Ben Gramain

I guess it's an 'open source' bonus thing they're trying to do. I like it. My main gripe with the Transporter and SB, both of which I tried and abandoned is that I have to go up to it or access a PC to actually see what it's doing. And accessing a PC is obviously redundant as the PC itself can be the source (as it is now). The problem with that approach of course is that you either have to embrace the certain audio software related limitations with the Mac Mini + Front Row, or spend significantly more building a silent Media Center with better / faster functionality. I looked at the Sonos system but it didn't fit into my needs. This looks like a humdinger if the UI is zippy.

A tad too small for me - couldn't use it as a 'long-termer' without some adjustment. I can't remember whether I actually did the adjustments or not. Also kind of an inbetween-phone for me despite their undoubted prowess for a closed phone. Too dorky for outside use, and also these days I can use open phones indoors.

Indeed. Let it be known thus, that parties involved have acknowledged my cosmic significance by sending me a PM regarding this matter. Or something. Thanks - all sorted now about the questions I had.

The comparison to illustrate the point of looks vs performance (and the influence of this on the perceived sound quality, especially if you scout around for reviews online) was made between the EW9 and the KSC-75, two *directly* comparable items. Obviously I wouldn't compare between completely different classes of phones when making statements of the above nature. Oh, and I may be catty at times but it's not my usual practice to descend straight into calling someone stupid unless very justified. May I suggest that you beware at jumping to such conclusions. Longtime readers of my posts not on this forum may note that I am incredibly bad at coming up with reviews once I've said I will do so - so I'll avoid a straight commitment to a comparative review with a couple of DJ-phones, which who knows, the Panda may have already done. Nevertheless if the opportunity presents itself I will try to put my detailed thoughts in writing in a timely (?) manner.

The last thing I bought was technically speaking a case of the runs.

Your whole computer sounds as though it's borked As far as I know (and my practical knowledge in this respect is limited since I tend to buy computers already set up) you should ideally have: - BIOS support for RAID (i.e. Press x for RAID setup, etc appearing during boot) and enabled - RAID enabled for SATA/IDE in the 'normal' BIOS - HDD's plugged into RAID-capable ports. Some computers have say six ports, of which two or more for example may not be part of the RAID bit. Then, you should go into the RAID BIOS and set up an array. If the drivers are already installed in Windows (or you install it during the Windows install process), it should see the RAID array as one drive (unless of course you set it up as JBOD). You should be able to treat this, be it RAID 0, 1 or other, as a regular HDD within Windows.

No - I'm far too important for that thread-dredging crap Many thanks Justin. Should I really submit a preorder through that giant thread or can I order as 'normal'?

Et tu Panda? What next? Panasonic RP-DJ1210W? Triports to get the 'its good' nod if released with wood cups? Hmmmm. *Starts writing letter to Bose*

A 101 page thread!?!?! You have to be kidding me. Madness. No specs / options page? Is emailing him better?

Sorry, cannot wade through the lovefest thread. - How big is it - Custom paint? - Where do I get it from and product details in a single webpage if poss. Thanks

Similarly I don't make claims to the KSC-75's greatness. The fact that the EW9's barely outperfom them (if at all - consequently the 'oh fuck') is a case in point to A-T's frequent 'form over function', which includes the ESW9. It doesn't isolate much, it's not exceptionally comfortable, it is not particularly suitable for everyday throwaround use and neither is it sounding that much better than a mediocre DJ phone. My point is that if you like these because you're influenced by the way it looks, you should acknowledge it. The reason both EW and ESW stick around in my inventory is that occasionally I like wearing functional jewelry.

ESW9 impressions by boomana Wha? Are we listening to the same phone? It's a fun mid-fi phone and all that but.... It seems to me to be like the (totally different sounding of course, but similar situation where the way it looks clouds your judgement) ES9 where you spend a few weeks listening to it and think, hey, that's kind of good... then you listen to a KSC-75 and go "oh fuck." Still, more fool me for continuing to buy the damned things.

Happy 2008. May your tubes be toasty, or whatever I'm supposed to say at times like this.

Cower before my sig, mortals.

Not necessarily. I've said it before on Head-Fi but the K271S has a very shallow earcup, and it's possible for the listening experience to be radically different for sticky-out eared types because instead of the cushions supporting the phones, your ears are. This also lifts off the cups at the back of the ears. I'm sure very different sonic experiences are a result of this difference in fit. My choices for closed phones are alternating between the Bose Triport AE (around ear) and the Sennheiser HD25-1. As much as the HD25-1 is notably superior to the Triport in practically all respects, it's not in one major area: comfort. The Senn is superior in sound, isolation, durability, spares availability and also portability. It is the best in terms of isolation among portable closed phones, it is the most incisive sounding, it is also among the most compact of the non-folders. If the comfort thing is not a factor, it is almost a no-brainer choice for the 'committed audiophile' on the move.

You aren't leet otherwise. If I was vain and shallow I'd probably list my wardrobe and go gaga abut my iPhone. Should I?

I didn't have any experience with the ADC models. All of mine are the newer aluminium Cinema Displays. Since I got rid of some early 2006 23" and 30"s my oldest Apple monitors are now mid-2006. As I hinted critical colour matching is a complete irrelevance to me and I bought the Coloredges with a view to see if these offered better image quality than the Dell or Apple. They don't, or at least not to a noticeable level.

I bought a couple of the Coloredges out of curiosity. In addition to that I have the Apple 23" and 30" monitors, and the Dell 24, 24HC, 27, 30, and 30HC monitors. I'm a regular user for the most part, and the imaging stuff I do (mostly review and bitch about product, engineering and architectural schematics and mockups) is more dependent on image quality than colour accuracy - I don't do any print work. The short and curlies of it is that IMO the Eizos are absolutely not worth it unless your colour matching needs are critical.

Lion poo extract pellets are known to have a mild effect on small numbers of cats invading your garden.

Still looking.

Dell XPS M1330 with Completecare. (slightly more than 2Kg with standard cell) Dell Latitude D630 with Completecare. (2.5Kg with standard cell) I'm a Windows refugee. I came back from Macs. On OS X you have iTunes, iTunes, or iTunes. I didn't realise how limiting that would be. Plus while it all looks great the hardware is kinda ropey compared to similarly priced Lenovo, HP, Sony and Dell systems.

Fascinating. I was working on an adjustable headband, but lost interest. Got a link?

I thought hard about keeping it, but I sold it. Designwise in terms of looks it's the best thing out there. But of course you don't buy headphones for looks, and biomechanically I found it quite deeply flawed. I only kept it as long as I did because I was aware of it's technical potential, but it took the damnest long time to work out a reliable position for it on my head. I also ultimately didn't like the character of the sound, which also was married very closely to that biomechanical flaw. I don't miss it. In terms of selling, the only thing I've regretted getting rid of so far as the brand-new HE90. The complete system I have now was,despite the previous owner's claims, a little less than 'absolutely mint'.

They look pretty nice overall. Depending on the cabinet choice the look might suit the room nicely. It's not a good sign that the first hit for a review is 6moons but I won't put that against them. I'll contact them about London dealers.

I never really was into the wireless Dolby headphones thing. However I find myself wanting something like that for late-night TV watching. (and apparently on the rare occasion that I do follow a series, my program choices are 'so gay'.) What's worth buying these days?