I don't need a high end headphone. All the refinement this gear brings is way beyond my listening abilities. Yet I still watch it because I would watch Darko analyze even a refrigerator.
@dilbyjones2 жыл бұрын
Darko: the compressor hum is GONE in ..... hehe
@dilbyjones2 жыл бұрын
I often lose focus too, this is the only way I've been able to listen. However if you stick with the Artist and the way they use tone and Volume ect... it helps
@itsmetimmee2 жыл бұрын
yeah John! Fridge reviews when?
@carminedesanto67462 жыл бұрын
If you can hear the difference between a cupped handed clap and a flat handed clap ……then you can hear the difference. I’ve just about given up on headphones as I find IEM’s are more accessible to create a stable of different sonic signatures..at a fraction of the price ..and though I have a headphone stack ..IEM’s on my iPhone gives a fun time . Best of the🎄 season 🍻
@SILENTIMACT742 жыл бұрын
Preach
@ibassnote2 жыл бұрын
Everything about your channel gets better and better with time. It is a study in refinement. As a professional musician and as a person with a high interest in “things” I am constantly inspired by your use of language and personality, for lack of a better word, to bring us into a space of critical considerations. I think I am going to have to join the paetreon circle out of sheer appreciation for all the work that goes into what you and your team do here. Just excellent work. Thank you.
@DarkoAudio2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for noticing that the journey for me - one that runs alongside my audio journey - is to make each video (in some way or other) better than the last. As you say: refinement.
@bpalpha2 жыл бұрын
Yeah. You've got style boy and it shows in your choice of music, fashion, and gear. I don't often wear headphones outside as I like to take in the world. Any good trip-hop to recommend? I'm big on Portishead and Thievery Corporation.
@tigerfish662 жыл бұрын
i gotta be honest, i would not walk around in public with those cans on......reason 1, they look expensive and in my region of the London underground district line that would be like having a 'mug me' sign on your back. Reason 2 They are for me too CYBERMAN...Playboy Cyberman in fact.....just my personal taste......for those that dont know what a cyberman is look up Doctor Who Enemies on wikipedia.
@justinhancock73372 жыл бұрын
I own both the Liric and the Stellia. My personal take is the Liric has a better low end (if amped well) due to some low end bump but the Stellia has much better detail retrieval and overall imaging. Both are fantastic but I'd argue the Liric is more comfortable and has a much better look. Both of these headphones are warm sounding and handle isolation quite well. I'd be happy owning just one of the two of them since they are both great.
@leisureavidgentleman89012 жыл бұрын
I love the look of them and my preference is closed back. So I may have to give them a try.
@jarekharmening89932 жыл бұрын
John, thanks for making headphones reviews. I'd like to see more of them (and make them longer). I wish you would have gone into comfort and maybe some more comparisons of the headphones from different dac/amps you own. The real treat of this video was seeing Berlin and you/your stylish clothing choices.
@FilipinaVegana4 сағат бұрын
I bought one of these yesterday, but not so much because they are great-sounding headphones, but because I got an excellent deal on them used.
@ExMeroMotu92 жыл бұрын
These prolly sound fabulous but the practicality is what keeps me at pause.
@robberthilgeman52332 жыл бұрын
Great to see you out and about and get a feel of the Berlin urban texture.
@warfam_clan69332 жыл бұрын
Many people have said that the Denon 9200 is as good as the Stelia. The Biocelulose driver is the star of the show. This comparison with the Liric would be interesting, especially as the Denon is 1400.
@KeenAesthetic12 жыл бұрын
Beat me to it! 🙌
@gamerfinn36342 жыл бұрын
Sir, such a treat to wake up on a Sunday make coffee and enjoy your work. Thank you.
@newsigmundfreud3023 Жыл бұрын
*Hi. Thanks for this review. After listening closely to all this I would throw in the Focal Bathys, which does so much and maybe even more than the 3 mentioned above. It has its built in DAC when using USB connection. You can use it with any of your DAC & AMP combo as a wired headphone and it is also bluetooth. When using it with high level AMP it shines even more than with its built in DAC which shines even more than with bluetooth connection. It is going for about US$800.*
@observerstation2 жыл бұрын
RIP Robbie Shakespeare 🙏
@yippie68622 жыл бұрын
Lookout people! Audiophile Badass walking the streets of Berlin. 🤟
@woodshop-audio2 жыл бұрын
Don't know why this particular video hit me with its excellent videography and sound quality but I just have to say it made me smile and MADE we want to see and hear more. Hats off for the excellent production values. One of the reasons I like this channel so much. Also I notice a distinct improvement to how you sound when talking in your room with the new acoustic treatment in place.
@Big-J-85792 жыл бұрын
Headphone listening is not my main thing. Speakers are the way to go. With that said... I love my Meze 99 Classics when I do listen at home. I loved your review on those several years ago. Thanks again for another great review.
@mariankis11582 жыл бұрын
Are meze 99 worth it? I'm looking for sound quality, between those and sony wh-1000xm3
@CzerodyStudios2 жыл бұрын
More headphone reviews please!!!
@allansh8282 жыл бұрын
I wouldn’t risk using them on the street. My Focal Elegia was killed by a tiny droplet of rain. I purposefully tested that before I decide whether to take out my Stellia.
@denisruskin3482 жыл бұрын
I would be scared to use 2K headphones on the street. I mean, most people wouldn’t know they are 2K but they do still look premium.
@dennismanning66842 жыл бұрын
Ya'll be careful crossing the street...busses don't care what ur listening to. Never-more on my bicycle. Love headphones
@arrakian2 жыл бұрын
I would’ve loved to see John compare this to the Denon AH-D9200.
@2meta4352 жыл бұрын
Hi, love the content and have been a quiet fan until now. I've recently reached some kind of endgame for my speaker system and am focusing on headphones now. I have the Susvara and Stellia, have been curious if there are driver / build types I should have in the collection as well to deal with more diverse kinds of music. Keep up the good work.
@adriangpuiu2 жыл бұрын
its pitty that for a 3000 USD / EUR product you loose those screws up top the copper tube that hold the ear cups, it happened to me on my empyreans, luckly i sent meze an e-mail telling them about it and they sent me free of charge 2 3 more screws. and my empyread is as brand new , i screwed the new one putting a bit of nail polish over them to make sure won't happen again.
@astorbeijer94242 жыл бұрын
I would love to know if you (John) wear 2k headphones as your portable option around Berlin? If you do; would you mind sharing the routes you normally take? Thanks so much! 😁
@alxbl3242 жыл бұрын
Will you do a video on DAPs? I know in previous videos you discussed how DAPs are dead, but in this video you were featured using one. I'm more curious about the Astell & Kern line of products. I've seen others review them, but I'd like your take. Thanks.
@Ulka.suleymanli2 жыл бұрын
Amazing review, thank you so much ♥️
@mrdarryljones12 жыл бұрын
Loving this! The vibe walking on the street, the B-roll music and your descriptions; Art dude! Keep doing this! 👍🏾
@samsstuff14822 жыл бұрын
Really interesting to watch even though all of these are way beyond my willingness to pay for a set of headphones at this time. So much good information to use when auditioning next cans, so thanks again. 👍
@rosssmith84812 жыл бұрын
You might want to check out an old review by z of the audio techinca Ath m60x. Really good cans $200.
@DucatiKozak2 жыл бұрын
Any chance to share that playlist at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="301">5:01</a>? Looks like Tidal, HEY Tidal! give Darko Audio a playlist!
@eugeneswanepoel8772 жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks. Well-timed release too; was looking into those models.
@dilbyjones2 жыл бұрын
Man I love the Euro approach to music. So much classics so alive there still.
@rikardekvall34332 жыл бұрын
My wife wouldn’t let me buy such expensive headphones, if I would like to. BUT I do appreciate your videos and the different products and all the new music you play that I search for on Spotify and are adding my own playlist. Keep up the great work. Happy Christmas to ya!
@gordonm61282 жыл бұрын
“My wife wouldn’t let me buy”??? That’s sad. Who wears the pants in your house? That is absolute Beta behavior. You make the money you can buy whatever the hell you want. Just remember that.
@jimfarrell46352 жыл бұрын
@@gordonm6128 Just one small point you big hairy old silverback, leader of the pack and dominator of all you survey. You appear to be using the name "Unicorn Goodies" online. Now I have nothing against unicorns as fictional mono-horned creatures go, but I don't normally associate them with paragons of alpha-maleness. More of a 7 year old girls thing. Did, by any chance, your wife make you choose it ?
@DuSeun2 жыл бұрын
@@gordonm6128 Who even says he makes all the money? You know that many women work too these days, right? So yeah, when you live together and want to buy any $2k object, you should discuss that in a healthy relationship. If you think that makes you a "Beta male", you just sound insecure
@newsigmundfreud3023 Жыл бұрын
Focal Bathys she might let.
@swize822 жыл бұрын
Excellent music choice. By the way I saw that you used the unbalanced out from the Ibasso DX300 . The balanced output is rated at 1.2 watts which I think is adequate to power these HP's.
@DarkoAudio2 жыл бұрын
So is the single ended output. Besides, only a single ended cable is supplied with Liric.
@asplmn2 жыл бұрын
Totally get that you "can" wear these around outside, but like most audiophile cans, they still look really silly lol just not as bad as most.
@brandonburr49002 жыл бұрын
Nice shots of checkpoi t Charlie. Been there many years ago 😀
@budgetaudiophilelife-long54612 жыл бұрын
🤗👍🤔 I THINK YOU NEED ALL THREE 😉 for the different music 😂 😍😍😍
@onepieceatatime2 жыл бұрын
This is great - listening to these closed back headphones while walking around Berlin sounds exactly the same as doing the same thing in Chicago or Tokyo. Now I just need two grand!
@ubacow71092 жыл бұрын
Should see where the DC stealth compares to the Liric
@martinrose67562 жыл бұрын
How do the Liric go while wearing glasses? Did the frames cause a break in a seal and affect the bass response? I've found it to be a problem with my Lagoons.
@RVDL2 жыл бұрын
What is that audioplayer he listens to when he's on the go? <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="358">5:58</a> at least shows it's Android based.
@jrlx862 жыл бұрын
IBasso DX300
@earthgirdler232 жыл бұрын
I got to check out that Aleksi Perala album now. He seems to be releasing about an album a week, it's tough to know where to start. I'll take your mention of it as a recommendation and start there!
@win_dum2 жыл бұрын
that's one sexy pair of headphones!
@pdg18772 жыл бұрын
Good Schiit!
@TheLMMish2 жыл бұрын
Maybe use them in an airport or cafe, lounge or in the forest. No way I'm strapping 2k on my head.
@kopczas11 ай бұрын
Have you used any of Aeon`s 2 filters ? Currently I own Aeon 2 Closed but I`m looking for something to level up, Liric looks like major contender. As to A2C I use use them with white and black filter, otherwise theyare much to bright to my ears.
@darrellross86092 жыл бұрын
I have, for a long time been a " Slave to the Rythem".
@10nut2 жыл бұрын
Great job coming from Romania!
@Soundoverload2 жыл бұрын
Awesome review
@russellledonne43703 ай бұрын
I am interested in getting a good pair of closed backs that I might wear in public. However, I am wondering if I should get the T&A Solitare (the idea of HQ mode really appeals to me) and then use them passively as a closed back at home OR consider getting a Liric or Stellia and use an iFi GO Blu (or similar device) to make them wireless. Thoughts? I agree with John that the Stellias would probably be too C3PO for most citizens, but they would much less cliche than another grey haired man driving a BMW convertible.
@paulwibb.89442 жыл бұрын
They would look loads better with some LEDs on them. Bling BLiNGU$$ for the Berlin massive,,
@nigelkelly22862 жыл бұрын
I walk around with my open back akg k712s and a portable amp set to high gain 🤷 i like hearing my surroundings but no doubt they sound better in quiet room.
@scottsterry81192 жыл бұрын
No comments on fit and comfort? I’m surprised. Or is that just a given?
@DarkoAudio2 жыл бұрын
Super comfortable. Even more than Stellia. But maybe not quite Aeon2 comfort.
@x32i772 жыл бұрын
Susvara deserves this guy , the guy deserves Susvara ! We need a review 🙏🙂
@herschan12 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your reviews, got the liric and Eon 2, liric - music coming from the shoulders and even down the arms Eon 2 just from neck area, sound on a different leage.
@Ulka.suleymanli2 жыл бұрын
🤔
@itsmetimmee2 жыл бұрын
Meze for the win! Loved the bloopers at the end.
@marceltougas65742 жыл бұрын
Wondering if there is a faux surround sound headphones you could recommend
@alvaskins2 жыл бұрын
Great video as always JD. Question to the masses: can you plug these into a phone or will it be too quiet for them? If not, what would be needed? Cheers.
@professorcalculus53152 жыл бұрын
Your phone (if it has a headphone jack) might be able to power them, but you’re better off getting a dongle DAC or similar, and running them out of this. You should check out John’s recent reviews. This setup will likely blow your phone out of the water for sound quality.
@robinr57872 жыл бұрын
Most will say: you can, but why spent 2000 on a headphone just to connect it to the standard (inferior) headphone socket.
@newsigmundfreud3023 Жыл бұрын
@@robinr5787 I would suggest the Focal Bathys which does it all.
@tedjensen88412 жыл бұрын
Hey John, another great video thank you. How would compare the comfort between these headphones. How about compared to the Empyrean’s
@superpeca2 жыл бұрын
What about the idea of getting a 1000 eur headphones and spend the other 1000 on a quiet refrigerator? ;)
@eugenio60582 жыл бұрын
John, what is the brand of beautiful lava lamp which you are using? p.s.many thnkx for your cozy videos!
@eddents2 жыл бұрын
Wearing those cans on a snowy winter walk makes them look warm and toasty! Thanks as always for a robust and nuanced review of product. I think the word on the street is that two grand is called two grand and one grand is referred to as "a grand". Of course Darko Audio videos are always grand!
@gitmobob62662 жыл бұрын
Would have liked to see you compare them to another 2000 euro pair of headphones for a euro to euro comparison.
@DarkoAudio2 жыл бұрын
But I don't have a €2k headphone here otherwise, yeah I would have considered that.
@allansh8282 жыл бұрын
street price of Stellia is about €2000 now
@DarkoAudio2 жыл бұрын
Kindly help us understand what you mean by 'street price'? And is that street price specific to a certain region of the world?
@passagier3032 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great video. How would you rate the difference in the base region between the Stellia and the Liric? I am also really intrigued about your take on the ibasso dx 300, especially its performance as an android based streamer with coax out into a Hi-Fi system. Here is to hoping you will make a video on that ^^
@jeremylim69982 жыл бұрын
Would work great as a transport whether Coax or better, USB. Its MQA certification would at least partially aid an unfold along to the DAC as a transport. And its FPGA-based I2S processing means that SPDIF signal is properly treated, clocks and data all transmitted with maximum integrity.
@PaulCouzens832 жыл бұрын
anyone know who makes that coat hes wearing in the outdoor scenes like at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="318">5:18</a>?
@KeenAesthetic12 жыл бұрын
Why these over high end iems?
@DuSeun2 жыл бұрын
Because many people don't like the fit of IEMs. Over ears are also able to create a wider soundstage, and the sounds resonate more realistically into your ear and against the side of your head, creating a more natural sound. Over ears, especially open backs, sound closer to real speakers, while IEMs sound like there's a speaker inside your head
@Sampardhanani2 жыл бұрын
Superb as usual Bro John.
@kevinmaestroful6 ай бұрын
Anyone know where i can get that headphone stand he has the mezze lirics on?
@leonardcheri21183 ай бұрын
audio perch I think it is called
@metebalci2 жыл бұрын
I have recently tried it (and some other headphones like hd820 at the same time) and it had too much bass. It sounded good with some music but started to disturb after some minutes.
@RedSinter2 жыл бұрын
So, John shirt and sweet sadly I could get me some of that, Meze Lyric, even at tha $ point, but what I'd rather know is the Meze compared to the Sudara Hifiman. As I'd prefer a balanced system not over shadowed by H Phones which equal 2/3rds of what I plan to spend. Unless I go all Phones, Preamp, and Streamer and no CD Transport, no Speakers.
@professorcalculus53152 жыл бұрын
Great jacket 🐨
@marcbungener18772 жыл бұрын
would you go as far as saying they are also less fatiguing than the Focal Stelia ? I like the understatement look indeed !
@hartyewh12 жыл бұрын
A fire alarm is less fatiguing the a Stellia so I would assume they are. Mezes other headphones are very easy listening first and technical capability a distant second as well.
@robertnoblitt5182 жыл бұрын
I had a Stellia for over a year, but grew tired of its metallic sound. Now I have a Liric, and love it.
@sogunbiyi2 жыл бұрын
Link for the headphone stand 🧐
@NotedArchived2 жыл бұрын
Curious the pros/cons in relation to the Empyrian
@gregstevenson74012 жыл бұрын
Nailed it. Again. Superb production and as someone in the market for a 1K+ headphone, I thought that open back was the only option. Well done for making my life harder. Great to see this channel growing.
@alexandremarques13672 жыл бұрын
Loved it when I tested Meze Liric!! Really confortable and enjoyable. Amazing quality
@Gman10442 жыл бұрын
Get some Chris and Cosey into your 🎧
@Villaboy782 жыл бұрын
DCA Aeon2 closed . Space glitter cherry with carbon fibre... Not Berlin , but which city would you place these ? I feel this would be a great game to play
@tigerfish662 жыл бұрын
Las Vegas would be my vote
@davidh33852 жыл бұрын
Good game. Sennheiser HD800 = planet Mondas
@11clouds2 жыл бұрын
John please try to get your hands on the 7HZ Timeless Planar IEM's, my new favorites for electronic
@officedotie2 жыл бұрын
I rigged my table lamp to flash as i dont hear the doorbell when i have headphones on ?
@PhotoViking2 жыл бұрын
I thought these headphones was a nobrainer due to all good reviews they got and I bought them. Where I live there is no store that have them, so I had to order online. Got them, really nice look, really comfy, but… they aren’t very fun to listen to. Amazing details and amazing soundstage, but voices sounds a bit analytic, even metallic, they certenly lack in the lower end. I used them on Audioquest Dragonfly Cobolt on an iPhone 13 Pro. My Audioquest Nighthawk was actually more pleasant to listen to, more ”musical”, and voices was way more natural. I know Nighthawk is far from perfect, and that’s why I’m shopping for new and better headphones. I sent the Meza Liric back. I know so many say it’s the best headphone ever. Well, it’s not, at least not for me. Music just died in them.
@FXV562 жыл бұрын
Maybe they need a better amplifier Sometimes i feel like there's something wrong with my 99 classics.. or maybe it was just me
@Mr1stcat2 жыл бұрын
@@FXV56 their meant to be taken everywhere you can't carry a desk setup everywhere 🤣
@robinmarples51987 ай бұрын
But as we know with focal. Wait 2 years and you will already have 40% on it.
@markwillems48262 жыл бұрын
Are there in the pricerange 1000€ (or less) headphones where the sound get in front of you and not in your head, between your ears?
@potipota92422 жыл бұрын
Sennheiser HD800s
@DuSeun2 жыл бұрын
For open back there are countless options with great sound stage under $1000, so I'm assuming you're talking about closed back? In that case, sadly there aren't many options. According to Rtings' test results, the best scoring ones are some Logitech and Astro gaming headsets, which don't have great sound quality and still only score around a 7 on soundstage. I think for a closed back your best bet would be the Monolith m1060c, which Rtings has not tested, but it's one of the best closed backs overall
@killerra2 жыл бұрын
Hifiman Ananda
@howardbaldwin12262 жыл бұрын
I must admit I’ve liked the neutrality of the top line Shure products. Both head and earphones. Cheers.
@Lamar-wq7jj2 жыл бұрын
It's huge.not for outdoors
@darrellross86092 жыл бұрын
Single ended?...?
@AndrewLamas192 жыл бұрын
Check out the denon ah-d9200!
@malinyamato22912 жыл бұрын
I have that one and I am going to listen to this liric and compare. I don't listen to the 9200 as much now because I have LCD-5 and I need something on the run where I don't want to bring my 9200 as it leads and stands out.
@CalmTempest2 жыл бұрын
@@malinyamato2291 @ me when you've compared them please
@phil57432 жыл бұрын
Sorry but although these are closed, they look out of place on the street. Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should! Great review nonetheless - I love my Empyreans!
@falcodarkzz2 жыл бұрын
Who cares how they look lol
@michaelhalberg11842 жыл бұрын
Hi The black plate, that the headphones and amp are resting on, says "Acoustics" - Im guessing its an anti-acoustics plate - Which brand is it? :)
@alexandremarques13672 жыл бұрын
IsoAcoustics ZaZen
@smirkingguru2 жыл бұрын
A tad pricey for street strolling...careful the neighborhood choose peruse but, very nice.
@sdbentrup2 жыл бұрын
I really like your reviews John, but part of my watching this video was for some good shots of Berlin (I used to live there). The Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and Friedrichstrasse is a good location for testing their noise blocking, but if you had gone to Rosenthaler Platz or U-Bhf Eberswalder Str., even Unter den Linden, and said they're good at blocking the noise, then you'd have really tested them :) Gruesse!
@nikolaygramchev2 жыл бұрын
Now imagine, you buy a car and the tyres and wheels are glued to the car, you cannot put winter ones or racing ones, you cannot change if you get a flat tyre. How do you like that!? Since this is the case with the Liric - the earpads are glued and Meze are not selling replacement ones. Big flaw!
@allansh8282 жыл бұрын
wow, bummer
@nicholas8022 жыл бұрын
Im still going to buy it...everything in life isn't perfect so deal with it
@holiboin81082 жыл бұрын
@@nicholas802 Deal with it? Or you can voice your criticism and look at other products that offer all those features. If you can deal with it that's on you, it doesn't make sense to defend it with truism. This was a decision made by the company Meze not "Life."
@earthgirdler232 жыл бұрын
Yikes. Strange choice to make on a 2 grand pair of cans. I would expect (given that is not the case with Empyrean for instance) that there is some kind of sealing reason for that. However I'm surprised they couldn't find any work around at all. That's likely to seriously impact the usable life of them.
@cristi7242 жыл бұрын
I don't defend the glued pads, but if you're going to blast them for it at least don't be disingenuous about it. Meze has stated they will support replacements, and warranties, and will sell replacement kits, they're just not ready yet since the cans just launched. Also I think it's only fair to also share their reasoning behind the glued pads, since this is their first glued pads and not a habit from them. It's on the product page, if you don't believe them, feel free to not buy the headphones. Again, I am not defending the glued pads, I hate it myself. But let's be fair.
@raghuadhlakha76762 жыл бұрын
I know when someone spent 3000 dollars and it's feels like in heaven
@soulfulfool2 жыл бұрын
dear God streets are rich as fvck to own them ! my car is cheaper
@GibranHashim2 жыл бұрын
New glasses!
@ezvkm772 жыл бұрын
Nice to hear some good news about Meze for a change, thanks.
@automatic2412 жыл бұрын
Why? Was there bad news recently?
@vthee2 жыл бұрын
what brand is your headphone stand?
@InternetUser-d7s2 жыл бұрын
Got them myself, though have not yet walked around with them in public.