

Australia, but my parents are English. I had to slow down my Aussie English for the locals in Japan.

[@alexandergomes3317]

+Currawong you reside in Japan...wooow

[@johnyang799]

Let me clear this up. Hd800 sounds like shit on any amp.

[@akshat3516]

John Yang Fail

[@jarkmodels]

I disagree, the 800 are sublime with the Violectric V281...give it a try

[@johnyang799]

Jorge Rivas Krause i even tried on moon 430ha and some tube amps. No the 6k peak is not going anywhere. And due to the 6k peak the high extension sounds very bad especially with the 6k somewhat controlled by some amps.

[@johnyang799]

Jorge Rivas Krause 281 is just a regular solid state amp which is pretty decent but won't change the harshness of hd800.

[@jarkmodels]

I think is a matter of taste. In my setting, they sound amazing. Lossless files, Auralic Aries+Vega, balanced out into V281...No shit to me...in fact, the HD800 have been around since 2009, and only now that Sennheiser released the S version that the 6K "issue" appeared...There are plenty of good amp match for the original version, SPL Phonitor, Cavalli Liquid Gold, Violectric V281 and a bunch of other Tube amps...Are there better headphones? certainly, without a doubt....but then, there will always be.