>More than a handful of people have made this claim, and it seems there may be some truth in the matter

I believe that they think they can, however actually being able to is quite another matter.

>also the fact that it's know certain file formats, when processed, decompressed, transmitted, etc., can have different sound due to variances in the processing itself

>To make the assumption that just because you're playing "bit perfect" files, you're actually getting every bit, unaltered, through every part of your chain, is widely accepted as a bad assumption to make.

>So, if a certain lossless file format gets "colored" one way through your setup, and a different filetype is colored differently, then you may actually notice a difference.

Aside from the fact that there a few pretty dubious claims here, I'm not sure how this changes the fact that the vast majority of people cannot discern a difference between a high bitrate lossy file and the lossless original in a blind test. If your "coloration" theory were correct then it should make such a test much easier!

>Note that u/coconutbrown123 isn't saying one is better than the other. They're just saying they notice a difference.

Agreed - they are two different things, however having the preconception that one source is supposed to sound better than another often leads to a difference being perceived either way.

>I'd say, due to the fact that you're not saying it's impossible, plus what I've head, read, and seen - I'm going to conclude they very well could be hearing a difference, and any further time devoted to debating it is just a waste of our lives.

I don't know what you have heard, read, or seen, but in fact all the evidence points towards the likelihood that they cannot. Most people who think they can hear a difference actually can't when their brains don't know which source is which.

Funnily enough, I too wish this debate could finally be brought to an end. If people would just drop the obsession with lossless formats for their own sake and focus on things that really matter to sound quality, like better recording, production, and mastering, then I would consider that progress.

Smile :)

Oh that's interesting, you've heard the Jr and think it's a fun headphone? Yet your opinion on the Susvara is pretty low, so the Jr must do something differently enough to not fall into the same bucket as its wood-veneered sibling. Would you mind expanding a bit on what you find different between them?

The general view I've seen is that the Susvara is a bit more well-rounded and a better pick than the Shangri-La Jr, but I've also read impressions favoring the Jr. I've never had the chance to hear the Susvara for myself, so I'm always interested in comparisons. Also, at a headphone meet last year, someone who had owned the Susvara for some time heard my SGL Jr and said he liked the Jr much better. He actually told me that I shouldn't bother seeking out the Susvara, as the Jr is better; he said that the Susvara, while having good bass and great detail, "sucked the enjoyment out of everything". Which is pretty similar to your take on the Susvara being sterile. So I have no idea what lies in store for me if I ever get to hear the Sus for myself.

More than a handful of people have made this claim, and it seems there may be some truth in the matter, not only taking into consideration that there are possibly some people out there with better hearing/perceiving ability than you / the "hearing ability/range" of humans is an average rather than a hard limit, but also the fact that it's know certain file formats, when processed, decompressed, transmitted, etc., can have different sound due to variances in the processing itself (e.g. FLAC sounding different when it finally hits your headphone because, despite it being lossless, decompression ends up messing with the output, etc.)

(Edit: Something to do with increase CPU/electronic noise, depending on what device is doing the decompression/playback, I think I've read.)

To make the assumption that just because you're playing "bit perfect" files, you're actually getting every bit, unaltered, through every part of your chain, is widely accepted as a bad assumption to make.

So, if a certain lossless file format gets "colored" one way through your setup, and a different filetype is colored differently, then you may actually notice a difference.

Note that u/coconutbrown123 isn't saying one is better than the other. They're just saying they notice a difference.

I'd say, due to the fact that you're not saying it's impossible, plus what I've head, read, and seen - I'm going to conclude they very well could be hearing a difference, and any further time devoted to debating it is just a waste of our lives.

In blind tests I could only hear a difference on certain tracks, listening to them back and forth to pick a difference, very small. I have noticed a difference though when listening to the same genre of music for a while on Spotify, then changing to a playlist on Apple Music and having a kind of ‘oh shit that sounds more detailed’ moment, but that’s very hard to prove. I first noticed that effect in the car switching between MP3 and physical CDs, but again, hard to prove.

I'm currently looking for a budget-friendly headphone amp to pair with a Schiit Mani, and they're well over a dozen Magni 3+ units on closeout currently through Schiit's website. Would the price of the Magni 3+ be worth the discount ($79), or would I better served spending $30 more for the regular Magni+? If it's of any relevance or assistance, I'm currently using Sennheiser HD 380 pros and everything will be connected to my Fluance RT82 turntable.

I appreciate any help, and thank you!

That's the spirit!

Let me know how you get on.

P.S. if you manage it - don't forget to save your ABX log as proof!

Spend like a day fiddling with eq

Yeah I might try my friend's amp thanks

Do you think moondrop is gonna make closed back planars like hifiman

I'll try to do that see if it all is a lie

That's what everyone says until they try an actual blind test - myself included!

The placebo effect is a hell of a drug.

So your ATH don’t support a wired connection? Do they have a 3.5 jack on them? If not I’m guessing they have a usb-c for charging? Wondering if you can use that for audio

I’m wanting to compare a couple sets of headphones (Koss Pro4S and AKG K702) and I had been using a Samsung tablet with a Creative SXFI amp, but I’d rather use my LG monitor (as I can use a splitter with it plus ya know, big screen). The only thing is I’ve literally no idea how capable a monitor’s headphone jack is. Is there a standard power output for them or is it dependent on the model?

My model is a LG 32UN650 if anyone happens to have any experience with it. Thanks

You can belive me or not but I swear I hear a difference between quality not just volume

Press X to doubt.

3D audio is almost exclusively bad sounding every single time, the Sony one isn't going to be any different, a proper headphone without any of these software toys are always gonna sound better than a "gaming" headphone with 3d audio, that software tries to target the average ear shape, and since noones ear is average it's not gonna sound good

I can with the same setting hear more in wav format then mp3

Great review, ish! I found the XS to be very close to how you described it in the article. I had to manipulate the headphone quite a bit just to attempt to get a seal, and I'm pretty sure the bottom of the cup near the cable terminals sat below my jawline. The recent posts from you articulate precisely why I've been lukewarm on each new planar magnetic release since 2017.

DSD is just an old inferior recording format that adds unnecessary cost to a device while providing nothing over PCM.

I will let you know when I'm ready to upgrade, 250 $ is not a bad price, haven't found those prices on local second hand websites in Switzerland or EU.

Yup, you bet I'd rather listen to Steely Dan on my 660S.

Makes sense! The strengths of the XS do align more with a metal-focused library than my more vocal-centric library.

Thanks! Understanding preferences is one of the most important things to learn in this hobby—I actually like to read opinions from people I’m diametrically opposed because they end up being about as helpful as opinions from people with whom I align.

I’m still waiting for Shangri-La Jr prices to drop; I thought they were a fun headphone that ends up being different enough from what I have

holy hell