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dj_toast
14
Mar 12, 2017
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dj_toast
14
Mar 21, 2017
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jrjrBeyond aesthetics, the most immediate difference was the fit. The E-MUs are a slightly heavier phone which, in turn, made the enclosure and fit feel more natural. The cable is braided fabric just like the PH but is a tad on the rigid end. Easily amended if you're planning on crafting a custom cable from redco or elsewhere because, you know, you can with these cans.
As far as the important stuff, it's weird because when looking at a spec sheet you wouldn't expect to hear a major shift in tonality, stage, or presentation. They have the same drivers (as far as I know from research), same impedance and similar sensitivity but Fostex forums love to talk about magnetic flux density and E-MU about their bio-cellulose diaphragm. Honestly, from a technical standpoint I wouldn't be able to tell you the difference.
What I do know is that the E-MU Teaks possessed a wow factor that was just never there with the PH. Don't get me wrong, the PH is a superb headphone with little room for grievance, but that little something kept bringing me back to the Teaks. The low end was more meaningful, responsive, and smooth. The highs shimmered but were less piercing. The mids, although pulled back just like the PH, have a more rounded feel rather than a sharp valley. Similar soundstage, but feels more generous due to the aforementioned fit.
Given a second opportunity I would have bought the Teaks and purchased the Ebony and Rosewood cups. The pads are so easy to take off and the cup screws are right there in plain sight.
As far as the important stuff, it's weird because when looking at a spec sheet you wouldn't expect to hear a major shift in tonality, stage, or presentation. They have the same drivers (as far as I know from research), same impedance and similar sensitivity but Fostex forums love to talk about magnetic flux density and E-MU about their bio-cellulose diaphragm. Honestly, from a technical standpoint I wouldn't be able to tell you the difference.
What I do know is that the E-MU Teaks possessed a wow factor that was just never there with the PH. Don't get me wrong, the PH is a superb headphone with little room for grievance, but that little something kept bringing me back to the Teaks. The low end was more meaningful, responsive, and smooth. The highs shimmered but were less piercing. The mids, although pulled back just like the PH, have a more rounded feel rather than a sharp valley. Similar soundstage, but feels more generous due to the aforementioned fit.
Given a second opportunity I would have bought the Teaks and purchased the Ebony and Rosewood cups. The pads are so easy to take off and the cup screws are right there in plain sight.
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Without getting too technical, the sound is beautifully represented. Like many have stated here before, the tones carry this sort of smooth and buttery quality that flows through anything you throw at it. The highs radiate purposefully, the mids are balancing and not convoluted as mids should be, and the lows... oh man the lows. So fun. Oh yeah, and since some of us are comparing Fostex variants, the stage on the teaks is subtly wider. Not ridiculously 270 like the more open back AKGs, but enough of it and in an effortless way, like my ears weren't ever "searching" for the music. I think that, to me, this was the most welcoming aspect of these phones. I didn't have to try to find the music or even certain tones, it was all just there, if that makes sense.
Listened to: Steely Dan - Aja Dire Straights - Brothers in Arms UNKLE - War Stories All Them Witches - Dying Surfer Meets His Maker Ryo Fukui - Mellow Dream Alice in Chains - MTV Unplugged Digable Planets - Blowout Comb Henrik Schwarz - DJ-Kicks The Starseeds - Parallel Life Townes Van Zandt - S/T Gillian Welch - Revival
To name a few. Solid phones, pick them up if you get the chance! Your wallet will despise you temporarily, your cochlea will kindly disagree.