The perfect portable headphone?

[@sjqideez6626]

Smashed it Lachlan, thanks for this

[@Dragoncini]

Very nice review and in harmony with my take on both headphones. I finally decided to buy the Liric 2 for its musicality and drivability: it sounds superb even from a dongle DAC.

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review and thanks for sharing your take on the two!

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

They are actually 61ohms

[@DMS3TV]

That looks like a minidsp ears frequency response. It's definitely not giving you accurate results on the FR.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, it is. I don't use it to evaluate the tuning of the headphones. Only to visualise the overall tonal ups and downs of a headphone and tonal differences between the headphones I'm comparing.

[@DMS3TV]

@@PassionforSound nice 😄 another tool in the box!

[@PassionforSound]

It'd be great to have the budget for a proper B&K or similar, but not there yet 🙂

[@DMS3TV]

@@PassionforSound I hear ya, there’s some 60318-4 options on the market that are pretty great and “EARS” price. Happy to help if ya want.

[@Firebottleman]

Hi Lachlan. I have a request. I really enjoyed your review of both versions of the Apos 6SN7 valves. I would really love to see what you think of the newer Sophia Electric Blue Glass 6SN7s. They are supposed to be really good. There isn't much on the web about them so far. Thanks for the review. Excellent job!

[@PassionforSound]

I'll see if I can get my hands on some

[@neilsnyder7915]

I know Lachlans sound profile preference. I understand why he likes the Liric 2. I listened to both the Liric 2 and the E3. It was an easy choice for me. I preferred the sound signature of the E3 so much more. The E3 is much more technical and has very precise imaging and a lot of air in the treble range. The key is to know what you like AND what you prefer.

[@chungang7037]

That is too bad 19:55. I play acoustic guitars, especially nylon string, and my DCA Aeon 2 and Noires both never worked for acoustic instruments. I was only able to use them with electronic music and some pop where the tonality wasn't an issue. I ended up getting rid of them though, been hoping DCA would chase a different tuning but who knows what the future will bring.

[@danielheffernan7897]

These two up against the ZMF Bokeh would be interesting…

[@PassionforSound]

I'll hopefully get to try the Bokeh soon...

[@Villaboy78]

I’ve had the aeon 2 closed backs since launch and my one worry for the E3 , noting the similarities to the Aeons, is durability . My aeons look like they’ve been through a war zone with most of the paint chipped off the yokes , the headband tension clips have snapped , and the pads leathery covering just disintegrated over time , especially when wearing them round my neck and the pads get some stubble rub . For something that’s e3 price I would absolutely cry if they had the same durability issues . The lyric 2 look like an absolute unit and that would be a main factor in considering a pair of headphones for out and about

[@PassionforSound]

That's a great point! Having owned the Aeon 2 Noire for a while, but none of the others, I think it's a valid concern. One challenge with the folding mechanism (that I'd forgotten about) is the fact that the arms can scrape the cups if you don't fold them symmetrically. I'm also slightly concerned about the pad longevity after my experience with the first pair of Stealths I reviewed. I didn't raise this in the review because I haven't heard any other reports of pad or longevity issues so I didn't know if it was a one-off thing.

[@goldenstasgs]

About listening during flights Liric 2 is perfect. Tested. 👍 the best passive noice isolation with wired headphones I have ever heard. Even in ear ie900 has weaker passive noice isolation during flights I was surprised with it.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for confirming!

[@chungang7037]

Does that mean they clamp pretty hard?

[@goldenstasgs]

Passive noise isolation was enhanced because of wood cups. Pressure of cups was not increased and it’s the same. I have Liric og and 2.

[@PassionforSound]

Thankfully, it's not about clamp strength - just the quality of the pads and internal damping of the cups, I suspect.

[@MaZEEZaM]

To me, the Meze Audio heads look much nicer to me. Is that $2,600+ AUD ? The only thing I don't like about ordering directly through Meze Audio is that its in USD prices only, you don't even know how much it would cost until you are in Paypal, even then I can't remember if it showed the USD to AUD conversion. What happened to all the IEM they used to offer? I bought the RAI PENTA IEM's which are no longer offered.

[@PassionforSound]

For now, I'm always working in USD because my audience are largely from the US and it makes for a more stable pricing reference in the long term. You can always buy from local retailers like minidisc.com.au or HeyNow if that's easier for pricing. 🙂

[@aceofspades6667]

A caldera just went for $2.2k eventually the closed will drop to $2k. IMO the calderas are fantastic!

[@soulfulfool]

closed caldera can really be the best closed back

[@coardtech]

Where do i get a caldera for 2.2K?

[@aceofspades6667]

@@coardtech headfi last night and it was beautiful

[@PassionforSound]

I'm excited to try the Caldera Closed

[@Nikita11035]

Is it much better then Fiji ft1 ? I mean is it 13x better sound wise?

[@PassionforSound]

I'm yet to hear the FT1, but I generally find that more expensive gear does end up being technically better in most cases. It doesn't mean it's necessarily more enjoyable though and it's rarely a linear improvement of cost vs performance. The gains get smaller as you spend more.

[@Hetsu..]

Love your shirt lmao

[@JKT-e9z]

What about the HD 820 and the MDR Z1R?

[@chungang7037]

THat would be an amazing comparison video

[@PassionforSound]

I can't do that comparison, but I DO have the MDR-Z1R coming up...

[@chungang7037]

@@PassionforSound That is great!

[@Alinho295]

By the way, here are the prices for these two headphones in Poland: Meze Liric 2- 7999 PLN and Dan Clark E3 - 10,990 PLN. 😅 You can buy Meze Liric 2 and Meze 109 pro for the price of E3 Sad to say, As the owner of Dan Clark Noire 2, which could potentially consider E3 as an upgrade…

[@chungang7037]

I would say it depends what kind of music you listen to.

[@geneg6343]

Currently have the Denon AH-D9200 (closed back) for over 2 years. I am considering another closed back headphone to go with the Denon's. Any input on how the Liric 2 and DCA E3's compare? I have a Schiit Yggy+ OG DAC, Schiit Folkvangr amp and Mjolnir 3 amp, Schiit Lokius EQ, and using a Mac Mini M2 Pro as a streamer.

[@PassionforSound]

I reviewed the D9200 a while back and I think both of these are a nice upgrade. The E3 is sonically closer to the D9200 if you like its general tonality.

[@ajithchandrakumara]

Can you do a video about JCat USB Card? Is an external power supply recommended? Can it replace a stand alone DAC and does it require an Amp to reproduce the sound? How is the music quality?

[@PassionforSound]

Already done! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqrFkoWkadiCrpYsi=MSiub1wZZ30ghji4

[@alsleet442]

will you be doing a review of ZMF BOKEH?

[@PassionforSound]

I hope so. Zach said he'll send me a pair, but I don't know the timing...

[@bobhanuman65]

E3 all the way!!!

[@MaZEEZaM]

OMG Well... I wont be copying that setup, the Chord Hugo M-scaler alone costs $7,400, Dave $21,000 AUD...

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, no need to copy the setup to enjoy great sound though 🙂

[@goldenstasgs]

Liric 1 is 30ohms. Liric 2 is 61 ohms.

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM😎 from Toronto. I’ll save my meager wages and aim for the Empyrean 2.0 …(yes, I know it’s an open back) ..but that’s what it is …

[@mikehoward4583]

I will pass on the liric 2. To many conflicting reviews.

[@Dragoncini]

Out of 20 or more reviews in text or video, 90% say they are very good or excellent. I think these are not conflicting reviews.

[@mikehoward4583]

@@Dragoncini More like 50%. I live in the U.S.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm not sure there's an audio product on the market that doesn't have conflicting reviews 😉

[@mikehoward4583]

@@PassionforSound I know but some of the reviews are vastly different. I'm waiting for the caldera closed back.